our story

A celebration of true wilderness in South Africa

The Klaserie’s unfenced boundaries with neighbouring reserves and the Kruger National Park allow for the free and protected movement of wildlife across an area in excess of 2 million hectares.

It is steeped in history, cherishing the connection between people and their wild roots, and prioritising sustainable tourism that contributes to the safety of wildlife and the upliftment of our local communities.

Our History
the greater kruger
The Greater Kruger is the collective name given to the private reserves on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park.

These include the Klaserie, Umbabat, Timbavati, Balule, Manyeleti, and Sabi Sand reserves. These reserves dropped their fences to become part of one pristine tract of protected wilderness in the name of biodiversity conservation.

Where is the Klaserie?

Our History

The history of the reserve includes a colourful timeline of events, the arrival and departure of significant people who left their indelible mark on the formation of the Klaserie, and many families who remain important members of the reserve today.

There is a lengthy and authentic connection between the people and the land, and it is a history worth celebrating. It has been over 50 years since 36 original farm owners made the decision to merge their land and unite to form what would become known as the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (KPNR).

See Our Conservation Initiatives
1923
The Beginning

W A (Wac) Campbell, the patriarch of Natal Sugar Estates, and a foundation member of the newly constituted National Parks Board, bout Mala Mala, Eyrefield and Marthly in this reserve, and subsequently acquired several other adjacent farms.

1926
Kruger Proclaimed

The portion lying to the west of the Park, between the Sabie River in the south and the Oliphant’s River in the north, was the first area where the concept of private nature reserves was born.

1934
Kruger Proclaimed

The portion lying to the west of the Park, between the Sabie River in the south and the Oliphant’s River in the north, was the first area where the concept of private nature reserves was born.

1935
The Game Ordinance was founded

1936
Acornhoek-Orpen road Built

As a result of his love and appreciation of wildlife, Mostert, using pack donkeys, went over the farms Nederland, Peru, Ceylon, and Rothsay, eventually deciding to buy Nederland, at five shillings per morgen. Mostert built a road from the Acornhoek-Orpen road to Nederland. He maintained this road for eighteen years.

1945
The Game Ordinance provided

For the control of many aspects of wildlife, but the continued development of the province, coupled with modern methods of transport and hunting, increased the danger of over hunting and the ordinance soon became obsolete.

1954
Transvaal Game Ordinance Changed

When the Transvaal Game Ordinance (No 23 of 1949) was changed, people were allowed to form private reserves under certain conditions, and Mostert proposed that the property owners form a mutual game reserve.

1954
Umbabat Private Nature Reserve

Due to Col J D Pretorius' enthusiasm for the Game Ordinance, the 'Umbabat Private Nature Reserve', named after the Umbabat River, became a reality. When the river was later given its original Xitsonga name 'Timbavati', form 'ku bava', meaning 'bitter or brackish water', the name of the reserve was changed accordingly.

“Africa - You can see a sunset and believe you have witnessed the Hand of God. You watch the slope lope of a lioness and forget to breathe. When you are in Africa, you feel primordial, rocked in the cradle of the world.”
jodi picoult