With so many lodges and accommodation options to choose from, working out which are the best lodges in the Kruger National Park can be daunting to say the least. So we’ll make it a little easier for you with some simple ideas.
Where should I look for the best lodges in the Kruger National Park?
That depends on what you’re after. The Kruger National Park is a public park, and as great as it is, it also has some limitations. The lodges in the Kruger National Park itself are run by South African National Parks – a government agency – so they are very basic, very affordable, still pleasant, and each definitely has its own unique character. However, in order to get the most out of the park guests need to self-drive, and you must stay on the pubic roads – which thankfully are few and far between. Also, the camps close their gates at 6 or 6:30 pm, by which time you need to be settled back in camp. Most of the best lodges in the Kruger National Park region are actually located in the private game reserves surrounding the national park itself, and in this article we include coverage of that greater area:
The Best Lodges in the Kruger National Park – Overall:
There are so many great private game lodges near the Kruger National Park that you could stay at one every week for a year. A lot of them are very good, easily live up to expectations, and can be perfect for the right sort of trip. Then there are one or two that stand out from the crowd and are in a different league entirely, the best of these are:
Royal Malewane
Comfortably the best lodges in the Kruger Park area, Royal Malewane is a private game lodge that offers exclusivity and privacy unparalleled in the Kruger National Park area. While its styling is unique with influences from Sri Lanka and Europe, their program is also flexible enough to be truly yours, so you can write your day to suit your tastes perfectly. They have just 8 rooms, excellent chefs, a relaxing location in the heart of the bush, and a spa that was voted the best in Africa. How can we say no?
Take a quick preview tour of Royal Malewane
Singita – Sabi Sand
Singita, one of the better-known ‘brands’ in the game-lodge world, have two lodges in the Sabi Sand Game reserve – Boulders and Ebony. Book early as these two lodges have long set the standard in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Expansive decks and private plunge pools in each chalet make a perfect spot for an afternoon relaxing in the wild, while a great range of activities include archery, wildlife painting classes, private wine-tastings with the sommelier, and active involvement in the Singita school of cooking project.
Singita Lebombo
This is a lodge in the Kruger National Park that is well worth a visit, for any excuse you can find. Luxury lodge accommodation in the Kruger National Park at its best, the expansive suites are perched on a hillside overlooking the somewhat thicker and bushier terrain below. It is wild, it is remote, and it is an all-too-stylish journey deep into the bush that will leave you very well impressed.
Best Lodges in the Kruger National Park – For families:
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Sabi Sabi have 4 lodges in the area, and we consider ‘Bush Lodge’ amongst the best lodges in the Kruger National Park for families. It is slightly bigger than some of the other lodges, welcomes children of all ages, has access to a great stretch of land – which ultimately means better wildlife – and is very comfortable and totally unassuming.
Best lodges in the Kruger National Park – For couples or honeymoons:
In addition to Royal Malewane and Singita, there are a couple off private lodges in the Kruger National Park that lend themselves perfectly to a getaway for two:
Lion Sands
In a southern stretch of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and along the river sharing a border with the Kruger National Park, Lion Sands stands out amongst the best lodges in the Kruger National Park for two great reasons: Firstly their tree-houses, and secondly, their tree-houses. It’s hard to imagine a better way to spend a night than perched in a luxuriously furnished open tree-house deck, having the sounds of the wild lull you to sleep, and more fresh air through the night than you could hope to find. Not something to be missed when you’re in the area.
A sneak preview of what the fuss is all about at Lion Sands
Leadwood Lodge
We consider this amongst the best lodges in the Kruger Park for couples because, with only 4 private, air-conditioned suites, this lodge is small, intimate, peaceful and tranquil. Stylishly appointed and located toward the northern side of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve it also offers access to some of the facilities at the nearby Exeter, but with far less fuss overall.
Best lodges in the Kruger National Park – inside the National Park:
Hamilton’s Tented Camp
Since the Kruger National Park is extremely vast and visitors are restricted to driving on the few roads within the park, the most important factor when looking for the best lodges in the Kruger National Park is to position yourself in an area that has a higher game concentration. the highest game concentrations in the Kruger National Park are in the mid to southern latitudes, approximately between the latitudes of camps of Letaba and Skukuza camps., and particularly in the area of the Satara to Skukuza road. Rather than risk driving for hours at a time without seeing anything, we suggest spending most of your time in this region. Hamilton’s Tented Camp is well positioned in this area, and it is for this reason that we place it amongst the best lodges in the Kruger National Park. It is also a tented camp, which is a rare treat in this area, and it has a great location on the banks of a river.
Show me Hamilton’s Tented Camp
So with that said, some of the best lodges in the Kruger National Park for your holiday could be just a few simple steps away. Get in touch with us if you’d like to dig a little bit deeper, we’re always here and are happy to help.
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ROBERT MARK SAFARIS 