Kruger National Park South Africa: My safari tips & accommodation for every budget
- Wibke Helfrich
- Oct 30
- 6 min read
From budget camps to luxury lodges – with my tips you will find the perfect safari & accommodation in the Kruger National Park in South Africa
South Africa's Kruger National Park is one of the most famous and biodiverse national parks in the world and a dream destination for safari lovers . Spanning an area of almost 20,000 square kilometers, it is home to a fascinating wilderness full of contrasts. Dense bush landscapes, arid plains, rivers, and rolling hills provide a habitat for over 140 mammal species , more than 500 bird species , and countless reptiles, amphibians , and insects .
The park is particularly famous for the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
And of course, that’s exactly what we’re on the trail of.
Safari experiences and accommodation for every budget
Whether luxurious, down-to-earth, or deep in the bush – Kruger National Park can be explored in a variety of ways. Private lodges offer first-class comfort, excellent service, and often exclusive safari experiences. Those preferring a simpler experience will find a warm atmosphere, dedicated rangers, and exciting game drives at reasonable prices in the park's official accommodations . Whether self-drive on well-maintained roads or on guided safaris, South Africa's oldest national park offers spectacular nature experiences. And those seeking the ultimate adventure can spend the night in a remote observation hide – separated from the African bush only by thin walls.
Three ways to discover the wilderness – and we've tried them all.
Here are my tips on how to find the right safari and accommodation for you in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Click on the first image to see the accommodations in large:
Beyond Africa feeling in a private lodge
For the first two nights, we treated ourselves to the luxury of a private lodge. These privately run accommodations offer a complete package including meals, overnight stays, and game drives. The Simbavati River Lodge we booked is located in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, which borders the world-famous Kruger National Park—and thus feels like the end of the world. For the last 40 minutes, we rumble along a washed-out gravel road. But as soon as we arrive, the adventurous journey is forgotten:
The open reception hall made of wood and straw looks like a film set from “Out of Africa”.
We're not allowed to go to the tent alone, as it's located in an unfenced area. "You're in the wild here," the friendly security guard who accompanies us reminds us. "It sometimes happens that rhinos and elephants wander around here." The uneasy feeling is immediately forgotten when we open the door. The inside of our tent is more like a five-star hotel. We even have our own small pool.
Our table is already set on the restaurant's beautiful wooden terrace, overlooking the waterhole. While we're eating, first a bull elephant, followed by an entire family, arrives at the waterhole.
What a spectacle! Breakfast with a family of elephants.
When we get to our tent, the family is more or less standing in front of our pool. Without thinking about the possible dangers, I jump in—I can't miss this: swimming with elephants.
The big advantage of a private lodge isn't just that you're woken up at 5 a.m.—although getting up early for wildlife sightings is always worthwhile. The big advantage is the walkie-talkies that connect the guides. This means you have many more (experienced) eyes scanning the bush for wildlife. When we set off for our morning drive at 5:30 a.m., there's a crackling noise as soon as we leave the lodge. Less than five minutes later, we're parked next to a tree where a leopard has just dragged a large impala.
We are so close that I can see the grain of his fur with the naked eye.
Safari and lodges at SANParks
Thabo Cossa, our guide from the state-run SANParks at the Olifants Rest Camp , also has a lot of humor . The website offered us a huge variety of activities, from wildlife viewing under the stars to guided bush walks and bush braais and breakfasts. Here, too, we signed up for a morning drive. This starts extremely early. So early that the gates are still closed for normal vehicles. Apparently, too early for some tourists too. Two of them only show up as we roll out of the parking lot. Out of breath and excited, they ask if that is the jeep for the morning game drive. Thabo leans out of the window and says, "No, that's not yours. Yours left ten minutes ago." They look at him in disappointment. Then he grins and lets them get in. Despite the delay, we reach the bridge over the Olifants River, one of the longest rivers in the park, in time for sunrise . Slowly, the orange fireball appears over the horizon, transforming the blue night into a golden day. No matter which direction we look along the river, we see elephants, impalas, kudus, zebras and countless birds flitting through the air.
Who needs the “Big Five” when you can admire this landscape?
In the evening, we sit on the terrace of our bungalow at Olifants Rest Camp and enjoy the magnificent view of the river. The furnishings are rather rustic, but the price is only a fraction of that of a private lodge. The beauty of Kruger National Park is that it offers the right experience for every safari type and every budget.
A night in an observation hide
A truly special experience is spending the night in one of the two hides (simply furnished observation posts). Naturally, we wanted to try this adventure as well, so we booked a night at the Sable Sleepover Hide. While birdwatchers lie in wait behind wooden fences during the day to watch birds, we have the great privilege of having this wooden hut exclusively for ourselves for one night. The exclusivity doesn't refer to the amenities (or the price): There are pit toilets, but no shower. There's no kitchen or dishes, but instead a completely different luxury: a fireplace and large panoramic windows with a view of the lake and, especially at night, an indescribable starry sky. But the biggest bonus for us is being alone in the middle of the Kruger Park outside of opening hours.
INFOBOX
Accommodation and activities
On the website of South African National Parks , or Sanparks for short, you can find all the information you need about accommodation and activities in the park, most of which can also be booked online.
There are two hides in the Kruger, which can only be booked by email or telephone ( Reservations@sanparks.org , Tel: +27 (0)13 735 3547).
The luxurious Simbavati River Lodge is located in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve, bordering the world-famous Kruger National Park. A highlight is the restaurant on a large wooden deck overlooking a waterhole where elephants like to splash. There are luxurious tented suites with private plunge pools, a safari spa, and a swimming pool.
Entrance to Kruger National Park:
For visitors staying in South Africa for a longer period of time, the SANParks Wildcard entry ticket is worthwhile , as it is valid for one year in all national parks and reserves:
The daily entrance fee to Kruger National Park for international visitors is 553 Rand.
Health:
Depending on the season, the Kruger National Park is a malaria area .
Best time:
The chances of seeing animals are good year-round , but especially during the drier months from May to October, many of them appear at the watering holes. Those who prefer to experience the green, vibrant Africa should travel during the rainy season from November to March. This is when the park blooms, young animals are born, and many bird species return.
Safety in Kruger National Park:
Kruger National Park is generally considered a safe destination with good infrastructure. The well-signposted roads are perfect for self-drivers. However, please drive cautiously and obey the speed limit (max. 50 km/h on asphalt). Arrive at camp well before the gate closes. Do not get out of the car except at designated rest areas, viewpoints, or in the camps.
Comments