Top 10 best hotels in Kruger Park in South Africa

The Kruger National Park is so large that it takes several days to explore it. The itinerary we recommend for your safari is to stay in the south of the reserve where there is the most water point and therefore the most chance of seeing animals. Best Kruger National Park Hotels that we recommend therefore follow this two day itinerary. However, there is a second option to visit the park. You can sleep in one of its private reserves offering luxury safaris. These reserves are luxurious privatized areas inside the Kruger which offer a lot of advantages and whose only drawback is their price (although some are affordable: see our selection below). To help you choose, we've written the pros and cons of these two options in an article. Even if the 'private reserves' option is much more expensive, think that if there is one part of your stay where you can indulge yourself without having to regret it, it is at the Kruger! Take our word for it: this unique experience is definitely worth it!

The best hotels for sleeping near Skukuza gate at Kruger Park

1. Riverside's Kaia: The best budget hotel to sleep close to the entrance to Kruger Park

To stay close to Skukuza, the good plan is the guest room Riverside's Kaia. Don't look, it's the closest Guest House to Kruger Park at around € 50 a night. Clean, peaceful and pleasant, it's the best budget option for a cheap night.

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For further : Discover the best hostels to stay in South Africa 

2. Sabie River Bush Lodge: the best value hotel near Skukuza gate at the Kruger

Closer to the Kruger but also a little more expensive, we recommend the Sabie River Bush Lodge.  It is for us the best value for money of the region. Located on the banks of the Sabie River, this lodge offers a magnificent view of the national park and the animals that bathe there: hippos, crocodiles and in the evening antelopes and elephants drink there. You can admire this landscape from the swimming pool, the bar or the restaurant. Also you have the choice between luxury tent or normal room: nothing better than going on a safari while spending a night in a (luxury) tent!

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For further : Discover the accommodations with the best value for money in South Africa

3. Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate: the best hotel around Skukuza gate at Kruger Park

The best hotel in the region is located just 100 meters from the park entrance! The Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate is a beautiful luxury hotel just across the river Sabie. You can therefore sip your gin & tonic while watching hippos, antelopes or even crocodiles. If you are tempted by a night safari this is the right place to do it! Otherwise, you can also take advantage of the hotel's spa and end the evening with a dinner under the stars over a wood fire… Perfect!

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For further : Discover the best luxury hotels to stay in South Africa

The best hotels to stay in Kruger National Park near the Malelane gate

1. Hhusha Hhusha: The best budget hotel to stay near Malelane gate in Kruger Park

To stay near Malelane gate, the good plan at low cost is the Bed and Breakfast Hhusha Hhusha. It is a haven of peace at the gates of Kruger National Park. This budget hotel has a very nice swimming pool to relax in after a day of safari under the African sun! We highly recommend it. In addition, the hosts are very friendly and welcoming.

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For further : The best guesthouses and B & Bs for accommodation in South Africa

2. Buhala Lodge: the best hotel to sleep around Malelane gate in Kruger Park

Another much more upscale (and much more expensive) option close to the Malelane gate is the Buhala Lodge. If you have not seen all the animals you want, you still have a chance to see them at sunset because they come to drink along the river that runs along the lodge. Guaranteed magic moment. If you can afford it, choose the river view rooms, you will not regret it. On site, you can relax in the hotel spa and if you haven't had enough, their night safaris are not to be missed. You go back to the Kruger in a jeep with a guide when it is dark to try to see the felines hunting.

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For further : Discover the best dream hotels for accommodation in South Africa

3. Hamiltons Lodge & Restaurant: the best value for money hotel near Malelane gate at the Kruger

If the Buhala Lodge is not in your budget but you still want to see animals drink along the river at dusk then the best plan 500 meters from Malelane Gate (literally) is the Hamiltons Lodge & Restaurant. Half the price of the Buhala Lodge for the same view of the river, it is the hotel with the best quality price report to stay near Malelane gate in Kruger National Park! (But more expensive than the unbeatable prices of B&B Hhusha Hhusha)

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For further : Discover the best 3-star hotels for accommodation in South Africa

The best private reserves in Kruger National Park in South Africa 

Here is our selection of best private reserves in Kruger National Park in South Africa. The list could have been longer but we have only selected THE best private reserve for each price category: from the very high end to the good accessible plan.

1. Royal Malewane Private Reserve: The World's Best Luxury Safari Park Hotel

Le Royal malewane is the crème de la crème of the best luxury hotels on a private reserve. But not only at Kruger National Park in South Africa… It is considered to be THE best safari lodge in the world. Just that. So no need to say more. Go ahead with your eyes closed.

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For further : Discover the best hotels to stay on reserves in South Africa

2. The Lion Sands River Lodge private reserve: in the top 3 of the best hotels in the Kruger

Lion Sands River Lodge - Sabi Sand is part of the top 3 of the best hotels luxury safari of the Kruger National Park. We recommend it because it is cheaper than Royal Malewane for a service that is always very upscale: massage at the top of a tree with a panoramic view of the savannah, starred meal under the stars, room with bathtub overlooking the points of water where animals drink, etc… The list would be too long to finish. Also, it is located close to the Shukuza gate, so you can get there quickly from Graskop if you are coming from the Blyde river canyon.

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For further : Discover the best atypical hotels for accommodation in South Africa 

3. Lukimbi Safari Lodge: the hotel in a private reserve with the best value for money in Kruger National Park

Lukimbi Safari Lodge is located in the South Kruger (which is great if you are continuing your route to Swaziland). It is the hotel in a private reserve with the best quality price report from Kruger National Park and offers high-end safaris at much more affordable prices than the Royal Malewane or the Lion Sands.

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For further : Discover the best boutique hotels to stay in South Africa 

4. Hoyo-Hoyo Safari Lodge private reserve: the best budget hotel in Kruger Park

Even cheaper, Hoyo-Hoyo Safari Lodge offers all the advantages of a private reserve without breaking the bank. He is by far the best hotel good deal from the Kruger National Park and we highly recommend it to anyone who has scared the prices of the 4 previous hotels!

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For further : Discover the best hotels for families in South Africa

WARNING : All these luxurious lodges are in great demand but have very few rooms. It is therefore advisable to book well in advance.

Our opinion between private reserves and self-drive circuit in Kruger National Park in South Africa 

If you can afford it, we recommend that you stay on a private reserve for two days. This is warranty to see all the animals in no time. Discovering the Kruger National Parc in luxury safari mode is a magical experience that we wish everyone ... That said, discovering the immensity of the park by going on a self-drive safari is also a special adventure (see our tour recommendation in our two articles'The best route to visit Kruger National Park day 1/2'and'The best route to visit Kruger National Park day 2/2'). Having done both, we recommend that all travelers divide their time at the Kruger in half :

 If you have 2 days in the park, do one day on your own and the other on a private reserve. If you have 3 days at the Kruger, do 2 days in private reserve and 1 day on your own (or vice versa if your budget does not allow it).

To find out more about South Africa:

• Where to sleep in South Africa?
• The best routes to visit South Africa