Best hotels in Kruger

Hamiltons Tented Camp overlooks the seasonal Nwaswitsontso River, within one of the original private concessions in the western Kruger Park. This unique camp harks back to turn-of-the-century colonial safaris, and gets the balance of vintage elegance and modern comforts just right. Predator sightings are a feature in this region, with excellent all-round game viewing across scenically diverse landscapes. Guided bush walks, plus special treats like champagne breakfasts, bush dinners and spa treatments offer a well rounded safari experience with fine hospitality and a generous helping of luxury.

Wonderful exclusivity in the wilderness

Modern life has deemed it normal to always rush from one place to the next. At Royal Malewane Lodge, you'll learn the opposite. It's not only the luxuries, plush interiors and personal service that remind one of a bygone era, but also the pace of life. Its location in the Greater Kruger National Park makes this a truly remarkable place to see wildlife, and the highly qualified guides will take you out in search of the Big 5, cheetah and wild dog. This exclusive lodge is a meeting of modern facilities and old-fashioned hospitality.

Tucked into the unfenced wilderness of Manyeleti, one of Greater Kruger's best-kept secrets, Khoka Moya lives up to its Shangaan name – 'Capture the Spirit'. And capture it you will. This is a camp that wears its heart on its sleeve: corrugated iron structures nodding to gold-rush pioneers, canvas tents open to the night sounds, and elephants wandering through to drink from the pool (yes, really). What sets it apart? The fact that children of any age can join game drives – a genuine rarity in this neck of the woods. With Big Five sightings pretty much guaranteed and a laid-back, sociable atmosphere, it's the sort of place where first-timers and seasoned safari-goers alike feel immediately at home.

Sitting on a small baobab-studded ridge near the Luvuvhu River, the private Baobab Hill Bush House is the stuff wild dreams are made of. It's surrounded by the 24,000-hectare Makuleke Concession, arguably home to more animal and plant species than anywhere else in Kruger. And with five different vegetation types: acacia veld, mopane woodland, sandveld, flood plain, riverine forests, all intersected with meandering rivers, there's certainly plenty to see. The house, once the ranger's quarters, has been renovated to become a stylish and comfortable property that's ideal for private family getaways incorporating equal measures of leisure and adventure.

Kapama River lodge is tucked away in the Kapama Private Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. A large scale, high-end affair, beautifully positioned for picturesque views across the seasonal waters of the Kapama River, it's a well-oiled machine, with the air of a city hotel yet all the benefits of its untouched wilderness setting. Enjoy relaxing at the spa, indulging in the wine cellar, or exploring the untamed surrounds either by open-top Land Cruiser or on foot. With a local guide and lady luck on your side, encountering numerous species and the Big Five is a real possibility, no matter what time of year you visit.

If you're looking for a private reserve with fewer people in a private vehicle, off-road driving, really good accommodation and food and, of course, the best opportunities to see game, you won't go wrong at Lion Sands. Set within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve, Lion Sands is the only private reserve to have access to the perennial Sabie River, which it shares with Kruger National Park. And River Lodge is a tranquil haven, with lush riverine greenery, the winding waterway, wildlife everywhere and elegant yet homely accommodation.

Perched in the riverine firest overlooking the meandering Sweni River in the secluded eastern Kruger Park, Singita Sweni is the smaller, intimate version of adjacent big brother Singita Lebombo. The surroundings are lush, the wildlife viewing is really good (this is Big Five paradise and the nearby Lebombo Mountains are renowned for their prides of lion) and the lodge itself is a wonderfully luxurious retreat. Explore the wilderness and its animals, admire the rock formations, watch the river and the bountiful birdlife from your personal glass-boxed treehouse, and enjoy five-star cuisine. Singita Sweni is hard to beat.

Saseka Tented Camp enjoys a privileged vantage on a curve of the seasonal Monwana River in Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Thornybush is one of the sanctuaries whose border with Kruger Park is unfenced, so there's a constant stream of wildlife wandering and munching freely. You'll find the Big Five, for sure, but also a host of other charismatic species such as endangered wild dogs (always a thrill to see these active creatures). Saseka was built with an emphasis on clever, efficient design and comfort that's subtle. We know you'll have a great stay, and great sightings too.

If you've ever dreamed of sleeping in a treehouse surrounded by wild Africa, nThambo delivers on that fantasy without the premium price tag. Set on the open plains of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve – one of the largest private reserves bordering Kruger – this unfenced camp puts you genuinely in the bush rather than observing it from a distance. The five chalets are raised on stilts among the trees, with the Drakensberg mountains shimmering on the horizon. It's simple rather than slick, and the experience is more rustic than refined, but for those happy to trade marble bathrooms for elephants drinking from the splash pool at breakfast, it offers something that fancier lodges can't replicate.

We weren't at all surprised to hear that Kapama Karula actually means "place of peace." This ultra-luxurious lodge in one of South Africa's largest, privately-run game reserves, Kapama, is the definition of a relaxing and tranquil safari. So, what can you expect? Decadent accommodation and fine wining and dining both get big ticks, but even bigger ones for the wildlife experiences. Choose from elephant-back safaris through the bush, evocative hot air balloon rides, traditional Big Five game drives and walking safaris to complete a very memorable trip.

This luxurious lodge is located in the game-rich Sabi Sand Reserve in the northeastern corner of South Africa. Built around the enormous boulder for which it is named, the lodge lies on the banks of the Sand River. No expense has been spared here: the lodge has been sympathetically built of wood, stone and thatch to blend with the environment, and incorporates modern and traditional influences in its design. It's a wonderful place to enjoy excellent service, accommodation, food, views and, most of all, diverse wildlife. Meet the stars of the show, the Big Five, particularly leopard.

Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge is set on the banks of the Mluwati River in the heart of the Kruger National Park. It is one of only three luxury lodges in the 10,000 hectare Mluwati Concession. The lodge celebrates local Tsonga culture, from its traditional round rooms to the splashes of tribal decor and earthy tones in its interiors. Hoyo Hoyo offers a uniquely African way of life and a perfect blend of earthy luxury and superb service. The world-class cuisine at Hoyo Hoyo is served with a delicate balance of traditional African and western dishes.