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First national park in South Africa
Photo: JensANDMarian, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Kruger National Park (KNP) lies in the north-east of South Africa and runs along the border of Mozambique in the east, Zimbabwe in the north, and the southern border is the Crocodile River. The park covers and is divided into 14 ecozones, each supporting different wildlife. It is one of the main attractions of South Africa and it is considered the flagship of South African National Parks (SANParks).
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Made up of buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and black rhino, the Big Five were considered the most difficult African animals to hunt. Today, they are considered amongst the crown jewels of Kruger Park and many an adventurer tries to shoot all five on their trip - with a camera this time. You're almost certain to see elephant and buffalo (though don't confuse the wildebeest you see for buffalo). Lions are a bit more difficult as they easily camouflage into the surrounding landscape but you'll probably see them if you have at least 3 days in the park. Look for lions napping in the shade of small trees or bushes. Leopards and black rhinos, however, are elusive. White rhinos love to graze on the short grass, but the black rhino are much more skittish. Black rhinos browse on shrubbery, so they tend to be found not on the plains but in stands of trees and shrubs. They're also smaller and more easily frightened. Leopards and black rhinos can often be found in the same areas. Look for a leopard in every big tree overhanging a river - especially on horizontal branches of marula trees. Binoculars and telephoto lenses are almost essential for leopard viewings are they are usually far away from roads and up in trees.
Looking closer to the ground, you might be interested to look for the Little Five. Made up of the buffalo weaver, the elephant shrew, the leopard tortoise, the ant lion and the rhino beetle, the Little Five are the compliment to the Big Five in animals people tend to forget about. Seemingly unexciting at first, the Little Five open up the sharp-eyed viewer to a whole different world of creatures.
The Big Six are a set of six of the most easily identified and most exciting birds for the birdspotting beginner. Made up of the kori bustard, the martial eagle, the lappet-faced vultur, Pel's fishing owl, the saddle-billed stork and the ground hornbill, the Big Six are a great place to start if you're not very familiar with birds. All six species are quite large (in fact, the male kori bustard is one of the largest existing animals capable of flight) and thus fairly easy to spot, and most are fairly distinctive. Be on the lookout especially for the ground hornbill, and if you see any, let the ground hornbill project know via email or SMS.
The Five Trees are a set of five trees most commonly seen about the park, including some in camps. They make a great start for the beginner botanist, as they're generally fairly unique and well-known. They are the baobab, the fever tree, the knob thorn, the marula and the mopane. Although the baobab is by far the least common, it's definitely the easiest to find, as the locations of two baobabs in the park are well-marked. The others can be harder to find, but signs and guidebooks will tell you which trees are common in what areas.
The ruins of a trading post of famous Portuguese trader João Albasini lie just inside of Phabeni gate. His trading post was once the connection between the Afrikaans-speaking Boers of the South African Republic (a.k.a. the Transvaal Republic) and the Portuguese colony in modern-day Mozambique. The site also has some picnic tables, but without a shop or any way to cook food. Toilet facilities are at the Phabeni gate.
This small library and museum holds a treasure trove of Kruger Park history. A nice breather in the heat of the day, the museum tells of the history of the area and contains anthropological and archaeological artefacts. The library contains the written history of the park.
The Stevenson-Hamilton memorial plaque sits near the top of Shirimantanga hill in the Rhenosterkoppies (rhino hills) section of the park. A small memorial to the man nicknamed Skukuza, who was warden of the Sabi Nature Reserve (which later became Kruger National Park) from 1902-1946, the area is also a good excuse to stretch your legs as it's one of the few locations where you're allowed to leave your car. Be warned, however, that the area is not guarded and leopards are quite active around, so it is crucial to take caution before leaving your car. If you do, however, and walk a short distance from the parking area, you will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the park.
Probably the most famous bird hide in Kruger, the Lake Panic bird hide is on the western end of Lake Panic, a manmade lake on Mafuyana Creek. Common sightings include hippos, crocodiles, terrapins, pied kingfishers, great heron and African fish eagle. It's common to see dozens of species just in a half hour at the hide.
Overlooking the Nthandanyathi ("where the buffalo drink") waterhole is a small wheelchair accessible hide. Sharptooth catfish, terrapin, crocodiles and three-banded plovers are common sightings from this hide. The hide is easily accessible from both Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge, and is relatively accessible with a day trip from the other main camps in the Marula region.
Despite being in one of the most accessible areas of the park, Gardenia hide is still generally relatively quiet. Elephants are especially common in this region of the park, but bushbuck, honeybadger, kudu, giraffe, lion, yellow-billed hornbill, grey go-away birds and Natal spurfowl are also frequent sightings. Water level varies quite drastically, so it's best to check with someone at a gate or at camp about current levels.
The Kruger tablets are a pair of tablets (one in Afrikaans, one in English), embedded into a large boulder, commemorating the proclamation of the Sabie Game Reserve by president Paul Kruger in 1899 and the National Parks Act in 1926. It's one of a small number of spots in the park where you're allowed to leave your vehicle outside of a camp.
Most Southerly Baobab
Nestled in a bend of the N'waswitsontso river near the Kumana waterhole is the southernmost baobab tree in the world. Its trunk is about 5 m in diameter.
Orpen Rocks
The Orpen Boulders are a collection of boulders with a plaque commemorating the donation of seven farms to the Kruger National Park by Mrs. Eileen Orpen. Orpen Gate and Orpen Rest Camp were named after Mrs. Orpen. The plaque was erected in 1944.
Overlooking the Sweni river in the eastern part of the park are both a viewpoint and hide sharing the river's name. The viewpoint offers an excellent view of the river from your vehicle and plenty of shade, while the hide, although busy, tends to offer excellent wildlife and birding opportunities.
This west-facing hide overlooking the Timbavati river just upstreab of the Piet Grobler dam offers good game viewing, especially in the morning. Lions and pied kingfishers are frequent sightings at Ratel Pan.
A small museum about elephants. It has sections about elephant biology and ecology, as well as games for children. The main attraction, however, is the skulls and tusks of the Magnificent Seven, a set of seven large tuskers who lived in the park in the 1970s and 1980s. The warden of the park at the time used the magnificent seven as a display of the success of the park's conservation. The museum was renovated in 2017 and now includes the tusks of Mandleve, the elephant with the largest tusks ever recorded in the Kruger National Park. With the addition of a full elephant skeleton, the Elephant Hall is perhaps unique in the world in what it offers, and is a great way to get out of the midday sun for a while.
Masorini is a restored Iron Age village about 10 km from the Phalaborwa gate. It is probably the most accessible of the remnants of stone and Iron Age life within the park. There is a picnic area and toilets near the bottom of the hill. You need to be accompanied by the guide to tour the village. The huts are reconstructed and show the process the civilisation went through to forge iron. These people were not just forging iron for spears and hunting, they had an entire economy based on selling and trading the iron they forged. Brochures say the guided tours are free, and leave at scheduled time. The reality seems to be that tips are required to the attendant who runs the tours, and if you are interested in taking the tour then the attendant will guide you.
The Thulamela archaeological site is a stone-walled site, built by the descendents of the Mapungubwe, who built the Great Zimbabwe. Thulamela was inhabited by the Makahane people from about 1250-1700 CE. Chinese porcelain and imported textiles and jewellery reveal extensive trade connections.
Located on one of the largest dams in the park, the Sable hide is a fairly large hide with south and west facing views. Although the dam gets a reasonable amount of animal foot traffic, it is definitely best for birding. Common sightings include hippo, crocodile, buffalo, African wild cat and an absolute plethora of bird species. The Sable hide is one of two hides in Kruger which offers visitors the opportunity to spend the night in a hide.
A short drive from Letaba rest camp, the Matambeni hide overlooks the Engelhard dam on the Letaba river. Herons, bee-eaters and storks are a common sight here, along with waterbuck, impala and buffalo.
Makhadzi River & Anna Ledeboer Plaque
This plaque is near where the Makhodzi river flows into the Letaba river. It marks the grave site of Anna Maria Christiana Ledeboer, wife of former ranger L.L. Ledeboer, who died on 19 August 1921. It is one of a small number of graves in the park.
A compacted earth lookout point on top of a hill, with excellent viewing in all directions. Fearly close to the Matambeni hide and worth stopping by if you're in the area.
Just downstream of the Pioneer dam on the Tsendze river, Shipandani is a fairly large east-facing hide with excellent views of the river. Common sightings are saddle-billed stork, klipspringer, giraffe, hippo and lilac-breasted roller. This is one of two hides that also acts as a bookable primitive accommodation.
On the south bank of the enormous pioneer dam, this hide is often rated one of the top hides in Kruger. Great egret, purple rollers, white-breasted comorant and several kinds of kingfishers are common sightings from this hide.
Almost 40 km south of Shingwedzi, the Nyawutsi hide is quite far away from anything, but often worth the drive. Yellow weavers and elephants are common, and leopard are a fairly frequent sighting.
Named after a particularly hardy type of aloe, the Kanniedood hide overlooks a portion of the Shingwedzi river previously on the lake formed by the Kanniedood dam. The Kanniedood dam was breached in flooding in January 2013 and the residual part of the wall was removed in December of 2019. Because of this recent major activity, it's unknown how views at this hide will change over the next few years.
This trail is in the southwestern corner of the park near Berg-en-Dal rest camp. White rhino, buffalo and elephant are plentiful in the area, and the trail features trips to rock paintings made by San (Bushman) people.
Situated in the Rhenorsterkop hills between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza, this trail is in one of the most animal-dense areas of the park. The nearby Mbiyamithi river is one of the best places to see red-billed helmet shrikes and thick-billed cuckoos. White rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and cheetah are common.
Named after the nearby Mathikithi sandstone hill, this wilderness trail near Satara offers wilderness hiking right in the heart of big cat country.
Skukuza Golf Course offers a 9-hole golf course along the banks of Lake Panic and the Mafunyana river. The course is open to the public and to the wild, and is often called "the wildest golf course in the world."
(Treatment menu) AM spa offers a spa facility inside of the Skukuza rest camp with a variety of options. The AM spa an Skukuza is the only spa in any of the SANParks camps. However, some of the private camps also offer spa facilities or similar services in your room. Bookings can be made by phone, email or via their website.
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(Menu) Wimpy is a multinational chain, founded in the US, that has taken root in South Africa.
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(Menu) Mopani camp was the site of the first Tindlovu restaurant, opened in 2012.
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Afsaal is a rest stop along the road between Berg-en-Dal and Skukza. Here you can rent braais or skottels to cook for yourself. You can also buy the raw ingredients at the shop, as well as maps, t-shirts and other mementos. Tindlovu, who run many of the camp restaurants, also runs the restaurant at the Afsaal picnic spot, a lively picnic area along the H3, giving it convenient access from Berg-en-Dal, Pretoriuskop and Skukuza, as well as several smaller or private lodges in the area (such as Biyamiti, which doesn't have its own restaurant). It is also reasonably accessible from Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge.
The Albasini ruins have a basic picnic site with no gas or shop. Toilet facilities are available nearby at Phabeni gate.
Hidden away along the Sabie River, Nkuhlu is easy to miss when driving the busiest road in Kruger. But if you pop in, you'll be welcomed with all the usual affair of a picnic spot, a fairly large shop with some unique Kruger-themed items, and a restaurant. Try the waffles, their speciality.
Overlooking the Mlondozi dam, this picnic site is a great place to see birds and animals, so bring your binoculars. The site has a kiosk to buy drinks and hire gas grills.
Overlooking the Sweni river about 30 km from Satara, Muzandzeni is a good halfway stopping point on a lunchtime drive for someone staying in Satara. Toilets and for-hire skottels are available. Although the area isn't typically good for spotting the big five, it is frequented by zebra, giraffe and many predatory birds. It is a good site to spot bataleurs and Wahlberg's eagles.
As it's quite far from any tar roads, Nhlanguleni is fairly inaccessible unless you happen to be travelling from Skukuza to Orpen, Talamati or one of the private camps in the area. Because of its isolation, though, Nhlanguleni is generally fairly quiet and makes a nice escape from busy areas like Skukuza. The picnic site overlooks a small waterhole and has toilet facilities available and gas grills for hire.
One of the easternmost picnic spots in the park, N'wanetsi overlooks the Sweni river shortly before it joins the N'wanetsi river just a few kilometres from the border with Mozambique. Like Muzandzeni, it makes a nice halfway stop for people on a drive from Satara going east along the S100, one of the best roads in the park for seeing lions. Views of the Lebombo mountains can be had from N'wanetsi. Browsers such as giraffe, elephant and black rhino frequent the area, as do large birds such as ostrich and secretary birds. N'wanetsi has toilet facilities but no shop or cooking equipment.
A third picnic spot as a halfway spot on a drive out from Satara, Timbavati overlooks the Timbavati river. Timbavati provides both toilet facilities and skottels for hire.
(Pronounced "chore-kwah-neh" with a non-rhotic "R".) Perhaps the biggest and most popular picnic site in the park, Tshokwane sits along the N'waswitsonso river midway along the drive from either Skukuza or Lower Sabie to Satara. It was built as a ranger's post set up by park warden James Stevenson-Hamilton in 1928. The picnic area sits under a large sausage tree. In addition to the usual braais and skottels for rent, Tshokwane offers premade snacks at its shop (including a wide variety of biltong, a South African favourite) and a large selection of cooked meals, including burgers, toasted sandwiches and salads. The kitchen is outside on the patio area, and vervet monkeys frequent the site. Be on the lookout as they will try to steal your food and drinks. For the coffee fans, Thsokwane sells an exclusive coffee blend made by the Green Bean Coffee Rosatery.
This basic picnic area offers only toilet facilities (including wheelchair accessible toilets).
Northeast of Letaba, this quiet but historic site overlooking the Makhodzi river is one of the last stops in South Africa before the Giryondo border post taking one into Mozambique. Originally set up as a British fort during the Anglo-Boer war, the spot was a military base until 2003. The site has no facilities but does include information about the history of the area and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
At the Masorini archaeological site is also a small picnic area with a kiosk selling drinks and renting out skottels as well as toilet facilities. It's about a 30-min drive from Phalaborwa or a 90-min drive from Letaba. It is also an access point for the Masorini 4x4 loop.
Located next to the Tsendze camp site a short distance from Mopani, Mooiplaas (literally "pretty farm") overlooks the Tsendze river. In addition to skottels for rent, Mooiplaas offers one the opportunity to buy wood for a braai. Waterbuck and hippo are common in the area.
This spot is a good birding site along the Luvuvhu river. They have braais (including fire wood for sale) and gas skottels available, as well as toilet facilities.
A medium-sized camp on the banks of Matjulu-Dam. Visitors of the camp can rest in the local cafeteria or prepare food in the communal kitchen, buy fuel in the petrol station, have a picnic, use public telephones, enjoy a good dinner in the restaurant and cool down in the swimming pool. The camp offers accommodation ranging from tent sites with power points to caravan sites, three bed bungalows and bigger facilities such as 6 and 8 bed houses. Activities from this camp include the Bushman and Wolhuter Wilderness Trails (see also Do section), morning drive, night drive and the Rhino trail camp walk.
The third smallest of the main camps in KNP and located close to Crocodile River, Crocodile Bridge is in the southernmost part of KNP and is a camp as well as an entry gate. The proximity to the SA civilisation one stone throw apart from the camp means that there is no wilderness romantic, but it serves you well if you are a late comer and the KNP gates are about to close. Facilities include a small shop and laundry service. There is a great amount of game around this camp / gate, consider yourself very unlucky if you do not spot any lion in this area. Lions are also known to be "hanging" out in trees in this area, the only place in KNP where this can be seen.
One of the more beautiful camps, Letaba is in the central section of KNP next to the Letaba River in the middle of elephant country. Accommodation ranges from tents to huts catering 2-4 persons per accommodation. The camp is known for its elephant sightings and has a permanent exhibition about the elephant life cycle. Camp facilities include: cafeteria, fence perimeter, guided game drives, laundry, restaurant and a swimming pool.
The most luxurious camp, renovated after it was destroyed by fire a few years back. Lower Sabie is in the south east of KNP on the banks of the Sabie River, and offers superb game viewing. Therefore it is one of the most wanted camps by the locals. You can often spot white rhino, lion, cheetah, elephant and buffalo around the camp, because these animals come down to the river daily to drink. Accommodation is superb in Lower Sabie, there are campsites available with ample shade, as well as some of the best safari tents in Kruger as well as equipped huts and chalets.
A very comfortable rest camp in the KNP. Mopani has been built next to a dam that attracts a lot of wildlife into the monotone northern mopani-dominated shrub veld vegetation. Wildlife spotting from the camp is superb and you would have to drive for hours to see more game from your car than in this camp. Enjoy a splash in the swimming pool after a game drive and be prepared for dinner in the local restaurant which is far better than in other camps as it offers dinner à la carte. Accommodation in this camp offers fully equipped kitchens and accommodates up to 6 persons in a chalet.
Probably the best known camp among South African tourists. Olifants is in the centre of the KNP on top of a hill overlooking the Olifants River. You can see Africa unfold from your terrace as Olifants Camp has the best settings from all camps. You can see kudu, elephant, lion and giraffe from your room when they come to the Olifants River to bath and drink. A must visit for astronomy enthusiasts, with amazing star gazing, this is the only Kruger camp that offers drives at night focusing on stars instead of game viewing.
The smallest of the main camps in the park, situated at Orpen Gate. Orpen offers basic accommodation for 2-3 persons in a hut without bathroom. Consider to stay there if it is too late to reach another camp before darkness.
A large and luxurious rest camp close to the Numbi Gate located in the southwest of KNP. The landscape consists of rocky mountain and steep ridges supporting klipspringer, reedbuck, rhino, giraffe and wild dog in the surrounding shrubs. Accommodations are traditionally thatched rondawels for up to three visitors without bathroom. Other camp facilities include a swimming pool, laundry, shop, filling station, restaurant and cafeteria.
The northernmost of the main camps, also the second smallest of KNP. Punda Maria camp sits on top of a hill and whitewashed thatches are arranged in terraces. The camp offers a rich flora and famous for its huge variety in birds. The camp facilities include a restaurant.
A big camp that is in the centre of the park, surrounded by hot plains that offer good grazing opportunities and attract a lot of game and predators. It is the second biggest camp in the KNP and offers various accommodation, restaurant, cafeteria and laundry facilities. This also big cat country, so expect busy roads and crowded sightings during South African holidays.
A nice quiet camp in the far north of the park. Shingwedzi lies in the middle of the mopani shrub veld and benefits from the proximity of the Shingwedzi River and the Kanniedood Dam which attract most of the game in this area. The camp facilities include accommodation, park shop, restaurant, swimming pool, cafeteria and laundry. Nyala country!
It's in the southwest of the KNP and serves as the Headquarters of KNP. Skukuza is 20 minutes from the Kruger Gate and is the biggest camp inside the KNP. It has more than 140 huts/chalets and some 100 camping sites available. It offers a gas station (pump), library, post office, car rental, grocery store, a-la-carte restaurant, youth hostel, 9-hole golf course (the hottest one in the world) and swimming pool. Skukuza is situated directly on the Sabie River and animals often come here to drink.
On the south bank of the Olifants river, Balule is a rustic bush camp with little luxury, but a lot of bush romantic. It is in the centre of the KNP where you have to check in and then drive 11 km to get to Balule camp. The camp is on the banks of the Olifants River, and it suits you best when you are prepared for self-catering and if a you are happy to share a communal kitchen and bathroom.
A satellite camp of Berg-en-Dal near the Malelane entrance gate on the very southern border of the park. A very nice camp with basic chalets and camp sites, but the view of sugar plantations opposite the river is a bit of a spoiler.
A satellite of Orpen, the camp is on the banks of the Timbavati River. Along with Tsendze, Maroela solely caters for caravans, camper-vans and tents.
A satellite of Orpen, Tamboti is a tented camp situated on the banks of the seasonal Timbavati River where you can see the beasts from your tent coming to the river. Facilities include tented accommodation, communal ablution and communal kitchen without cooking utensils. Some units are accessible for wheelchairs.
Tsendze is a satellite camp to Mopani. Rustic layout offering very basic camp sites in a natural environment. There are no shops nor electricity, and visitors are requested to check in at Mopani. Hot water in the bathrooms are provided by gas geysers with open-roofed showers to gaze at the night sky. No electricity available, also no generators allowed, to keep to the tranquillity of the bush.
The smallest (and oldest) of the Bushveld camps, situated over the banks of the Mashokwe river. A fairly large section of road near the camp, including multiple dam viewpoints, is only available to those staying in the seven cabins at Bataleur. Each unit has electricity, TVs and either ceiling fans or air conditioning in the bedrooms. The nearest main camps are Shingwedzi and Mopane.
In the southern area of the park along a tributary to the Crocodile river, this camp has a mixture of 1- and 2-bedroom cottages. It has a mini shop and offers game drives and walks, and has its own bird hide in the camp. The closest main camps are Crocodile Bridge and Berg-en-Dal.
The name Shimuwini means "Place of the Baobab", and it is situated along the banks of the Letaba River which is lined with these trees. In addition to each unit having its own braai facilities, there is a communal boma in the west of the camp. A bird hide overlooks the river in the southeast corner of camp. There is no electricity in the units, but there are limited electrical outlets at reception for charging small items like phones or toothbrushes. Firewood and ice can be bought at reception. This camp is the closest camp to Phalaborwa gate. The closest main camps are Mopani and Letaba.
Named after the nearby elephant graveyard ('sirheni' is Tsonga for 'graveyard'), this camp in the northern areas of the park is situated along the Mphongolo river near the Sirheni dam. The closest main camps are Shingwedzi and Punda Maria.
Located near the western border of the park near Manyeleti Game Reserve in the southern part of the central region, Talamati offers access to a bird hide within the camp. All units have electricity including fridges in most rooms. There is also a communal boma. The closest main camps are Orpen Gate and Satara, although it is south of both of these and can also be reached fairly conveniently from Skukuza.
Overlooking the picturesque Sable Dam a short distance from Phalaborwa gate, the Sable sleepover hide is the most basic of the sleepover hides. Sleeping units are locked to the inside wall by day and mattresses are available in a locked cupboard. Bedding is available at reception with a deposit, and an environmental toilet is provided. No cooking utensils are provided and you must bring your own wood for a fire.
Overlooking the Shipandani dam on the Tsendze river just 3 km south of Mopani rest camp, the Shipandani sleepover hide sleeps up to 6. Bedding and cutlery are available with a deposit at Mopani reception along with two chargeable lamps that operate for about 5 hours. You must bring your own fuel for the braai in the hide area. The braai is fairly basic, which is disappointing compared to the very nice braai area at Sable.
Sitting atop some enormous boulders that give the lodge its name, this lodge overlooks a private waterhole in the mopane veld. The main unit has 2 bedrooms. Four separate bungalows each have a bedroom and bathroom. The living area has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bar, lounge viewing deck with a braai. The kitchen has a gas stove with an oven, fridge, freezer, cutlery and crockery. The lodge has solar panels, but only for lighting and fans.
Right in the heart of one of the best birding spots in the park, Pafuri offers three different houses as accommodation (4 sleeper, 6 sleeper and 8 sleeper).
This secluded lodge along the banks of the Timbavati river offers seclusion from the outside world. Made up of 4 cottages holding a total of up to 19 guests, Roodewal has private kitchens and closed verandas for each unit. The camp has a solar power system, but there is no air conditioning.
A private luxury lodge near Skukuza airport, run by Lion Sands game reserve
Sweni and Lebombo Lodges
Tremisana Game Lodge, Katekani Luxury Tented Lodges and Marc's Treehouse Lodge
Part of Shishangeni, but located separately.
Part of Shishangeni, but located separately.
Luxury accommodation, from the apartments you have a nice view over the Crocodile River bordering the KNP.
Luxury accommodation next to the Malelane gate into the KNP. It is well situated next to the Crocodile River and close to the most attractive game viewing opportunities in the KNP. Its facilities include 9-hole golf course, tennis, swimming pool, restaurant, car park and bar. It has a high viewing deck onto the Crocodile river, from which one can often see hippos, elephant, crocodiles, antelope and other wildlife.
Elegant lodge in front of the Kruger gate on the banks of the Sabie river. It offers good access to the most attractive part of the KNP; apartments are designed as tree huts and are connected by raised wood walkways. Facilities of the lodge include play area for kids, swimming pool in scenic area, spacious car park, electric security fence, several bars, pool service an enormous park like garden with some kind of wildlife such as green monkeys, springbok, bush babies and occasional visitors such as a rhino and cheetah have been spotted. Dinnertime is announced with a traditional African drum. A fabulous display of South African food is then waiting for you. You have the choice between a big salad buffet supplemented by barbecued meat. The service is generally very good and staff is very friendly and charming, nevertheless sometime slow by hectic European/American standards and order can be delivered by piecemeal, first the scones, 15 minutes later the coffee, 20 minutes later the bill, 20 minutes later collecting the money for the bill, 30 minutes later bringing the change.
Nestled on the Crocodile River and only a few minutes from either Malelane and Crocodile Bridge Gate. The lodge has its own population of giraffe, zebra, lion and other animals. Transfers from the surrounding airports and game drives can be arranged. They four-star lodge offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. All rooms are equipped with satellite TV and MNet and coffee/tea facilities.
Located in Marloth Park Conservancy Area, which borders Kruger National Park to the South, this wildlife lodge offers luxury four-star self-catering accommodation for up to ten guests. Marloth Park is home to a wide variety of African wildlife, including a range of bird species and many different small animals, ranging from Zebra and Warthog, to Giraffe and Kudu. Animals roam free within the park, and come right up to the lodge's veranda. The Krokodilbrug Kruger National Park gate is less than half an hour's drive from Marloth Park.
This lodge sits in the 40,000 hectares Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park. A bush lover's paradise within this 'Big Five' Conservation area, the lodge is surrounded by Fever trees and evergreen African date palms creating the perfect oasis. The lodge overlooks the water hole, is safe and fenced-in, providing protection against unwanted animal intruders. Masodini is provides guests exclusive use of the camp and facilities for up to 12 guests. Game walks, game drives in open 4x4 game drive vehicles, and birding opportunities in and around Masodini with friendly and experienced Nature Guides. There are many places to visit using Masodini as a base, such as the Kruger National Park, Khamai Reptile Park, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, the Cheetah Project, the Panorama Route, and local villages.
Idube is a quiet treat nestled in the savanna and is arguably one of the best places in Africa to see the big five up close in the wild. Idube is a 20-bed boutique hotel offering luxury accommodation, tasty African cuisine and the best of South African hospitality.
Mala Mala is famous for easily spotting the Big Five and has been operated for nearly 40 years. It is often the relaxing place for celebs and industry tycoons who can afford the hefty price tag that comes with superb service. Mala Mala is split into three different sites, all of which are booked through the above contact details.
Sabi Sabi is among the most famous and pricey game lodges around the KNP. Together with Mala Mala they pioneered private game reserves and this is partly because of their much favoured location near the Sand River as a source of permanent water. Game viewing is absolutely superb and you stand good chances of seeing many highlights. Bookings for the different lodges should be made through the above contact details.
Luxury tented guestrooms and thatched chalets equipped with private game viewing deck, coffee and tea area and toiletries. Some of its facilities and services are splash pool, lounge and viewing deck.
Constantly wins awards for best hotel and safari.
By car
Kruger National Park has nine gates within South Africa and two international border crossings: one at Pafuri in the very north of the park and one at Giryondo in the north-central section of the…
Gates
It is not allowed to enter, walk or drive in the park unaccompanied at night, and entry gate and camp gate opening and closing times are strictly enforced.
By plane
There are three airports with commercial scheduled flights near Kruger National Park. From south to north, they are Kruger Mpumalanga at Mbombela, Hoedspruit Airport, and Phalaborwa Airport.
From Mozambique
While most visitors to Kruger come from South Africa, given the park's substantial border with Mozambique there are several entry points convenient for tourists coming via Mozambique.
By foot
It is possible to go on guided walking tours, which you can arrange through the camp reception, or in advance with SANParks.
Park and Ride
Kruger Park offers day visitors an option to do a park and ride tour at Numbi, Phabeni, or Paul Kruger gates.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Phalaborwa · Regional · PHW
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Articles and travel topics about Kruger National Park and South Africa.
Travel tipsFollow the Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Plan match cities, stadium access, cross-border visas, and fan travel budgets.
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InspirationThe best places to visit in December across sun, snow and culture, comparing Lapland, Chiang Mai, Vienna, Costa Rica and Cape Town.
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ItinerariesLearn how to plan a trip around major sports events in 2027, covering ticket deadlines, rooms, flights, and costs for the world's biggest tournaments.
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Nature & adventureThere is a large number of hiking trails in South Africa with levels of difficulty, accessibility and luxury to suit any taste. To ensure that you have a safe, healthy and enjoyable hike, also see Wilderness backpacking.
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