How to holiday in style – we’ve rounded up some of our Kruger Park favourites.
South Africa’s Kruger National Park is renowned worldwide. It’s big, it’s chock-a-block with game, it’s all sorts of wonderful.
Opening up fences with surrounding private game reserves to create the Greater Kruger Park has super-sized everything.
It’s also brought more than a few luxury accommodations. There’s pretty much something to suit everybody, but it can be daunting. We’re experts at this, and have drawn up our list of 10 of the best – there are loads more, but we’ve not got space for all. They are presented below, in no particular order and prices can range anywhere from $780 to $2,860 per per person per night.
“Excellent service by CandisCloete. We had a fantastic experience from A-Z. Even when our flight from Europe was delayed and we missed our connecting flight, Candiswas available and booked us on the next flight.”
– Jana, Switzerland
1. &Beyond Tengile River Lodge
&Beyond Tengile River Lodge is tucked away in Sabi Sand on a bend of the Sand River. Tranquillity is the watchword (tengile means “tranquil” in the local language), the concept open-air, and the design modern. Yet there are intimate spaces with magnificent river views.
Tengile River Lodge is the newest luxury safari lodge in Sabi Sand. The nine stylish suites have outdoor sunken lounges, private viewing decks, and lap pools overlooking the Sand River. Two of the suites are joined by a covered walkway to create a family suite.
Public spaces are the viewing deck and the library, filled as it is with curated objects and interesting books. Bespoke furniture, lights and unique décor pieces created by local artists, fabrics hand-painted underlines the elegance of the lodge.
There’s a massage and gym area and a Safari Shop where you can browse and buy beautiful handcrafted items. It’s eco-friendly, built from sustainable materials such as thatch, stone, and timber.
When you’re not lounging around in luxury, there are game drives that traverse 10,500 hectares (the area is known for its leopards), bush walks, community experiences, Shangaan village visits, birding safaris and family safaris, with a maximum of six guests per vehicle, accompanied by a guide and tracker. There are strict vehicle limits at sightings.
Importantly, there is wheelchair accessibility (with assistance) and golf carts for guests with mobility issues.
No children under 12.
Rates start from $2,200 per person, per night (sharing).
“This may be the first place where I’ve ever truly cried when it was time to leave, and I travel a LOT. Tengile was an absolutely perfect experience, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It is truly one of the most special experiences of my entire life.”
– Mari R, US
The suites at &Beyond Tengile River Lodge open onto the wild bush.
2. Dulini Moya
Dulini Moya, in the Dulini Game Reserve in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, is super-intimate. There are only six beautifully appointed suites, alongside a gym, relaxation patio, viewing deck, swimming pool, wine cellar and boutique.
Family-owned Dulini is particularly well known for its leopards, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. It’s also a twitcher’s paradise—300 bird species have been recorded.
The suites are thatched, and all have private, heated plunge pools and private views of the Mabrak River. When you’re not on a game drive or bush walk, there’s an in-house massage therapist, gym and gallery. Photographic safaris are also an option
Dulini traverses a 10,500ha property, and Dulini Moya is ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families looking for a luxury Big Five safari experience.
No children under 8 unless the lodge is booked exclusively. Children between 8 and 16 sharing with an adult pay 50% of the full rate.
Rates start from $1,440 per person, per night (sharing).
“The location is stunning, the lodge beautiful and where to begin on the rooms…We were so lucky with our sightings and my husband who had never been on a safari before was blown away. We can’t wait to return to Dulini.”
– Abbi D
Dinner in the bush at Dulini Moya.
3. Singita Lebombo Lodge
Singita Lebombo Lodge is all about the jaw-dropping views. It sits on a rugged cliff in N’wanetsi, a remote, exclusive 15,000ha concession on the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park, overlooking the confluence of the Sweni and N’wanetsi rivers.
There are 15 loft-style suites on stilts along the cliffside, blending into the surroundings. Glass walls on three sides make the most of the game viewing. Each has a deck with a daybed.
Singita’s concession traverses four eco-zones, which means a huge diversity of animals and birds. And mega-prides of lion.
What’s on offer? There are game drives and bush walks; for downtime, you can opt for the spa, lap pool, gym or even archery. You can have a cooking demo at the Singita Culinary School, or do some yoga.
A special experience at Lebombo Lodge is a personalised, sommelier-led wine tasting in the cellar, whether you’re a connoisseur or simply like your wine and want to learn more.
No children under the age of 10. Those under 18 pay 50% of the rate if sharing a room with an adult.
Rates start from $2,860 per person, per night (sharing).
“Had the Greatest Adventure Experience in my 74 years of life. Felt totally safe after seeing up close zebras, elephants, lions, cheetah, giraffes, leopards, hippos, impalas, baboons, kudus, jackal, warthogs, wildebeest, etc. Lodges are so unique and provide for everything including quietness. It’s a wonderful experience of a lifetime!”
– Cheryl S
Suites at Singita Lebombo Lodge overlook the N’wanetsi River.
4. Royal Malewane
Royal Malewane, in The Royal Portfolio, is fit for kings. There are three luxury lodges and three private villas, all sumptuously appointed with an eclectic eye for detail. Masiya’s Camp under canvas opens in April.
It’s in Thornybush Game Reserve, and has the most qualified guiding team in Africa, with 350 years of safari guiding together. One of only 10 professional guides with FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) scout status in the world, is here.
There are also only seven CyberTracker-qualified master trackers in the world, and two are at Royal Malewane. They are the only two active master trackers in the Greater Kruger National Park. You can be assured game viewing is unparalleled.
Alongside the game drives are bush walks and walking trails, and you can visit Sigagule Crèche in the local community. There are star, birding and photographic safaris, golf trips by helicopter to Leopard Creek Country Club, Little Explorers to introduce children to nature, and conservation activities.
Children of all ages are welcome for a beautiful family safari.
Rates start from $2,740 per person, per night (sharing).
“The team here makes you feel cared for and certainly well fed, and our guide and tracker did everything they could to deliver…It is easy to understand why so many people make this a repeat stay. We are already planning our next trip.”
– Nryan, US
An elegant suite at Royal Malewane.
5. Cheetah Plains
Cheetah Plains, in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, has three exclusive-use, designer villas, each comprising four private suites. They take luxury and ratchet it up several notches.
Exclusivity is guaranteed as only two safari vehicles are allowed in shared areas of the reserve at any given time.
Each exquisitely appointed villa can sleep up to eight guests. They have reception areas, an expansive swimming pool deck, wine gallery, curated art collection, chef’s kitchen and four private suites. You also have access to a central gym.
On your hospitality team is a host, butler, culinary team, spa therapist as well as an expert field guide and tracker team dedicated to your villa for the duration of your stay. All the better to give you an unbeatable luxury safari experience.
Cheetah Plains is carbon negative. Immersive silent game drives are taken on Electric Land Cruiser Safari Vehicles. There are bush walks and a gemologist and jewellery maker to walk you through the allure of diamonds.
And then there’s art. Cheetah Plains works with the Goodman Gallery on a project space focused on art and sustainability.
It’s ideal for multigenerational holidays.
Children of all ages are welcome, and are welcome on game drives of age-appropriate duration, at the discretion of the guide.
Rates start from $2,460 per person, per night (sharing).
“Cheetah Plains is like no other experience I have had. The surroundings, architecture and design is exquisite and only outdone by the service! Can’t really overstate this experience for our family!”
– Laura M
A suite in a Cheetah Plains villa.
6. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is in the 12,400ha Lion Sands Private Reserve, itself in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. And it’s the only private sanctuary with a footprint in both Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park. This gives it the edge in its wildlife.
You can see many of Africa’s legendary animals here, including the Big Five, 150 mammal species and more than 500 species of bird.
The eight one-bedroom villas and two-bedroom Fish Eagle Villa are at the confluence of the Sabie and Sand rivers. It’s intimate and exclusive. From your bed, deck, private plunge pool, even the spa, it’s all nature, all the time.
Lion Sands is in the More Family Collection. At Ivory Lodge there are treehouses, a spa, and a registered kosher kitchen. It stands out for its gallery and artist residency programme—on gallery evenings, guests can interact with the artist-in-residence.
Guides are FGASA accredited and work with trackers in a two-person team. A maximum of six people are allowed on a game drive vehicle. And there are star-gazing, private and photographic safaris, as well as bush walks and Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers.
No children under the age of 10.
Rates start from $2,410 per person, per night (sharing).
“Three days of complete tranquillity and bliss…I’m pretty sure we will go the rest of our lives and not be able to replicate this experience, unless we are lucky enough to return to the Ivory Lodge. This is truly a once in a lifetime destination!”
– Lisa A
The treehouse at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge.
7. MalaMala Rattray’s Camp
MalaMala Rattray’s Camp is a jewel in MalaMala Game Reserve, one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa.
It’s world-renowned for its brilliant and consistent Big Five game viewing. It’s 13,200 hectares in size and shares a 19km unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park, sandwiched between it and Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
And best for wildlife, it has 20km of Sand River frontage. MalaMala Rattray’s Camp is classic in style, with the good taste one would expect of such a venerated lodge. There are eight luxurious, freestanding suites, giving lush seclusion and views of the Sand River.
It’s ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families looking for a luxurious safari experience
There’s a maximum of four guests per vehicle, and they can go off-road. Photographic safaris come with a dedicated ranger, and the vehicle is equipped with sliding, cushioned camera rail or a fixed, cushioned camera rail.
You can stretch your legs and immerse yourself in nature on bush walks.
No children under 16 unless the camp is reserved exclusively, in which case children 12 and older are welcome.
Rates start from $1,660 per person, per night (sharing).
“This was a bucket list trip for me and a friend. The trip exceeded all expectations in every way. We came away with photos and memories to last a lifetime.”
– Noreen S
A luxurious suite at MalaMala Rattray’s Camp.
8. Leopard Hills
Leopard Hills is in the western sector of Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, which means big cats, especially those elusive leopards, as the name suggests.
There’s the Big Five, as well as wild dog, various antelope species, hippo, and wildebeest and more than 500 species of bird, perfect for a birdwatching safari over its 10,000 hectares of traversing rights.
There are open-vehicle game drives and bush walks led by a ranger and a tracker, scenic helicopter flights, cultural village tours, elephant interactions and golf at Leopard Creek Country Club.
Accommodation is top-notch, in eight suites complete with private plunge pools and great views. It’s small and intimate, with a maximum of 16 guests. Along with all the touches befitting of a lodge of this calibre, there is a library for those lazy afternoons by your private plunge pool. If you can tear your eyes away from the outstanding view, that is.
No children under the age of 10, unless you book the entire camp. There are no triple suites.
Rates start from $1,240 per person, per night (sharing).
“I stayed at Leopard Hills for four nights on a solo trip. The experience was amazing! My guide, Morne, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable…I will definitely be back in the future.”
– CaitlinLee, US
Dining on the deck at Leopard Hills.
9. Ulusaba Rock Lodge
Ulusaba Rock Lodge is perched nearly 244m above the surrounding wilderness—good for game spotting from your suite.
It’s in Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, owned by Sir Richard Branson, in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. But for all that, it is relatively reasonably priced. There are eight rooms and suites, each reflecting African tribal influences and style.
Big 5 game drives and bush walks traverse 13,500 hectares of private reserve with your dedicated ranger and tracker. And there is a lot more besides: a spa at Safari Lodge, volunteering in the community, helicopter flights, elephant interaction, local village tours, tennis, stargazing…
Want something more? You can go on the Canyons, Cultures and Contrasts, or Cascades and Canyons Spectacular tours on the Panorama Route. Forgot your camera? You can hire photographic equipment.
There are four adjoining Rock Cliff rooms; two are on split levels. The two-bedroom Rock Suite can accommodate two children and is ideal for families.
The Master Suite is on three levels, giving breathtaking views, a private plunge pool, a terrace and sun-loungers overlooking the bush. It’s one of Sir Richard’s favourite rooms and is ideal for honeymooners.
The Makwela Suites are two lavish suites built over two levels with infinity plunge pools. Ulusaba Rock Lodge is the perfect destination for solo travellers, couples, and families who want a luxurious Big 5 safari adventure.
Children of all ages are welcome.
Rates start from $780 per person, per night (sharing).
“Wow, where do I even begin? Ulusaba Rock Lodge was easily the highlight of our South Africa trip! The scenery is absolutely one of a kind…We have never experienced such incredible personal hospitality. The game drives were truly rewarding.”
– Dani P, US
Ulusaba Rock Lodge has a splendid vantage point.
10. Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, in the family-owned Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, is believed to be the most environmentally sensitive lodge in Africa.
There are 12 ultra-luxurious suites and Amber Villa, which sleeps four. Style and décor are elegant and modern. Think opulent bathrooms, exquisite wooden carvings, custom furniture. Each suite has a private pool, a butler, a glass-fronted en-suite bathroom and custom furnishings.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is design-driven, with its curved lines, artistry of light, and natural textures. Quite simply, it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. And it has an underground wine cellar housing more than 6,000 rare wines.
Amani Spa & Wellness, boutique, gym, add to the game drives, bush walks, and night safaris. Guides and trackers work as a team, and a maximum of six guests are allowed on a game drive vehicle. You can also go on a birding or photographic safari, and visit the local community.
No children under the age of 13 unless the lodge is booked exclusively. Children 13 and over pay full adult rates.
Rates start from $1,740 per person, per night (sharing).
“Had an amazing safari at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. Would give this 10 stars if I could.”
– Pujan, US
The terrace at Amber Villa at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge.
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