Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Game ReserveBig Five

Karongwe Private Game Reserve

South Africa 90 km² (35 mi²) Est. 1999

About Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Karongwe Private Game Reserve is a 9,000-hectare Big Five reserve in the Limpopo lowveld, formed by the merging of four former cattle farms in the Greater Kruger area. While fenced from Kruger itself, Karongwe has developed into an excellent wildlife destination with healthy populations of all Big Five and notably good leopard sightings. The reserve's diverse terrain — spanning Lowveld bushveld, riverine woodland along the Karongwe River, and rocky outcrops — supports a rich variety of wildlife including cheetah, wild dog, and over 300 bird species. Karongwe is particularly valued as a more affordable alternative to the Sabi Sand and Timbavati, offering quality Big Five game viewing and off-road driving without the premium price tag.

0

Safari Tours

4.0

Avg Rating

5/5

Big Five

27

Years Protected

Highlights

  • Big Five with good leopard sightings at lower prices than Sabi Sand
  • Off-road driving and night drives permitted
  • Cheetah and wild dog regularly seen
  • Good value for quality Greater Kruger safari
  • Close to Hoedspruit airport

Considerations

  • Fenced — not open to the Greater Kruger system
  • Smaller than top-tier private reserves
  • Converted from cattle farms — landscape still evolving
  • Malaria area

Wildlife

Big Five Status

🦁

Lion

common

🐆

Leopard

occasional

🐘

Elephant

common

🦬

Buffalo

common

🦏

Rhino

occasional

Notable Species

Lion

Common

Leopard

Occasional

Elephant

Common

Cape Buffalo

Common

White Rhino

Occasional

Giraffe

Common

Zebra

Common

Impala

Common

Hyena

Common

Common Occasional Rare

Best Time to Visit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal

Climate Overview

Getting There

Karongwe is approximately 30 minutes from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town serve Hoedspruit. By road, the reserve is about 500 km (5 hours) from Johannesburg.

Nearest Airport

Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS)

Nearest City

Hoedspruit

Drive Time

5 hours