Karongwe Private Game Reserve is an exclusive safari destination that lies on the edge of Greater Kruger and shares a similar ecology. Although Karongwe is fully fenced and doesn’t share open borders with its near neighbors, it does protect a winningly authentic tract of African inhabited by plenty of wildlife, including lion, leopard and cheetah.
-
Best Time To Go
- May to September (Dry season)
-
High Season
- October to March (Busiest months)
-
Size
- 90km² / 35mi²
-
Altitude
-
480-560m /1,575-1,837ft
View Photos
View Photos
+23
Photos
Pros & Cons
- Superb close-up encounters with Africa’s
- All the are likely to be seen
- with knowledgeable guides from local communities
- Extensive and a mountainous backdrop make it more scenic than most parts of Greater Kruger
- Five small camps and a villa all offer a luxury all-inclusive safari experience
- No or
- Separate from the main unfenced Greater Kruger ecosystem
- No budget accommodations, or day visits
Wildlife
Karongwe harbors almost everything you could hope to see on a Greater Kruger safari. Lion, leopard and cheetah are generally quite easily located and very relaxed around vehicles, as are elephant, and buffalo. Other common wildlife includes giraffe, zebra, , , and . Four of the reserve’s dams are large enough to support and , and the birdlife is excellent.
Scenery
Karongwe protects a rolling and largely unspoiled tract of and interspersed with rocky outcrops and forest-lined watercourses. The most significant waterway is the Makhutswi, a near-perennial river that flows close to the reserve’s northern border. The Makhutswi contains several permanent pools and is a tributary of the well-known Olifants River. The mountainous rises prominently on the western horizon.
Activities
The main activity at Karongwe is twice-daily guided , which are included in accommodations packages. Most of the reserve’s guides and trackers come from nearby communities and are very relaxed, knowledgeable and articulate. Other optional activities (at an extra cost) include , community visits, hot-air ballooning, helicopter excursions, and guided day safaris into nearby Kruger National Park.
Weather & Climate
Like the neighboring Greater Kruger, Karongwe has a strongly seasonal climate, with summer falling over October to April and winter from May to September. Summer days tend to be hot, sometimes uncomfortably so, but evenings are usually pleasantly warm. Winter days are very agreeable, with temperatures typically peaking at around 26°C/79°F, but nights can become quite cold. Summer coincides with the Wet season. Winter is very dry.
Best Time To Visit Karongwe GR
In most respects, the best time to visit Karongwe is during the dry winter months (May to September). This is when wildlife is most easily seen, because it gathers around permanent water sources. Winter weather is also generally more pleasant, provided you wear warm clothing on , which can be cold. Summer visits (October to April) are also fine, despite the greater heat and chance of rain. This is also the best time for bird watching.
How To Get to Karongwe GR
The entrance gate to Karongwe lies on the R36 about 430km/270mi (5 hours’ drive*) northeast of Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). This airport is the main point of entry to South Africa and serviced by several car rental companies. It also possible to fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport (HDS), which is only 73km/45mi (1 hour’s drive*) from Karongwe, and to prebook a rental car or transfer from there.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Health & Safety
Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for South Africa and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ for more info: