Best hotels in Kruger

When Singita's founder, Luke Bailes, started out, he might not have known that his own grandfather's family home will eventually be converted into a spectacular lodge. But because this beautiful, lived-in farmhouse now hosts paying guests, a small number of travellers get to experience this private game reserve as a 'member of the family'. The 45 000 acres are explored exclusively by Singita, and private game drives create the feeling of truly living here, and not just visiting. Visits to the community makes this a safari lodge entirely integrated with its surroundings.

The first of the Singita lodges, Ebony lies beneath spreading jackalberry trees on the banks of the Sand River, the perennial waterway that flows through Singita Private Game Reserve within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. The lodge has recently been revamped, but the welcoming atmosphere of a place where people have a real love of Africa's wild spaces remains. Here, colonial comfort meets Afro-chic to create a super-comfortable wilderness sanctuary. The reserve area is a game-lover's paradise, with excellent Big Five sightings and a pack of 20-odd rare wild dogs. There are regular birding tours.

Ulusaba Rock Lodge will be closed for an exciting refurbishment from 26 January 2026 and reopening on 31 March 2027.

Ulusaba Rock Lodge is situated in the exclusive Sabi Sand Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park. It is owned by Sir Richard Branson, so you can be assured that you are in for a special experience. Built high on a hilltop, this extra-ordinary child-friendly lodge offers uninterrupted panoramic views of the bushveld and the roaming wildlife below. Ulusaba offers great hospitality and amazing cuisine. There are just ten rooms, ensuring an intimate experience. The lodge's design reflects African tribal influences and style. There are two game drives a day where you can enjoy Sabi Sabi's incredible game-viewing experiences.

The famous Mala Mala Game Reserve is connected to two of South Africa's most game-rich reserves by unfenced borders. The wildlife in Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve roams freely between these great wilderness areas. The lodge itself is smaller and more intimate compared to other nearby Mala Mala camps. Its elevated position grants views across the lazy Sand River and game viewing is often done from the comfort of the deck—G&T in hand. Unless it's a private group, there will never be more than 14 guests at the camp at one time. Guests are therefore free to simply take in the wilderness around them.

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.

The southern Sabi Sand is leopard country, and very little stands between it and the Kruger (the borders here are unfenced, so the animals wander as they please). On the banks of the seasonal Sand River sits Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside, an owner-run camp that does something rare: it keeps the price sensible without skimping on the game. Elephants, buffalo and hippo amble past camp between drives, often while you're mid-length in the pool. Although, a tripwire keeps the larger visitors at a polite distance so parents can rest easy. It's honest, unshowy, and right in the thick of it.

Step into the private corner of the Sabie Game Reserve, where humans and nature coexist in harmony. You’ll have a front-row seat to the untamed African wilderness at Umkumbe Bush Lodge, an unassuming yet luxurious tented camp. Enjoy breathtaking views of a drainage basin, watering hole, and open plain right outside your doorstep. From listening to the hyenas from your tented suite to venturing through the canopy of Tamboti trees, at Umkumbe Bush Lodge, you'll be part of the incredible habitat that surrounds you.

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.

Nestled in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Amaya Safari Lodge is a sanctuary for those seeking the wild’s rhythm in quiet luxury. With just eight guests, enjoy an intimate experience with safari game drives and evening fireside chats amid Africa’s untamed beauty.

Toro River at Toro River Lodges is an authentic African bush lodge located within the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. This Big-Five safari destination presents guests with a legacy experience, characterised by unique, rugged beauty. Set along the Makhutswi River, Toro River epitomises the connection between untouched African landscapes and responsible human intervention, with a commitment to ongoing conservation efforts that aim to preserve the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. Designed to integrate into its natural environment, Toro River exists as a blend of modern comforts and untouched wilderness.

Amani Safari Camp is the newest addition to the Klaserie Drift portfolio - a place where laidback luxury meets unfiltered nature. Nestled deep in a private part of the Greater Kruger, Amani offers sweeping bushveld views, peaceful seclusion, and an experience that’s as thoughtful as it is unforgettable. Designed with both connection and comfort in mind, the camp features three spacious lodge suites designed for comfort and accessibility, and seven riverbed suites for extra privacy and indulgence. Whilst the lodge suites have easy access to all shared facilities, including the main pool, each riverbed suites boasts a private heated plunge pool, elegant interiors, and the freedom to unwind at your own pace. Relax on the wraparound deck, enjoy a swim between game drives, or toast the day’s sightings beneath the stars in the boma.