Spioenkop Game Reserve
Overview
South Africa Parks
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.
Spioenkop is a small, but very scenic, game reserve at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains. Central to the reserve is a large dam open to the public for fishing and water sports. There is a small wildlife-viewing circuit for self-drive visitors. Other activities include horseback safaris and hiking. White rhino, giraffe and zebra are usually seen.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
The small size of Spioenkop isn’t able to sustain populations of some of the bigger animals and predators. The exception is white rhino, which roam around the reserve. Since part of the park is not accessible by car, seeing them is not guaranteed. Other species regularly encountered are giraffe, kudu, eland, blue wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck and blesbok.
Scenery
Spioenkop has a real bush feel, with acacia thorns studding the grassy plains. The Drakensberg Mountains form a dramatic backdrop, and the big lake a scenic center point. In winter, the slopes are covered with massive flowering aloes.
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Spioenkop is comparable to that of South Africa in general. More info:
Best Time To Visit
Spioenkop can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry months of June to September. The end of the Dry season (from August to September) is a particularly nice time since all water in the bush is exhausted, and the animals congregate on the lakeshore. For lake activities, the summer months (October to April) are better.
Getting There
Spioenkop lies at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains between Johannesburg (350km/217mi) and Durban (250km/155mi). It can easily be incorporated in a self-drive itinerary including that part of the country.
Health & Safety
Please read our vaccinations and malaria page for South Africa, and our general wildlife viewing safety precautions page for more info:
Want To Visit Spioenkop GR?
Safari Tours to Spioenkop GR
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10-Day Self-Drive: Drakensberg, Battlefields and Safari
$2,751 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Durban (Start), Umhlanga (Town), Drakensberg Mountains (Mountain Range), Spioenkop GR, Nambiti GR, Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
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17-Day South Africa's Best- Hike & Luxury Big 5 Safari
$7,755 to $8,531 pp (USD)
South Africa: Self-driveLuxuryLodge & Private Villa
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Spioenkop GR, Drakensberg Mountains (Mountain Range), Nambiti GR, mFulaWozi Wilderness GR, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ballito (Town), Durban (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 73 Reviews
