Best hotels in Kruger

Lying within a 765-hectare private bush estate near White River, Ndula Luxury Tented Lodge has it all – wide vistas, dynamic wilderness, wildlife, supremely comfortable contemporary accommodation, and breakfasts and dinners to linger over. Here, you're in the Lowveld, a region that incorporates the much-loved Kruger National Park, and overflows with sightseeing options, from rich wildlife to dramatic canyons and compelling history. Explore the estate to see giraffe, zebra, warthog, nyala, wildebeest, kudu, and a birder's wishlist of species. Need more? Kruger is a mere 45-minute drive away.

Ulusaba Safari Lodge will be closed for an exciting refurbishment from 26 January 2026 and reopening on 1 December 2026.

The hill on which Ulusaba Private Game Reserve's lodge sits provided the ancient Shangaan warriors with the perfect lookout point. 'The place of little fear' was therefore the perfect name for this famed stretch of bushveld. Today, the Safari Lodge offers a different kind of adventure. Located on the edge of a dry river and under a canopy of ancient trees, you'll take rope swing bridges between rooms and watch thirsty animals skirt by your deck on their way to the nearby waterhole. Alternatively, retreat to the treehouse to get lost in birdsong.

Nestled in the heart of one of the most famous wildlife conservation areas in the world, Nkambeni Safari Camp welcomes you to Big Five country. Here, in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, thrilling up-close and personal wildlife experiences await you in an exclusive-use 11500 hectare private concession.

After a complete refurbishment and new ownership, Tulela is both a world away from modern life and thoroughly steeped in luxury – not excessive, but discreet and respectful of its natural surroundings. Discretely tucked in the trees on a bend in the seasonal Ntsiri River on the western edge of the Greater Kruger region, Tulela sits in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve (one of the largest privately owned sanctuaries in South Africa), at the heart of the country's most iconic wildlife area. See the Big Five along with the other major players – wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, and a host of birds.

Narina Lodge is an intimate retreat along the banks of the Sabie River, in the private Lion Sands concession in southern Kruger. It shares an unfenced border with the infamous Sabi Sand region, and the game viewing in this part of South Africa is, quite simply, outstanding. The lodge is beautifully positioned beneath centuries-old riverine trees, and with just nine ultra-luxurious suites, exclusivity is guaranteed. Safari activities are varied, with the freedom to follow the game off road, and explore after dark, but a real highlight is the opportunity to spend a night out in the bush, on a magical treehouse platform with only the stars for company.

Khaya Ndlovu is situated in the Khaya Ndlovu Game Reserve, surrounded by nature, yet a stone’s throw away from Hoedspruit, gateway to the greater Kruger - wildlife haven of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Khaya directly translates to 'home' or 'haven' in the isiZulu language, one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. It could not be more appropriate for what they represent. They offer a true home away from home experience, where you set the pace of your own holiday, working only to a time-lapse deadline! Offering a variety of rooms to accommodate any African safari traveller. The Leadwood Honeymoon suite is perfect for the romantic couple looking for a luxurious option or travellers that enjoy the finer things in life. The Acacia Family Suite is suitable for a family of 4 or a group of 4 adults who don't mind sharing a bathroom. There are 2 other suites inside the Manor House. There are also garden units available which offers incredible spacious options for any traveller needing to get away from it all. Game drives are conducted on the 5,500 hectare Rietspruit Game Reserve which is home to a huge variety of wildlife with wide-ranging views of the beautiful Drakensberg Mountain Range and Blyde River Canyon.

Luxurious and perfectly intimate, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge might be small, but it certainly packs a punch. Positioned right on the banks of the Sabie River (it’s one of the few in the area with direct river access) in the private Lion Sands Reserve, the views stretch all the way to the Kruger, and its inhabitants can often be seen trotting past the glass-walled suites and ambling alongside the pool. Interiors are modern, contemporary and elegant (think soothing colour palettes and the highest-spec finishing touches), but most importantly, the lodge is in an area with particularly high numbers of game and birds, including the Big Five – the animals that top everyone’s safari bucket list.

For a really romantic experience in the wild, book a night at Tinyeleti Treehouse. Set high up in the indigenous woodland overlooking the Sabie River in Lion Sands Reserve, this getaway sets the bar high. Lion Sands lies on the unfenced southern boundary of Kruger National Park, and the treehouse perches in an area known as one the busiest and most wildlife-dense in the country. Predators are especially prolific, with frequent leopard and lion sightings. But the real treat is the chance to break away from the clutter with your loved one, and to interact with nature at its purest.

Set in Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the western edge of the Kruger Park, family-run Tangala Safari Camp's rustic charms have been augmented by the addition of a solar farm, which powers the lodge. It's an intimate camp that focuses on solid game viewing (great Big Five sightings!) and good hosting. And, despite the fact that Tangala is one of 12 lodges on this mid-sized (14,000-hectare) reserve, the landscape feels satisfyingly uncrowded and authentically wild. Just a five-hour drive from Johannesburg, Tangala is an easy weekend getaway for locals, or a good option for international travellers looking for a well-rounded safari experience.

RockFig Safari Lodge is the product of a long romance, conceived over two decades. It is the expression of family's love affair with South Africa's Lowveld region, specifically the 530-square-kilometre Timbavati Private Nature Reserve on Kruger Park's western edge. The absence of fences separating this reserve from the national park means that wildlife roams freely between them, and that guests reap the rich rewards. You'll see all the Big Five here, including Timbavati's famed white lions. Round it all off with exceptional guides and superb staff to care for you in camp, and you have a thoroughly good safari.

Built around a 200-year-old Jackalberry tree, right on the banks of the Sabie River, Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is tucked away in the Lion Sands Game Reserve in the infamous Greater Kruger National Park - an area known for its breathtaking bushveld flora and fauna. Falling inside the bounds of the Greater Kruger National Park, the reserve is one of the oldest private reserves in South Africa, and a pristine natural environment known for its spectacular wildlife sightings. Slow down and unwind in a romantic bubble of bush and natural beauty; a perfect escape.

Tucked away under a canopy of trees and overlooking the Sand River below, Londolozi Varty Camp offers visitors something unique: an authentic, luxury safari experience for the whole family. Its prime location in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and its unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park make for some of the best game viewing in Southern Africa. Considered one of the prime spots to view the elusive leopard, here guests will have the opportunity to explore the best the area has to offer, in five-star luxury.

Thornybush Nature Reserve is an exclusive private reserve in one of South Africa’s finest game viewing regions. This part of the country has a number of conservation areas and private concessions alongside the famous Kruger National Park, which provides a sanctuary for an incredible diversity of wildlife. Waterbuck Game Lodge is tucked away in the southern part of Thornybush, and with just four lavish guest suites, it offers an intimate safari experience, and excellent game viewing. A highlight here is its position overlooking a permanent waterhole, which attracts a constant stream of wildlife, particularly during the dry winter months.