KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
OUR FAVOURITE LODGES
The Kruger National Park is one of the greatest wildlife destinations in the world. Home to everything special and unique about African wildlife and the African bush, it truly is a bucket-list travel destination.
Because of its popularity, Kruger is home to several luxury game lodges. Beautiful decor aside, these lodges all ultimately focus on offering the most authentic and incredible safari experiences. Here are our top 10 favourite lodges to stay in the Kruger National Park.
1. Lion Sands – River Lodge
Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is situated in the southern portion of Kruger’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve where there is an abundance of wildlife and spectacular safari experiences. Lion Sands has won international awards for their luxury accommodation, each designed to create beautiful spaces that offer the perfect window to the natural theatre of the African bush.
River Lodge is the original Lion Sands lodge and a favourite. The lodge is nestled on the Sabie River edge among 800 year old trees. The décor is a contemporary, modern and minimalist African design. Clean, open spaces and a neutral colour schemes perfectly complement and enhance the beauty of the surrounding bush. It is designed with the aim of creating an intimate and luxurious safari experience.
The favourite lodge in Kruger offers a choice of Luxury Rooms, Superior Luxury Rooms and River Suites. Wooden walkways lead to a spa, gym, pool and main lodge. There are a variety of spots to both socialise or relax including the bar, restaurant, gallery, or fire pit.
What makes it special:
- A safari programme for children
- Kosher cuisine for Jewish guests
- Wine pairings with each meal
- The MORE Gallery – a safari boutique and art exhibition
- Creative Lab – a studio for turning photos into personal artworks
- The opportunity to stay in the luxurious Kingston Treehouse
2. Lion Sands – Narina Lodge
Perched amongst a canopy of trees overlooking the Sabie River is Lion Sand’s Narina Lodge. The focus is on an intimate safari experience. This preferred lodge in Kruger has only 9 private suites creating an exceptionally private atmosphere. Each has its own private deck and plunge pool which brings a luxurious connection of the outdoor wilderness to the suite. This connection is further enhanced by the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors and windows. The décor is modern with a warm, organic and welcoming feel. It is wonderfully peaceful.
What makes it special:
- Spa therapies aimed at relaxation and enhancing the sense of escape.
- Carefully curated menus for a personalised dining experience.
- The MORE gallery – a safari boutique and art exhibition.
- Dinners are served al fresco, beneath the African stars.
3. Lion Sands – Kingston Treehouse
Make your way through rows of magnificent white boulders and across a small drawbridge, and you will find Africa opening up in front if you with this favourite lodge in Kruger. Set amid the pure and untouched wild, you will be surrounded by African bush and uninhibited wildlife at its best. The Kingston Treehouse is constructed entirely from wood and glass, with contemporary décor in understated hues of greys, white, black and purple. No matter what the weather has in store, it is a safe, luxurious setting with a unique window to enjoy the ever-changing views.
What makes it special:
- Views over the treetops.
- A completely exclusive and intimate experience.
- Picnic dinner and breakfast.
- Not weather dependent.
4. Arathusa Safari Lodge
Arathusa Safari Lodge is a jewel within the heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve. The camp is an intimate one, completely open-plan and designed to harmoniously blend with the adjacent waterhole and African bush. Arathusa is renowned for its frequent leopard sightings. The lodge also offers walking safaris – offering a unique and immersive safari experience. It offers an exclusive feel with only 13 suites. Each has its own private outdoor shower and deck. The décor is modern, neutral and easy-going with contemporary twists of African design.
What makes it special:
- An infinity pool overlooking a waterhole.
- Al fresco dining.
- A safari spa offering a range of relaxing and natural spa treatments.
- A carefully curated menu that can be personalised to cater for any dietary requirement.
5. Motswari Private Game Reserve
Motswari Private Game Reserve is situated in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier nature conservation. The lodge is committed to the environment, and has achieved Gold Class status on the Heritage Environmental Certification Programme. Catering only to 30 guests, it is a private and intimate experience of Kruger. The décor is striking and modern, yet undeniably inspired by Africa and the lodge’s eco-focus. An infinity pool, two bars, a library and art gallery offer guests the opportunity to both socialise or relax.
What makes it special:
- A mobile spa offering a range of luxury spa treatments.
- Guided safari walks and safari interest talks.
- Meals can be taken out on the trail, on the deck overlooking the waterhole, in the bush or inside the open-air boma.
- A luxury treehouse for an exclusive under-the-stars experience.
6. Londolozi Tree Camp
The root of the word Londolozi means “protector of all living things” – an ambitious conservation ethic that Londolozi embraces in its approach to safari accommodation and experiences. World renowned as one of Africa’s finest game lodges, Londolozi’s Tree Camp was designed to redefine the experience of the African wilderness. The camp is simple and elegant with an exclusive and luxurious feel. With only 6 suites, it is a sanctuary offering the perfect escape. The monochromatic colour scheme, abundance of indoor plants, and the use of natural materials creates a décor scheme that is the epitome of contemporary African design.
What makes it special:
- Private swimming pools.
- Contemplation decks (salas).
- A Healing House – offering wellness retreats.
- Photographic safaris.
- A carefully curated menu of sustainable and ethically-sourced ingredients.
7. Inyati Game Lodge
Inyati Game Reserve is ideally situated on the banks of the Sand River. This preferred lodge in Kruger offers an intimate and unique safari experience – combining diverse wildlife with authentic African hospitality. It is renowned for its family ambience. The lodges accommodates a maximum of 25 guests, adding to the feeling of exclusivity. The warm, neutral colour scheme adds to the family ambience; whilst the use of contemporary African design is a reminder of the luxurious safari experience.
What makes it special:
- The opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the reserve’s rhino population.
- Al fresco dining under the stars.
- Guided safari walks.
- A Young Rangers Programme – a sensory safari experience of children.
- Best value proposition in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
- A swimming pool, river deck and gym.
8. Simbavati River Lodge
Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate, family-friendly camp situated on the banks of the Nhlararumi River in the heart of Kruger’s Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The preferred lodge’s focus is on excellent Big Five game viewing and creating a welcoming, relaxed and luxurious environment. Accommodation consists of 6 luxury safari tents and 2 tented pool suites, all following the contemporary, warm design. The tented accommodation, neutral colour scheme, natural furnishings and use of modern African design creates a natural expansion of the indoor to the outdoor and makes for an immersive safari experience.
What makes it special:
- A library and games room.
- A swimming pool.
- A spa offering a range of relaxing spa treatments.
- Al fresco dining.
- A careful curated menu of African and Western fusion cuisine.
9. Singita Sweni Lodge
Nestled amongst hundreds of trees on the banks of Sweni River lies Singita Sweni Lodge. The lodge is perfectly located for up-close sightings of wildlife and birds frequenting the river. With only 7 suites, it is an incredibly exclusive and intimate experience of the Kruger bush. The lodge with its striking, contemporary African design and floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors, creates an interesting and modern take on the safari experience. It is a hidden gem that offers the perfect chance to relax, reconnect and immerse yourself in the African bush.
What makes it special:
- Guided safari walks through the bush.
- A spa offering range of holistic and mindful wellness treatments.
- A demonstration studio offering cooking classes from an expertly trained chef.
- Wildlife photography camera kits and post-production editing of photos from guides.
10. Royal Malewane
Royal Malewane is a luxury safari lodge in the Greater Kruger National Park. It prides itself on its exceptional safari experience – their guiding team is the most qualified guiding team in Africa. The lodge strikes the perfect balance between the romance of the golden days of safari and the comfort and luxury of the modern safari. There are two accommodation options at Royal Malewane: Main Lodge which follows a more classic and elegant design; and The Farmstead which is more intimate and contemporary. Main Lodge offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in an elegant and opulent safari experience. The Farmstead offers the opposite – a strikingly modern take on luxury safari accommodation. Both are the idyllic getaways into the Kruger bush.
What makes it special:
- The award-winning Waters of Royal Malewane Bush Spa.
- Contemporary safari cuisine and a personalised menu.
- A Kosher kitchen for Jewish guests.
- Pools, bars and relaxation decks.
Bonus Lodge…
11. Makanyi Private Game Lodge
Makanyi Private Game Lodge is situated in the southern sector of the Timbavati. Known as the “The Place Where Something Sacred Came Down to Earth”, the Timbavati is home to exceptional game viewing – Big Five, wild dogs and the renowned white lions. Makanyi believes in combining tourism with conservation. Their purpose is to ensure a spectacular stay and inspire a sense of wonder as well putting their time and resources back into the conservation of the land and wildlife. This passion for nature and the surrounding areas is evident in the décor of both the 7 luxury suites and the two-bed Marula suite. Natural textiles and a neutral colour scheme give the impression of minimal impact and create a sense of connection with the exterior.
What makes it special:
- The first electric safari vehicle in the Timbavati.
- The option of a private Photographic Safari.
- A menu of locally-sourced, healthy South African cuisine with a nod to international flavours.
- Pools, bars and relaxation decks.
- The option of exclusive hire of the lodge.
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