Ngala, Phinda,
and Kirkman's Kamp

Each has unique appeals. Visiting all three, as I did, gives you a wide variety of safari experiences.

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Ngala

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Noted for leopards

Ngala is a fine locale for spotting  leopards. Reason: That animal survives best in a dense-vegetation landscape, which characterizes Ngala.

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Other game animals

Ngala also has the other four Big 5 animals: lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. But don't expect to see many Cheetahs. They are scarce here because they are more successful hunters in an open savannah-type than in a bushy landscape.

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Kruger

Unlike most Kruger-associated private game reserves (including Kirkman's Kamp), Ngala doesn't merely border Kruger National Park, it's part of it. However, Ngala is off limits to non-Ngala guests. One cannot enter it simply because he paid the Kruger National Park fee.

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The name

Ngala means "lion" in Shangaan. It was so named because Ngala is renowned for its lions.

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Ngala venues

It has two camps and one lodge. I stayed in all three. Click the buttons below to view my text-and-photo web pages on them:

Tented Safari Camp
Walking Safaris Camp
Safari Lodge

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Phinda

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Location

Phinda is not in or near Kruger National Park like Ngala and Kirkman's Kamp. It's situated about 300 kilometers (200 miles) south.

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Big 5 and more

The private Phinda reserve has all the Big Five. It is especially noted for its birding, cheetahs, and black rhinos.

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Eco-systems

Phinda boasts seven distinct habitats, providing a broad variety of wildlife and landscapes.

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Non-game-drive activities

You can:

Canoe or take a small boat down the reserve's semi-tropical river,

Make an educational visit to a nearby Zulu village,

Go on snorkeling, diving, or deep-sea fishing daytrips (Phinda is close to the Indian Ocean).

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Medal winner

Phinda is one of my Top 1000 Wonders of the World, and as a result, it wins the Hillman Bronze Medal. Click the button below to view my Top 1000 Wonder page on Phinda in my South Africa Wonder Guide:

Phinda's Bronze Medal web page

You will learn the interesting story of how Phinda came to be.

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Phinda's multiple sites

Phinda has seven lodge/camp venues, each with a different look and feel. Click these buttons to view my two web pages that describe those venues with words and photos:

Rock Lodge
The other 6 Phinda venues

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Kirkman's Kamp

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In Sabi Sand

This single-lodge private game reserve is part of the large Sabi Sand, a world-famous safari area celebrated for its high wildlife density.

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Big 5

Kirkman's Kamp has all the Big 5, but it is particularly famous for its lions and elephants. For more details, click this button to go to my web page on Kirkman's Kamp.

Kirkman's Kamp

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