The Top 10 Luxury Lodges in the Greater Kruger Park

A joint venture between the Kruger National Park and the surrounding Private Nature Reserves within Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the Greater Kruger Park offers enthusiastic safari goers a massive slice of safari heaven. A favorite destination for photographic safaris, game drives, night drives, and guided walking safaris, the Greater Kruger Park offers visitors diverse habitats, panoramic vistas, and riverside settings. The cherry on top is spectacular wildilfe viewing and unforgettable safari experiences.

Get inspired with our list of the top 10 luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger Park.

1. Lion Sands

Located on the banks of the presennial Sabie River, Lion Sands offers a diverse array of wildlife and a beautiful view of the river. This private game reserve features four luxury safari lodges where opulence blends in seamlessly with the natural environment of the Sabie Sands Game Reserve. The accommodations at Lion Sands River Lodge are spacious and airy, providing guests with the ideal opportunity to relax in one of Africa’s prime game regions.

Morning and afternoon game drives offer plenty opportunity for safari adventures facilitated by experienced and professional guides. Back at your lodge you can relax at the pool, share your experiences at the open firepit, and even watch the animals roam by from your private viewing deck. When it comes to a luxury safari experience, you can’t do much better.

2. Royal Malewane

The Lodge at Royal Malewane is a first-rate traditional bush lodge. Oozing old-world charm, it represents an elegant escape into the heart of the African bush. Relax in the crystal-clear pool on your spacious private deck as you watch the elephants amble by. It’s the perfect way to unwind and forget about the incessant buzz of city life.

Offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding wilderness, the lodge’s six luxury suites provide unrivalled opulence, while the Royal Suites and Africa House offer private service where your every need is attended to. Get up close and personal with Africa’s plentiful wildlife on twice-daily game drives under the care of the most qualified guiding team on the continent, be taken on an ultra-immersive bush walk guaranteed to heighten your senses, or be humbled on a local village visit. However you choose to while away your days, Royal Malewane will leave you inspired at every turn.

3. Dulini Moya

Dulini Moya provides its guests with tranquil and understated accommodations in the heart of the African bush. The Dulini Game Reserve area is renowned for its large prides of lions, healthy leopard population, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, wild dogs, and ample herds of buffalo. Dusk and dawn game drives in specially-equipped safari vehicles get you out and exploring the vast surrounding bush and photographic safaris here are especially popular.

Unlike in the Kruger National Park, you’ll also have the option of going out on guided walking safaris that immerse you in the flora, fauna and other little wonders you often miss on a guided game drive. Dulini Moya welcomes children of eight years and older, but if you’re willing to book the lodge exclusively, children younger than eight are allowed. This exquisite destination has six suites, each featuring indoor and outdoor showers, an en-suite bathroom, a private viewing deck, a plunge pool, and a lounge area with a fireplace.

4. Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Located on the edge of a sparkling seasonal river and surrounded on all sides by the limitless plains of the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Tintswalo Safari Lodge is an excellent destination if you’re looking for luxurious bush accommodation. The Manyeleti Game Reserve is situated between the Kruger National Park, the Timbavati Private Reserve, and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

The region is home to the Big Five as well as a diversity of other wildlife, including leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, Wild dogs, black-backed jackals, side-striped jackals, and assorted antelopes such as kudu, impala, steenbok, Nyala, and bushbuck. Dawn and dusk game drives guided by expert professional rangers and trackers provide ample opportunity to spot resident species such as White rhinos, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and vast herds of buffalo. Tintswalo Safari Lodge is the ideal escape for solo explorers, families, and couples looking for a luxurious Big Five safari adventure.

5. MalaMala Camp

Nestled on the edge of the Sabi Sand River, set among massive trees and sprawling lawns, MalaMala Camp is a truly unique destination. A piece of safari paradise, the camp offers guests a choice of ten luxury suites, eight luxury rooms, and one single room. The air-conditioned rooms each feature an outdoor deck with jaw-dropping panoramic views of the spectacular surrounding wilderness.

Other features at MalaMala Camp include a comfortable lounge, indoor dining room, a historic bar, free internet, and a library with satellite television. A large wooden safari deck offers brilliant views of the resident wildlife as they come to the river to drink. Other camp facilities include a safari boutique, a gym, a massage service, and a large infinity pool overlooking the river. Visitors can enjoy twice-daily game drives under the guidance of knowledgeable and expert guides and trackers. For a more immersive experience, head out on a walking safari where you’ll get to experience the wonders of the bush at a more relaxed pace.

6. Ulusaba Safari Lodge

Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is Sir Richard Branson’s private safari home and plays host to his collection of magnificent lodges. Tucked away under a canopy of ancient trees on the banks of a dry riverbed in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is the esteemed Ulusaba Safari Lodge. Outfitted with futuristic facilities and equipment, this spectacular destination is all about soft lighting, the tranquil atmosphere of the bush, and elegant accommodation.

The lodge features two tennis courts for active guests, a large lounge area, swimming pool, dining area, a bush observatory, gym, spa treatment room, wine cellar, outdoor boma, and gift shop. Internationally renowned chefs have developed an incredible Africa-inspired menu providing guests with an exceptional dining experience, whether it be on the deck, in the boma, in the dining area, or even simply under the African sky. Guests can look froward to scenic helicopter flights, visits to local villages, dawn and dusk open-vehicle guided game drives, and immersive bush walks.

7. Singita Sweni Lodge

Situated in a remote wilderness area famous for its lion prides, Singita Sweni Lodge is tucked next to the banks of the winding Sweni River. Thanks to the lodge’s shades of green and dark wood structures, it blends in seamlessly with the natural surrounding wilderness. The lodge offers guests a choice of six luxurious suites each featuring full-length glass walls offering jaw-dropping views of the riverine forest, an elevated viewing deck complete with a daybed, an en-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower, and a living area.

Other lodge facilities include a bar, swimming pool, open-sided lounger with a fireplace, dining area, laundry service, and a well-stocked wine cellar. Wildlife enthusiasts can look forward to the ultimate safari experience including the Big Five, 147 mammal species, and a list of over 500 bird species. Explore the wilderness on twice-daily open-vehicle game drives led by expert trackers and rangers, go on guided walking safaris, enjoy stargazing at night, or try your hand at the archery range.

8. Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Widely regarded as one of the most environmentally sensitive lodges in Africa, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge sits embedded into the side of a slope in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge’s organic architecture is a brilliant example of what can be done with the proper consideration of light, space, and texture. Featuring just 12 ultra-opulent suites, the lodge moves away from the traditonal bush lodge in favor of a more futuristic style that oozes class and elegance.

Each suite has a private pool, butler, en-suite glass-fronted bathroom, outdoor shower, and graceful furnishings. The dining area provides awe-inspiring views of the surrounding wilderness and local waterhole. Investigate the underground wine cellar which features 6000 bottles of rare wines, kick back in the library, unwind with a self-indulgent treatment at the Amani spa, or calm your mind in the Zen garden. As far as luxury safaris in the Kruger National Park go, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is guaranteed not to disappoint.

9. Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge encompasses six luxury lodges, a Charsly suite, and the Chitwa House. The lodge takes its name from a giraffe that once roamed nearby. Guests here can look forward to personalized service and unrivalled levels of luxury. Each option of accommodation features a private plunge pool and lake view deck providing a great sense of exclusivity.

Chitwa Chitwa shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park, meaning the animals here roam freely between properties. The lodge is renowned for its big cat sightings, but guests will also enjoy regular Big Five sightings, as well as a variety of antelope species, wildebeest, hyenas, hippos, zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs. The area is a bird watcher’s paradise, featuring a list of over 500 species. Apart from twice-daily open-vehicle game drives, visitors can look forward to guided bush walks, photographic safaris, and cultural village tours.

10. Leopard Hills Lodge

The Leopard Hills bush is famous for its vast leopard population, as well as regular sightings of the Big Five, hippos, Wild dogs, cheetahs, wildebeest and a variety of antelope species. The lodge itself boasts only eight glass-fronted suites providing panoramic views of the limitless surrounding bushveld.

Lodge activities on offer include dawn and dusk open-vehicle game drives led by experienced trackers and professional guides. For a more immersive safari experience, guests can partake in a guided bush walk guaranteed to heighten the senses. Other notable attractions include scenic helicopter flights, cultural village tours, elephant interactions, and golfing at Leopard Creek. A holiday at Leopard Hills is ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families in search of a luxurious safari getaway.