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Luxury Safari Lodge in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Ximuwu Safari Lodge sits within Klaserie Private Nature Reserve — an unfenced, 60,000-hectare wilderness that forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. There are no fences between Ximuwu and Kruger. Animals move freely, and the safari you experience here is shaped by that freedom.

 

With a maximum of eight guests at any time, Ximuwu offers the kind of privacy that most lodges can only dream about. Private game drives, a dedicated ranger and tracker, and suites filled with natural light and waterhole views — designed, from the beginning, to be fully accessible to every guest.

GETTING HERE

20 Minutes from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport

Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport is the closest airport to Ximuwu, served daily by Airlink, Safair, and Cemair with direct flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo and Cape Town International. The transfer from airport to lodge takes approximately 20 minutes, and our team will arrange your collection.

Guests who prefer to drive can self-navigate from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport — a scenic six-hour journey. We provide detailed directions and waypoints on booking.

Private air charter guests may land directly at the Ximuwu airstrip for exclusive, door-to-bush access. Our accessible shuttle vehicle is available if needed.

OUR RICH HISTORY

The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Klaserie was established in 1969 when a group of farmers chose to combine their properties to create a vital haven for wildlife. Officially constituted in 1972, it has grown into one of the largest privately owned reserves in southern Africa, spanning over 60,000 hectares and sharing an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park.

That unfenced connection ensures that migratory corridors remain intact and predator-prey dynamics play out across vast territory. The wildlife you encounter at Ximuwu moves through the same landscape as the animals inside Kruger itself.  

KLASERIE PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Wildlife

Spectacular Game Viewing

Klaserie is home to the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — alongside cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyena, and a remarkable diversity of plains game. Over 500 bird species have been recorded within the reserve.

Ximuwu’s location within Klaserie gives guests access to a private 6,000-hectare traversing area. With no other vehicles to contend with, sightings belong entirely to you. Your ranger and tracker are there to share the kind of knowledge that only comes from years spent in the bush.

Conservation

Our Commitment to Conservation

Being part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem is a privilege we don’t take for granted. Ongoing efforts to conserve nature mean visitors can witness diverse wildlife all year round, making each visit unforgettable.

Ximuwu is committed to reducing our footprint while deepening our guests’ understanding of the ecosystem around them — through interpretation on game drives, conservation-focused storytelling, and the simple act of watching this landscape without disturbing it.

Water

Reverse Osmosis Water Plant

Our on-site Aquamat Reverse Osmosis water plant produces purified drinking water directly at the lodge, eliminating the need for bottled water and reducing packaging and transportation waste. Every guest who drinks our water supports a tangible sustainability practice.

Our cutting-edge plant tackles water waste efficiently, providing even purer water than the best-bottled brands.

Experiences & Activities

Luxury Activities in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Photographic Hides

Patience, perfect light, and an undisturbed view — that’s what Ximuwu’s two underground photographic hides deliver. Both hides are wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy South Africa’s wildlife at Ximuwu Lodge.

EXPLORE

Ximuwu Spa

Enjoy world-class treatments at the Ximuwu Spa after a long day exploring the bush. In-suite spa services are available if you'd prefer the privacy of your own room. 

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Sleep-Out Deck

Nestled in a private treehouse for two, our Sleep-Out Deck allows you to spend a night fully immersed in the Lowveld.

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Helicopter Flights

our scenic helicopter tours offer a perspective on the Lowveld that no game drive can offer.

EXPLORE

social media

The Latest from Instagram

  • A hairy caterpillar in the garden. They might look cute enough to stroke, but be warned - they’ll make you itch and burn!

#ximuwusafarilodge #caterpillartobutterfly #smallcreatures #privatesafariexperience
  • A while ago, a pride of lions arrived at this waterhole and attacked several hyenas, including cubs from the clan.

Recently, a mother hyena and her young pup have begun returning — cautious and nervous, constantly watching the darkness around them.

But returning nonetheless.
  • The elephants are absolutely thriving right now ✨

With all the rain this season, the bush has turned into a lush green paradise — thick grass as far as you can see, water everywhere, and endless feeding opportunities. The energy out there is something special… playful mud baths, splashing in the waterholes, and herds moving through like they’ve got nowhere else to be but happy 🐘
  • Today is World Leopard Day, and it feels fitting to look back at a truly special sighting from this week at Ximuwu.

Our guests were treated to an incredible encounter with a magnificent male leopard, completely at ease in his surroundings. He moved slowly through the bush, pausing often, allowing everyone to settle in and simply observe. For over an hour, the sighting unfolded at its own pace, with this stunning cat giving us the privilege of following him as he went about his day.

There is something unforgettable about spending that kind of time with a leopard in the wild. 
At Ximuwu, we are lucky to share this landscape with them, and even luckier when they choose to share their time with us 🐆🍀

📷 @rudihulshof
  • Not every moment in the bush is about beauty in the traditional sense — but every moment has purpose.

Hyenas and vultures may not be the first animals that come to mind when you think of Africa’s wildlife, yet their role is nothing short of essential. In this scene, they work together to return an elephant back to the earth, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Vultures, with their remarkable eyesight, are often the first to arrive, while hyenas bring strength and persistence. Together, they form part of a highly efficient natural system — one that keeps the bush healthy, balanced, and alive.

It’s a powerful reminder that even in death, there is life, and every creature has its place in this intricate ecosystem.
The wild, just as it should be.
  • At Ximuwu, every detail has been carefully considered.

From the moment you walk in, you’ll notice that nothing is random or off the shelf. Our interiors have been thoughtfully designed specifically for the lodge, with each piece reflecting the colours, textures and atmosphere of the bush around us.

The paintings are commissioned to complement our palette, while many of the sculptures and features are created by talented local artists. These elements don’t simply decorate the space — they add character and a real sense of place.
Ximuwu is designed to feel like a home in the bush. Warm, comfortable and personal, while still connected to the wild surroundings just outside.

It’s this balance between refined design and a relaxed, natural feel that makes the lodge so special… could you see yourself settling in here?
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