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