The Manyeleti was established as a game reserve in 1963 at the height of apartheid in South Africa. During these dark, racially segregated times, it was the only game reserve in the country where anyone classified as non-white was welcome because of its location in what was then Gazankulu, a former black homeland.

Limited investment was made by government into the Manyeleti's infrastructure and as a result, it remained one of the country's best-kept secrets - a wildlife Eden completely off the tourism radar that received very few visitors but offered the ultimate, authentic bush experience.

The fall of apartheid and the dawn of democracy positioned South Africa - the Rainbow Nation we know and love today - as one of the world's premier tourism destinations. At the same time processes were put in place to offer restitution to displaced communities in the form of land claims and beneficiaries who had lived in the area are the prospective owners of the reserve.

A small number of concessions in the reserve are operated by private safari businesses which has helped to open the reserve up to international tourism. A Manyeleti safari directly benefits local communities as a result of this.

Out of darkness...

The Manyeleti has no perennial rivers. Nonetheless, the numerous natural pans, wallows and dams, combined with a mosaic of open areas of grassland and dense thickets have combined to make it one of the most productive game viewing areas in the Greater Kruger region.

Its grassy plains and mixed woodland create varied habitats for a plethora of animal species that are found in the Manyeleti, with excellent grazing, browsing and shade on hand during the hot summer months for a wide diversity of antelope as well as zebra, giraffe, buffalo, ostrich and sable.

With high densities of herbivores comes predators aplenty. The Manyeleti is renowned for its lion, leopard and cheetah as well as great sightings of the endangered painted wolf (African wild dog). Add to the mix serval and caracal, as well as smaller carnivores like the dwarf mongoose and genet. You can also see both black-backed and side-striped jackal as well as spotted hyena.

More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the Manyeleti which offers excellent year-round birding opportunities to see local "specials" like the barn owl, bearded woodpecker and thick-billed cuckoo.

A unique environment

Safari experience

There are no fences between the Manyeleti and its neighbours (Sabi Sands, Timabavati and Kruger National Park) This allows the wildlife to roam freely and with 200km of gravel roads to explore and so few lodges and game vehicles, safaris on the Manyeleti offer a truly exclusive experience.

A Manyeleti safari defines the true meaning of "exclusive" - where you are among the few who have the privilege to explore this incredible wilderness and appreciate its unique character and breathtaking beauty.

 It's about more than just the search for the Big Five - even though there is always a good likelihood of seeing these iconic wildlife species….. It's about connecting with the wilderness, understanding its nuances and learning its ways. And sometimes, a safari in the Manyeleti is about stopping, turning off the game viewer's engine and sitting quietly, absorbing the spirit of wild Africa, its sights, sounds and sensations, rejuvenating the wilderness deep in your soul.