Zimanga Private Game Reserve Travel Guide: Top Sights in South

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Zimanga Private Game Reserve- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Natural Scenery; South Africa; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 6 hours

Zimanga Private Game Reserve lies in northeastern KwaZulu‑Natal, near the Eswatini border, spanning over 7,000 hectares along the Mkuze River in pristine Zululand bushveld. Founded in 1998 on land that had been heavily poached, the reserve has since reintroduced more than 80 mammal species—such as lions, elephants, white rhinos, cheetahs, hippos, and wildebeest—and recorded over 400 bird species. Unlike typical reserves, Zimanga was purpose-built for wildlife photography through its intricate network of nine specialist hides, including bird‑bath, lagoon, and overnight hides, many designed in collaboration with award‑winning photographer Bence Máté. The reserve's wildlife experience blends traditional open‑vehicle safaris with cutting‑edge photographic immersion. Game drives run with only three vehicles on the standard 7,000‑hectare block, ensuring no fixed time limits and unobstructed sightings. Strategic hides—like the Lagoon hide built into a dam, Mkhombe and Bhejane bird‑bath hides, and two overnight hides—offer day and night encounters at eye‑level with subjects and include amenities such as tripods, chairs, lighting, passive infrared alerts, and even beds & toilets for nocturnal sessions. This makes Zimanga one of the continent's foremost destinations for immersive, conservation‑anchored wildlife photography.

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Reviews of Zimanga Private Game Reserve

Rock n Roars

5
Reviewed: 2025-05-23

Zimanga is a stellar location for Wildlife photography with different opportunities for how you arrive at the perfect shot. Designed for photographers by photographers. The service is exceptional. The food is delicious. The accommodations are beautiful and comfortable. Looking forward to my next visit with really excited guests.
John Campbell

5
Reviewed: 2024-12-15

The most amazing place - saw virtually every animal I wanted to see - except for the elusive leopard. Guides are superb and the staff look after you so well. Can't wait to go again.
Mike Poulter

5
Reviewed: 2024-09-09

Excellent game reserve! The helpful staff make it easy to get get good photos, although you never know just exactly what you will run into. The weather was windy and the mornings very cool a couple of days ( this in mid August). I think the wind made it harder to locate the animals. In spite of the variable weather, we found a lot to photograph. The overnight hides were very unique- imagine large animals anywhere from 3 meters away to almost touching the pond level window you are photographing out of! The hides were well appointed with a good AC, washroom, four bunks (so you can grab some shut eye when its slow), WiFi, and a small kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator. The meals the lodge sent out were very good in spite of having to be reheated. Zimanga is so much more than just another crowded game drive. The groups are small and there are no issues with 30 photo vehicles driving up when you find a large cat or elephant- unlike at the National Parks.
Karin Abbott

5
Reviewed: 2023-05-21

Once again another amazing open day of the most beautiful collection of aloes and many other plants. Great bird watching, so many bees and butterflies to see. Such Great gracious hosts, Elize and Charl, with lovely welcome tea coffee and delishious sandwiches and eats. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing peace of paradise. And hope there were many donations left for your charity. 2023 update This absolutely beautiful garden will be open to visitors in July to see the amazing aloes, really worth the trip to get there. The Most spectacular collection of aloes and other plants. Awesome day out, you can picnic in the garden and spend the day there. Contact the owner for dates.
Elna Geringer

5
Reviewed: 2019-07-07

It was just awesome. One can see the owner's love for Aloes all over this lovely garden