Manyeleti Game Reserve

Manyeleti is a privately owned reserve, situated between Kruger National Park and Timbavati Game Reserve, with open borders to both. It is, therefore, a part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem and it offers an authentic wildlife experience. The reserve is owned and managed by the local Mnisi people. Three privately-owned lodges pay concession fees to the local community.

Pros & Cons

Excellent wildlife viewing with all of the Big Five present
Day and night drives and walking safaris available
Part of the immense Greater Kruger ecosystem
Three lodges to choose from catering to different budgets
Quieter than Sabi Sands and Timbavati
No budget or self-drive options
There is less wildlife than in nearby Sabi Sands because of water limitations

Manyeleti is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem and offers a very genuine bush experience. Wildlife viewing is a bit slower here than in some top private reserves such as neighboring Timbavati. Although all of the Big Five are present, the emphasis is more on looking at all wild creatures big and small.

Wildlife Highlights

The reserve offers a good environment for plains game such as Burchell's zebra and blue wildebeest. Big cats can be hard to find, but look out for cheetah in the open areas. Black-backed and side-striped jackal can often be seen trotting along, and unusual antelope such as greater kudu, nyala and the rare sable antelope can also be spotted.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Overall, the dry months of June through September are the best for wildlife viewing. August to September, when the Dry season ends, is a very enjoyable time since it is warmer than in mid-winter and wildlife is easier to spot because animals tend to cluster around predicable water sources.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing can be considered very safe as long as you listen to your guide’s instructions. Please also read the 'Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions' below.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – South Africa

• Malaria & Vaccinations – South Africa

With more than 450 bird species recorded, Manyeleti is a great birding destination. A bonus for birders is that the focus here is less on checking off the Big Five animals, as is the case in a lot of other private game reserves. The combination of open-vehicle drives and walking safaris is ideal to observe a lot of species. Night drives offer an opportunity to spot nocturnal birds. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

Best Time for Bird Watching

Manyeleti offers good bird watching all year, but the best time is when the Eurasian and intra-African migrating birds have arrived (November to April). Wildlife viewing is best during the dry months from June to September.

The winter months of May to September are the best time to visit Manyeleti. This coincides with the Dry season, and wildlife viewing is at its peak. Vegetation thins and animals seek waterholes and other sources for water making them easier to spot. September is probably the best month of all since it tends to be warmer than the other months.

Best Time May to September (Dry season)

High Season October to March (It never gets very crowded)

Low Season April to September (Premium wildlife viewing)

Best Weather April-May and September-October (Fair weather and little rain)

Worst Weather June to August (It gets cold at night) and December to February (Hot and humid)

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Spotting wildlife is easier as animals seek water and the vegetation thins
It is low season
Bright, clear days
Less humidity and pleasant daytime temperatures
There is virtually no risk of malaria
Dry weather and lots of dust
Game drives in the early morning are cold – bring warm clothes

Wildlife Photos

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

Green, fresh scenery
Animals are in good condition, and there are many newborns
A wonderful time for birding with the migratory birds present
Wildlife viewing is not as good as during the Dry season
Camps and roads could get busy, especially during school holidays
It is hot and humid
Antimalarial medication should be taken

Winter and summer in Manyeleti are opposite to those seasons in Europe and North America. Winter (May to September) brings the Dry season, while summer (October to April) brings the Wet season. Summer months are hot and humid, and winters are mild and dry. Warm clothing for early morning and night game drives is advisable, especially in the winter months.

Dry season–May to September – Winter

Virtually no rain occurs during the entire winter, and there is very low humidity. Permanent water sources are attractive to animals because water is scarce elsewhere.

May – This month is transitional, marking the end of summer. Temperatures cool to 12°C/54°F during the morning and 26°C/79°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Packing warm clothing is recommended as morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold. Morning temperatures average 10°C/50°F. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (25°C/77°F) with cloud-free skies.
September – The first rains bring relief from the very dry conditions as heat builds to around 28°C/82°F. Morning temperatures are warmer, at around 14°C/57°F.

Wet season–October to April – Summer

The summer can be uncomfortably hot and humid. Daytime temperatures frequently peak to well over 40°C/104°F, but average around 31°C/88°F. Humidity is high and afternoon storms are common, although it seldom rains all day.

October & November – Rains come more often, mostly in the afternoon, and it gets warmer. Average temperatures range from 17°C/63°F in the morning to 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These months are the hottest and wettest due to the high humidity and torrential downpours occurring in the afternoon. Temperatures can become hard to bear, as they soar to 40°C/104°F. Average temperatures are usually around 31°C/88°F.
March & April – Rain decreases, and it slowly cools down. This trend continues in April and days are clear and sunny with little humidity. Nights are a bit cooler, but still temperate at 16°C/61°F. Daytime temperatures are around 28°C/82°F.

The entry point to South Africa for those traveling to Manyeleti is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Connecting flights from there can be taken to Hoedspruit Airport, located 44km/27mi from the reserve. Pick-up and transportation to the reserve from the airport is easily arranged.

It is also possible to drive to the reserve from Johannesburg in a rented car. Manyeleti is located on the R40 close to Hoedspruit, to the west of Kruger National Park. The drive takes about five hours and the distance is 450km/279mi.

Domestic Flights

Your tour operator will usually arrange for any charter flights that you may need during your trip. There are several carriers to choose from when booking a domestic flight:

Safety

In our opinion, Manyeleti is very safe to visit. In fact, all parks and reserves in South Africa are virtually crime-free. There is some crime in towns and cities, so normal precautions should be taken when visiting urban centers during your trip (see ‘Cities & Other Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below). The vast majority of visitors don’t have any incidents on their South African holiday.

Manyeleti is located in the part of South Africa where there is a slight risk of malaria. The risk is negligible in the colder months, but in the summer’s Wet season, from October to April, it is wise to protect yourself. This can be done by taking antimalarials and wearing mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are recommended). Several vaccinations are required before travel to South Africa – consult your health professional before going to Manyeleti.

South Africa is generally a safe country to visit, in our opinion. All the more so if your visit is primarily an organized safari or tour. More than 10 million tourists visit South Africa every year, and most visits are trouble-free. South Africa does have, however, a high level of both petty and violent crime. Most crime is committed in big cities, such as Johannesburg and Durban but issues can usually be avoided by following basic safety precautions.

Below are tips on staying safe in South Africa.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

To stay safe on safari, always listen carefully to your guide’s instructions, follow the rules of the park and respect wild animals. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so, and don’t drive too close to animals. For additional tips:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

There is a fair amount of crime in South Africa’s big cities. Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are crime hotspots but you are very unlikely to encounter any issues on guided visits. Cape Town and Durban are fine to visit independently as well as long as you avoid ‘bad’ areas and you follow basic safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel before taking a walk in the city; don’t wear valuables and only take the money you need with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for South Africa and general travel safety precautions.

• South Africa: Malaria & Vaccinations

• General Travel Safety Precautions

Malaria – South Africa

The information on this page is just a brief guide and should not be used as a replacement for a consultation with your travel doctor

Malaria Risk

Most of the country is free of malaria, but the main wildlife area lies in a moderate-risk zone, including Kruger NP and all other Lowveld reserves in Mpumalanga. The KwaZulu-Natal parks lie in a low-risk zone. The highest risk of transition is in the rainy season from October to May

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible