Kwazulu Natal · Safari destination
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Zululand's quiet Big Five secret.
A Big Five private reserve in KwaZulu-Natal with diverse habitats, exceptional birding and an intimate bush experience.
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Zululand's quiet Big Five wilderness
Manyoni Private Game Reserve is a 23,000-hectare Big Five wilderness in the heart of Zululand, northern KwaZulu-Natal. Once degraded farmland, the reserve has been painstakingly rewilded over the past two decades and is now one of the region’s most important conservation areas. It is a release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and home to a thriving population of both black and white rhino.
Beyond the Big Five, Manyoni shelters cheetah, African wild dog, pangolin and over 400 bird species across a mosaic of thornveld, sand forest and open grassland. With only a handful of lodges inside the reserve, vehicle density is exceptionally low, and sightings feel genuinely private. Walking safaris, night drives and specialist birding outings add depth to the experience.
For visitors wanting a KwaZulu-Natal safari away from the crowds, Manyoni offers a compelling alternative to its better-known neighbours. It is quieter and more affordable than Phinda, with a comparable species list, and far more exclusive than the public sections of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. The conservation story is real, and the quality of guiding matches the best in the province.
Common questions
Manyoni Private Game Reserve, answered.
Read more about Manyoni Private Game Reserve- Where is Manyoni Private Game Reserve?
- Manyoni lies in Zululand, in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is roughly 2.5 hours by road from Durban and about 3 hours from King Shaka International Airport. The reserve neighbours Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and is within easy reach of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
- Is Manyoni a malaria-risk area?
- Manyoni lies within a low-risk malaria area. Prophylaxis is recommended as a precaution, particularly during the warmer, wetter summer months. Your safari specialists can advise on the appropriate medication before you travel.
- Will I see the Big Five and black rhino at Manyoni?
- Manyoni is a Big Five reserve and one of the most important black rhino conservation sites in South Africa, as a release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. Both black and white rhino are present, along with lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. Cheetah, wild dog and pangolin are also resident.
- How does Manyoni compare with Phinda and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi?
- Manyoni is quieter and more affordable than Phinda, with a comparable species list and far fewer vehicles. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is a public park with self-drive access and more traffic. Manyoni offers the exclusivity of a private reserve at rates starting from around ZAR 10,570 per person per night, fully inclusive of meals, drinks and game activities.
- What does a stay at Manyoni cost?
- Nightly rates at Manyoni start from approximately ZAR 10,570 per person at Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge, rising to around ZAR 11,340 at Rhino Sands Safari Camp. Rates are fully inclusive of accommodation, all meals, local beverages and twice-daily game drives. Our safari specialists respond in as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
- Can I combine Manyoni with a beach stay or other reserves?
- Manyoni pairs naturally with the KwaZulu-Natal coast. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park and St Lucia estuary are under two hours away, and the beaches north of Durban are within half a day’s drive. Many guests also combine Manyoni with a stay at neighbouring Phinda or a night at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi for a comprehensive Zululand safari.
Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
Where to stay
Lodges in Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
3 lodges
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PremiumRhino Sands Safari Camp
Rhino Sands is an eco-friendly camp located in one of South Africa's premier wildlife-viewing destinations; Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
From R 11 340 per person · night
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LuxandBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Reopening in July 2026, andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge is an intimate six-suite retreat set between rare sand forest and open wetland in the 73,800-acre Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. Guests track the Big Five across seven distinct ecosystems, follow black rhino on foot and pair safari mornings with afternoons on the Indian Ocean coast.
From R 22 400 per person · night
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Affordable Live availabilityLeopard Mountain Safari Lodge
Family-run five-star lodge set high on a ridge inside Manyoni Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Nine luxury suites with private plunge pools and indoor-outdoor showers look out over 58,000 acres of Big Five wilderness, home to black rhino, pangolin, cheetah and wild dog. Intimate, conservation-focused and best suited to couples and small parties.
From R 10 570 per person · night
Rates per person sharing, per night.
January
Green thickets, patient tracking
Best time to visit
Zululand's year.
Manyoni's rhythm is Zululand's: gentler winters, greener summers, rhino and wild dog throughout.
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Your guide to Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
When
The dry winter months from May to October are the prime game-viewing season at Manyoni. Vegetation thins, animals concentrate around water sources and the mild, rain-free days make for comfortable driving. Summer, from November to March, brings lush green landscapes, migrant bird species, newborn antelope and dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. Manyoni lies within a low-risk malaria area; prophylaxis is recommended year-round as a precaution. The reserve is rewarding in every season, though first-time visitors will find the dry months easiest for spotting the Big Five.
Where
Manyoni Private Game Reserve lies in Zululand, in the northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is roughly 2.5 hours by road from Durban and approximately 3 hours from King Shaka International Airport. The drive is scenic and straightforward, passing through rolling sugarcane country before reaching the bushveld.
The reserve neighbours Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, one of Africa’s oldest protected areas, and is within easy reach of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Phinda Private Game Reserve. Many guests combine Manyoni with a night or two at the coast or a visit to the St Lucia estuary, making it an excellent anchor for a KwaZulu-Natal safari circuit.
Imagery
Manyoni Private Game Reserve, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Manyoni Private Game Reserve, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Sara has been exceptional with the planning of our safari from beginning to end. There have been so many changes made over the past month on my part, yet she has been able to accommodate every single change. I am very impressed and happy with such professionalism."
"Every part of our safari vacation was absolutely perfect . Jolene was so helpful in putting the pieces together during the planning phase. We stayed 2 days at Kruger Shalati, including one day driving the Panorama route, then 3 nights at Lukimbi Safari Lodge. Both places were amazing and transfers were seamless. Cannot say enough good things about their serv…"
"We’ve had a really good experience with Sara at Safari.com. She’s been great to deal with, very patient with all our changes & always quick to come back with helpful advice. She really listened to what we wanted and put together a fantastic South Africa and Namibia trip for us."
"The booking experience was flawless. I was initially apprehensive about even trying to book a safari, because August is the high season and we were less than a month away, but Izanne quickly curated the perfect trip that met the budget I had set. Izanne also demonstrated exceptional flexibility; when I requested a change to the itinerary, they quickly found…"
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