Balule Nature Reserve

The Balule area of the Greater Kruger National Park initially consisted several separate fenced game farms. In the early 1990s, landowners decided to remove the fences separating their properties in aid of conservation in order to increase the grazing area for the local wildlife and to diversify the animal gene pool.^[1] By the end of the decade, most Balule landowners had joined in the venture creating a much larger area for game to roam unhindered by fences, and hunting was curtailed. Kruger authorities noted the ecological benefits and decided to incorporate the Balule area into the Greater Kruger National Park by removing the fence between the Kruger Park and Klaserie Game Reserve as well as between the Klaserie and Olifants Game Reserves. Today the Balule reserve covers around 40,000 hectares in area (The area periodically extends as more landowners join the initiative and become incorporated).^[2]

 

Balule Nature Reserve is situated on the western boundary of the Kruger Park, in the Limpopo province of South Africa, southwest of Phalaborwa, and north of Hoedspruit. The perennial Olifants River flows for approximately 20 km through the center of the reserve. The reserve consists of a number of smaller privately owned parks, these include:

• Olifants River Game Reserve
• Olifants River Eastern Conservancy
• Olifants West Game Reserve
• York Game Reserve
• Parsons Game Reserve
• Olifants North Game Reserve
• Grietjie Game Reserve
• Jejane
• Pridelands Conservancy

 

Balule is located in the subtropical lowveld, an area with multiple eco-zones resulting in significant variety in the flora with over 336 documented tree species in the region. Baobab trees, fever trees, knobthorns, marula and mopane trees are predominant species in this wooded savannah.

 

The diverse flora accommodates a diverse array of fauna. More than 220 different kinds of birds inhabit the area including raptor species such as lappet-faced vulture, Pel's fishing owl, martial eagle and impressive larger birds such as kori bustard, ground hornbill and saddle-billed stork.^[3] There are over 30 species of mammals ranging from plains game such as zebra, wildebeest and South African giraffe to predators such as lion, African leopard and southeast African cheetah. The rivers and other watering holes are home to large herds of hippos and Nile crocodiles, and in the long dry seasons these areas are heavily trafficked by wildlife and safari tour groups alike. The nature reserve is home to the big five.

The Reserve is managed as an eco-tourism destination and there are a number of private commercial game lodges located within the Reserve. The following lodges and camps offer accommodation in the Balule Reserve:

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balule Nature Reserve.

• Associated Private Nature Reserves
• Protected areas of South Africa
• Wildlife of South Africa

• Balule Travel Guide
• Limpopo Tourism Agency
• Game Lodges in the Balule Reserve
• Struwig Eco Reserve
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