Manyeleti game reserve: our first safari in South Africa

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A safari in South Africa is considered the ultimate animal observation experience. We drove to the manyeleti game reserve to look at it ourselves

Our safari in South Africa should always be strange. Our expectations were inspired by the myth and the drama of this famous travel destination, but also steamed by our safari in Namibia, which was simply unsurpassable. Against this background we knew that South Africa would both delight and disappoint us.

Nevertheless, we absolutely wanted to see the big dog of the African Safari, which is famous for the Krüger National Park, which is considered one of the best places in the world to see the "Big Five" (Löwe, Leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo). We chose the manyeleti game reserve next door, which is an insider tip among connoisseurs.

What is the manyeleti game reserve?

manyeleti, which in the local Shangaan language means "The place of the stars" is a 230 km2 private wild reserve in the province of Mpumalanga in South Africa. It does not share fenced borders with the private reservations Timbavati in the north and Sabi Sand in the south and the huge (19,485 km2) Krüger-Nationalpark in the east.

Thanks to the open border with Krüger, there is no shortage of animals in the manyeleti game reserve - including the Big Five.

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wild animals are a little more difficult to discover here than in Sabi Sand and Timbavati, as there are fewer water, but the rewards are legion. Manyeleti is not only cheaper, but also much quieter.

Sabi Sands has a well -established name and is often selected for this reason alone. Many less is known and offers an intimate experience with only three lodges. Large tour groups who are traveling in buses will not be found here. In fact, they would find it difficult to see someone else at all.

a quiet place

The manyeleti game reserve is less developed than his colleagues and therefore attracts fewer tourists. The reason for this is in the dark past of South Africa. In the years of apartheid, manyeleti was the only wild reserve in which black South Africans could enter. The Krüger National Park was closed to her at that time. Accordingly, the government has invested very little in manyeleti.

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manyeleti was founded in 1963 as a private game reserve. It belongs to the local Mnisi tribe, who has lived in the area for generations and has successfully claimed the country by the South African restitution of Land Rights Act. The three private lodges in the reserve pay concession fees to the trunk.

The historical lack of government support means that the reserve is relatively undeveloped to this day. Of course, the wildlife does not take care of politics or trade, and you will find that the manyeleti game reserve offers animal observations that can take on it with its well -kept neighbors with far fewer people.

our safari in manyeleti

We spent three nights in the Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp in the manyeleti game reserve. This cost a lot more than we would normally pay, but it was the last three nights of our month and we did not want to do without a safari in South Africa, which is supposed to be one of the best places in the world to observe wildlife.

We reached the manyeleti game reserve after a five -hour trip from Eswatini (Swasiland). We were hot and stuffy and we were happy to give up our car for three days (self-driver safari is not allowed in many).

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When we reached many, we drove through Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini and had seen four of the Big Five (all out of buffalo). Therefore, we were in a carefree mood and not to cross the large five boxes when we went to Safari twice a day in the next three days.

by chance we saw our fifth of the Big Five when we met a herd of capsized. Although they are sometimes referred to as "bush cows", it is foolish to underestimate them. African buffalos can run faster than 55 km/h and are notoriously in a bad mood, especially if they are driven or wounded into the tightness.

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Of course, the buffalo was not the highlight of our trip, but an extraordinary encounter with a lion pack. We opened early in the second morning and found 12 (!) Lion drank from a water hole. Some of them trotted directly past our vehicle before they raved out to cook an invisible prey. We watched as they chased in the pack and roamed through the river vegetation.

was just as exceptional, a small herd of elephants that confiscated our swimming pool several times. Some also came to visit us at breakfast. There are no limits here and the animals can move freely. In fact, after dark, guests are not allowed to hike over the site alone. Instead, you have to call the reception and ask for an escort. This is true Bushveld game.

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On our last day we even saw a single rhino. If we hadn't been in Eswatini (nashorns in abundance), this might have been the highlight of our safari in South Africa.

The only of the Big Five that we did not see in manyleeti was the leopard, the most difficult to gesture of everyone. However, we were compensated by the sight of a cheetah that stuffed over a level illuminated by the dawn.

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On our last night in the Safarizelt I joked with Peter that this was probably the kind of accommodation in which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stayed on their trip to Botswana. He laughed and said: "No, you must have stayed in a much more exclusive place."

If you are exclusively expensive, then it is probably right. However, if it is a special place that is only revealed a few people at the same time, there is no greater exclusivity than that of manyeleti.

manyeleti game reserve: Notes and tips

  • The manyeleti game reserve has no guidelines for self -drivers, so you have to take part in official game drives that are carried out by your lodge.
  • The lodges are not fenced and wild animals can occur freely. For this reason, guests must not run around alone after dark. Call the reception to arrange an escort.
  • The Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp has a common meal guideline, so there is a bit of luck with regard to the meal companions. We sat with a family with three children and although we got our own table on request, this caused some confusion. Prepare to eat with others.
  • Follow the Safari label: wear neutral colors, do not make loud noises, do not block the view of others or be selfish with first-class viewpoints.
  • Pack layers, long sleeves, closed shoes and insect protection. It is also a good idea to pack your own binoculars.
  • Do not provide your location with geo-tags and do not send live updates when you watch wild animals. Wilderers can use social media updates to locate rhinos.
  • don't let yourself be prevented from seeing the Big Five. Remember that nature cannot be controlled.

manyeleti game reserve: the essentials

Was: Safari in the manyeleti game reserve, South Africa.

Where: We stayed in the honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp, which has 15 permanent safari tents that are distributed along an increased promenade in the bush. Each tent has a living area, a covered terrace and a huge bathroom. The camp has a swimming pool, a bar and an open lounge area that is built around a lowered living room and a cozy fireplace.

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Community meals are served three times a day: à la carte if only a few guests are present; Buffet with larger groups. Start game drives twice a day: depending on the season around 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

When: Wild observations are best during the dry winter (May Occtober), since animals gather around water holes and the lack of vegetation enables guests to see a clearer view. In spring (November to December) you can watch many newborns.

Summer (December to March) is best for bird observation: the rivers are full and the Buschland is lush. Autumn (April to May) is good for bird watching, but the worst months for big game.

like: We rented a car from Avis in Durban, South Africa, and drove via Eswatini (Swasiland) to the manyeleti game reserve. We organized the logistics on the way with Travel Sim, which works in numerous countries with a single card and telephone number.

South African Airlines offers flights to some airports near the reserve. Honeyguide recommends flying from the International Airport Or Tambo Johannesburg (JNB) to Hoedspruit Eastgate (HDS) Airport. Your lodge can organize a street transfer from HoedSpruit to manyeleti (50 minutes).

We flew to South Africa with South African Airways. Book flights at the best prices via Skyscanner.

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Lonely Planet South Africa, Lesotho & Swasiland is a comprehensive travel guide for South Africa, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and choose less busy roads.

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