Safari to Karongwe

a small reserve with an encircling fence

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

Situated in the far west of the Lowveld, between the towns of Hoedspruit and Tzaneen, this modest fully fenced reserve comprises approximately 90 square kilometres of gently undulating acacia scrub, set against the distant backdrop of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg escarpment and centred on the seasonal Makhutswi River.

The reserve contains a full range of animals and wildlife viewing is good year round, since being a fenced reserve the animals are not free to migrate.

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

Of the several lodges on the reserve, most are under the same ownership. They are all relatively simple and unusually low cost. In fact this area offers some of the cheapest safari in Africa.

One lodge, Makutsi Safari Springs, is rather unique because it specialises in long stays, typically of one to six weeks duration, a prospect which we sometimes find particularly alluring. There’s even a tennis court!

decent lower-cost accommodation options