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MARULA HILL
The Journal Trending in the bush Written from Hoedspruit ·
The Blyde River Canyon near Hoedspruit

Stories from the Lowveld

Blyde River Canyon. Our office looks onto the far side of the hill on the left

Honest guides to booking well, which-lodge comparisons and the occasional safari affliction. Written by the people who live next door to the lodges.

Elephants in the Kruger The latest · Know before you book Conservation fees at South African game reserves in 2026 Every reserve's 2026 levy in one table, what it adds to a stay, and how to tell whether a special already includes it. By Vikki Jackson · 3 min read · Read the story
Reserves compared Sabi Sand, Timbavati or Thornybush? A guide for South African residents Leopards, space or the shortest journey. How the 3 best-known private reserves near the Kruger compare, from people who live next door. By Sian Loehrer · 4 min read Lodges compared Phinda's 5 lodges compared: which one is yours? 5 lodges, 1 reserve, and South African resident rates at all of them right now. They are far more different than their shared name suggests. By Sian Loehrer · 2 min read
The Marula Hill Dictionary A growing lexicon of safari afflictions Leopard Voice, Checkout Denial, Lodge Withdrawal and more. Diagnose yourself, then let us arrange the treatment. Open the Dictionary

More from the Journal

  1. Long weekends · 3 min read Malaria-free long weekends from Joburg Leave after lunch on Friday and be on a game drive before dark. These reserves are close to Joburg, outside the malaria areas, and have resident rates live right now.
  2. Know before you book · 2 min read 2 nights or 3? Making a short Kruger escape count Driving from Joburg to the Kruger takes most of a day each way. That changes the maths.
  3. Know before you book · 2 min read What a South African resident rate includes, and what it doesn't The number on the card is only half the story. Here is how to read a resident rate, so the bill at the end matches the one in your head.
Vikki and Sian with a sundowner beside the game vehicle
Vikki and Sian, sundowners in the Lowveld

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