About Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
On the banks of the Great Letaba River lies the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve, just west of the Kruger National Park and not far from Tzaneen.
Did you know? The golf course at Hans Merensky has been voted the best walking course in South Africa and received the Diamond Arrow Award for being the highest rated course in Limpopo.
The main draw card to this beautiful reserve is the fact that you can walk most of it on foot, and despite its apparent flatness, there is the welcome relief of distinctive little mopane and combretun trees, amongst others, and a range of low dolerite ridges along the eastern boundary of the reserve called the Black Hills.
The presence of the river on one side of the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve means that there is a rich and varied bird-life, even in winter, and evenings produce some really special sightings of nightjars and owls.
Exciting hiking trails include the Mopane Interpretive Trail, which is only about a kilometre long, the Letaba Trail along the River - great for birding - and the Giraffe trail, which is a 3-day, 32 kilometre hike with overnights in luxury huts.
There is a game-viewing self-drive that winds through the reserve, and you can hope to see a number of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, warthog and giraffe, or the more elusive nocturnal animals like leopard, jackal and hyena. Along the route is a wonderful lookout point that offers fantastic views of the Hans Merensky Reserve and serves as a great picnic spot.
Snakes are common in the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve, and it’s advisable not to get too close to them, although most of them are harmless and will avoid you long before you are even aware of them. If you’re particularly worried, then opt for the guided game drives in the mornings and at sunset, but you’ll need to book a day in advance. There is also a mountain bike trail and horse rides, should you be short of things to do.
Need to Know
WhereHans Merensky Nature Reserve, Phalaborwa, Valley of The Olifants, Limpopo, South Africa
WhenDaylight hours.
OvernightStay in Phalaborwa Accommodation, Limpopo
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inStay at Hans Merensky Nature Reserve






Phalaborwa Hotel
Hans Merensky Hotel and SpaSleeps 280 people in 140 rooms
Situated on the border of the world renowned Kruger National Park, the Hans Merensky Hotel and Spa offers a unique ...
Good [4 verified reviews]
- tonight from
- R
- 1010
- per room per night
based on 2 persons
- Airconditioned rooms are offered
- Free WiFi is not offered
- Airport transfers can be arranged
- No free parking
- Pets are not allowed
- Swimming pool on site
- Family friendly, children of all ages are welcome
Game & Nature Reserves in Limpopo
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Phalaborwa

Phalaborwa Town Guesthouse
Phalaborwa Town Guesthouse offers a basic, clean and affordable family room in Phalaborwa; your gateway to Kruger National Park and Mozambique. W...

Little Garonga
Little Garonga offers accommodation in a luxury, private lodge situated in the greater Makalali Conservancy, west of the Kruger National Park. Li...

Bush Villas on Kruger
Bush Villas on Kruger is located only five minutes from the Kruger Phalaborwa Gate and offers accommodation in beautiful thatched villas. Bush Vi...

Royal Game Guest House
Royal Game Guest House is 1km from the Kruger National Park, the world's most famous nature reserve, where you have the opportunity to view wildl...

Tingala Lodge
If you are looking for peace and quiet with the convenience of being close to Phalaborwa and the Kruger Park, then Tingala is the place for you. ...

Sefapane Lodge & Safaris
Located only 1 km from the Kruger National Park in Phalaborwa, Sefapane Lodge & Safaris offers you a luxury home base to stay, from where you can...

La Lechere Guest House
La Lechere Guesthouse is a luxury and peaceful haven at only 5 min from the famous Kruger National Park. Quietly situated on the outskirts of Pha...

Balule Bushveld Safari Lodge
Balule Bushveld Safari Lodge is nestled in a private nature reserve which forms part of the larger Kruger National Park, near Phalaborwa. Please ...

Fish Eagle Guest Farm
Fish Eagle Guest Farm offers accommodation within 9 km of Phalaborwa Gate to the Kruger National Park and 8 km of Eden Square Mall. The Guest Far...

Gecko Kruger Camp Experience
Gecko Kruger Camp Experience is a unique camping experience. You get to choose where you want to go. Passengers are transported by Landrover Defe...

Casa Leitao Lodge
Casa Leitao Lodge offers various types of accommodation ranging from standard rooms to luxury suites, family rooms and self catering flats. The l...

Silonque Bush Estate
Silonque Bush Estate is located 8km from Phalaborwa and boasts two swimming pools, a bar and tennis court. The estate offers views of the adjacen...

Normann Safari Bush Lodge
Normann Safari Bush Lodge is located near to the town of Phalaborwa (only 1,5km from Kruger National Park as the bird flies), the Kruger National...

Kingly Bush Villa
Bordering the Kruger National Park, the Kingly Bush Villa offers accommodation within 4.4 km of the Phalaborwa Gate with a beautiful patio, garde...

Kokobela Lodge
Cleverly positioned to the side of the 7th fairway, blending into its surroundings allowing its occupants to feel at peace as part of nature. The...

Leopard Rock Guest Lodge
Leopard Rock Guest Lodge offers accommodation in the beautiful Leopard Rock Nature Reserve and offers an intimate bush get away surrounded by wil...

Phomola Manor
Phomola Manor offers exclusive use accommodation in Phalaborwa, nestled in the African bush on the banks of the dry Swartspruit river. The manor ...

Olifants River Lodge & Safaris
Olifants River Lodge & Safaris is located on the northern shore of the Olifants River, about 15 km south of Phalaborwa. The lodge offers accommod...

A Traveller's Palm
A Traveller's Palm is an ideally situated base from where day excursions can be enjoyed in the Kruger National Park and surrounding attractions. ...

Phelwana Game Lodge
Phelwana Game Lodge is located just 47km from the Kruger National Park Orpen Gate, the Blyde River Canyon and nearby Timbavati Private Nature Res...

Masorini Bush Lodge
Masorini Bush Lodge is situated 8 kilometres north of Phalaborwa and only 15 minutes from the Kruger National Park and Hans Merensky "Golf in the...

Leopard Rock Bush Lodge
Holiday at Grietjie Private Nature reserve on the banks of the Elephants River. Leopard Rock Bush Lodge is incorporated in Balule and Greater Kr...

Lalamo Guest House
Lalamo Guest House in Phalaborwa is conveniently located only one km away from the Kruger National Park. Lalamo Guest House features lush beautif...

Abelana Safari Camp
Abelana Safari Camp is located in an elevated position in the remote southern part of the reserve amid spectacular granite outcrops known locally...

Bothabelo Bed and Breakfast
Bothabelo B&B offers affordable and peaceful accommodation only 2km from the world famous Kruger National Park. The B&B is quietly situated on th...

Luso Country Lodge
Situated in the leafy town of Phalaborwa, Luso Country Lodge offers guests a comfortable and affordable stay. There are nine comfortably furnishe...

Cottage Lenise
Cottage Lenise offers accommodation on the owner's property in Hornbill's Rest, a tranquil hideaway on the outskirts of Phalaborwa. The cottage i...

Shoswe Lodge
Shoswe Lodge offers luxurious accommodation in Phalaborwa. From this bushveld oasis you can enjoy watching wildlife and bird species near the Sel...

Kaia Tani Guest House
A small piece of paradise, surrounded by green, a few minutes from nature: the Kruger Park. Kaia Tani Guest House has a swimming pool where you c...

Masana Boutique Hotel & Spa
Welcome to Masana, a luxurious boutique hotel and spa offering accommodation bordering Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga's lush terrain of everl...

Lions Place
Lions Place is situated in the Balule Grietjie Reserve, home to the Big Five. The rooms have air conditioning and tea / coffee facilities. Breakf...

nDzuti Safari Camp
nDzuti Safari Camp in Klaserie Game Reserve (part of the Greater Kruger Park) is located deep in the heart of the Klaserie on a vast property whe...

Elegance Guest House
Located in Phalaborwa, Elegance Guest House offers accommodation for up to 19 guests. From here guests are near to the Letaba Ranch Game Reserve,...

Abelana River Lodge
Abelana River Lodge is a stylish, 20-room lodge offering spectacular views over the Selati River. The river is home to a plethora of wildlife suc...

CU Guesthouse
CU Guesthouse is conveniently situated at the entrance to Phalaborwa. The Guest House offers 12 tastefully furnished en-suite rooms which include...

Elephant Walk Guesthouse
Elephant Walk Guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation just two minutes away from the Kruger National Park. We have parking, braai facilities ...

Adonsonia Lodge
Set in the Grietjie Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger Park, Adonsonia Lodge is a small family run bed and breakfast offering an ...

Sunbird Lodge
Set in 2.5 acres of tropical gardens with abundant birdlife, Sunbird Lodge is the perfect choice for the business or leisure traveller. Offering ...

Casart Game Lodge
Casart Game Lodge is situated in the unspoilt bush area of the breathtakingly beautiful nature reserve, Grietjie. This private park, 3000 ha in s...

Hornbills Rest
Hornbills Rest is a country house located in Phalaborwa. It is a spacious and modern home providing accommodation designed to be elegantly casual...

Bushvilla Umoja Kruger
Umoja Bushvilla is situated in Silonque Nature Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger Park. The estate offers with two swimming pools and a tennis court...

Mopani Rest Camp
Mopani Rest Camp offers comfortable accommodation for up to 494 guests and is situated within the world renowned Kruger National Park. The vegeta...

Bushveld Terrace Hotel on Kruger
Spend your days spotting the Big 5 and your nights listening to the calls of the bush right on the doorstep of the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger ...

Loerie Lodge Corporate Guest House
Our well known International Guest House offers individuality and privacy with our fully serviced garden units. It has now become a peaceful home...

Buffalo Tented Lodge
Buffalo Tented Lodge offers accommodation for a total of ten guests and is located at Letaba Ranch Game Reserve in Phalaborwa, sharing an unfence...

Antares Bush Camp & Safaris
Antares Bush Camp offers guests an exclusive and comfortable break-away venue in the Greater Kruger National Park at affordable rates and is ide...

Pafuri Border Camp
Pafuri Border Camp offers accommodation in three different units in the world renowned Kruger National Park and is near to Punda Maria. There are...

Garonga Safari Camp
Garonga Safari Camp offers accommodation and a distinct, unhurried and intimate wildlife encounter, allowing you the time to reflect and find ins...

Mbizi Bush Lodge
Mbizi Bush Lodge includes all the elements needed to make a safari in Southern Africa an unforgettable experience. A unique location in the heart...
Things to do in the area

Wine and Gin Tasting
Savour the prettiness of Limpopo when you stay overnight in Hoedspruit, a little town at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountain Range. And it is in...

Buffalo’s Pub and Grill
Buffalo’s Pub and Grill is situated in the heart of Phalaborwa which is alongside the Kruger National Park and surrounded by many other nature an...

Masorini Village Museum
Masorini Village is a restored village dating back to the stone-age. Restoration began in 1973, and at the time there were only grinding stones, ...

Luvuvhu 4x4 Trail
In Phalaborwa, Limpopo, is the start of the challenging Luvuvhu 4x4 Trail, which follows the western border of the world-renowned Kruger National...

Malopeni 4x4 Trail
The Malopeni 4x4Trail is one of the routes offered by the Kruger National Park, which continues to be one of the top safari destinations of the w...

Mtomeni Wilderness Trail
Start: Letaba Ranch Game Reserve, just north of PhalaborwaFinish: LetabaDuration: 36 km, 3 nightsFitness: moderate Our tip: Mtomeni is the name f...

Foskor Mine Museum
Limpopo is a South African province that borders Zimbabwe, Botswana and Gauteng. It is a developing province that has, as its main industries, mi...

Qualito Distillery Tour and Tastings
Tours of the increasingly popular Qualito Craft Distillery are a must for gin, whisky and vodka enthusiasts, as well as for travellers that are l...

Qualito Craft Distillery
Nestled in the charming town of Phalaborwa, in the South African province of Limpopo, is the renowned Qualito Craft Distillery. Here, wonderful v...
Noteworthy attractions

Kruger National Park
The largest game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is larger than Israel. Nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 ...

Kruger National Park Tours
Guided day trips to the Kruger National Park: The largest game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is nearly 2 million hectares of ...

Hans Merensky Golf Club
This is another fine course which first evolved from the drawing board of Robert Grimsdell. A major attraction of the Hans Merensky course is the...

Balule Game Reserve
The vast Balule Game Reserve is adjacent to the Kruger National Park, home to the Big Five and world famous for its abundance of wildlife and bir...

Kapama Game Reserve
Kapama Game Reserve is situated in the Limpopo Province, South Africa and was proclaimed a private nature reserve in December 1993. Covering appr...

Karongwe Game Reserve
Karongwe Game Reserve is an untamed garden of Eden where the spoor of wildlife invites you to explore the timeless beauty of the bush; an oasis o...

Klaserie Game Reserve
Bordering the Timbavati Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, the Klaserie Game Reserve reserve is hot and dry for most of the year. The bush is...

Manyeleti Game Reserve
The fenceless borders the Manyeleti Game Reserve shares with the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the Timbavati Game Reserve, fo...

Mohlabetsi Conservancy
The Mohlabetsi Conservancy lies on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, part of the greater Kruger Park area that borders on the Kla...
Accommodation near Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Limpopo Accommodation / Valley of the Olifants Accommodation / Phalaborwa Accommodation