WHAT THERE IS TO DO

The Reserve Does Most Of The Work

A good deal of the game viewing at Mjejane happens without anyone going anywhere. Elephant move through on their own schedule, hippos are audible from the deck and the riverine forest along the Crocodile River holds birds worth stopping for. When you do want to cover ground, open game viewers run four times a day with rangers who know the reserve, and the Kruger’s own gates are a short drive up the N4.

Guided Game Drives

Open game viewers head out morning, midday, afternoon and after dark, into Mjejane's own terrain and Big 5 country. Rangers stop throughout every drive except the night one, and coffee, tea and water come along. Children of all ages are welcome. Sunset drives book out about three weeks ahead.

Birdwatching

The riverine forest along the Crocodile River is the reason to pack binoculars. African green pigeons work through the leaves after wild fruit, the fish eagle calls over the water and purple-crested louries flash through the canopy. There is no charge, and birders can ask to be allocated together on a drive.

Dream Xplorers

Children collect a passport at reception and work through it over the week: build a bird feeder, make a spoor mould, complete a mammal list, earn a junior ranger certificate. Enough badges and there are prizes at the end of it.

Self-Guided Walking Trail

A walking trail appears on the reserve site plan and in the Dream Xplorers activity list, and the camp's own standing instruction is that guests remain in their vehicle because this is Big 5 territory. Copy is held until the camp confirms where walking is permitted, under what supervision and at what age.

A Day In The Kruger

Mjejane shares a fence with the Kruger National Park, and a day in the Park is the obvious excursion. Access is through the Crocodile Bridge or Malelane gates, both reached off the N4. You will need your own vehicle, and it is worth leaving camp early.

Leopard Creek Golf Course

Designed by golfing legend Gary Player, Leopard Creek is one of three major golf courses within a short drive of Mjejane Bush Camp, and a draw in its own right. Tee times are arranged directly with the club, so sort yours out before you travel.

Kambaku Golf Club

A challenging round with the Lebombo Mountains standing behind it. Kambaku is the second of the three courses near camp, and rounds are booked directly with the club.

Jabula Lodge Restaurant

Wholesome food and a busy room, whatever time of day you turn up. Large indoor and outdoor seating areas make it work for a whole family at once, and it is the closest thing to a night off from the braai.

Malelane

The nearest town of any size sits back along the N4 and covers the practicalities: convenience shops, medical facilities and garages, plus the SuperSpar that delivers groceries to camp. It is also one of the two Kruger gates you can use.

Destination

Distance and drive

Booking

Kruger National Park, Crocodile Bridge Gate

SANParks, at the gate

Kruger National Park, Malelane Gate

SANParks, at the gate

Leopard Creek Golf Course

One of three major courses 15 to 30 minutes from camp; individual distance

Direct with the club

Kambaku Golf Club

One of three major courses 15 to 30 minutes from camp; individual distance

Direct with the club

Jabula Lodge Restaurant

Direct with the restaurant

Malelane town

About 15km from Hectorspruit on the N4; distance from camp NOT STATED IN ANY SOURCE

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

45 minutes

Good to Know

Malaria

Mjejane is a moderate-risk malaria area. Speak to a healthcare professional before travelling about precautions and prophylaxis.

Staying in your vehicle

This is Big 5 territory. Unless you are in a designated area, stay inside your vehicle with the doors closed, and keep arms, heads and cameras inside the windows and sunroof.

Driving on the reserve

The speed limit is 40km/h, vehicles may only use the main road, and no off-road driving is permitted. Drivers must carry a valid licence. Transgressors are penalised.

Booking a game drive

Drives are booked with the camp directly by WhatsApp. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead or the drive is charged. Sunset drives are booked out roughly three weeks in advance.

Indemnity

An indemnity must be signed before you take part in a game drive.

Wildlife

Feeding or disturbing animals is a serious offence, and no plant, rock or animal material may be moved or removed. Spotlights need authorisation.

Gate access

There is no access onto the reserve without a QR code. A gate fee and road levy is charged per vehicle for the stay, and a separate rate applies to day visitors. Security checks every vehicle in and out.

Kruger access

The reserve’s own low-level bridge into the Kruger National Park is closed. Enter the Park through the Crocodile Bridge or Malelane gates.

Seasons

Game drive departure times shift between the summer and winter timetables. Check the current times with reception when you book.

Minimum age on drives

Children of all ages are welcome. Tell the camp if young children are joining so the vehicle can be allocated accordingly.

THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

A Reserve That Belongs To The Community Around It

An Inheritance For Future Generations

Mjejane Game Reserve sits on land returned to the Lugedlane community, and the community benefits directly from the sale of properties, the building of lodges and the tourism economy that has grown around them. That includes skills transfer, training as game rangers and the services that keep the reserve running.

How Mjejane Came To Be

Mpumalanga’s largest land claim was settled with the handing over of the farm known as Ludwigslust to the Lugedlane community, the original owners of the land, who had been forcibly removed from it between 1926 and 1953.

Once the claim was settled, the question was what to do with the ground. The first intention was housing and farming, but the soil is poor, water is limited and cattle are difficult to keep this close to the Kruger, where bovine TB, foot and mouth and corridor disease all circulate. Conservation was the better answer.

What followed is one of the newer private game reserves on the Kruger’s southern boundary, running from the N4 to the Park itself. Chief Lugedlane pushed to have the land preserved for those who came after, and the reserve is run today by the community and Dream Hotels and Resorts together as caretakers of that decision.

Mpumalanga’s largest land claim was settled with the handing over of the farm known as Ludwigslust to the Lugedlane community, the original owners of the land, who had been forcibly removed from it between 1926 and 1953.

Once the claim was settled, the question was what to do with the ground. The first intention was housing and farming, but the soil is poor, water is limited and cattle are difficult to keep this close to the Kruger, where bovine TB, foot and mouth and corridor disease all circulate. Conservation was the better answer.

What followed is one of the newer private game reserves on the Kruger’s southern boundary, running from the N4 to the Park itself. Chief Lugedlane pushed to have the land preserved for those who came after, and the reserve is run today by the community and Dream Hotels and Resorts together as caretakers of that decision.

FAQ

Game drives at Mjejane Bush Camp are booked directly with the camp by WhatsApp, and it is worth booking before you arrive because sunset drives fill up roughly three weeks ahead. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the drive are charged.

Mjejane Bush Camp runs four drives a day, in the early morning, mid-morning, late afternoon and evening. Departure times shift between the summer and winter timetables, so confirm the current times with reception when you book.

Yes, children of all ages are welcome on game drives at Mjejane Bush Camp, at a reduced rate for under-twelves. Let the camp know young children are joining so the vehicle can be allocated with that in mind.

Yes. Guests drive themselves between the gate and their chalet in Mjejane Game Reserve. The speed limit is 40km/h, vehicles must stay on the main road, and everyone stays inside the vehicle with the doors closed, because this is Big 5 territory.

The Kruger National Park is entered from Mjejane through the Crocodile Bridge or Malelane gates, both reached off the N4. Check the current access arrangements with reception when you book, as the reserve’s own river crossing is not always open.

Yes, and it costs nothing. The riverine forest along the Crocodile River at Mjejane holds African green pigeon, fish eagle and purple-crested lourie among others. Tell the camp you are a birder and they will allocate you to a drive accordingly.

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