Balule Nature Reserve

Important Member of a Vast Unfenced Ecosystem

I have mixed feelings about Balule. As part of the cluster of private reserves that shares open boundaries with Kruger National Park, it is an important component in one of Africa’s vastest unfenced ecosystems. This system extends for tens of thousands of square kilometers across northeast South Africa and on into Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Greater Kruger is also possibly the last place in the world to support viable breeding populations of all the Big Five, including both types of rhino. Balule is no slouch when it comes to spotting most of these charismatic creatures. The exception are leopard, which although present are less habituated than in the likes of Sabi Sand or MalaMala. A striking geographical feature of Balule is the Olifants River. This pretty perennial waterway meanders through the reserve for more than 20km/12mi before crossing into Kruger. It forms an important Dry season magnet for elephant, giraffe and antelope, as well as lion and other predators.

That said, Balule is a less cohesive entity than most of the other reserves bordering Kruger, since it is divided up into around half a dozen smaller conservancies. Each of these is further subdivided into a mosaic of small properties, some less than 1km2/0.4mi2 in area. This is noticeable firstly in the number of artificial constructions (such as buildings, telephone lines, fences) that litter the countryside. Secondly, in the complex cross-traversing arrangements that limit where game drives from any given lodge can go. This quibble aside, lodges in Balule tend to be far cheaper than their counterparts in the likes of Sabi Sand and MalaMala. And the wildlife viewing is generally excellent, especially if you stay at a lodge whose traversing rights include part of the Olifants River.