KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Visit one of the oldest wildlife reserves in the world for a classic South Africa experience.
Known for its ground-breaking conservation philosophy, Kruger National Park is one of the largest and oldest reserves in Africa. Its practices have paved the way for so many other national parks in Africa and it is without doubt an essential stop on any trip to South Africa. It is often considered the crème de la crème of safari destinations and its easy to see why.
Established in 1898, it covers an expansive area of nearly 20,000 square kilometres (7,523 square miles), making it one of Africa’s largest game reserves. The park is named after Paul Kruger, the former president of the South African Republic, who played a significant role in its early conservation efforts.
Kruger National Park is celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, boasting a wide array of ecosystems that support a rich variety of flora and fauna. From savannah grasslands to dense woodlands, the park’s diverse habitats provide a home to a remarkable selection of wildlife. Visitors to the park have the chance to encounter the “Big Five” – lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, and buffaloes, along with numerous other species such as giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope.
The park’s conservation efforts have been highly successful in preserving these species, particularly the endangered African rhinoceros. Anti-poaching measures and community involvement have played a crucial role in these efforts, helping protect these magnificent animals from the threats of poaching and habitat destruction.
One of the park’s unique features is the Kruger National Park’s extensive network of well-maintained roads and trails, making it accessible for self-drive safaris. Visitors can explore the park at their own pace, stopping at designated viewpoints and waterholes to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Alternatively, guided safaris led by knowledgeable rangers are also available for those who want to deepen their understanding of the park’s ecology and history.
In addition to its incredible wildlife, Kruger National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 bird species recorded within its boundaries. It is also home to a variety of cultural heritage sites, including ancient rock paintings, archaeological sites, and historical landmarks that provide insights into the region’s rich history.
For the most exclusive and authentic experience, we only work with the lodges in private concessions and reserves including Thornybush, Timbavati and Sabi Sands. These reserves are only open to those staying in their lodges but contain the same wildlife throughout. Home to the most luxurious safari lodges in all of Africa, they guarantee and exceptional safari experience.
Not too far from Kruger is Johannesburg, a diverse and welcoming city with a thriving cultural scene and impressive programme of regeneration but also a turbulent past with the dark shadow of apartheid in its not-too-distant history. A visit to the Apartheid Museum is an important inclusion on any tour of Johannesburg alongside the variety of galleries and shops as well as any number of excellent restaurants. For a day trip outside of the city, head to Pretoria. Enjoy the tree-lined avenues and the peaceful atmosphere in this charming city. This is also a starting point for some of South Africa’s most famous luxury train journeys and a wonderful way to experience the country or combine a holiday which travels through to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
To the east of Johannesburg in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, the Blyde River Canyon is thought to be the third-largest canyon in the world. Measuring 25 kilometres in length and averaging around 750 metres in depth, it’s also the world’s largest green canyon and offers some spectacular vistas on route to Kruger.
WHERE TO STAY
Our favourite luxury lodges
Silvan Safari Camp – Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Silvan Safari Lodge is an exclusive lodge in Sabi Sands game reserve near to Greater Kruger NP. It offers unprecedented luxury combined with personal service and an exceptional safari experience. Winner of The World’s Leading Luxury Lodge in 2018, Silvan has a unique design and is comprised of six stunningly individual suites, a dining room, plunge pool, spa, and state-of-the-art media room. Meals are served in the main lodge but can be enjoyed privately on your deck and the menu draws on the lodge’s surroundings for inspiration with wine and food personally paired for guests.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge – Sabi Sabi Game Reserve
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is a spectacular property which lies sunken in a slope of the earth, making it a surrealistic point of entry to your safari experience. Earth Lodge is a modern mix of gleaming tiles, recessed lighting and warm tones. There are 13 ultra luxurious suites which provide complete privacy and feature outdoor and indoor showers, bespoke , as well as a private plunge pool. The indoor-outdoor dining area overlooks a waterhole and the bushveld, while the lodge has a library, an extensive wine cellar, the beautiful Zen garden and the relaxing Amani Spa.
Chitwa Chitwa – Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
Chitwa Chitwa is a stylish and luxurious safari lodge situated in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, with the most unique of settings overlooking the largest body of water in the 63,000 ha, Big 5 game reserve, perfect for wildlife viewing. The six stylish and spacious suites are individually decorated offering ultimate privacy ideal for honeymooners and couples. The lodge is also family friendly with Chitwa Chitwa being one of the few luxury lodges in the Sabi Sand to accept children of all ages and the Charlsy Suite with its two interlinking suites is perfect for families on safari.
Londolozi Private Granite Suites – Kruger National Park
Londolozi’s Private Granite Suites are set in a remarkable river setting and offer an extraordinary safari experience. Flanked by an extrusion of granite rocks, the luxury lodge offers 3 luxurious suites, perfect for the discerning traveller, which can be booked individually or as a private camp for six guests. The camp’s décor is full of bold materials using a silver, charcoal and elephant grey palette and each suite has a luxurious outdoor bath and private, heated swimming pool where you can relax and look out to the Sand River, perfect to spot breeding herds of elephants.
Londolozi Tree Camp – Kruger National Park
Londolozi Tree Camp is a Relais & Chateaux luxury five star safari lodge. Raised on stilts, the camp lies within magnificent trees on a prime site overlooking the Sand River. Elegance and simplicity are the hallmarks of six private suites which are reached by elevated, lantern lit walkways. Each of the air-conditioned suites includes an ensuite bathroom and a plunge pool, as well as playful touches such as plaited leather beds and Ralph Lauren wallpaper. The main lodge is beautifully laid out where there are plush lounges, a bar and restaurant, a large deck and swimming pool.
Londolozi Pioneer Camp – Kruger National Park
Londolozi Pioneer Camp is hidden deep within an ancient forest. Amongst the shade of 500-year old ebony trees are situated three private chalet suites adorned with historic memorabilia include air-conditioning, sumptuous ensuite bathrooms, inviting fireplaces and spectacular bush vistas. At this Relais & Chateaux lodge guests can savour mouth-watering meals in the dining area, around the campfire or in the bush. After a day on safari you can unwind in the sitting room, sink into the cool depths of the sparkling swimming pool or enjoy the solitude of the beautiful gardens.
Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve
At Cheetah Plains Private Reserve exclusivity at game sightings is the norm. The private concession it is located on dictate that only two game vehicles at a time can cross the individual areas leading to fabulous animal sightings. The intimate lodge has just three designer bush homes each of which has two lounges, outdoor boma area, wine cellar and a heated swimming pool. The ultrachic accommodation flow onto the indigenous gardens and blend seamlessly into the African bush and each bush home includes a private safari vehicle and guide for the duration of your stay.
MalaMala Rattray’s Camp – MalaMala Game Reserve
Echoing the golden era of safari, Rattray’s Camp evokes the spirit of a bygone age and is the epitome of classic style and good taste. The MalaMala Game Reserve is the biggest private conservation area in the region and is not shared with any other Kruger safari lodges at all. This guarantees you one of the best Kruger experiences with uncrowded animal sightings. Each luxurious spacious suite offers spectacular views of the Sand River where wildlife of all shapes and sizes can be viewed whilst taking a dip in the private plunge pool or enjoying a massage on the deck.
Jabulani Safari Camp – Kapama Private Game Reserve
Jabulani is a five-star luxury lodge, part of the Relais & Chateaux family. With six superior suites and the exclusive Zindoga Villa, it offers a unique opportunity for gracious living in a spectacular setting. Each suite is spacious and luxuriously furnished featuring a private deck and a plunge pool. Jabulani is a place to indulge your every sense, explore the African wild and enjoy superb cuisine. Your dedicated Jabulani ranger will ensure that your safari experience is tailor-made to your personal preference, whether laid back and relaxed or filled with game viewing.
Royal Malewane – Thornybush Private Game Reserve
Royal Malewane and its 3 luxury lodges offer an amazing safari experience in an area that exudes the romance and beauty of a bygone age. The Lodge at is a classic and luxurious safari lodge with just 6 luxury suites, 2 royal suites, and Africa House, an exclusive use villa with 6 bedrooms. The Farmstead is intimate and more contemporary in style and is just south of the Main Lodge with 3 suites, and a 3-bedroom private villa. The newest addition to Royal Malewane, Waterside which has 4 Suites, a Baobab Suite and Waterside House – an exclusive use villa with 4 bedrooms.
Thornybush Game Lodge – Thornybush Reserve
A grande dame in the safari industry, Thornybush Game Lodge was one of the first commercial camps in South Africa and retains a classic safari charm with a fresh new look following a recent facelift. The lodge offers sixteen luxurious suites with with riverbed views. Each suite has indoor and outdoor showers and have been carefully designed and spaced to provide privacy. The extremely comfortable beds and elegant finishes complete the impressive rooms. For families and small groups the Kamara House, their safari villa, is ideal.
Singita Sweni Lodge – Kruger National Park
Tucked into the banks of the Sweni River, this intimate luxury lodge is a hidden jewel that provides a bold, new African context for contemporary design, architecture and cuisine. Its 7 suites, with open-plan interiors, are hidden among a canopy of trees and feature two bathrooms and an outdoor shower overlooking the river. Guests have private access to 33,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the world-renowned Kruger National Park and with the lodge’s proximity to the river, you’ll be treated to up-close sightings of numerous animals frequenting the area to drink in the water.
andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge – Timbavati
Ngala Private Game Reserve offers exclusive traversing rights on 14,700 hectares of land in Kruger where safaris are led by expert ranger and tracker teams. Tucked under a canopy of trees, Ngala Safari Lodge boasts 20 classic thatched cottages, including three Family Cottages and a spacious Family Suite. A private veranda offers the perfect setting for intimate dinners. The lodge’s swimming pool and sundeck overlook a natural riverine woodland, ideal for avid birdwatchers, while a tranquil massage sala and a well-equipped fitness room can be enjoyed in between game drives.
Tintswalo Safari Lodge – Kruger National Park
The luxurious Tintswalo Safari Lodge is in the beautiful Manyeleti Game Reserve that shares an unfenced border with Kruger NP. Colonial-inspired suites connect to guest areas by raised walkways and all feature air con, an ensuite bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower, a private veranda and a plunge pool. A mouth-watering selection of menus, created with the freshest ingredients, ensure that guests never go hungry. Enjoy a traditional English high tea, spend an evening in the elegant dining room or al fresco in the boma or in the bush serenaded by the wildlife.
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge – Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The luxury Lion Sands Ivory Lodge boasts magnificent views of the Sabie River, extending onto the open sand banks of the Kruger NP. The main guest areas include a private lounge, wooden viewing decks, wine cellar, health spa, curio shop and both an indoor and an open-air dining area. The suites have their own private plunge pools with magnificent views over the Sabie River, allowing guests to cool down while watching animals as they quench their thirst close by. You can get even closer to nature with an exciting sleep out in the bush in one of the lodge’s superb treehouses.
andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp – Kruger National Park
Located in Ngala Private Game Reserve with exclusive traversing rights in Kruger NP, Ngala Tented Camp is chic and contemporary. The camp comprises of nine intimate and luxurious tents, making it a perfect exclusive-use option for a small group of family or friends. The tented suites are set on raised platforms and each has an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, outdoor showers, snug electric blankets for winter and private wooden decks. The elegant guest areas overlook the Timbavati River, the ideal location to relax and hope a herd of elephants or another animal wanders by.