Klaserie Private Nature Reserve safari

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Authentic and exclusive, safaris in Klaserie are the real deal.

Travel and Leisure Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024 and number 2 tour operator in the world 2025

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Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024

Klaserie

A spectacular wilderness area where intimate animal encounters are par for the course.

Sharing a fenceless border with the Kruger National Park, Klaserie is one of the largest privately owned reserves in South Africa, spanning a whopping 60,000 hectares. Diverse terrain and foliage provide a home for an incredible menagerie of animals from gentle plains game and secretive rhinos to big cats. The shimmering Klaserie River snakes its way through the vast terrain, where hippos and crocodiles dwell and elephants arrive in their numbers. Klaserie is beloved for its exclusive, off-the-beaten-track wilderness experience with only two vehicles allowed at an animal sighting at a time, and a fantastic array of bush walks on offer. Accommodation choices range from utterly luxurious to true bush-style lodges – and some even have the option of a sleepout beneath the stars, the sounds of the wild all around you. The Klaserie Reserve is also recognised for its outstanding conservation projects, protecting everything from the humble hornbill to rhinos.

Our Experts

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or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667

Kristin Jessup

South Africa Travel Specialist

Jenna Coiley

South Africa Travel Specialist

Annie Irankunda

South Africa Travel Specialist

Things to do

What to do in Klaserie

This vast 60,000-hectare wilderness delivers an authentic safari experience far from well-worn tracks. The shimmering Klaserie River attracts impressive elephant herds, while hippos and crocodiles claim permanent residence in its waters. The diverse landscape creates the perfect habitat for plains game and secretive rhinos, though patience rewards those seeking glimpses of the area's more elusive predators. Conservation stands at the heart of this private reserve, with projects protecting species from hornbills to rhinos. The strict two-vehicle limit at sightings ensures intimate wildlife encounters, while an emphasis on walking safaris allows a deeper connection with the smaller wonders of the bush. Accommodation ranges from sophisticated lodges to rustic bush camps, some offering the magic of sleeping beneath the stars. Game drives explore this untamed terrain, but it's the walking safaris that truly reveal Klaserie's wild spirit, where each footstep brings discoveries in this pristine environment.

Open Map

Wildlife

When to go

Best time to visit Klaserie

Excellent

Good

Mixed

january

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

Articles

South Africa in the blog

Planning Guides

South Africa’s Secret Safari Reserves: Klaserie, Balule & More

Discover top safari spots within the greater Kruger

Planning Guides

From Safari to Shiraz: Pairing Kruger with the Winelands

Combine an African safari with Cape wine tasting

Reviews

Based on 360 Feefo Reviews for South Africa

Guest

The Africa trip of a lifetime

September 2026

20 nights in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana

The bottom line is that Timbuktu planned a fabulous trip for us (two first-time travelers to Africa). Things ran very smoothly during our three weeks in Africa, and we enjoyed every stop and accommodation along the way. Our travel agent took the time to speak with us about what we wanted, and her recommendations were detailed and tailored to what we had discussed. She was also clearly knowledgeable about travel to Africa. We initially came to her with one idea for our trip, but she kindly helped us see that it might be a logistical challenge, and she helped us craft an alternative itinerary that met all our goals and desires. The only qualm we had was with some of the communication during the planning process - our agent was lovely, and very helpful, but occasionally failed to respond to us by the deadlines she gave, and did not let us know what was going on when that happened. To be clear, these issues didn't end up impacting our trip, but it did create some concerns (although minor) before we left. Ultimately, though, it was the trip of a lifetime, and we're very grateful for all the planning help we received! We would recommend Timbuktu to others looking to travel to Africa.

Joan McCulloch

Amazing experience

August 2026

10 nights in South Africa and Lesotho

They tailored the entire trip to my requirements, communication was superb. There was no pushiness. I will definitely use them again and highly recommend them to anyone considering a trip to southern Africa.

Guest

August 2026

8 nights in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Jenna was fantastic and gave us great advice and recommendations for our homeymoon

Guest

July 2026

10 nights in South Africa

Tessa and Timbuktu put together a trip of a lifetime for us. The trip moving through South Africa to 3 different safari lodges required planning to move us from lodge to lodge. Tessa pulled that off the transfers went smoothly, We would highly recommend Tessa and Timbuktu.

Elizabeth Hubka

July 2026

9 nights in South Africa

Brandy Baucom

July 2026

14 nights in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe

Seamless trip for 14 nights start to finish. Beyond my expectations from when I started planning the trip. Highly recommend Timbuktu to anyone.

Why travel with Timbuktu?

We design tailor-made journeys for travellers who want more than a holiday, from first-time safaris, gorilla treks and multi-generational family adventures to once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons - and everything in between. And here's why so many choose us to plan them.

Tailor-Made Since 2014

We've been crafting one-of-a-kind journeys since 2014 — over 2,500 trips across 40+ countries, each one built from scratch around your interests and dreams.

Specialists Who've Been There

Our team only recommends places they've slept in, eaten in, and happily keep going back to. Condé Nast Traveler named 11 of them Top Travel Specialists in 2026, and Travel+Leisure made three A-List Advisors.

The World's No 1 Tour Operator

Travel+Leisure's readers voted us the World's No.1 Tour Operator in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 — the travel industry's biggest readers' award, judged by people who actually travel.

Every Trip Makes A Difference

$50 from every booking goes to female empowerment, tech education, and conservation projects across the countries we love. We have donated $78,000 so far – and it's going up!

Collaboration Is Key

Your travel specialist is with you the whole way, dreaming up the trip, building the itinerary, checking you in, and answering the 2am question from the other side of the world..