Reserves and Parks: What’s the Difference?
Many of the storied wilds of Africa would have disappeared long ago if not for a very concerted effort to keep them wild. Over a century ago, forward thinkers began cordoning off sections of undeveloped plains, bush, jungles, and savannahs to conserve natural resources and protect wildlife. By doing so, they also provided opportunities for you and other visitors to experience Africa’s treasures responsibly and sustainably. But there is more than one way to keep an area wild.
National Parks
National parks are owned and managed by overnments and are often well known…Tanzania’s Serengeti, Kenya’s Masai Mara, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, to name a few. They offer enormous swaths of land open to the public but within borders designed to keep wildlife contained and protected. The parks’ land masses allow animals to roam and, although enclosed, you will likely only see fences or borders when entering and leaving the parks due to the size of the parks.
As a government-run park, they are designed for access…the entrance fees are minimal, so the number of visitors is quite high. Because of this, the parks must impose regulations, like restricting vehicles to established roads and routes to preserve the landscape and habitats from overexploitation. These restrictions balance the need to protect with their mission to provide access.
Example: Kruger National Park
Sprawling across an awe-inspiring 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger National Park, managed by South African National Parks (SANParks), is the largest national park in South Africa, about the size of New Jersey. Founded by visionary Paul Kruger in 1898, Kruger is a legendary park that welcomes 1.2 million visitors a year who may spot some of the 147 mammal species, 507 species of birds, and 336 species of tree across 16 distinct habitats.
Private Reserves
Private game and nature reserves are stewarded by the private sector, i.e., foundations, non-profits, and often by the lodges operating within the reserves. They share the same conservation goal as the national parks, but private ownership relaxes the constraints of the national parks, allowing activities like night-time drives, off-road excursions, and walking safaris. The number of guests is strictly limited to curtail human traffic and protect the environment’s integrity, providing a more private, exclusive, and arguably more authentic safari experience.
Example: Sabi Sands Private Nature Reserve
Sabi Sands Private Nature Reserve was founded in the 1950s by private landowners committed to conserving their lands’ flora and fauna. It lies within the Greater Kruger National Park (Kruger and its adjacent conservation areas). Some reserves are fenced off from the rest of the national park, but Sabi Sands shares an unfenced border with the national park and allows animals freedom of movement to preserve biodiversity.
Bushtracks safaris explore both national parks and private reserves to bring you the very best of Africa. Our travelers typically lodge in the privacy and luxury of private reserves such as Sabi Sands. As you plan your journey, our seasoned team will call upon their first-hand knowledge of these areas to advise and direct you toward the locales best suited for your interests and travel style.
