Matt Davison
The Kruger National Park is well known for its vast total area, open plains, and impressive wildlife. Staying at 5-star lodges, Kruger National Park is the best way to experience everything the reserve offers. Kruger Park luxury lodges and wildlife attract close to a million visitors annually.
The park offers guests more than just the Big 5. Kruger also boasts twenty-one species of antelope and an impressive collection of indigenous flora like the fiery Aloe Africana, all in their natural glory.
Staying in the park will give you the best opportunities to spot Kruger’s wildlife. If you’re looking for a 5-star lodge, Kruger National Park has plenty to offer.
Where is Kruger National Park?
Kruger is the most popular and biggest wildlife park in South Africa. It spans across the Northeast of Mpumalanga and stretches into Limpopo, as well as into neighboring countries. The Kruger National Park is also home to some small communities aside from the numerous luxury lodges.
With about 2 million hectares of land, you’ll soon find that establishing your Kruger National Park itinerary is tricky simply because there is so much to see.
Kruger Park is one giant stretch of land that is broken up into a variety of game reserves; namely:
- Sabi Sands Game Reserve
- Mala Mala Game Reserve
- Manyeleti Game Reserve and,
- Timbavati Game Reserve, just to name a few.
Once you’ve figured out the best Kruger safari prices, you can start deciding where to stay. Luckily, we understand how stressful planning can be. With our carefully selected list of 5-star lodges in Kruger National Park, you are sure to have an unforgettable Kruger National Park luxury safari vacation.
Where are the Best Lodges in Kruger National Park?
Choosing the perfect Kruger National Park 5-star accommodation can be tricky with so many fantastic options on offer. Here’s an insider’s tip, you can experience the best of the reserve no matter where you stay in Kruger National Park.
Take solace in knowing that at 5-star Kruger Park lodges, luxury is always guaranteed. Most Kruger National Park luxury lodges lie between Sabi Sands Game Reserve and Klaserie Private Nature reserve. But don’t worry; you’ve got this handy guide to help you.
5-Star Kruger National Park Lodges
If you’re planning a luxurious stay in Kruger Park, below are some of the best safari accommodation options. And if you’re short on time, here are a few top picks to consider:
- Royal Malewane — check availability
- Thornybush Game Lodge — check availability
- Shumbalala Game Lodge — check availability
- Tintswalo Safari Lodge — check availability
- Klaserie Drift — check availability
- Simbavati River Lodge — check availability
Royal Malewane
Image from Booking.com
Situated on the western border of the Greater Kruger National Park, Royal Malewane offers ultimate exclusivity with a mixture of romance and beauty, neatly entangled with the wild. You can choose between a classic suite or a private villa to call home for the duration of your stay.
Timeless is by far the most appropriate way to describe this Royal Malewane accommodation. Be spoiled by their private services in the royal suites, or simply enjoy the exclusivity of a private pool out on the deck.
Includes
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Spa
- Dining
- Swimming pool
Prices
The Main Lodge offers three suites:
- Africa House – sleeps 12; from around $16 000 per night.
- Royal Suite – sleeps 4; from around $10 000 per night.
- Luxury Suite – sleeps 2; from around $2 000 per person sharing.
The Farmstead:
- Luxury Farm Suite – sleeps 2; from around $2 000 per person sharing.
- Farmhouse – sleeps 6; from around $14 000 per night.
Thornybush Game Lodge
Image from Booking.com
Visit the first game lodge to have opened in the Thornybush Nature Reserve. Here you can expect to find luxury safaris, Kruger national park expert guides with years of experience, and unforgettable wildlife sightings.
But what about the stay itself? This 5-star Kruger National Park accommodation overlooks a watering hole to ensure guests have the best chance of spotting indigenous wildlife. They have also brought that sense of openness into the suites themselves so you can wake up to the sounds of nature as a morning wake-up call.
Includes
- Library
- Bush dining
- Community Interaction program
- Game drives
- Babysitting service
- Spa
Prices
- All-inclusive luxury suites – from around $700 per person sharing.
- Family suites – from around $800 per person per night sharing.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Image from Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge on Facebook
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve offers excellence upon excellence at the Earth Lodge. A vision of nature and architecture combined. The lodge is situated on the slopes of the Sabi reserve and is beautifully chiseled into the landscape.
Earth Lodge describes itself as a sanctuary that is also environmentally sensitive, which offers you an experience of nature and luxury in perfect balance.
Includes
- Boma fire pit for sundowners
- A watering hole right at your doorstep.
- Dining experience
- Gym
- Spa
Prices
For information on pricing and availability, contact Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge.
Shumbalala Game Lodge
Image from Booking.com
Located in the Thornybush Game Reserve, Shumbalala offers superior suites, which are the epitome of exclusivity. With a secluded outside shower, private service, and private plunge pool. Peace, serenity, and oneness with nature are just some of the very enticing reasons to visit this lodge, and it is also one of the most breathtaking Kruger safari lodges.
Includes
- Blyde Canyon Boat Cruise (near the lodge)
- Trips to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center for sick or poisoned animals (near the lodge)
- Game viewing (within the reserve)
Prices
- Superior Suite – from around $2 606 for two nights
- Presidential Suite – from around $3 394 for two nights
Tintswalo – Kruger Safari Lodge
Image from Booking.com
Located in the Manyeleti Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Tinstwalo lodge offers a variety of all-inclusive packages which cater to your every need out in the bush.
They’ve named and designed all of their suites according to inspiration taken from explorers and discoverers, so there’s also some history in the heart of the wild.
Includes
- Boma
- Private plunge pool
- Personalized children’s program
- Private chef and butler (presidential suite)
- Private tracker and guide
Prices
- Baines Presidential Suite – sleeps 4; from around $4 000.
- Grant Suite – sleeps 4; from around $3 000.
- Manor House – sleeps 10; from around $4 000.
More Luxury Lodges in Kruger National Park
So far, we’ve listed some of the most lavish private lodges in Kruger Park. Although, there are 5-star camps, self-catering lodges, and some hotels in Kruger National Park. If you love comfort but would like to find more affordable luxury accommodation, Kruger National Park offers some plush alternatives.
Here is a list of some magnificent game lodges near Kruger National Park (and within the park) that are just short of a 5-star category rating by the Tourism Council. These Kruger Park lodges still offer a 5-star experience based on travelers’ reviews.
Mala Mala Rattray’s Camp
Image from Mala Mala Game Reserve on Facebook
If you’re a lover of brunch, game drives, bush walks and libraries stocked with African literature – this might be the one for you. Mala Mala Camps offer you elegance intertwined with green forests. It’s situated right between Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park, making exploration between the two parks easy, especially for the grand explorer.
Includes
- Private verandah
- An indigenous private garden
- Outside showers
- Private plunge pools
- Traditional reed boma for meals around a fire
Prices
- Luxury Suite – sleeps 2; from around $1 000 per person sharing.
- Contact Mala Mala Rattray’s Camp for more information.
Klaserie Drift – Misava River View
Image from Booking.com
The Misava suites, within Klaserie Drift, one of the best Kruger National Park safari lodges, are unique in their own right. Taking inspiration from the Shangaan language, where “misava” means earth and “mati” means water, their decor encapsulates Earth’s elements. Truly creating one of the most serene environments for the tired traveler to call one of Kruger Park’s best lodges.
Includes
- Yoga mats
- Art supplies
- Private chef
- Security
- Spa
- Boma
- Viewing deck
Prices
- River View Suite – sleeps 2; from around $6 000 per person sharing.
- Garden View Suite – sleeps 2; from around $500 per person sharing.
Simbavati River Lodge
Image from Booking.com
Located in the northern sector of Timbavati game Reserve, Simbavati is nestled on the river banks of the Nhlaralumi River. With over 40 mammals living in the reserve, you’re guaranteed to spot plenty of wildlife. There are also 360 species of birds in the region which is perfect for bird-watching.
Includes
- Sundowner stop in the bush
- Game drives
- Afternoon high tea Open-air boma
- Swimming pool
- Spa
Prices
- Luxury Tent – sleeps 2; from around $813 per person sharing.
- Suite – sleeps 2; from around $870 per person sharing.
- Family Chalets – sleeps 5; from around $813 per person sharing.
Sabi Sands – Ulusaba Rock Lodge
Image from Ulusaba on Facebook
Ulusaba Rock Lodge has spacious and uniquely decorated rooms with privacy like no other. All rooms are air-conditioned to beat the summer heat and equipped with a minibar for snacks between delectable meals. When compared to other lodges near Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands’ Ulusaba Rock Lodge is a cut above the rest.
Open terraces allow you to view some of the Big 5 from the sanctuary of your bedroom. All before your morning game drive. If you’re a fan of exclusivity – so are they.
Includes
- Gym
- Morning and afternoon game drive
- Walking safari
Prices
- Rock Cliff room – from around $800 per person sharing.
- Rock suite – from around $1000 per person sharing.
- Contact Ulusaba Rock Lodge for bookings.
Chitwa Chitwa
Image from Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge on Facebook
Chitwa Chitwa has delivered excellence since 1991 and boasts accolades to prove it. Chitwa Chitwa, one of the best Kruger National Park luxury lodges, has been voted the Best Safari Lodge 7 times in the World Luxury Hotel Awards. Need I say more?
Includes
- Library
- Boutique
- Gym
- Spa
- Game drives
- Bushwalks
- Indoor & outdoor shower
- Bath-tub
Prices
- Chitwa Suites – sleeps 2; from around $1000 per person sharing.
- Chitwa House – sleeps 4; from around $5 000 per night.
- Charlsy Family Suite – from around $1 000 per night.
- Contact Chitwa Chitwa for bookings.
Final Say on Luxury Accommodation, Kruger National Park
With quality 5-star and 4-star lodges in Kruger National Park as luxurious as these, your planning won’t be in vain. All you have to do is choose the best time to visit Kruger Park and book your stay.
Prepare yourself for a wondrous adventure that culminates in luxury and wildlife experiences. Treat yourself to the very best of what South Africa has to offer at Kruger Park private lodges.
Want to see more of this beautiful country? Here’s everything you need to know to have an unforgettable South African vacation.
