SPECIALISING IN GARDEN ROUTE & ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK TOURS SINCE 2006
SPECIALISING IN GARDEN ROUTE & ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK TOURS SINCE 2006
You are planning a trip to Kruger National Park. The information and the options are a little bit overwhelming – what time of year is best to go? What kind of animal experiences am I going to have? The Kruger area is huge, which part of it should I visit? I’ve heard about the difference between Greater Kruger and Kruger National park, which should I try to see? How far does my budget go?
For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime African safari, and you want to make the most of it. (Many people get hooked on Africa after visiting once, so it’s not actually once-in-a lifetime…but that’s another blog!) As a tour operator based in South Africa, one of our most important value-adds is to visit lodges ourselves, in order to be able to consult with our clients and help them make best use of their budget and time in Southern Africa. We have had a privilege of traveling the area extensively, so we had help answer the questions that aren’t found in the marketing brochures – which place is “better” than the other, and which should I choose for my holiday? (“Better” can have many factors, but the things we are looking at are value for money, location, wildlife sightings, service, food, sustainability, and community impact).
With that in mind, the Earthstompers team took two recent trips to Kruger: owner Hendrik, and his son William (age 8) travelled to Kruger in December 2024, visiting a few different lodges within Greater Kruger, focusing on family-friendly safaris.
Earthstompers general manager Cindy and senior travel consultant Nicole also made the journey to Greater Kruger in January 2025. Here are some of our trip notes & photos.
Timbavati Nature Reserve
Hendrik and William’s attention was focused on mid-range and child-friendly lodges in the incredible Timbavati Nature Reserve. With a big passion for wildlife, the highlight of the Timbavati for us were the game drives and the wildlife. Summer (December) is not the best time of year to visit Kruger due to the heat and it being *green season. We were however amazed with the incredible and plentiful wildlife sightings, seeing the Big 5 at both lodges and so much more over the five days in the Timbavati.
*Green season: due to the summer rainy season, animals disperse more during this time of year as water and food are more widely available. Grass and vegetation are tall and lush which make spotting wildlife more difficult to see than during the drier winter months when animals concentrate around watering holes and river beds.
The sightings: We were very lucky with incredible sightings, and we saw the Big 5 over two days of safari. What made this even more special is this was William’s first leopard sighting, and we saw an African wildcat which is a very rare and special sighting.
The beautiful lodge: Great location with wildlife plentiful in the riverbed.
What did we love? Difficult to specify as we loved so much at Simbavati River Lodge. What stands out apart from wildlife is the remote location. The lodge blends in well with the surrounding area and the lodge is quite deep into the Timbavati. You are out there in the middle of the Greater Kruger with thousands of hectares of wilderness surrounding you. There is a watering hole in front of the lodge. It was a highlight sitting there having breakfast or dinner and watching herds of elephant, antelope and birds coming down to quench their thirst and cool down. We loved our tented suite and private splash pool on our deck. It was very hot, as we were there during a heat wave. We enjoyed lazy days (between game drives) in our splash pool watching birds in the surrounding trees and elephant passing by on their way to the lodge’s watering hole. Another highlight was the staff with their well-thought-out personal touches. One of these was on a very hot afternoon we were surprised on our game drive with a very tasty ice cream. They had a little ice cream stand set up in the middle of the bush when we rounded a corner, what a big and welcome surprise. (See photo above.)
Special memory: The memory of sitting out on our private pool deck at night (after dinner and a night swim) listening to the night sounds of the African bush and watching a hippo grazing nearby with a glass of red wine in hand and my son by my side! This memory will stay with me forever.
Children at Simbavati River Lodge: River Lodge is a child-friendly lodge and accepts children from all ages. They have family chalets which is perfect for a family getaway. (The family chalets are in the fenced part of the lodge.) They also have a kids club and activities with a pool area which is perfect for kids’ entertainment. Children 6 years and older are allowed on game drives.
Review from an 8-year-old William: “I loved the area the lodge was in, it is very remote. The night sounds, our unfenced tented suite, all the elephant that came to the lodge’s watering hole, the staff was friendly, our own pool by the room, having night swims, the bird life was amazing, a beautiful sighting of a leopard and an African wildcat, that was special.”
We also viewed: Simbavati Hilltop Lodge. Beautiful and stylish small lodge with only eight tented suites. The lodge has amazing views from each part of the lodge. The views of the river (mostly dry this time of year) and the herds of elephant and hippo from the lodge is a highlight. Hilltop is perfect for a honeymoon, couples’ or friends getaways (no children under 12 allowed).
Private residences: Having your own home (temporarily) in the African bush will be very special. See Mvubu Cottage and Rivers Sands Residence. These private residences are perfect for multi-generational family holidays.
The sightings: We were very lucky with incredible sightings again, and we saw the Big 5 again over 2 days of safari.
The beautiful lodge: Great location with amazing view over Drakenberg mountains and plains in front of the lodge.
What did we love? Walkers Plains lodge really feels like home and we loved everything about it. Walkers is a small owner-run and managed lodge with only eight rooms, which is a great size for a lodge. We were warmly welcomed by owner Steve who went out of his way to make sure all his guests felt at home and well taken care of. Walkers is a modern lodge. The lodge, dining area and lounges are very stylishly decorated with plenty of seating areas to find a spot to read your book, sit down for a game of chess or just stare at the views and wildlife passing the lodge. The lodge opens on a watering hole with beautiful views of the open plains with plenty of grazing antelope in the grasslands in front of the lodge and the Drakensberg mountains in the background. I can sit for hours watching elephant, zebra, giraffe and many more species coming to the watering hole for a drink with this stunning backdrop. (A few days after we left there was a pack of wild dog at the lodge’s watering hole!) The rooms are spacious with a private deck with a great view and plunge pool. Service at Walkers stands out and the staff at Walkers were outstanding. Waiters, chefs and bar staff were always at hand with a drink and a special meal for a fussy eating 8-year-old. The food was excellent, and menu choices are great and food fresh and very well prepared. Guides and trackers were a wealth of knowledge and have a true passion for their brand and wildlife. We could sense a happy work environment with a loyalty and pride for the Walkers brand! The wildlife in this part of Timbavati was again incredible.
Special memory: Sitting on our pool deck. I’m catching up on work and William is cooling down in the pool. We both looked up at the same time to see a big bull elephant gently and quietly strolling past our room.
Children at Walkers Plains Camp: Walkers Plains is a child-friendly lodge, and they accept children from 8 years old. They have two family chalets which are perfect for a family getaway.
Review from 8-year-old William: “Always animals at the watering hole. The staff are always there with a cold drink on a hot day. We made some lovely new friends. The sightings were amazing, and we saw the big 5 again. The guide and tracker taught us so many new things (see photo above of tracker showing William animal tracks). The pool was perfect with the heat. The food was very good.”
Private residence: Having your own home (temporarily) in the Africa bush will be very special. See Walkers River Camp. This private residence is perfect for multi-generational family holidays.
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve spans 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres). This makes it one of the largest private reserves in South Africa and a significant part of the Greater Kruger National Park with no fences between the National Park and Nature Reserve. We visited during summer when daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F). Nighttime temperatures are typically between 18°C and 25°C (64°F and 77°F).
Rainfall: This is the rainy season, with most precipitation occurring as afternoon thunderstorms. The rain is usually intense but short-lived, leading to lush, green vegetation.
The sightings: The terrain is breathtaking, and it was spectacular to see herds of elephant grazing through the lush, tall grass. The Klaserie River runs through the reserve, not far from the lodge, and while it’s a perennial river (and flows year-round) there are only small pockets of water during the dry winter months, so the riverbed is mostly dry. Since we visited during the rainy season, the river was flowing and a sight to behold. The rich birdlife was a big highlight for us. We experienced the best sunset of our whole Kruger trip here.
The beautiful lodge: Camp George is the epitome of tranquillity. Expansive lawns surround the property and overlook a watering hole. The lawns are decorated with cosy nooks where you can relax under the big fever trees on cushy day beds. The lodge itself is elegantly decorated with all general areas opening towards the garden, creating a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of atmosphere where you can go straight from a dip in the pool to join for lunch on the patio. The room was spacious with an indoor and outdoor shower and the possibility to spot game from the porch! Each suite features a custom mural headboard, offering a distinctive artistic flair that makes the lodge feel truly one of a kind.
What did we love? The thing that we loved the most about this lodge are the people who work there. From the minute we arrived we could feel the team spirit, the warmth, the genuine excitement to welcome us. You could feel the pride throughout the team; everyone clearly very happy to work there and proud of the product they offer. Innocent, our host, made sure we always had a delicious beverage in hand. Tebogo and Promise prepared a selection of four different cuts of meat on the fire, for our incredible boma dinner. Chante showed us around and had us feeling right at home within minutes of arriving. This place has a magic to it, all thanks to the amazing couple at the helm, Innike and Manie. They’ve built more than just a lodge — it’s a community where everyone feels like family.
Special memory: Stories about the bush dynamics of the resident vervet monkeys and honey badger are things we really enjoyed. Inneke had us in stitches, telling us about the honey badger that kept on breaking into the kitchen to get to the food, even though all the doors and windows were locked. They eventually discovered that the honey badger followed a very complex route to go over a wall, through a courtyard and then used the door handle to open one of the inside doors to access the kitchen. They are so intelligent and persistent! Innocent gleefully shared stories about the vervet monkeys that live in the garden. He says they are very funny to watch and that they “show off” when new guests arrive, trying to impress them or get a reaction.
Children at Simbavati Camp George: This is a family-friendly lodge for children older than 8 years. The big garden with lawns and trees is fenced, so children can move around safely while observing the rich birdlife, vervet monkeys and watch animals coming to the watering hole for a drink.
Private residences: Amani Lodge is a beautiful house with a large living room as you enter the front door, and 2 luxury ensuite rooms on either side of the lodge. A large porch overlooking the bush, with a pool and stunning boma area. Exclusive use vehicle.
The sightings: We got really lucky with 3 different hyena sightings, one was a large female who laid down in a puddle of water very close to our vehicle. We also saw an incredible amount of vultures. Our guide and tracker ventured into the bush on foot to see if they could find out why so many vultures were gathering in one spot but unfortunately could not find the source. It was a very exciting moment!
The beautiful lodge: Bordering a large dam, this lodge offers breathtaking views over the water and guests are often treated to sightings of animals and birds drawn to the dam to cool off or quench their thirst. The luxury suites each have a private game viewing deck that overlooks the dam. Two of the non-water facing suites have a woodfired Kol-Kol hot tub.
What did we love?
The wine and food! The variety and quality of the wine and food was impeccable. We loved talking to Hudson, the barman, about Waterside’s beautiful wine cellar and incredible selection of wines. Waterside is very food-focused, and we loved everything we ate and drank during our time at the lodge. A highlight for me was the special secret-recipe iced coffee before departing on the afternoon game drive.
Special memory: As the sun began to set, we relaxed on a raised deck wrapped around the trunk of a towering tree, sipping sundowners and eating warm churros with a rich chocolate sauce, lovingly prepared by the Waterside team. Not long after, a small herd of elephants strolled past below—an incredible view from our lofty perch. Our tracker Allan kept us entertained with great storytelling that we all thoroughly enjoyed.
Children at Simbavati Waterside:
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge, and kids above 6 years old can participate in the game drives. The 2-bedroom units, each with en-suite bathroom, are a great option for families with children.
Thornybush Nature Reserve
Thornybush is a 15,000-hectare private nature reserve in the Greater Kruger Park area that shares a 22-kilometre fenceless border with the Kruger National Park. Thornybush Nature Reserve is renowned for quality game viewing and with a large concentration of lodges in a relatively small area, the communication between lodges contributes positively to guests’ game viewing experience. With more eyes out in the bush, we received multiple tips from other lodges’ guides for great sightings during our drives. Sightings are limited to two vehicles per sighting to maintain a relaxed environment for the animals and great game viewing opportunities for the guests.
The sightings: We had the best sightings at Thornybush. A combination of luck and the sun coming out after a few days of rain had us viewing a beautiful female leopard shortly after our game drive started. Only our second leopard sighting of the trip, we were thrilled! At our drinks stop towards the end of our game drive, we got word of a leopard with a kill not far away. We got back on the vehicle and arrived at a small tree surrounded by excited hyena, looking up at a young male leopard with a fresh impala kill, struggling to balance his kill in the tree away from the hungry hyena. The sounds the hyena were making was bone-chilling. Nature in its purest, wildest form. To add to the bush drama, a herd of elephant arrived with little ones in the mix. The herd didn’t take any chances and made sure to chase all the hyena out of the bush and away from their path to ensure the small elephants’ safety. This sighting is something we’ll never forget and feel so privileged to have witnessed.
The beautiful lodge: The lodge is built above the banks of a dry riverbed, offering great views from the dining area and lodge rooms. Rooms are exquisitely decorated with rich fabrics and prints and bulky wooden furniture. This was our favourite room of our Kruger trip.
What did we love?
The personal touches. The stunning bathroom with exquisite design. The bathrobes were unique to Thornybush, printed with colourful wildlife images. They thought of everything and even had kukois for us to use at the pool! We loved the safari basket they provide; a stylish and practical item to use while on safari to store your binoculars, waters, scarves, sunscreen etc.
Special memory:
While having dinner we were joined by a special guest. A genet (small cat-like creature) climbed up the tree next to the dining deck, to the roof. It’s not an animal you commonly see, even as South Africans, so this was very special for us.
Children at Thornybush Game Lodge: Children of all ages welcome. Activities available include baking, beading, bug walks and treasure hunts. Babysitting available at an additional cost. The property has 2 family suites that can sleep 2 adults and 2 children each.
We also viewed: Saseka Tented Camp. This lodge is in its own league in terms of design and décor. Everywhere you look, the attention to detail stands out—one striking example is the custom interior canvas fabric, created exclusively for Saseka and featuring botanical prints from the Pretoria herbarium, showcasing the region’s native plant life.
Private residences: Kamara House. A 3-bedroom house taking up to 6 guests and located on the premises. A perfect option for multigenerational families and small groups. The house comes with its own drive vehicle, guide and tracker.
Kapama Private Game Reserve:
Kapama Private Game Reserve is located near the town of Hoedspruit, only about 15 minutes’ drive from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. The reserve spans 13,000 hectares (approximately 50 square miles). It is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, close to Kruger National Park. The reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, African buffalo, and rhino) and over 350 bird species. The terrain was rich and diverse with thick vegetation, many dams and large trees. Being a Private Game Reserve, the wildlife population and natural resources are carefully managed to ensure a safe, sustainable environment and to preserve wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
The sightings: Our sightings at Kapama were top notch. We had quality sightings of all of the big 5 and much more. We had a number of lion sightings; two sightings of a male and female sleeping in the grass, and another of a pride of male lion relaxing under a tree next to a dam. We saw a leopard walking down the road as we followed at a distance in our vehicle. Rhinos were seen taking a bath and giving us some insight into their social behaviour.
The beautiful lodge: Kapama River Lodge is a resort-style accommodation offering 33 deluxe suites as well as spa suites, family rooms and a few other room types. The property is spacious with various relaxation areas both outside and in communal lounges. It has three pools, with two of them offering a bar service that is open until late in the evening. We enjoyed an after-dinner swim under the stars (it was very hot and humid!) and loved that we could enjoy a nightcap. The barkeepers engaged on a personal level, really making you feel welcome and like you’re in their little section of the lodge and they are proud to show you their “office”. Overall, the Kapama team is exceptional; we were assigned one waitron and guide for the duration of our stay and they both remembered our food and drink preferences 😊 The size of the lodge does not affect the guest care and service. They do an excellent job of maintaining a personal connection with each guest and making sure you have everything you need, the way you like it. Our room was spacious and beautiful with everything working smoothly, a coffee machine in the room, huge bathroom and the room temperature was perfect upon entering the room. We’re all about the attention to those small, yet important, details!
What did we love?
Our guide, Philip, was our favourite guide of our Kruger trip. His guiding style, patient character and knowledge of the bush and wildlife is unrivalled. Nicole and I are both very interested in plant-medicine and traditional uses in local communities and Philip kept us captivated with his stories. We felt so privileged to be in his presence and to learn from him. It rained a lot over the two days we spent at Kapama, and while animal sightings were low in the rain, Philip focused on sharing his knowledge about the plants, birds, insects and tracks and transformed the way we look at the bush next to us. We learned how locals would use certain plants to find underground water, which plants help to keep insects away and many more useful facts about the natural properties of plants and how we can use them to help us in our daily lives.
Special memory:
One of our favourite moments was spotting the tail of a rock monitor lizard sticking out from a tree branch beside the road. The branch was hanging over the road, so the hanging tail was close to the vehicle and clearly visible. When we circled back a little later, curiosity got the better of us. We pulled up next to the same branch to have a look whether it was still around. I stood up to get a better look, squinting into the branch… and BAM! There it was, staring straight back at me like it had been waiting this whole time to deliver its dramatic glare. I didn’t expect that and got a big fright—which, judging by the laughter behind me, was the comedic highlight of the trip.
Children at Kapama River Lodge: Children of all ages are welcome at Kapama River Lodge, Southern Camp and Karula. The family unit can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years. Ideal for large family escapes or festive holidays, these suites offer generous space to truly stretch out and relax. Featuring three private balconies, there’s ample room to soak up the peaceful atmosphere of the bush from every angle.
We also viewed:
Buffalo Camp. Perched among the treetops and reached only via raised wooden walkways, the classic safari-style tents of Buffalo Camp offer a uniquely immersive experience—bringing you closer to the wild. The camp consists of 10 luxury tents giving guests an intimate bush experience.
Southern Camp. A relaxed and spacious property offering 15 suites, 7 villas and 3 family villas. A large pool at the dining area gives guests a great vantage point to view game. Southern Camp caters to special dietary requirements like kosher meals. Complimentary shuttle service for guests to Karula Spa for relaxing treatments.
Karula. The flagship lodge of Kapama Private Game Reserve. With its graceful design and understated luxury, Karula captivates you. Big glass windows from ceiling to floor brings natural light into the rooms and general areas. We loved the versatile communal space that offers casual outdoor seating, and transformed at night time to a cosy lounge with ambient lighting for guests to relax and talk about their game drive experience. Karula’s Spa & Wellness is a tranquil haven with a spectacular pool overlooking the bush.
When you contact Earthstompers, you will be chatting to us (Hendrik, Cindy, or Nicole), and we will use our first-hand experience in Kruger to help you book the safari of your dreams. We look forward to hearing from you!
