Safari Parks & Reserves

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is Sir Richard Branson's luxury safari retreat in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, offering Big Five game viewing with Virgin Limited Edition's signature flair. The reserve features two spectacular lodges — Rock Lodge, perched atop a koppie with panoramic views across the bushveld, and Safari Lodge, nestled in the riverbed canopy alongside a dry riverbed. Ulusaba traverses 13,500 hectares of prime Sabi Sand territory unfenced with Kruger National Park, delivering exceptional leopard, lion, and elephant encounters. The reserve's unique appeal lies in its blend of world-class safari with Branson's adventurous spirit — guests can enjoy treehouse-style suites, a wine cellar carved into rock, and exclusive-use options for the entire lodge. Ulusaba means "place of little fear" in Shangaan, reflecting the confidence of wildlife in this well-protected habitat.

Mabamba Bay Wetland is the most accessible and reliable location in the world to see the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork — one of Africa's most sought-after bird species. This Ramsar-designated wetland on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, just 50 kilometres from Entebbe, provides a reliable year-round habitat for several pairs of shoebills. Local fishermen guide visitors through narrow papyrus channels in traditional wooden canoes to within close range of these extraordinary birds. Beyond the shoebill, Mabamba supports over 300 bird species including papyrus endemics, sitatunga, and spotted-necked otters.

Loisaba Conservancy is a 226-square-kilometre private wildlife sanctuary on the western Laikipia Plateau, perched dramatically on the edge of the Ewaso Ng'iro escarpment. Famous for its iconic Star Beds — open-air platforms where guests sleep under the stars while wildlife roams below — Loisaba embodies the romance of the African safari. The conservancy's diverse terrain ranges from open grasslands to rugged gorges, supporting all of the Big Five plus wild dogs, Grevy's zebra, and over 260 bird species. Loisaba is a founding member of the Northern Rangelands Trust and a vital wildlife corridor linking the Laikipia highlands to Samburu's semi-arid lowlands.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is one of Africa's most successful conservation stories, a pioneering private wildlife sanctuary on the northern foothills of Mount Kenya. UNESCO-listed as part of the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site, Lewa has been instrumental in saving Kenya's rhino population, growing its numbers from just 15 to over 200 black and white rhinos. Spanning 250 square kilometres of rolling grasslands and open woodland, Lewa supports all of the Big Five and is home to the largest population of Grevy's zebra — the world's most endangered zebra species. The conservancy model here has become a blueprint for community conservation across Africa, with local Maasai and Meru communities directly benefiting from tourism revenue.

Mapungubwe National Park protects an area of immense cultural and ecological significance at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers in South Africa's far north. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, the park encompasses the remains of the Mapungubwe Kingdom, a sophisticated Iron Age civilization that flourished between 900 and 1300 AD and was one of the first complex societies in southern Africa. The landscape features dramatic sandstone formations, ancient baobab trees, and riverine forests set against semi-arid savannah. While not a traditional Big Five destination, Mapungubwe offers elephant herds along the Limpopo, diverse birdlife exceeding 400 species, and a unique blend of archaeology and wilderness that is unmatched in southern Africa.

Ongava Private Game Reserve borders the southern boundary of Etosha National Park, offering exclusive access to 300 square kilometres of pristine bushveld. The reserve is an important rhino sanctuary, supporting significant populations of both black and white rhinos, along with all other major plains game species. Ongava provides a premium complement to an Etosha safari, with the advantage of off-road driving, night drives, walking safaris, and rhino tracking — activities not permitted inside Etosha itself. The reserve's lodges also have their own waterholes, providing outstanding game viewing from the comfort of your room or pool deck.

Idube Game Reserve is a private concession within the renowned Sabi Sand Wildtuin, offering exceptional Big Five game viewing with a particular reputation for close-up leopard encounters. The name 'Idube' means 'zebra' in Zulu, and the reserve has been operated as an exclusive safari destination since the 1980s. Situated in the central Sabi Sand with open traversing rights across approximately 10,000 hectares, Idube shares the same extraordinary wildlife as its neighbours — Londolozi, Sabi Sabi, and MalaMala. The reserve's mix of savannah, riverine bush, and open grassland provides varied habitats. With only one lodge and limited guest numbers, Idube delivers the intimate, uncrowded game viewing that makes the Sabi Sand the world's premier private safari destination.

Mountain Zebra National Park was established in 1937 specifically to save the Cape mountain zebra from extinction, when fewer than 50 individuals remained. Today this conservation success story in the Eastern Cape's Karoo region protects over 800 Cape mountain zebra alongside cheetah, buffalo, black wildebeest, eland, and over 350 bird species across 28,400 hectares of dramatic mountain terrain. The park features the Bankberg mountain range rising to nearly 2,000 metres, deep valleys carved by the Willow River, and sweeping Karoo plains dotted with distinctive dolerite formations. A malaria-free destination with excellent hiking trails including the three-day Mountain Zebra Trail, the park offers a quieter alternative to the Eastern Cape's private game reserves with affordable SANParks accommodation.

Lake Turkana, the world's largest permanent desert lake, is one of Earth's most extraordinary natural wonders. Known as the Jade Sea for its stunning turquoise-green colour caused by algae, this vast alkaline lake stretches 250 kilometres through Kenya's remote northern frontier, where the landscape resembles another planet entirely. The lake and its environs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompassing Sibiloi National Park, South Island, and Central Island — all volcanic. This is where some of the world's most important hominid fossils have been discovered, including Turkana Boy. The lake supports the world's largest population of Nile crocodiles and is a critical stopover for migratory birds. Reaching Turkana is an expedition in itself, traversing the Chalbi Desert and Suguta Valley.

Lalibela Wildlife Reserve is a family-owned, malaria-free Big Five destination in the Eastern Cape, encompassing 7,500 hectares of Valley Bushveld near the Bushman's River. Named after the ancient Ethiopian rock-hewn churches, Lalibela has been steadily building its reputation as a quality safari option for travellers combining wildlife with the Garden Route. The reserve supports all Big Five alongside giraffe, hippo, cheetah, and over 280 bird species. Lalibela operates three distinct lodges — including the innovative Lentaba Lodge with its wheelchair-accessible game-viewing vehicle — making it one of the most inclusive safari destinations in South Africa. The reserve's community upliftment programme provides education and employment to surrounding villages.

Arusha National Park is a small but strikingly beautiful park situated between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. Covering just 552 square kilometers, it encompasses a remarkable range of habitats including montane forest, the Ngurdoto Crater (often called 'Little Ngorongoro'), the alkaline Momella Lakes, and the upper slopes of Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest mountain. The park is a haven for black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffes, buffalos, and over 400 bird species. While it lacks large predators, it offers exceptional walking safaris, canoeing on the Momella Lakes, and the challenging but rewarding multi-day climb of Mount Meru. Its proximity to Arusha town makes it perfect for a day trip or as an acclimatization hike before climbing Kilimanjaro.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matobo (Matopos) features dramatic granite kopjes and ancient San rock art dating back thousands of years. The park has the highest density of leopards in Zimbabwe and an important population of both black and white rhinos.