Leopards View Private Game Lodge In The Balule Nature Reserve

Leopards View was the first Private Game Lodge we had ever gone to in August 2017. We then returned in January 2018 for my second visit. I love this place so much, and everyone who has been there will love it too. There is something special about Leopards View. It is small, peaceful and tranquil, and has everything one would need to have a great Bush Safari or Game Reserve experience.

Leopards View is situated in the Balule Game Reserve, a private concession within the Greater Kruger National Park. The Greater area is part of the Kruger Park itself. The fences were taken down many years a go to encourage game to move more freely. This means that there are many lodges and Game Reserves that now form part of the Kruger National Park. The Balule Reserve is home to many lodges, but Leopards View has to be the best. Choosing this camp for your African Safari experience will leave you in awe.

You will find a 3 minute video (Subscribe to our YouTube channel here) below showing off Leopards View, and more information and photographs further down the page.

General Information On Leopards View Game Lodge

Leopards View is situated just a few kilometers from the mighty Olifants River, where you can often here Baboons calling during the day. The camp itself is beautiful, full of indigenous trees and beautiful workmanship. The camp has a boma and bar where you can relax under a fan during the heat of the day and watch the resident Lesser Bushbabies come out of the thatch just before dusk.

Below the Boma is an inviting splash pool and open deck that leaves you thinking that there is nothing between you and the bushveld. The deck looks out onto a bird pool where animals often come to drink during the day, even Lion and Elephant drink here. A few meters away there is a private illuminated waterhole where you can also watch animals come to drink, both during the day, and night. Lion and Leopard often drink here.

A 3 story viewing tower is situated just outside the fence, (which really is not a fence at all – more of a decoration) and one can see for miles and miles, almost all the way to Mozambique. Here you can watch the Eagles and Vultures soar, and scan the entire landscape for all sorts of wildlife.

The “Duiker” Chalet

Leopards View Accommodation

The accommodation at the lodge is nothing short of immaculate. The best thing about it, is that there are only 3 chalets/suites available at any given time. This means you won’t be sharing the lodge with 25 people, so you can have a more personal experience with the bush.

The Chalets have nicknames too:

Duiker – The Duiker chalet is our favourite. It has 2 single beds that can be arranged as a double, has tea, coffee and rusks for when you may feel the need for a hot drink, air conditioning, ceiling fan, an indoor shower and a beautiful outdoor shower that over looks the African bushveld.
Giraffe – The Giraffe chalet is adjacent to the central terrace and has its own shady veranda. The beds in “Giraffe” can be arranged either as a double or as two singles. In addition to the en suite bathroom, “Giraffe” has an outdoor shower looking over the bush. There is an indoor shower as well.
Kudu – The Kudu chalet is about 30 metres away from the deck area in the lodge gardens, with a small veranda and a lounge area. The beds in “Kudu” are arranged as two singles but can be formed into a double. Two extra beds are available in the lounge section making this chalet suitable for use by families with younger children. There is an outdoor and indoor shower.

The chalets were named after 3 most common animals that were around when Neil and Ann Kern took over the lodge in 2008. Lovely people, willing to share anything with you and the hospitality they offer in unmatched.

Game Drives Are A Must

Leopards View Game Lodge Activities

There is a lot to do in the camp itself. During my days here I enjoy spending them sitting on the deck, scanning the bush from the viewing tower or lounging around in the splash pool. There is just so much to see in the camp. A quick walk around every 30 minutes or so will reveal a variety of bird species, reptiles and insects. Then it’s back to the shade of the umbrella and/or the cool air of the fan in the boma.

A fire is lit ever night before dinner (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Dinner is all inclusive), and it is great to sit around the fire and talk about the day.

Game drives are also part of the experience and are a must. You can go on shorter 90 minute drives with Neil and Ann where they point out everything big and small to you. This includes history of the area, plant life, tracks and so much more. You can also go to one of the other lodges for a 3 hour game drive. The Game Drives are best in the early morning and late afternoon. Late afternoon game drives include a sundowner or two, and a lovely spot is chose to disembark and enjoy a cold drink after a long hot day.

Leopards View Animals & Game Watching

Due to the proximity of the lodge to the Kruger National Park means that this is a Big 5 area. You can see all sorts of different animal species while just sitting in the camp. You can often hear Lions calling in the mornings and Spotted Hyaena calling at night.

Around the lodge, while sitting on the deck, or on a drive you can often see a variety of species such as:

Impala
Burchell’s Zebra
Common Duiker
Tree Squirrel
Banded Mongoose
Dwarf Mongoose
Kudu
Blue Wildebeest
Giraffe
Elephant
Lion
Leopard
Elephant
Waterbuck
Bushbuck
Chacma Baboon
Vervet Monkey
Lesser Bushbaby
Warthog
Steenbok

Leopards View Bird Watching

Birds are prolific in this area and you do not have to go very far to see all sorts of different species. There are easily above 200 different bird species in the immediate area. We have compiled a list of the more common birds that can be found in the area and around the camp. This are just the birds we have recorded, there are a lot more, and probably more common birds that we have missed.