Safari to Balule Reserve

rich safari areas along the river

Balule Reserve is located in the Kruger area of South Africa.

Situated to the north of the town of Hoedspruit, this reserve extends over an impressive 225 square kilometres of gently undulating Lowveld acacia scrub, bisected by the seasonal Olifants River.

There are no fences between here and the main reserve, ensuring that Balule is part of the greater Kruger ecosystem.

This is very much an up and coming reserve, an amalgamation of many smaller plots. Although many of the internal fences have been removed, the residual network of roads, telegraph poles and buildings does give it a slightly suburban feel in parts. A good deal of re-wildification is still needed.

We also understand that there is still some residual trophy hunting in this area, which alone is enough to put us off, to be honest. Hopefully this will come to an end soon.

On the upside, Balule does contain a full range of animals, although wildlife viewing is definitely not as easy as in other more established premium reserves.

The best time to visit Kruger is generally considered to be the May-Oct dry season, but (surprisingly) the reserve remains popular year round.

Safari in the Kruger area is much more seasonal than most people would lead you to believe. Trip planning is complicated by the fact that the seasons here are almost diametrically opposite to those down in Cape Town (with which the area is most commonly combined in trips).

Dry winter : Jun/Sep

This period is characterised by a cool dry winter which is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing, although day length is relatively short and nights can get very cold. Unfortunately it does coincide with a more conventional cool wet winter in Cape Town.

Hot transition : Oct/Nov

This is the start of the hot wet summer. Wildlife viewing is usually very strong, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high in advance of the first rains, which usually arrive mid November to cool things down. This coincides with a usually pleasant spring season in Cape Town. October therefore represents an interesting compromise month.

Wet summer : Dec/Mar

This period is characterised by a hot wet summer, which is generally considered to be the most challenging time for wildlife viewing, although sightings should remain reliable in the premium areas. Day length is nice and long, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high and rain can be a major issue. However these potentially adverse conditions happen to coincide with a hot dry summer in Cape Town.

Cool transition : Apr/May

This is a period of transition between the hot wet summer and the cool dry winter, with wildlife viewing continuing to improve as the foliage dies back. Day length, temperatures and humidities are all in the middle of their ranges. The period coincides with autumn/fall in Cape Town, making this perhaps the strongest time of year for the combination.

Where to stay

The lodges on Balule are very competitively priced compared with those on other better established reserves.

just a handful of relatively simple camps