Best hotels in Kruger

This private lodge within the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve offers superb accommodation and fantastic year-round game viewing - it's not unusual to encounter all of the Big Five in one game drive. An easy blend of luxurious under-canvas and thatched suites set within lush gardens gives the feel of safaris of days gone by, with modern touches adding a contemporary edge throughout. Top notch hospitality and knowledgeable guides ensure that your safari experience will be remembered for all the right reasons. Whether you're planning a special family safari or a romantic breakaway, Savanna Lodge is a classy choice.

Makanyi Private Game Lodge is located in the Timbavati region of the Greater Kruger National Park. Timbavati is translated as, “The Place Where Something Sacred Came Down to Earth”, and Makanyi Lodge is certainly a heavenly place! Located in open, acacia woodlands and constructed of natural woods, thatch and stone, the lodge blends perfectly into the picturesque environs and has extensive views over a dam. It's one of very few commercial lodges in the area, and offers a truly wild yet personalised and private experience - and did we mention the fabulous Big Five game viewing?

In the heart of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, you will find a different kind of luxury. Where solar power illuminates intimate moments, and sustainability meets sophistication in every detail. The sanctuary offers more than just Big Five encounters.

Here, among ancient trees and along the flowing Klaserie River, each stay writes its own story of conservation. From your personal reusable water bottle to our native Spekboom gardens, every choice reflects the commitment to preserving this pristine wilderness.

A hornbill's flight away from the Timbavati River, your oasis awaits amongst the mopane trees in a private corner of the Ngala Reserve. Taking the meaning of 'treehouse' to an entirely new level, this one comes in the form of a four-storey tower with explorer-chic style and a well-stocked bar...we can taste those sundowners now! With no fence separating the reserve from Kruger National Park and access to 36,000 acres of unbroken wilderness, your days will be filled with tracking members of the Big Five on foot and epic game drives - that is, when you can tear yourself from your rooftop perch.

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.

This little lodge is situated in the northern section of South Africa's Sabi Sand Reserves. Set on the edge of the unassuming Mabrak River, a hotspot for the surrounding wildlife, the camp is tucked beneath ancient ebony trees. It's an intimate, high-end retreat that provides all the creature comforts of home. Decor could be described as "safari chic", enhancing your sense of being immersed in the bush. Spend your days in a safari vehicle or on well-shod feet, tracking leopard, lion, elephant and rhino with an armed guide before relaxing beside your private plunge pool.

Londolozi (a Zulu word meaning "protector of living things") is a private game reserve in the heart of the larger Sabi Sand Reserve, and is run by the Varty family, well known in the field of conservation pioneering. Of its five camps, child-friendly and elegantly comfortable Londolozi Founders is tucked beneath ancient ebony and matumi trees on the banks of the Sand River. Imagine waking to the evocative call of the African fish eagle before setting off on a private game drive to explore this enormous wilderness filled with the Big Five, especially cats, antelope, zebra and hundreds of birds.

In the central region of the Sabi Sand Private Reserve, spanning the western border of the Kruger National Park, well-known wildlife conservationist brothers Dave and John Varty have created Londolozi Tree Camp - a lodge oozing African bushveld romance amidst the thrill of Big Five encounters. The Londolozi name has become synonymous with sophistication, and Tree Camp, with its enchanting wooden platforms built into a leadwood tree canopy, is a refined sanctuary in the heart of the wilderness. With a prime site overlooking the Sand river, this camp's views are exceptional, with service to match.

Nestled within the open system of one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife havens, this charming lodge offers an unexpectedly accessible wilderness experience. Despite being a stone's throw from civilization, you'll feel worlds away from the artificial glow and bustle of modern life. With 7,000 hectares of diverse terrain to explore—from lush bushveld and expansive dams to dry riverbeds and sweeping plains—the stage is perfectly set for extraordinary wildlife encounters. The twice-daily game drives, led by rangers who know every inch of this wild paradise, reveal the magic of the African bush in all its untamed glory.

Mala Mala Private Game Reserve is sandwiched between two of South Africa's most revered big game protected areas—the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. There may be borders, but they are fluid to say the least and wildlife roams freely between the Big Five hotspots. Rattray's Mala Mala is a beautiful safari lodge where the wilderness meets a sense of refinement. The subtle colonial theme nods to the days of the early explorers in Africa and whilst it has the feel, comfort and structure of a hotel, the views and wildlife unmistakably belong to one of the top safari spots on the continent.

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.

Perched at the top of its own little world in the Maseke Game Reserve, this intimate five-star lodge enjoys some of the most commanding views in the Greater Kruger. The unfenced borders with the national park mean that wildlife wanders freely across more than 11,000 hectares of wilderness, including a riverfront traverse along the Olifants River where big cats come to drink and hippos bask in the shallows. The motto here is I matutu vana va tavasi – Tsonga for 'it is plenty', and the emphasis is on quality over quantity – exceptional guiding, beautifully considered design, and the kind of personal attention that larger lodges struggle to replicate. Wildlife wanders freely through camp, and the elevated position means sundowners come with views that stretch all the way to the Drakensberg.

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.

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.

Nestled in the tranquil setting of Greater Kruger National Park, Tulani Boutique offers unbridled luxury to every stay. The Boutique lodge offers an all inclusive escape for up to 8 guests. Designed with both comfort and character in mind, the lodge combines contemporary finishes with warm, inviting areas to create a truly relaxing atmosphere.

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.