Abelana Game Reserve

A Big Five Reserve next to the Greater Kruger

Abelana Game Reserve is a 15,000-hectare (36,000-acre) game reserve located in South Africa's Lowveld, close to the Greater Kruger National Park and the Selati Game Reserve, near the town of Phalaborwa. The reserve presents itself as an authentic safari destination with a sensitive ecological approach and luxury accommodation spread across two lodges.

The name "abelana" means "to share amongst each other" in the Northern Sotho language. The reserve is owned by the Mashishimale community, which maintains a land lease relationship with a lodge operating partner for ecotourism purposes.

Two Lodges: River Lodge and Safari Camp

The accommodation offering is divided into two lodges, each with a distinct character within the reserve.

• Abelana River Lodge: a recently rebuilt 20-room lodge with views over the Selati River. The river is home to hippos, crocodiles and various bird species.
• Abelana Safari Camp: a small camp accommodating eight guests in five Meru-style tents. It is located in an elevated position among granite outcrops, and its viewing deck overlooks a large watering hole.

River Lodge is located in the northern section of the reserve and Safari Camp in the southern section.

Wildlife and Ecosystems

The reserve is home to a rich diversity of wildlife and flora. Its northern section includes a 10 km stretch of the semi-perennial Selati River, as well as other seasonal watercourses. Species present include the Big Five — elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo — as well as hippos and crocodiles in the Selati River. Cheetah and wild dog are occasional visitors. The birdlife includes a notable number of endemic species, such as the African fish eagle, the peregrine falcon, the thick-billed cuckoo and the bat hawk.

The landscape combines granite outcrops and koppies in the south with riverine forest in the north, dominated by large riverine trees.

Conservation and Community Management

The reserve states its commitment to the principles of sustainable tourism and works with the Mashishimale community on development and training projects. Initiatives cited include an environmental education programme for local schoolchildren, service outsourcing and food production.

The environmental approach seeks to minimise the operation's footprint. Safari Camp runs on solar power and gas heaters, and no large trees were felled during its construction; according to the reserve's information, the camp could be dismantled and the site fully rehabilitated within 12 to 18 months. The reserve states it is opposed to single-use plastics and has reverse osmosis systems that obtain drinking water from an underground aquifer, served in stainless steel or recyclable glass bottles. All waste is separated and removed from the property.

Safari Experience and Access

The reserve highlights the sense of exclusivity made possible by its low accommodation density: with only two lodges, guests may be the only vehicle exploring the 15,000 hectares at any given time. The experience can be tailored to each visitor's preferences.

Road access to the reserve is mainly via highway and Route 71. The reserve describes the journey from Johannesburg as a five-hour road trip, with half the route on the N1 highway and the other half through mountain passes and cultural stops. Destinations it mentions along the route include Haenertsburg, with its cafés and shops, the Magoebaskloof Canopy Tours and Magoebaskloof hiking trails, the Tzaneen Dam, organic farm stalls and cheese dairies, and the Qualito Craft Distillery in Phalaborwa.

Bookings and Rates

Location and Contact

Phone: 066 452 2983 · Email: info@abelanagamereserve.com