Walks-focused Camp in Manyeleti

Manyeleti Private Nature Reserve is a well-positioned reserve sharing a long, open boundary with the Kruger National Park to the east and Sabi Sands Game Reserve to the south. The 23,000-hectare reserve – the name Manyeleti means ‘place of stars’ – also has an unfenced boundary with the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve to the north.

It differs from Timbavati and the other Associated Private Nature Reserves in that it is owned by the local Mnisi Shangaan community, who gain an income from the concession fees paid by the lodges and camps, and also benefit from employment there.

During the apartheid years, Manyeleti was the only reserve in the area that was open to non-white visitors. Today, it is a quiet destination, with just a handful of private concessions. Although there are no perennial rivers, the watercourses are well wooded, and the reserve’s geographic situation results in good numbers of game animals in residence and traversing the area. The extensive palatable grasslands attract herds of buffalo over 300 strong. These and other grazers provide good feeding for predators, and there are at least two large resident lion prides, while other prides move between Manyeleti, Sabi Sands and the Kruger Park.

Pungwe Safari Camp offers dawn walks of three to four hours throughout the year, with a game drive in the afternoon. Walks should be requested when making the reservation.

The unfenced camp has limited solar power and water from a borehole, and the ensuite tents offer hot showers via a traditional
donkey boiler over an open fire.

The 10,000-hectare walking area is in the southern part of the reserve bordering the Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands, and has few game drive roads. During a stay at Pungwe, it’s rare to see another vehicle or human, apart from the small group at the trail camp. Walkers will probably encounter buffalo, zebra and wildebeest, and browsers such as kudu and giraffe, as well as enjoying the many smaller treasures of flora and fauna.

• Accommodation in large meru-style tented rooms with en-suit bathrooms. Each tent is located under a thatch roof and has tiled floors
• Morning Teas/Coffees
• Brunch
• High Tea
• Dinner
• Daily morning and afternoon/evening game drives with a FGASA qualified ranger & tracker
• The option of replacing a morning game drive with a guided bush walk with a FGASA qualified ranger & tracker

• Drinks
• Gratuities (please bring cash for gratuities)
• Reserve entrances fees