Top 20 eco-estates in South Africa for 2018

New World Wealth recently reviewed the top residential estates in South Africa for 2018.

See article: Top 10 residential estates in South Africa for 2018

One of the sub-categories was ‘eco-estates’, which are often difficult to define, says Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth. “For our purposes, eco-estates refer to estates with wildlife and birdlife in a natural, or relatively untouched setting of forest and bushveld.”

They are normally situated away from the big cities, he says, and many of them offer outdoor activities such as game viewing, forest walks, fishing, birdwatching, hiking and mountain biking.

“Some of them are even big five game reserves that offer private residences,” he adds.

New World Wealth’s top 20 eco-estates in SA for 2018 are:

Note: The list is not ranked, it is in a random order.

- Mjejane: wildlife estate that is connected to Kruger Park.

This five bedroom lodge in Mjejane Game Reserve, Hectorspruit, is on the market for R14.3 million - click here to view.

- Leopard Creek: golf and wildlife estate overlooking Kruger Park.

- Zimbali: golf estate near Ballito. Consistently rated as one of the best residential estates in the world. Offers residents amazing forest walks and top birdlife. Situated right on the beach.

This well-priced home in Zimbali Coastal Resort on KwaZulu-Natal's north coast is on the market for R7.95 million - click here to view

- Simbithi: golf estate near Ballito. Offers residents lovely birdlife and forest vegetation.

This modern home in Simbithi Eco Estate in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, is on the market for R11.995 million - click here to view

- Prince's Grant Golf Estate: golf estate near Ballito. On a lagoon and right on the beach.

- Highland Gate: golf and trout estate in Dullstroom. Situated right inside the mountains. One of the few residential estates in SA that offers good fly-fishing.

This residence in Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate with golf cart is a fractional ownership sale, giving each owner 4 weeks a year, for R350 000 - click here to view

- Zebula: golf and wildlife estate in the Waterberg.

This Zebula Golf Estate home in Bela Bela is on the market for R3.4 million - click here to view

- Ekubo Coastal Estate: coastal estate near Leisure Bay.

- Welgevonden: game reserve in the Waterberg. Also home to several exclusive private homes.

- Hopewell Conservation Estate: wildlife estate near Port Elizabeth.

This property in Hopewell Conservation Estate in Port Elizabeth, which featured on Top Billing, is selling for R6 million - click here to view.

- Gondwana Private Residences: game reserve on the Garden Route. Has a unique private residences section.

- Royalston Wildlife Estate: wildlife estate near Port Elizabeth.

- Zandspruit Estate: bush and aero estate near Hoedspruit.

- Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate: wildlife estate near Hoedspruit.

A bushveld oasis in Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, this home is on the market for R3.5 million - click here to view.

- Intaba Ridge: wildlife estate near Pietermaritzburg.

- Mabula: game reserve in the Waterberg. Also home to several exclusive private homes.

- Raptors View: wildlife estate near Hoedspruit.

This fully furnished modern home in Raptors View Wildlife Estate, Hoedspruit, is priced at R4.995 million - click here to view.

- Thaba Moriri: wildlife estate in the Waterberg.

- Likweti: new bushveld farm estate near White River.

- Kruger Park Lodge: golf and wildlife resort near Hazyview. Also offers timeshare and fractional ownership.

New World Wealth expects that the ‘eco-estates’ space will perform well over the next 10 years, driven by a growing demand from high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to have access to top wildlife and birdlife experiences on their doorstep.

“We expect eco-estates in Natal to perform especially well,” says Amoils.