safari lodges Kruger Park
Kruger National Park
and its Private Game Reserves
Just do it
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Welcome to a wonderful wild world where elephants can empty your pool while you’re enjoying gourmet dinners around blazing fire-pits under starry skies
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The ‘Private’ Game Reserves mentioned below all form part of Greater Kruger Park but NO public driving allowed here. Game viewing can only be done by lodge operated day and night drives in open game viewing vehicles with professional rangers and experienced trackers
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In most of Kruger Park’s Private Game Reserves one could probably spot all of the Big 5 game – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – within your first two guided game drives.
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The first will be an evening game drive commencing after high-tea on your day of arrival, the second an early morning game drive the next day before breakfast.
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So go on – what are you waiting for – let your Out in Africa safari begin
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We suggest 3 to 4 nights on safari in Kruger Park.
As silently and breathlessly you look… and listen
where to stay Kruger Park
Far too many lodges too mention but for an idea of what to expect, see our favourites below.
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Our hand-picked Kruger Park safari lodges are all located in 3 different private game reserves – Sabi Sand, Timbavati and Kapama.
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First up, the fine big game safari lodges of Sabi Sand, home of the leopard
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, established in 1948, is one of South Africa’s most prestigious private reserves covering 65 000 hectares (650 km²). It lies adjacent to Kruger National Park with a 50 km unfenced boundary, allowing wildlife to move freely in between. The reserve is particularly famous for its leopard sightings, offering some of the most magnificent opportunities to observe these elusive cats in the wild.
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The reserve is composed of multiple privately owned lodges and concessions, each offering exclusive and authentic safari experiences. Visitors enjoy guided day and night time game drives, game walks and luxury accommodations all designed to immerse guests into the surrounding wilderness.
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Sabi Sand Reserve can be accessed by one of three commercial airports surrounding it. To the north of Sabi Sand, Hoedspruit Airport (aka Eastgate), Skukuza Airport within Kruger Park itself or Nelspruit Airport to the southwest of Sabi Sand.
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Airport to lodge road transfers vary from 1.5hr to 2hr in duration while much shorter small plane flights direct to lodge airstrips are also available from all three these airports OR from Johannesburg Airport to the lodge of your choice.
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Sabi Sand Game Reserve – prime big game viewing at close proximity so visitor’s can expect many close-up encounters of a breathless kind….
Sabi Sand safari lodges
Singita Boulders
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Singita Boulders Lodge is a contemporary luxury safari retreat set along the Sand River in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Reserve.
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Its location in prime Big Five territory offers exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly renowned for leopard sightings, while the lodge’s design is inspired by the ancient boulders scattered along the riverbanks.
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The lodge features 12 glass-fronted suites, each blending organic textures with modern elegance. Spacious interiors open onto private decks with heated plunge pools, seamlessly connecting guests to the surrounding wilderness. Handmade furnishings, earthy tones, and floor-to-ceiling windows create a tranquil atmosphere that mirrors the natural beauty outside.
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Central areas include open lounges, dining spaces, a wine cellar, and a spa, all designed to echo the landscape while offering refined comfort. Guests enjoy morning and evening game drives, guided walks, mountain biking, and community visits, alongside gourmet dining and curated wine experiences.
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Singita Boulders Lodge combines cutting-edge design with immersive safari adventure, making it one of the most popular lodges in the Sabi Sand
rates
rates 2026
R 49 255 to R60 470
per person per night
Leopard Hills
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Leopard Hills Lodge is a premier luxury safari lodge perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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Its elevated position provides sweeping views over the bushveld and a busy waterhole below, offering guests spectacular wildlife sightings right from the lodge. The reserve is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem, renowned for Big Five encounters and particularly famous for its leopard population.
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The lodge offers eight glass-fronted suites designed for privacy and indulgence. Spacious interiors open onto private decks with plunge pools and outdoor showers, allowing views across the reserve. Elegant furnishings, large bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows complete the luxurious picture.
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Central facilities include a stylish lounge, dining areas, library, gym, and spa, all positioned to maximize views of the African bush. Guests enjoy twice-daily game drives, guided walks, and photographic safaris, complemented by gourmet dining and fine wines.
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Leopard Hills Lodge combines exclusivity, romance and adventure, making it one of the most luxurious safari experiences in the Sabi Sand.
rates
Chitwa Chitwa
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Chitwa Chitwa Lodge is a luxurious safari retreat set on the banks of a large lake in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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Its waterside location makes it unique among lodges in the area, offering guests the chance to watch elephants, hippos, and other wildlife from the comfort of the lodge while still enjoying access to the Big Five territory of the Greater Kruger ecosystem.
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The lodge features six individually decorated suites and one larger family villa, each with private decks and plunge pools overlooking the lake. Interiors combine contemporary elegance with African-inspired design, creating spacious sanctuaries that balance romance and comfort. The family villa, Chitwa House, offers a more exclusive experience with personalized service and private activities.
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Central facilities include a stylish lounge, dining areas, bar, library, gym, and spa, all designed to maximize views of the lake and bush. Guests enjoy twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks, and community visits, complemented by fine dining and curated wine selections.
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Chitwa Chitwa blends lakeside tranquility with world-class safari adventure, making it one of the most distinctive lodges in the Sabi Sand.
rates
Savanna Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Savanna Lodge is an exclusive safari retreat located in the western sector of South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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Renowned for frequent leopard sightings, the lodge’s setting combines open savanna grasslands with riverine bush, offering guests diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife encounters.
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The lodge offers nine luxurious tented suites, including four Executive Suites, three Savanna Suites and two spacious family suites. Elegant interiors, canvas walls, draped-inner ceilings and large bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers. Sundecks with loungers and private plunge pools overlook small watering holes attracting elephants and other game allowing game viewing directly from your suite.
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Central area includes a lounge, bar, wine cellar, gym and swimming pool all overlooking the bush. A dining room and outdoor boma offer some outstanding meals well worth a mention. Twice-daily game drives and guided walks are led by expert rangers and trackers who provide deep insights into the reserve’s wildlife.
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With its intimate scale, personalized service, and prime location, Savanna Lodge offers a refined yet adventurous safari experience in the heart of the Sabi Sand.
rates
rates 2026
R21 000 to R25 250
per person sharing
Arathusa
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Arathusa Safari Lodge is a welcoming and luxurious lodge located in the northern sector of South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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Its prime position along a large waterhole means guests often enjoy spectacular wildlife sightings right from the lodge, with elephants, hippos, and other animals frequently visiting the water’s edge.
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The lodge offers a mix of 13 thatched suites, nine of which face directly onto the waterhole and four set within the bush, a bit of a walk from the Main Area. All suites are spacious and comfortable with en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private verandas.
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The bush-facing suites – a bit of a walk from the main area – also feature private plunge pools for that perfect and peaceful feeling of seclusion in the wilderness.
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Central area include a lounge, dining room, bar, swimming pool and spa, all overlooking the waterhole. Guests enjoy twice-daily game drives & guided walks, led by expert rangers and trackers who share deep insights into the reserve’s wildlife.
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With its intimate scale, warm hospitality, and unbeatable waterhole setting, Arathusa Safari Lodge offers an authentic yet indulgent Sabi Sand safari experience.
rates
rates 2026
R11 500
per person sharing
Timbavati Game Reserve
Timbavati Reserve, established in 1956, is a renowned private game reserve situated on the western edge of Kruger National Park. It spans 75,000 hectares (534 km²) of unfenced wilderness, allowing wildlife to roam freely between Timbavati, Kruger and neighbouring reserves such as Sabi Sand.
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Timbavati provides visitors with exceptional opportunities to encounter the Big Five along with a wide variety of bird and plant species. The reserve is known for its conservation efforts and offers exclusive safari experiences, including night drives and guided bush walks.
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Timbavati’s lodges are private and secluded, ensuring an authentic safari experience without the crowds of public parks. Its rich biodiversity and commitment to wilderness preservation have made it one of South Africa’s most sought-after safari destinations.
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Timbavati is conveniently accessed via Hoedspruit Airport, serviced by daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Airport transfers from here to the Timbavati lodges take roughly 45 minutes making it an easy and straightforward journey for visitors.
Timbavati safari lodges
Kings Camp
Timbavati Game Reserve
Kings Camp is a romantic and luxurious safari lodge located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem in South Africa.
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Its setting among acacia trees and overlooking a busy waterhole provides guests with front-row wildlife encounters, including the Big Five and the rare white lions for which Timbavati is famous. The reserve’s intimate atmosphere make it a perfect destination for couples seeking both adventure and romance.
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The lodge offers nine spacious suites and two honeymoon suites, each elegantly designed with Victorian-inspired décor, four-poster beds, and private verandas. The honeymoon suites feature plunge pools and outdoor showers, creating a secluded and indulgent retreat. Interiors blend old-world charm with modern comfort, ensuring guests feel both pampered and connected to the wilderness.
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Central facilities include a stylish lounge, dining areas, bar, library, gym, spa, and swimming pool, all overlooking the bush. Guests enjoy twice-daily game drives, guided walks and cultural tours complemented by gourmet dining and fine wines.
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With its romantic atmosphere, personalized service, and prime Timbavati location, Kings Camp offers an unforgettable safari experience that balances elegance with authentic adventure.
rates
rates 2026
R18 500
per person per night
Kapama Game Reserve
Kapama Game Reserve lies in Limpopo Province, South Africa and is part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem. Established as a private conservation area, it spans 13,000 hectares (130 km²) of pristine bushveld and is home to the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—along with over 350 bird species and a wide range of other wildlife.
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Four different lodges offer a mix of luxury and authentic safari experiences with activities such as game drives and bush walks, afternoon high-teas, boma dinners or visits to the Reserve’s amazing spa.
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What really sets Kapama apart, is its convenient location directly adjacent to Hoedspruit Airport. Transfers to the lodges take a mere 10 minutes by road and doubles as a first game drive. This makes Kapama one of the most convenient reserves for travellers flying in from Johannesburg or Cape Town making it a popular choice for both first-time safari-goers and seasoned travellers.
Kapama safari lodges
Karula Lodge
Karula Game Reserve
Kapama Karula Lodge is an exceptionally spacious and luxurious safari lodge located in South Africa’s Kapama Private Game Reserve.
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Set along the banks of the Klaserie River, the lodge offers a serene and romantic atmosphere with abundant wildlife roaming nearby. Its prime location within Greater Kruger ensures excellent Big Five viewing and a tranquil riverside setting.
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The lodge features ten superior villas and two family villas, each designed with extraordinary space and elegance. Villas span over 120 square meters with floor-to-ceiling glass walls opening onto private decks, heated plunge pools and outdoor showers. Interiors include expansive bedrooms, lounges and bathrooms with free-standing tubs creating a blend of modern luxury and immersion in the wilderness.
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Central facilities include a stylish lounge, library, bar, spa, gym, and swimming pool, all overlooking the river. Guests enjoy twice-daily game drives, guided walks, and wellness experiences, complemented by gourmet dining and fine wines.
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Kapama Karula Lodge is celebrated for its spacious design, personalized service, and romantic atmosphere, making it one of the most indulgent lodges in South Africa.
rates
rates 2026
R32 500 to R40 000
per person sharing
Buffalo Camp
Karula Game Reserve
Buffalo Camp is a charming and intimate safari lodge located in South Africa’s Kapama Private Game Reserve.
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Nestled beneath shady trees along a seasonal riverbed, the camp offers a romantic, old-world safari atmosphere with abundant wildlife roaming nearby. Its setting evokes a particular feeling of tranquil seclusion.
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The camp features ten luxury tents, each raised on wooden decks and connected by pathways through the bush. Inside, the tents are elegantly furnished with four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms with open bathtubs that allow relaxing after-game-drive soaks while taking in the surrounding nature. Just perfect for couples and honeymooners seeking a romantic escape.
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Central facilities include a cozy lounge, dining area, bar, and swimming pool, all designed to reflect the camp’s intimate scale. Activities focus on twice-daily game drives and guided walks, led by expert rangers and trackers who share insights into the reserve’s wildlife.
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Buffalo Camp combines romance, authenticity and luxury offering guests a safari experience that feels both adventurous and deeply personal.
rates
rates 2026
R15 000 to R19 000
per person sharing
Kruger National Park
based in Cape Town South Africa
so remember
