The ecological benefits of this initiative have made the region a popular ecotourism destination and conservation efforts have ensured that the wildlife population includes all the Big Five game.

In the early 1990s, landowners decided to remove the fences separating their properties in aid of conservation in order to increase the grazing area for the local wildlife and to diversify the animal gene pool.

[2] Balule Nature Reserve is situated on the western boundary of the Kruger Park, in the Limpopo province of South Africa, southwest of Phalaborwa, and north of Hoedspruit.

The reserve consists of a number of smaller privately owned parks, these include: Balule is located in the subtropical lowveld, an area with multiple eco-zones resulting in significant variety in the flora with over 336 documented tree species in the region.

The rivers and other watering holes are home to large herds of hippos and Nile crocodiles, and in the long dry seasons these areas are heavily trafficked by wildlife and safari tour groups alike.