Kruger luxury lodging

candid safari tips

 

Luxury
lodges & camps

Where are they located?

Virtually all the finest lodges and camps are not in Kruger National Park proper, but in private reserves that hug the park's central-western border.

What's the best private reserve?

Sabi Sand Game Reserve is the clear answer. Besides offering the highest concentration of major game in the Greater Kruger area, it has nearly 90% of the luxury lodges and camps.

Sabi Sand is divided geographically into over two dozen game areas. Most have exclusive traversing rights (only the operator's vehicles are allowed).

The top 4 Sabi Sand
multi-lodge venues

Listings are alphabetical.

Londolozi

Londolozi is run by the Varty family, a name long synonymous with luxury Kruger safaris. It has four camps:  Bateleur, Founders, Pioneer, and Varty.

Mala Mala

It covers the largest expanse of the various Sabi Sand sections and has a fine reputation. The Main Camp, Sable Camp, and Rattrays are its three accommodation venues.

Singita

Its Boulders Lodge rests on a high, rocky site with sweeping views while its Ebony Lodge kisses the river. The decor in both is stylish, a Singita signature.

Ulusaba

Owned by Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson. Ulusaba has two venues: Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge. Each must be booked on an exclusive-use basis by, for instance, a family or small group.

The best
single-lodge venue

Kirkman's Kamp

Unlike the four venues above, Kirkman's Kamp has a homespun (though sophisticated) ambiance with a South African Colonial flavor. It's low-keyed luxury that many safari-goers relish.

More worthy
Sabi Sand private reserves

They include Exeter, Leopard Hills, and Sabi Sabi.

Beyond Sabi Sand

Timbavati

The best of other private game reserves in Greater Kruger is Timbavati, which lies north of Sabi Sand. Ngala is Timbavati's best luxury game reserve and its Ngala Tented Camp is special.

Inside Kruger
Park proper

Most accommodations fall within the basic-campsite to comfortable-lodge range. Exceptions are rare. The luxury Lebombo and Sweni Lodges are two of them.

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