Things to do near
Manyeleti Reserve
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Nature Reserves
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Kruger National Park (25 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Home to the famous ‘White Lions’, Timbavati Reserve has long basked in the spotlight.
Although no white lions have been seen at Timbavati for years, several white lions are regularly seen in other parts of Kruger National Park and they could easily appear in the Timbavati prides again.
Forming part of the Greater Kruger Park, the reserve features 12 luxury tourist lodges and is a convenient five-hour drive from Johannesburg. Kruger National Park lies on the east, Klaserie and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves are to the north and Thornybush Private Nature Reserve is just west.
Wildlife roam freely between Timbavati and the 2,000,000-hectare Kruger National Park with no hindrance of fences. Thrilling sightings of lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, giraffe and even shy leopard and cheetah are regular occurences. This is definitely one of Africa’s best!
Popular Attractions
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Acornhoek (40.4 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Pop in to see an enterprising group of Shangaan and Mapulaneng Sotho women at work in their rural studio near the village of Acornhoek.
Each item they make is an original work of art – entirely hand-made and exclusive. Rugs, tapestries, bags, and other woven masterpieces are made from wool or cotton that they have spun and dyed using age-old techniques. After spinning and weaving, they carefully weave each piece according to their own or custom-ordered designs.
A fun thing to do is go on a guided tour with one of the weavers who will take you through the 30-year history of the project that brought the two cultures together. After meeting the women at work, your guide will take you to visit a traditional healer who will share with you the spirit of the ancestors.
From there you will have the chance to see a traditional potter and a local grass weaver at her shebeen (an African bar serving home-brewed beer). From there you will meet the teacher and the children of the Katlego Community Creche. Don’t miss this heart-warming community experience!
Wonder Mbetsi 072 691 0021 Judy 082 864 2181
judithbmiller@gmail.com
www.mapusha.org
Animal Parks
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Hoedspruit (43.3 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Last chance to see? Hopefully not but don't miss seeing some of the rarest of Africa’s breeding wildlife at an amazing centre in the Limpopo. Situated on over 100 hectares within the Kapama Private Game Reserve, the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre was initially established as part of a breeding programme for cheetah.Today the centre has expanded to breed and conserve other African species for reintroduction into the wild. You will be able to see breeding cheetah and wild dog; both on the critically endangered species list. Fanatical attention is given to create perfect conditions for the sensitive cheetah to breed.Day trippers are treated to an in-depth tour of the centre. Hourly trips in safari vehicles with knowledgeable guides take visitors to the various enclosures to view cheetah, wild dog, lion, black-footed cat, African wild cat, ground hornbills, sable antelope and more.Watching the feeding sessions of rare African vultures swooping down into the ‘vulture restaurant’ is an awesome experience. Here you can see white-backed vultures, hooded vultures, occasionally the lappet-faced vulture and Cape Griffon, Marabou Stork and bateleur eagles.Visitors also have the option of going on an elephant-back safari, enjoying excellent wildlife viewing from the elephant’s high vantage point. These trips take place in the early morning or late afternoon and are always an unforgettable and awe-inspiring experience. The Camp Jabulani herd of elephants are renowned for their lovely temperaments and excellent physical condition.Contact Reservations for daily tours - Tel: +27 15 793 1633 Mobile: + 27 83 654 2299 Email for the Elephant Back Safaris: campjabulani@campjabulani.com
Golf Courses
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Kruger National Park (48.2 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Stay at Sabie River Bush Lodge and play a round of golf with the big five of Africa. Skukuza Golf Club is located within the Kruger National Park and is an unfenced golf course where the wildlife of the Kruger National Park roam freely. This 9 hole golf course provides not only a golfing challenge but the opportunity to view the big five.
Popular Attractions
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Hoedspruit (48.4 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Experience the thrill of riding elephants. The tour is provided at the Kapama Private Game Reserve and lasts for about an hour. Learn how to get onto the back of an elephant. These gracious animals tend to grab a grassy snack along the way. You are returned to the elephant boma after the ride. Videos can be made on request.
Galleries and Museums
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Hazyview (53.1 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Visit the ruins of a 19th century trading post established by the famous Portuguese trader, Joao Albasini at the new Phabeni Gate, 10 km from Hazyview.
For centuries prolific trading activity has taken place in the southeastern region of Africa. Maputo (formerly Lourenco Marques) would have been the starting and end point for many of the old trading routes that crisscrossed the southern continent.
Albasini set up a network of trading routes that reached the Lowveld. By 1845, he had established a trading post at Magashula’s Kraal, now known as Albasini Ruins.
Nature Reserves
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Phabeni Gate (53.3 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Phabeni Gate is situated 10 km from Hazyview and serves as a convenient entry point for visitors entering the southern part of the Kruger National Park. Guided night drives in open safari vehicles are on offer - advance bookings are essential.
Animal Parks
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Hoedspruit (58.1 km from Manyeleti Reserve) A visit to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a moving and worthwhile experience It's also a convenient day excursion if you’re visiting the Orpen Gate side of Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Pilgrim's Rest, Graskop or Sabie. The centre provides a home for abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife and is a respected contributor to wildlife conservation. Animals that you may see are lion, leopard, serval, cheetah, hyena, honey badger, eagles, vultures and various baby animals.How it all beganMoholoholo started from small beginnings in 1990 – with a crowned eagle and a day old zebra. Word got out that the manager was able to care for and release wild animals and birds, and so Moholoholo grew.Sadly, some of the animals are not suitable to be released back into the wild and remain as ‘permanent residents’ at the centre. They give visitors an ‘up close and personal’ experience, highlighting the problems that wildlife are facing. The main focus at Moholoholo is to create awareness in order to preserve our wildlife.Often Moholoholo receive calls to rescue animals such as baby rhino that have been abandoned or leopards that have been injured by cars or caught in snares. The team are also actively involved in collaring and relocating ‘problem animal’ control on farms and tribal areas. Many leopards’ movements have been monitored with these collars.Moholoholo have tagged and released hundreds of vultures brought in due to poisoning or electrocution. Tracking harnesses were fitted to some individuals, astonishing researchers with the range of their movements.Another important function of the centre is breeding. Staff have successfully bred and released crowned eagle, serval and many other endangered animals.Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is self funded and also covers all the relocation costs of 'problem animals'. There is a small fee for guided tours which last about two hours – your visit to the centre helps this awesome project.
Popular Attractions
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Hoedspruit (58.7 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Take to the sky in a hot air balloon for the experience of your life! Sun Catchers Hot Air Ballooning offers one-hour long flights from Hoedspruit over the scenic Blyde River.
Soar above a mix of farmland and private nature reserves at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment. Weather permitting, Sun Catchers also offer flights over the Kapama Nature Reserve.
Animal Parks
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Hazyview (60.3 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Get up close and personal with six magnificent elephants on the banks of the Sabie River.
The Elephant Whispers experience allows you to touch, exchange trunk greetings and offer tasty treats to tame and trained elephants varying in ages from nine to twenty six years.
Visitors can also enjoy a thrilling elephant ride meandering down shady paths and enjoying the view. Several excursions are available – view http://elephantwhispers.co.za for more details.
Golf Courses
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Hazyview (60.4 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Designed by Gary Player in 1992, the Kruger Park Lodge Golf Course offers 9 holes (18 tees), Par 72, 6100 m (5152 m ladies) and has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5.
The attractive course has numerous water features that regularly attract hippo and abundant birdlife. Impala antelope are able to roam freely. Golfing in this wilderness environment is an unforgettable experience.
Golf carts and golf clubs can be hired from the Pro Shop.
Popular Attractions
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Hazyview (60.6 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Join Idle & Wild Nkosi Adventures for a memorable experience along the river through the natural bush of the Sabie River Valley. With experienced guides and approved equipment, this is an excellent family activity.
Trips start at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00, 7 days a week.
Duration: one and a half hours.
Note: Only children older than 5 years are allowed to participate. Rafting is subject to water levels.
Popular Attractions
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Hazyview (60.6 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Experience the freedom of gliding over one of the last remaining natural forested valleys along the Sabie River adjacent to the Kruger National Park. The aerial cable trail takes you down into the valley basin, stopping along the way on a number of elevated platforms to admire the natural vegetation, birdlife and the views of the forest floor below.
Each section of the trail varies in length from 70 to 230 meters linking a total of 10 platforms, making the total length of the trail 1.2km. The trail has been designed and built to South African civil engineering standards and all the equipment has been designed specifically for this activity and tried and tested worldwide. All groups are escorted by qualified guides.
Participants meet at Perry's Bridge Trading Post where our office is situated, to complete the necessary documentation before being kitted out and briefed. Guests are then transported to the starting point of the trail. After the trail has been completed, participants are returned to Perry's Bridge Trading Post. Bottled water is provided during the trail.
We can accommodate up to 8 participants per trip, on scheduled departures. Larger groups can be accommodated over several trips, please enquire about our team building specials. This adventure activity is suitable for families and people of all ages; however children under the age of 10 might need to be assisted, please contact our office for more information.
Advanced booking is recommended. The maximum per person weight is 120kg. The whole tour takes approx two and half hours to complete. Recommended activity if you are travelling in the Southern Kruger National Park area.
Popular Attractions
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Hazyview (60.6 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Enjoy fun quad bike trails in the area with Idle & Wild.
Riders will enjoy a great experience and the excitement of riding through scenic riverine areas, indigenous bush and farmlands in and around the Sabie River Valley.
Quad bikes are easy to drive thanks to automatic gear shifts, and you'll be accompanied by a guide that will ensure you are familiar with the controls prior to departure. All safety equipment is supplied, and obstacles are suitable for novice and experienced riders.
Trails depart from 10:00 to 17:00.
Animal Parks
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Hazyview (60.7 km from Manyeleti Reserve) Be fascinated by the mysterious world of reptiles at Perry's Bridge Reptile Park.
‘From inspiration springs conservation’ is the mantra of dedicated workers at the park and their passion is contagious.
Knowledgeable guides unlock the secrets of these often misunderstood creatures and reveal their elegance, magnificence, specialisation, and adaptability.
Do you ever wonder what the largest serpent in the world is? Or want to find out how and what they eat? Here you will find these answers and a whole lot more intriguing discoveries.
Perry's Bridge Reptile Park is home to a variety of venomous snakes, large constrictor lizards, crocodiles, tortoises and frogs in surroundings simulating their natural environments as closely as possible.
Check out anacondas, reticulated pythons, deadly black mambas, green mambas, rattlesnakes, boomslang, gaboon adders, cobras, iguanas, ancient leopard tortoises, poison dart frogs, and enormous Nile crocodiles.
Small visitors will love Pum Pum, Peaches and Pumpkin, the potbellied pigs; Daisy and Gandalf the goats; Letitia and Lancelot, the peacocks; and an assortment of ducks and geese.
Perry's Bridge Reptile Park is open daily 10:00 – 17:00 and offers demonstrations at 11:00 and 15:00. Crocodile feeding is on Sundays at 14:00.
Where? Perry's Bridge Tourist Centre, corner of R40 and R536, Hazyview – 14 km from Phabeni and Numbi gates of the Kruger National Park.
+27 (0) 13 737 7680.