Klaserie is one of the beautiful wild extensions of Greater Kruger Park. The reserve lies north of Timbavati and west of Kruger Park in one of central Kruger's prime game viewing areas. It is easily accessible from Hoedspruit Airport and can also be reached from Phalaborwa Airport. Klaserie receives fewer visitors than other private reserves, making it a desirable destination for an uncrowded safari in South Africa.
Need Advice?Klaserie consists of a group of farms that comprise some 60 000 hectares, which makes it one of the most extensive privately-owned nature reserves in South Africa.
The reserve operates within the full spectrum of nature conservation and is entirely non-governmental. Klaserie Private Game Reserve is home to a handful of lodges, some of which cater specifically to walking safaris in the wilderness of the Greater Kruger. Being the least developed of the reserves that fringe the national park, Klaserie offers an authentic safari experience, with fewer feet and cars traversing the reserve, ensuring the area is pristine and genuinely wild.
This two-week private overland safari adventure, led by a skilled guide, focuses on wildlife and nature in some of South Africa's most iconic national parks.
Southern Africa's three top destinations are visited during this adventure, with private guided tours in Cape Town, safaris in the Greater Kruger National Park, and activities at Victoria Falls.
From the picturesque city of Cape Town through the Overberg and Garden Route, the tour travels to the Addo Elephant National Park accompanied by an African Sky guide.
African Sky's favorite lodges in the Klaserie Private Reserve are listed below.
This tented-style safari camp focuses on exploring the surrounding wilderness on foot and interacting intimately with the many mammal, plant, and bird species that inhabit the African wilderness.
At Baobab Ridge, you will enjoy an upmarket yet authentic safari with daily open 4x4 game drives and walks into the wild led by experienced rangers and trackers.
Misava Camp is a luxury, intimate lodge that overlooks the Klaserie River; the lodge is ideal for honeymooners and those seeking an opulent safari experience in the Greater Kruger National Park.
Simbavati Amani is an intimate lodge set beneath ancient trees in well-maintained gardens in the heart of Klaserie, one of the premier private game reserves in the Greater Kruger National Park.
The tastefully decorated suites at Camp George offer a luxury stay in Klaserie. Each suite has a private deck with glorious views of the surrounding bush, and animals can often be spotted while relaxing here.
Homestead is an ideal family retreat in Klaserie. The self-catering lodge is for exclusive use, with luxury accommodations and daily safari drives conducted by trained rangers and trackers.
It is an excellent destination for birders, with many well-known and rare species of the Greater Kruger frequenting the area. It is notable for its conservation of the Ground Hornbill. The Ground Hornbill Initiative aims to gain more insight into this vulnerable species. Guests will enjoy great sightings of these peculiar birds while on safari.
A guided bush walk is one of the best and most exciting ways to experience the wilderness. The walks are both informative and adrenalin-charged. They offer a unique immersion into nature and a great way to observe more minor details not apparent from the game drive vehicle. Bush walks are accompanied by armed rangers.
Ever wonder what it would be like to have the Kruger National Park to yourself? Klaserie comes very close. Although there are other guests, you will never see queues of cars or wait in long lines. Here you can combine luxury with exclusivity and an all-encompassing experience of the fauna and flora of Kruger.
Its tranquility makes Klaserie Private Game Reserve stand out from its neighbors. With minimal lodges and essentially only intimate ones. Savor this exclusivity and the wildlife.
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, guests are assisted in transferring to a flight to the Eastgate Airport situated right outside Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province. The flight duration is approximately one hour and is the best way to travel compared to the busy city roads.
Klaserie is about five hours from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Guests travel to the park in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. It is an excellent opportunity to acquaint yourself with South Africa's landscape and start exercising your ability to spot animals.
Klaserie is in a subtropical region; therefore, sweltering humidity and high temperatures characterize summer. During this time (October to March), the park receives annual rains, and thunderstorms can occur in the late afternoon, influencing outdoor activities.
The winters are dry, and the days are warm and bright. Additionally, the animals tend to flock to the water sources during the dry season, which makes for easier wildlife spotting. The temperatures can drop in the evenings, and early morning drives are chilly but not at all unbearable. If you plan a safari, the winter months (April - September) are the best time to visit.
A group of friends led by Paul Mouton and Daan du Preez started buying up farmland in the Klaserie area. In 1969, they introduced the idea of forming a private game reserve on both sides of the Klaserie River. Convincing all the landowners in the Klaserie area to support the idea was no easy feat, and many meetings were held between owners, farmers, and conservationists. Eventually, despite all the problems and negotiations, the Klaserie Private Game Reserve was formed.
The first game ranger in Klaserie was Van Reenen Van Vuuren - who took up his post on 1 March 1970. Poachers were very active then, and the ranger made it his primary duty to stem the tide. His first success was the arrest of two poachers in Germiston for the poaching of 23 impalas, one giraffe, one kudu, and one wildebeest. Through careful management, the reserve has since been well-stocked with at least three breeding buffalo herds and many other animal and bird species.
The reserve aims to provide animals with pristine natural ecosystems and as little human influence as possible. Klaserie is the perfect place for your first safari in Africa, as it is home to the Big Five. Even though sightings can never be guaranteed, guests will undoubtedly spot lions, elephants, buffalo leopards, and maybe white rhinos. Hippos and crocodiles occur in the Olifants River and should be encountered on either the morning or afternoon game drive.
The most common antelope in the area are impala, kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck, blue wildebeest, and waterbuck. You may also see some of the small antelope like duiker or steenbok. The area is home to large numbers of giraffes and zebra. With enough patience and luck, there is a chance of encountering cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs.
Birdwatchers will be delighted, as rollers are around in season, fish eagles call from the trees on the riverbank, and the rare ground hornbill, as well as various vultures and birds of prey, are spotted frequently.
The Olifants River forms the northern border of the reserve, while the Klaserie River traverses it. Large trees line the riverbanks and provide shelter to the birdlife in the area. Wooded savanna of varying degrees of density is the primary vegetation type. Shrubland and Mopani veld typify the northeastern reaches of Klaserie.
The primary activities in Klaserie are open 4x4 game drives conducted during the early morning and late afternoon by resident rangers and trackers. Most lodges also offer short bush walks shortly after the morning game drive and breakfast. Birding is popular at camp, and the area also has several bird hides.
Longer walking safaris primarily focused on exploring the region on foot are available at some lodges. On each day of your safari, the morning walk would start shortly after sunrise and return to camp during the mid-morning. Relaxation in camp and an afternoon hike rounds out the day.
During your stay, you will have the opportunity to gain insight into the many research and other projects conducted here. Projects range from educating local youth in wildlife conservation to the ground hornbill project and elephant and other mammal research projects.
