The private lodges of the Kruger National Park enjoy prime positions in exclusive wilderness concessions. Lodges of Sabi Sand, Timbavati, and Klaserie Game Reserve also feature. These getaways offer the finest luxury safaris in South Africa, with daily open 4x4 game drives and bush walks accompanied by armed rangers.
Need Advice?These lodges are on private concessions inside the national park itself. The private concessions range in size from Five to Fifteen thousand hectares - spread throughout the park.
Hamiltons Tented Camp is one of the finest personal properties in the Greater Kruger area. Its 'Out of Africa' tented camp ambiance is inherently romantic, and the game viewing within the concession is incredibly rewarding. Here, in the central Kruger, you will find many herds and the predators that pursue them.
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Hamilton's sister lodge, offers fantastic value-for-money personal safari accommodation. The Big Five game viewing experience at Hoyo Hoyo is enhanced by the lodge's 'Tsonga village' style. Even staff members dress traditionally to augment the unique cultural experience.
Imbali Safari Lodge is the third lodge on the concession. The concession on which Hamiltons, Hoyo Hoyo, and Imbali are located on different stretches across 10 000 hectares of prime Kruger real estate, where only the lodges' vehicles are allowed to conduct game drives. Imbali hosts twelve spacious suites with private plunge pools or Jacuzzis.
Jock Safari Lodge is a plush property in the southern Kruger National Park. Unlike most lodges in Kruger, Jock is well-equipped for family safaris, offering programs specifically for children. In addition, to open 4x4 game drives, guests can enjoy San rock art excursions, guided bush walks, and stargazing.
Lion Sands Narina Lodge forms part of the exclusive Lion Sands collection, which boasts some of the finest properties in the Greater Kruger. Narina consists of nine ultra-luxurious suites with spacious private decks and plunge pools. All suites enjoy stunning views of the prolific Sabie River, where animals often come to drink.
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is Narina's sister lodge. The lodges are very similar in their offerings, as Tinga also boasts nine sumptuous suites with private pools overlooking the Sabie River. Two game drives are conducted daily, with an optional bush walk available. Only the two lodges' vehicles may traverse the 5000-hectare concession.
Lukimbi Safari Lodge is a fine property with 16 suites (twelve Classic and two Premier) in the wildlife-rich Southern Kruger National Park. The lodge overlooks the seasonal Lwakahle River. Between open-air 4x4 game drives, guests at Lukimbi can unwind poolside, in the health spa or library.
Pafuri Camp is a relatively new offering in the northern Kruger's Makuleke concession. The Camp is extensive, with 19 luxury tents and 7 tented family units. Pafuri overlooks the perennial Luvuvhu River and is a fantastic destination for birders, as the rare Pel's Fishing Owl is often spotted in this area.
Plains Camp is a walking safari-oriented camp in the heart of the Kruger National Park. Guests are accommodated in four African explorer-style tents. Days are devoted to exploring the 15 000-hectare concession on foot, learning more about this storied wilderness and its captivating inhabitants.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is Plains Camp's luxurious sister lodge and offers traditional game viewing in open-air 4x4 vehicles. The lodge hosts eight luxury units within a concession that shares an unfenced border with Mala Mala and Sabi Sand, offering some of the most rewarding sighting opportunities in the park.
An accolade shared with its sister lodge Singita Sweni, Singita Lebombo is the most luxurious private safari lodge in the Kruger National Park. The opulent property offers 15 loft-style suites equipped with every imaginable luxury. In addition to game drives, guests may partake in guided bush walks, fishing, and even archery.
The Outpost is inarguably the private Kruger Park lodge with the most dramatic views. Perched on a clifftop in a 28 000-hectare private concession in the northern Kruger, The Outpost offers unique sightings on game drives. Bush walks are also available, and notable locations like Lanner Gorge are explored.
When booking a safari based at a luxury lodge, you are spoiled in opulent surroundings characterized by magnificent natural settings and high levels of personal service.
All game drives are on open 4X4 vehicles accompanied by resident rangers and trackers. These game drives are typically conducted during the early morning, shortly after sunrise, and late afternoon/early evening. Each game drive has a duration of approximately three hours.
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The Sabi Sand is the oldest of the private reserves that form part of the Greater Kruger National Park. It has gained a reputation internationally as the finest private reserve for a luxury Big Five safari.
Arathusa is located in the northern part of the Sabi Sand and accessed via the Hoedspruit Airport and the Gowrie Gate. It is a fine personal lodge with twelve suites, eight facing a waterhole.
Dulini Leadwood Lodge is one of the smallest and most intimate of the Sabi Sand's lodges. Four luxurious suites and exceptional personal service are the hallmarks of this lodge located on the banks of the Sand River.
Dulini is an intimate and small lodge that captures the essence of the African Lodge experience better than most of its rivals. You can expect an understated luxury that blends well with the surrounding wilderness.
Set on the banks of the Sand River with a central dining area that offers sweeping views across the river. Dulini River Lodge offers an exceptional safari experience in the northern Sabi Sand.
Elephant Plains is an owner-run lodge on the banks of the dry Manyeleti River. The personal Elephant Plains offers accommodation in Rondavels, Luxury Suites, and an extravagant Honeymoon Suite.
Idube offers accommodation in Safari Chalets as well as Suites. The lodge is well located in the Sabi Sand, with daily game drives conducted on open 4X4 vehicles in the surrounding wilderness.
Set on a hill in the southern part of the Sabi Sand, the lodge's location is where the original ranger of the Sabi Sand had built his base camp. Kirkman's Camp offers grand views of the surrounding bush.
One of the most luxurious lodges in the Sabi Sand, Leopard Hills is set on the slope of a hill with glorious views over a waterhole and the bushveld that surrounds it.
The incredibly luxurious Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is on the banks of the Sabi River, one of Kruger National Park's largest Rivers. It offers every luxury imaginable and a safari experience second to none.
The sister Lodge of Lion Sands Ivory - River lodge offers luxury on the banks of the Sabie River in the southern Sabi Sand. Service levels and safari experiences are of the highest standard.
Londolozi Tree Camp is one of the premier lodges on the Londolozi Reserve, one of Africa's oldest and most well-known private reserves. It offers a top-end safari experience.
The birthplace of the safari lodge as it is known today. Mala Mala Main Camp is in a prime spot overlooking the Sand River. It offers an exceptional safari in the Greater Kruger Park.
The Camp, which bears the family name of the Rattray, who pioneered luxury eco-tourism in South Africa, is one of the region's finest lodges offering a luxury experience and the quality of safaris.
Nkhoro is one of the most affordable lodges where you can enjoy a safari in the Sabi Sand. It offers comfortable accommodations and exceptional safari game drives.
Nottens Bush Camp offers an authentic safari in one of the Sabi Sand's best locations. The use of electric lighting is limited to create an ambiance reminiscent of yesteryear.
One of the oldest lodges in the Sabi Sand, Bush Lodge, is easily accessible from Skukuza Airport. This luxury lodge is in the sought-after southern part of the Sabi Sand.
A unique and luxurious lodge, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is sculpted into a hillside and is almost invisible in its surroundings. You can expect fine dining, extraordinary game encounters, and a luxurious stay at this lodge.
Savannah is an exclusive safari getaway accessed from the Sabi Sand's central gate. Savannah Lodge prides itself on the fact that all of the 'Big Five' are often encountered on a game drive.
The name Singita is synonymous with the most luxurious lodges in South Africa. Singita Boulders offers a level of safari opulence almost unmatched in the Sabi Sand.
As is the case with all the Singita Lodges, Sweni is renowned for being one of the best safari lodges to experience the Sabi Sand with unmatched levels of luxury in the wilderness.
Those experiencing the African Wilderness from a base at a private lodge are in for one of the most unique and rewarding travel experiences on offer in the world today.
The merging of remote locations, small intimate accommodations, and the opportunity to view the mammals of Africa in their natural surroundings is a soul-southing adventure that will leave you refreshed and invigorated. Ready to face the challenges of the modern world.
Kruger's private lodges cater to various budgets, one of which is sure to meet your specific requirements.
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Though not as famous as the Sabi Sand, the Timbavati and Klaserie offer safari experiences similar to those of the Sabi Sand. These reserves also share an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, and as a result, both are home to the 'Big 5.'
Gomo Gomo is an affordable safari lodge in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve. It offers comfortable accommodation surrounding a waterhole frequented by various species during the dry season.
The finest lodges in the Timbavati, Kings Camp is small, exceptionally luxurious, and offers impeccable personal service and a fantastic 'Big Five' safari adventure.
Motswari is a personal lodge where you can savor a rustic and authentic safari in the Greater Kruger National Park. Motswari is an excellent choice for those on a budget that wishes to enjoy a private safari lodge in Greater Kruger.
A Unique setting on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River and a traditional safari focus make Simbavati River lodge the ideal choice for a luxury stay at a reasonable price. Accommodation is provided in both safari tents as well chalets.
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge is perched on a hillside that offers splendid views of the Mbali Dam and the surrounding bushveld landscape. A small lodge focused on authentic safari adventures in one of only a handful of private reserves that form part of Greater Kruger - the Timbavati.
A safari experience like no other is offered at Umlani. Entirely built of natural materials in the area's traditional style, the lodge is basic but comfortable with a setting in the heart of the Timbavati.
