Difference between the Kruger Park and Private Reserves

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Wild Wings Safaris

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Difference between the Kruger Park and Private Reserves


What is the difference between the Kruger National Park and the adjacent private game reserves? And which is better for an African safari? Where will you see the most wildlife?

Wild Wings Safaris unpacks this common question.

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30 Comments

  1. Just came home from 2 weeks in Sabi Sands.. being able to drive OFF THE ROAD/PATH and follow animals or drive off the road to a tree that a leopard is up in is a game changer!

  2. What a dream to do either! I want to go to see the Jabulani Herd … I believe it is near Kampa….one of their elephants is named Klaserie, and their dominant bull Sebakwe is the face of Amarula which I am dying to taste!

  3. That was so Super Cool, the Lion's sleeping, and their Dinner runs right Past them… 💫🌟❤🌟💫 What an Awesome Sighting.. 🐾❤🐾 Thank you for Sharing…. 💫🌟❤🌟💫

  4. Hey people! I need some help to organize my safari trip for this September. Since im solo traveling and not going by car, is there another possibility to get into the park? can I book some Bush walk and game drive from the park entrance? if I sleep there, is there some pick up from the entrance? what would you recommend me? I don't have a driver license ( that's why) and I can do a private safari for 5 days but they are taking me to private reserves and I want to see leopards. HELP! please . thank you 🙂

  5. I often hear people complain that the private reserves aren't really an authentic safari experience, and are often compared to safari parks or zoos, especially in areas where the animals have been reintroduced, but I'm not so sure. Maybe the animals are semi-wild and fenced off to keep them from entering the resorts and villages, but you still have to drive around and look for them and you may or may not see them. But they're usually restricted to a smaller area, which makes seeing them more likely. On the downside however, private reserves usually have a limit on how many animals they're allowed to have, so you don't get such large herds or species diversity. But IDK, the flora and fauna are still indigenous. It's true that the accommodations and getting there, can be extremely pricey by local standards, but on the upside game drives in these places are usually cheaper than in national parks. And if you visit as part of a packaged tour, you can often get a discounted rate. Some of the smaller and more popular ones are reasonable.
    Personally, I think if you're staying in Cape Town, just visit one of the reserves. But if you're staying in Jo-berg or PE, you're better off just visiting a national park. That being said, South Africa is one of the only African countries that caters to people who want to experience more than just safari. Most other African countries seem to be centered entirely around safari tourism, and if you want to experience other things, it becomes a pricey and logistical nightmare. At least in SA, you're able to do both without having to pay ridiculous amounts of money or bounce from hotel to hotel.

  6. Very nicely done. I’ve been to both and I much prefer Kruger as the land is much more expansive and you’re able to do at your own pace. There’s a certain lure of literally not knowing what’s around the corner, whereas in the private lodges, you’re virtually guaranteed certain sightings – which actually takes away from the excitement of the ‘hunt’. The great variety of game in Kruger is stunning. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been to Kruger, but the thrill of going back never goes away. (Tim from Canada.)

  7. Private reserve gave more importants to Lion prides and gave them more hype. Coalition like Mapogos, Majingilanes, Matimbas, Bboys, etc are more attractive to tourists.

  8. Great comparison. I would jump for Kruger anytime. But you pretty much cater your own food. Restaurants at the main rest camps or cooking on your own. Private reserves cater to all that.

  9. Loved the freedom of Kruger and the rest camps although not particularily of high standard still made the whole trip part of the experience.  Private reserves are also good but I personally preferred the self driving tour of Kruger.

  10. Nicely summarised and broadly, I would agree with your observations.

    One caveat to the Upmarket Private Reserve Safaris that I would add is that the small / limited size of the traversing areas help the Guides become absolute Experts in their local Resident, so it often becomes a ‘canned Safari’ and akin to a drive round a Safari Park.

    You tell him what you want next, and he’ll drive you there.

  11. I booked into Kruger, got the last open bungalow. Everything else fully booked. More than 50% of bungalows was empty for my full stay. The answer from the staff is that it is kept open for potential group bookings.

  12. I'm from the UK and I've been lucky enough to experience both several times over the years and also self driving in Kruger while staying at a hotel about 2 minutes drive from Paul Kruger Gate (so you can pretty much fall out of bed, dress quickly and be at the gate before it opens at sunrise, which is a great time of day to see predators still awake after their night activity and beautiful sunrises). I love all three experiences pretty much equally and even when self driving in KNP have had several sightings of leopards, lions and wild dogs. But overall my heart has been given to Sabi Sands and leopards.