OLIFANTS RIVER GAME RESERVE

The Olifants River Game Reserve is the perfect answer for people wishing to purchase property in a Big Five reserve without the hassle of running an actual farm. It is the ideal place to retreat to with only one's provisions to worry about.

LOCALITY:
Olifants Game Reserve is situated 16km north of Hoedspruit in the Northern Province, bordering the Klaserie Game Reserve which forms part of the greater Kruger National Park.

The reserve covers 4 800 hectares and is part of an unfenced 16 000 hectares. The property has approximately 16 km of Olifants River frontage, with beautiful riverine vegetation which is home to leopards, bushbuck and nyala, to name but a few.

Herds of giraffe, rhino, wildebeest, impala, and zebra are roaming the plains of the reserve, always on the alert for the numerous lion, cheetah and hyena which are also found here. One of the highlights during game drives is sightings of the wild dogs, which have a den to which they return each year. Sightings of the 23-strong pack are quite frequent.

One of the lodges on the reserve.

Olifants Game Reserve is owned under the Shareblock Act, thereby giving everyone their own completely private home, but having the advantage of sharing the reserve's running costs. The reserve has been in existence for approximately 12 years and has been extremely popular and well run. The current monthly levy is R580 and a further R135 for each designated user (a maximum of 6 owners are permitted). This pays for the entire infrastructure, which includes wardens, game guards, garage and repair staff, all in all about 32 people.

The reserve is large and to view two houses involves an hour's drive. A two-night visit is therefore suggested, which allows time to view the reserve as well as any homes on the market. The fee for such a visit is R650 plus R500 per day for the agent's time and travelling costs. Fees are refundable on purchase of a home. Given a two-week notice, accommodation in one of the homes on offer can be arranged.

PRICE: Resale homes range in price from R850 000 to R1,300,000. These homes are normally sold with their furnishings and the game viewing vehicle.
Currency table.

View of the Olifants River and surrounding landscape.