Olifants River Game Reserve — Attraction in Maruleng Local Municipality

The Olifants River Game Reserve (ORGR) is a delightful 6,500-hectare private reserve, located in the Balule Nature Reserve, in the Limpopo Province. It can be found on the southern side of the spectacular Olifants river, around 30km north of Hoedspruit. The reserve is part of the unfenced, open system of the Greater Kruger National Park, allowing animals to roam freely between the two reserves.

The reserve was established in 1993 and is owned by a group of Share Block shareholders. It is expertly managed by a team of experienced conservationists and is committed to sustainable tourism practices.

Access to ORGR is strictly controlled and visitors are only allowed access when visiting owners, on a prearranged basis. ORGR is NOT open to the public.

Owners typically have their own 4x4 game viewing vehicles to navigate the many well-graded sand roads. Individual lodges are unfenced, and owners are free to explore 24-hours a day. Contact is maintained by the use of a digital 2-way radio network.

In additional to the many excellent viewing points, some at high spots, there are several dams, some with viewing hides. These attract diverse animals, particularly in winter when drinking water is scarce. ORGR is also a birders paradise with approaching 400 species having been spotted, over time, including the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl.

ORGR affords a level of privacy and solitude not found in typical game reserves. There are 85 dwellings, only some of which are occupied at any point. This means that game viewing is not overcrowded with many vehicles, as frequently happens in other game parks. Additionally, access to each sighting is controlled by the first spotter, by radio. Sensible access is granted to give all comers the best possible game viewing experience. Owners are polite and adhere rigidly to this protocol.

We have been fortunate to have been invited to visit ORGR on three occasions, the most recent being over the new year period. As with any game viewing, each drive, day or night is a unique experience. On this trip we saw the most spectacular lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, spotted hyena plus the more common animals. We also had some excellent bird sightings.

For anyone invited by an owner to visit this spectacular farm, you should not hesitate for a second. It will be the experience of a lifetime.

I’ve attached just a few of the photos I was fortunate to take on our recent trip, ORGR is a nature photography dream (Canon R5 with RF...

What a beautiful place on this Earth? A special space with layers of interest and meaning. And, of course, the mighty and perennial Olifants flows through it. Distant mountain views, hills, plains and sunsets and sunrises to fill your heart. Had fab and unusual sightings - klipspringers, bushbabies, wild dogs, birds...

Private game reserve over 30 years old benefiting from extensive game and veld management. Beautiful river drives and water holes attracting game and birds. No fences through to Kruger with the Big Five passing through or...