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User Reviews of Balule Private Nature Reserve (35 Reviews)

Balule Safaris Balule Private Nature Reserve
Sort By: Date Most Helpful 1-9 of 9 Reviews

Average User Rating

4.4000 / 5 4.4 /5
4.4118 / 5 4.3939 / 5 4.4516 / 5 4.4348 / 5

Rating Breakdown

5 star 21 / 9 21
4 star 9 / 9 9
3 star 4 / 9 4
2 star 0 / 9 0
1 star 1 / 9 1
Write a User Review
Female avatar icon Roberta Pampaloni Italy flag IT       Visited: May 2025 Reviewed: May 27, 2025

Email Roberta Pampaloni  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 0 / 5

We didn’t get to see many animals, especially lions, leopards and rhinos. Probably we were not lucky.

Female avatar icon Billie Switzerland flag CH       Visited: October 2022 Reviewed: Oct 30, 2022

Email Billie  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5 4 / 5

We got lucky as the reserve was not crowded and the guides both funny and competent

Male avatar icon Enrique Del Castillo United States flag US       Visited: March 2019 Reviewed: Apr 6, 2019

Email Enrique Del Castillo  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5

Didn't get to see the Big 5, but did see many lions, elephants and buffalo. Missed out on the leopard and the rhinoceros. Amazingly didn't see a single giraffe.

Female avatar icon Kim Walder Australia flag AU       Visited: May 2018 Reviewed: Jul 16, 2018

Email Kim Walder  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 4 / 5 4 / 5 / 5

We were able to see all the Big 5 and many more besides. Close for a day trip to Kruger. Handy to a small town and other places to visit. Comfortable accommodation

Male avatar icon James Autry United States flag US       Visited: September 2017 Reviewed: Oct 25, 2017

Email James Autry  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 4 / 5 3 / 5 3 / 5

In the dry season, the bush is not the most scenic environment.

Male avatar icon Remco Verkoeijen Netherlands flag NL       Visited: September 2017 Reviewed: Oct 6, 2017

Email Remco Verkoeijen  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5 / 5

Because of the drought, wildlife is a little bit less than Kruger, but the bush vibe is great because of the small unpaved roads. It felt very private as there were only a few operators in that area. It is a very nice addition to the day in Kruger as you're allowed in all day and night.

Female avatar icon Beenie Photography United States flag US       Visited: June 2015 Reviewed: Nov 30, 2015

Email Beenie Photography  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 4 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5

This was the lesser of our two stays. The overall density of wildlife was less in Balule than in Sabi Sands. That being said, we actually had our best sighting of our trip during our final drive at Gomo Gomo. A mother leopard and her cub walked right out in front of the vehicle, not more than 10 meters away.

Male avatar icon Kelly Guenther United States flag US       Visited: August 2015 Reviewed: Sep 23, 2015

Email Kelly Guenther  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Dry But Beautiful

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 5 / 5 3 / 5 4 / 5

This reserve abuts Kruger National Park. It's fairly barren in August before the September rains come but filled with wildlife. A railroad runs thru the reserve, but what's surprising is how wild animals accommodate that (and the damage elephants can cause to man-made structures). There was no need for a jacket since it was dry… didn't even get that cold on the night safaris. Also has the Olifant River running thru it giving a great perspective on wildlife around watering holes and the river.

Avatar icon Maarten Visited: March 2012 Reviewed: Mar 24, 2012

Your own private Kruger Park!

4 / 5 4 /5
4 / 5 4 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5

We stayed for 3 nights and did one gamedrive. The setting of Amukela lodge is very nice, and good value for money. Meals were good, atmosphere relaxed and personal. The waterholes were visited by impala, jackal, vervet monkeys, civet, elephants (2 big ones) and in the evening we heard the lions! Owner/managed with friendly and helpful staff.