The iconic African safari destination
Your African bush experience
Kruger National Park Safaris
Kruger is Africa’s most iconic safari destination. Kruger National Park, a government-owned reserve, forms the heart of the greater Kruger area, which also includes several private game reserves like Thornybush, Sabi Sands, Timbavati, and Klaserie. With no fences separating the Park from these private reserves, wildlife roams freely, allowing for an exceptional, unrestricted safari experience.
Kruger National Park
Jock Safari Camp
Jock Safari Camp operates on an exclusive private concession, uniquely located within the borders of the National Park itself.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 1 hour drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families, couples & small groups (children older than 6 welcome)
- Budget: From R12525 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge
- Villa: Fitzpatrick’s at Jock (3 Bedroom Villa)
- Exclusivity: Medium lodge; 12 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Kruger Shalati
Kruger Shalati is something different in the heart of Kruger National Park. Only 5 minutes away from Skukuza Airport, adjacent to the Skukuza Camp, this is luxury accommodation in a re-envisioned train station on the Selati Bridge above the Sabie River. Game drives are conducted in Kruger National Park.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 5 minutes’ drive (transfers included)
- Perfect for: Families, couples & groups (children older than 6 welcome)
- Budget: From R12950 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury lodge
- Exclusivity: Large lodge; 31 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Narina Lodge
Narina Lodge, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. When you stay at Narina or Tinga Lodge you are absolutely spoiled, as you do your game drives on a private concession within Kruger National Park, and you have traversing rights to Sabi Sands for game viewing.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 30 minutes’ drive (transfers included)
- Perfect for: Couples & small groups (children older than 16 welcome)
- Budget: From R29175 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Superior luxury lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Tinga Lodge
Tinga Lodge. When you stay at Tinga Lodge you are absolutely spoiled, as you do your game drives on a private concession within Kruger National Park, and you have traversing rights to Sabi Sands for game viewing.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 15 minutes’ drive (transfers included)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 6 welcome)
- Budget: From R29175 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Superior Luxury Lodge
- Villa: Hinkwenu Residence (2 Bedroom Villa)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Sabi Sands Game Reserve (Greater Kruger)
River Lodge
River Lodge, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. Located within the 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the Greater Kruger area.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 1 hours drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Budget: From R25740 per person per night
- Perfect for: Families, couples & groups (children older than 10 welcome)
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge
- Exclusivity: Medium lodge; 18 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Ivory Lodge
Ivory Lodge, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. Located within the 65,000-hectare Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the Greater Kruger area.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 1 hour drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Couples & families (children older than 10 welcome)
- Budget: From R48670 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Premium Lodge
- Villa: Fish Eagle Residence (2 Bedroom Villa; children of all ages welcome)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Bush Lodge
Bush Lodge, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. Situated in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the southwestern section of the Greater Kruger area, adjacent to the National Park.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 1.5 hour drive or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Mbombela): +/- 2 hour drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families, couples & groups (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R26500 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge
- Villa: 2 bedroom luxury villas (Mahlatini or Tumbela)
- Exclusivity: Large lodge; 25 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Earth Lodge
Earth Lodge, a luxury lodge situated in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in the southwestern section of the Greater Kruger area, adjacent to the National Park.
- Closest airport: Skukuza: +/- 1.5 hour drive or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Mbombela): +/- 2 hours’ drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Couples or friends (no children allowed)
- Budget: From R39000 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Premium Lodge
- Exclusivity: Medium lodge; 12 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Thornybush Nature Reserve (Greater Kruger)
Thornybush Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Lodge, situated in Thornybush Nature Reserve, a 15,000-hectare private game reserve within the Greater Kruger area.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/-45 minute drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R18000 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge
- Villa: Kamara House (3 bedroom Villa)
- Exclusivity: Medium lodge; 16 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Saseka Tented Camp
Saseka Tented Camp, situated in Thornybush Nature Reserve, a 15,000-hectare private game reserve within the Greater Kruger area.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/-45 minute drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Couples (children older than 12 welcome)
- Budget: From R26000 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Premium Lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 tented suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Monwana Lodge
Monwana Lodge, in Thornybush Nature Reserve, a 15,000-hectare private game reserve within the Greater Kruger area.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/-45 minutes drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Couples (children older than 12 welcome)
- Budget: From R43430 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Premium Lodge
- Villa: Monwana Villa (2 Bedroom Villa)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Timbavati Private Game Reserve (Greater Kruger)
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge. Situated in the 53000-hectare Timbavati Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/-2 hour drive (transfers included)
- Perfect for: Families & Couples (children older than 12 welcome)
- Budget: From R18900 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge – Tented Camp
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 tented suites; 8 guests maximum per game drive
Simbavati River Lodge
Simbavati River Lodge. Situated in the 53000-hectare Timbavati Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/-1.5 hour drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R12500 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge – Tented Camp
- Villa: Simbavati River Sands (2 Bedroom Villa)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 10 suites; 8 guests maximum per game drive
Kings Camp
Kings Camp. Situated in the 53000-hectare Timbavati Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/-1 hour drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 6 welcome)
- Budget: From R17300 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury Lodge
- Villa: Waterbuck Private Camp (4 Bedroom Villa)
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 9 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Walkers Plains Camp
Walkers Plains Camp: Family-owned lodge situated in the 53000-hectare Timbavati Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/- 30 minute drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 8 welcome)
- Budget: From R12600 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 suites; 6 guests maximum per game drive
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (Greater Kruger)
Ivory Wilderness, River Rock Lodge
Ivory Wilderness, River Rock Lodge. This rustic camp is situated in the 60 000-hectare Klaserie Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/- 1.5 hour drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children older than 5 welcome)
- Budget: From R6600 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Rustic lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 6 suites; 9 guests per game drive
Simbavati Waterside Lodge
Simbavati Waterside Lodge. This newly renovated camp is situated in the 60000-hectare Klaserie Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/- 45 minute drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R14500 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 suites; 6 guests per game drive
Simbavati Camp George
Simbavati Camp George is an intimate and luxurious safari retreat located in the heart of the Greater Kruger area. Offering a blend of comfort and adventure, this exclusive lodge provides guests with exceptional game viewing, guided safari experiences, and warm hospitality, all set in a stunning wilderness landscape.
- Closest airport: Hoedspruit: +/- 45 minute drive (transfers can be arranged)
- Perfect for: Families & couples (children of all ages welcome)
- Budget: From R12500 per person per night
- Earthstompers rating: Luxury lodge
- Exclusivity: Small lodge; 8 suites; 6 guests per game drive
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Typical Kruger safari timeline
This schedule varies by season and by lodge, but a general idea of what to expect is:
Arrival day:
- 13:00: arrival at the lodge
- 13:30: lunch served
- 15:00: high tea and snacks; time to meet your ranger
- 15:30: depart on afternoon game drive
- 19:00: return from game drive, and dinner served
Following day
- 5:00: wake up call
- 5:15: Coffee/tea and greet your ranger
- 5:30: depart on morning game drive
- 9:00: return from morning game drive; breakfast served
- 9:30: time to relax and enjoy the lodge
- Continue with lunch and afternoon schedule
We recommend booking at least a two-night safari, for several reasons. Firstly, a two-night safari will include four game drives; this gives you ample opportunity to see the variety of different wildlife on a reserve. If the weather or the animals aren’t playing along on one drive, at least you have other chances later in your stay! Secondly, a two-night safari will give you time to relax and enjoy the beautiful lodge midday on your “middle” day. This makes for a more relaxing and present experience, and allows you to get a sense of the place rather than rushing in and out.
How to get to Kruger
By Air: You can fly into Hoedspruit, Skukuza, or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to access private lodges within Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger area. Daily scheduled flights operate between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hoedspruit, and Skukuza Airports, with Airlink offering regular services. Many lodges also feature private runways for charter flights, making flying the fastest and most efficient way to reach this remote part of South Africa.
By Road: While it’s possible to drive from Johannesburg, the journey takes 6-8 hours. Considering the drive time, cost, convenience, and safety, we recommend flying to save on time and have a more comfortable travel experience.
Earthstompers ratings
These lodges are mostly 3, 4 or 5-star graded, but some lodges choose not to be star graded. It can be difficult to understand the level of the lodge and experience, especially since they are so unique. We have therefore rated lodges according to personal experience, to help our guests choose the level that suits them best.
- Rustic: No star rating or 3 star (basic & rustic lodges)
- Classic: No star rating or 4 star
- Luxury: 5 star
- Superior Luxury: 5 star +
- Premium: 5 star ++
Lodge Locations
MAP
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