You will need the best accommodation in Kruger National Park if you are going to visit the park. The Kruger National Park is the biggest game reserve in South Africa and one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent. A huge number of tourists visit the park all year round. The Kruger is 5-6 hours drive from Johannesburg and there is plenty to see and do there. People are attracted by the chance to see the famous Big 5 game animals and the safari experiences that are definitive of the African Bushveld.
List Of Best Accommodation In Kruger National Park
There is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for luxury accommodation or a family getaway for large groups with great value for money. We have listed some of the best places for you to stay at, near to the main gates to the park.
Bushveld Terrace
Bushveld Terrace is our first choice for accommodation in Kruger National Park. The hotel uses a perfect blend of modern design and natural tones that are inspired by the surroundings and remind you of the environment that you are in. So you get the full safari feeling and still enjoy contemporary luxury. The accommodation comprises options luxury rooms for a more private setting, and family suites if you are traveling as a family or group.
We recommend staying in the upstairs rooms which have elevated views over the surrounding Bushveld. The rooms have purposely large windows from which you can see the wild plant life outside. There is also one honeymoon suite named The Marula Suite, with a king size four poster bed and a spacious living area.
Breakfast is served daily at the hotel and there is both an a la carte and a buffet menu at the restaurant. You can also request a packed breakfast and lunch when going on an early safari. The Bushveld Terrace Hotel is a literal stone’s throw away from the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger National park. It’s close enough that you can hear the animals at night. If you are flying into the area, this is one of the best hotels to stay at thanks to its proximity to the local airports. Phalaborwa Airport is a mere 3km away and Hans Merensky Golf Estate Airport only 4km away. If you need airport transfers, those can be arranged on request.
Swadini, A Forever Resort
Swadini is one of the most popular resorts in the Kruger area and has been so for more than 20 years. You get amazing value for money here, especially if you are traveling in large groups. The resort boasts some of the best mountain views in the whole area. The resort is directly inside the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and is bordered by the Drakensberg peaks.
When it comes to location it doesn’t come much better.You have a choice between chalet accommodation or tent accommodation. Chalets accommodate between 4 and 6 people, each with 1 double bed and 2 of 4 single beds.
The rates are good value for money and during peak time you can pay less than R500 per person in a fully occupied chalet. During the low season the rates are 40% less, which is excellent value. The resort is located in Hoedspruit, 23 km from Kinyonga Reptile Centre and 6 km from Blyderivierpoort Dam.
Swadini is very popular for family vacations and children love it because of the many recreational facilities in the area. The resort has large swimming pools (including a headed pool), a children’s playing area, volleyball nets to name a few. You can also do hiking and cycling, which are popular in the area. Bike hire is available from the resort.
La Lechere Guest House
La Lechere guest house is a 7-minute drive from the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger national park. The decorations in the guest house are Africa-inspired with earthy tones and colors. There are seven luxury rooms and an executive suite at the guest house, all with an en suite bathroom and a private patio, along with direct access to the pool area. If you want to stay connected while on your getaway, free WiFi is available to all guests. A full English breakfast is served daily between 7:00 and 9:00 am at the on-site restaurant in the pool area, and is included in the rates for the rooms.
Packed lunches are available on request for when you are planning to go on safari. The hosts are very friendly and will help you with all the information that you need about the park and suggest the best activities for you to get up to. The guest house offers a service where they can book activities for you that include the Kruger Park safari packages, day trips to the Blyde River Canyon, and an Olifants River safari cruise. So you can kick back and enjoy your vacation unfettered while everything is taken care of for you.
Bed in the Bush – Tingala Lodge
Tingala Lodge is in the Silonque Game reserve right next to the Kruger National Park. The lodge offers the rare experience of being right in the middle of the bush, an big seller among accommodation in Kruger National Park. The lodge is completely secluded, with an absolute sense of privacy. All you will hear are the sounds of the bush and calls of animals at night. When it comes to convenience, the lodge is as good as it gets. If you are lucky, you will get to see the wildlife of the Kruger National Park from your literal doorstep. The lodge is decorated with elegant furnishings that blend luxury with African bushveld inspiration.
You can expect warm hospitality from your hosts who are there to offer you friendly personal service. The accommodation comes with breakfast. Lunch and dinners can be enjoyed from restaurants and local franchises that are 20 minutes’ drive away. If you really want to be in the thick of nature, the bush camp is situated right in the bush and caters to bush lovers with an intimate self-service camp with no fences between you and the wild. It can accommodate up to 6 people and has two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Tingala also offers safari packages to the Kruger National park, from morning safaris all the way to full day packages with breakfast and lunch included.
Kaia Tani Exclusive Guesthouse
Kaia Tani is located 1km from the gate of the Kruger National Park. The Hendrick Van Eck Airport is 1.5km away. The lodge has great accessibility to the town centre, airports and the Kruger Park. The rates include a bed and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are available on request. The lodge is owner run with a focus on giving guests a homely feeling. The hosts can also arrange activities like the safari for you and give you all the information you need in organizing your activities.
There is an on-site restaurant which serves African and Mediterranean food. The Food at Kaia Tani is notable as being varied and very good. The accommodation comprises three houses that can accommodate 2,4 and 6 people respectively. You can choose to stay in a double room, or the honey moon suite that each accommodate 2 people.
The rates are affordable and you get some of the best value for the money of any lodge or hotel near the Kruger National Park. For relaxation, you can relax in the manicured garden or can spend some time in the pool area. If you want to stay inside, all rooms have air-conditioning, and there is free WiFi for guests at the lodge.