Explore Our Full Guide to Kruger’s Best Camps

Kruger’s Best Camps: Kruger National Park offers one of the most diverse and unforgettable safari experiences in Africa. With nearly two million hectares of protected wilderness, the park is home to iconic wildlife, vast landscapes, and a wide selection of camps and lodges that cater to every kind of traveler. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a seasoned safari enthusiast, or someone looking for peace in the wild, choosing the right accommodation can shape your entire experience.

This guide gives you a complete overview of where to stay inside Kruger National Park — from SANParks-run rest camps and secluded bush camps to full-service private lodges located inside the park’s boundaries. Each option has its own style, setting, and strengths, allowing you to match your stay with your safari goals.

Rest Camps: Comfortable, Affordable, and Wildlife-Rich

Skukuza Rest Camp

The largest and most well-equipped camp in Kruger, Skukuza offers everything from budget safari tents to air-conditioned cottages. Facilities include a shop, restaurant, ATM, swimming pool, fuel station, and a small museum. Located along the Sabie River, this area is famous for sightings of leopard, elephant, lion, and buffalo. Skukuza is ideal for families, first-time visitors, and those wanting convenience without losing the wilderness feel.

Lower Sabie Rest Camp

With stunning views of the Sabie River, Lower Sabie features safari tents, bungalows, and family units. A spacious restaurant deck overlooks the water, and there’s also a shop and fuel station. Wildlife sightings in this region include large elephant herds, hippo, crocodile, and regular predator activity. It’s a favorite for both birders and big game enthusiasts.

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Nestled in the southwest near Malelane Gate, this camp is modern and family-friendly. Accommodation includes bungalows, family cottages, and camping. Facilities include a shop, restaurant, swimming pool, and walking trails. The surrounding area is hilly and scenic, with sightings of rhino, leopard, and even wild dog.

Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp

A small, quiet camp near the southeastern entrance, it offers bungalows and camping options. Facilities are basic but include a shop and fuel. The open plains around Crocodile Bridge are teeming with wildlife, making it ideal for self-drive visitors and photographers hoping to catch big cat sightings.

Pretoriuskop Rest Camp

This is one of the oldest camps in the park and offers a relaxed, garden-like atmosphere. Accommodation includes rondavels, family cottages, and camping sites. Facilities include a shop, take-away eatery, fuel station, and a large rock pool. Game is less dense but the area holds rare species like sable antelope and wild dog.

Central Region: Plains, Predators, and Big Skies

Satara Rest Camp

Known as “Big Cat Country,” Satara sits in open grassland where lion, cheetah, and leopard are often seen. Accommodation includes huts, bungalows, guest houses, and a popular camping site. Guests have access to a restaurant, shop, fuel station, and swimming pool. This area is a must for those wanting to maximize predator sightings.

Orpen Rest Camp

A small but comfortable camp near the Orpen Gate. Accommodation is limited to bungalows and camping, with a shop and fuel station available. The area offers a high concentration of grazers, attracting predators like lions and hyenas. Orpen is also the check-in point for Tamboti and Maroela.

Tamboti and Maroela Camps

Tamboti offers semi-luxury and basic safari tents, some with en-suite facilities. Maroela is strictly for caravans and campers. These satellite camps are quiet and wild, with no shops or restaurants, offering a more immersive bush experience.

Northern Kruger: Remote, Peaceful, and Biodiverse

Letaba Rest Camp

A green, shady camp near the Letaba River. Accommodation includes huts, bungalows, family units, and camping. It features a restaurant, shop, elephant museum, swimming pool, and fuel station. The river attracts large elephant herds and excellent birdlife.

Olifants Rest Camp

Set high above the Olifants River, this camp provides dramatic views and peaceful surroundings. Accommodation includes rondavels, family cottages, and guest houses. Facilities include a shop, restaurant, and guided river walks. Wildlife here includes elephant, lion, waterbuck, and crocodile.

Mopani Rest Camp

Overlooking Pioneer Dam, Mopani offers air-conditioned cottages and a luxury guesthouse. Facilities include a restaurant, shop, swimming pool, and fuel station. This part of Kruger is quieter but offers great sightings of elephants, buffalo, and antelope.

Shingwedzi Rest Camp

Located along the Shingwedzi River, this camp provides a classic bushveld atmosphere. Accommodation includes rondavels, bungalows, guest cottages, and camping. Facilities include a shop, restaurant, and pool. Elephant and buffalo are common, as well as kudu and waterbirds.

Punda Maria Rest Camp

In the far north, Punda Maria is a lush camp known for exceptional birding and botanical interest. Accommodation includes safari tents, bungalows, and camping. The camp has a shop, take-away, and petrol station. Look out for Pel’s fishing owl, Sharpe’s grysbok, and nyala.

Bush Camps and Bush Lodges: Intimate and Untamed

Biyamiti Bush Camp

A small camp along the Biyamiti River, it features cottages with full kitchens and private bathrooms. There are no shops or restaurants, allowing for a quiet, private experience. Wildlife in this area includes leopard, hyena, kudu, and giraffe.

Talamati Bush Camp

Located in prime game-viewing terrain, Talamati has cottages with kitchens and braai areas. It includes a waterhole and hide, great for viewing wildlife. Lion and cheetah sightings are common.

Shimuwini Bush Camp

This solar-powered camp along the Letaba River offers cottages with river views. It’s quiet and scenic, perfect for seeing elephant, hippo, and crocodile. Birdlife is also excellent.

Sirheni Bush Camp

Near Shingwedzi, Sirheni offers cottages and a quiet atmosphere. A hide overlooks a nearby waterhole. This is an excellent spot for birdwatching and peaceful reflection.

Bateleur Bush Camp

The oldest bush camp in Kruger, located near Mopani. It features comfortable cottages and private roads for exclusive game drives. A waterhole and hide are included in the camp.

Roodewal Bush Lodge

Available only for group bookings, this exclusive-use lodge accommodates up to 18 guests. It is perched above the Olifants River and includes a private kitchen, lounge, and game-viewing opportunities.

Skukuza Safari Lodge

Located within Skukuza Rest Camp, this modern hotel-style lodge offers air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, meeting facilities, and walking access to the rest of Skukuza’s amenities. It’s ideal for travelers who prefer hotel-style comfort while staying inside the park. The nearby Skukuza Airport allows for easy fly-in access.

Private Lodges Inside Kruger National Park

These exclusive lodges operate on private concessions within the park and offer all-inclusive luxury experiences.

Imbali Safari Lodge

Set in a private concession west of the N’waswitsontso River, this elegant lodge offers suites with plunge pools and en-suite bathrooms. Activities include game drives with expert guides and fine dining. Wildlife includes lion, elephant, buffalo, and leopard.

Hamiltons Tented Camp

A colonial-style camp with luxury tents connected by elevated walkways. Each unit has a private plunge pool, a slipper bath, and butler service. Wildlife viewing is excellent, and the camp is known for its romantic setting.

Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

Celebrating Tsonga heritage, Hoyo Hoyo offers vibrantly decorated thatched suites. Guests enjoy traditional meals, storytelling, and game drives in a culturally rich environment.

Jock Safari Lodge

Positioned at the confluence of two rivers in the southern part of the park, Jock offers luxury suites with private decks and outdoor baths. The area is known for strong leopard and rhino sightings.

Rhino Post Safari Lodge

An eco-conscious lodge near Skukuza, Rhino Post features stilted suites and offers exclusive game drives in its concession area. It provides a peaceful, natural setting without sacrificing comfort.

Plains Camp (Walking Safaris)

Sister to Rhino Post, Plains Camp focuses on multi-day walking safaris with professional guides. Guests stay in traditional safari tents and experience the bush on foot.

Singita Lebombo and Sweni Lodges

Situated in the remote eastern region of Kruger, these ultra-luxury lodges offer cutting-edge design, private guides, gourmet cuisine, and exclusive game viewing. Lebombo overlooks cliffs, while Sweni sits near the riverbank.

The Outpost Lodge

Located in the Makuleke Concession in far northern Kruger, The Outpost features sleek, open-plan suites with panoramic views over the Luvuvhu River valley. The region is remote, quiet, and rich in birdlife and rare species. It’s a perfect retreat for those seeking serenity and exclusivity.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right place to stay inside Kruger National Park can elevate your safari from memorable to truly life-changing. Whether you prefer the independence of a SANParks rest camp, the quiet of a bush camp, or the indulgence of a private lodge, Kruger has something for everyone.

Let Nhongo Safaris help you discover the perfect camp or lodge for your adventure — and experience Kruger in a way that fits your style, pace, and dreams.