We’ve searched high and low to find you the best value-for-money spots in and around the Kruger National Park. Save bucks to see the big 5 – it’s a win-win-vacay!

Antares Bush Camp & Safaris

Limpopo

Antares Bush Camp offers an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a self-catering option within the Greater Kruger National Park. Photographers will love the added advantage of access to one of South Africa’s best underground game-viewing hides any time of the day or night. Accommodating a maximum of eight guests and with space in the hide for four photographers, you will have unique opportunities to view impressive elephants from ground level while metres away from them. You also get the opportunity to marvel at the large variety of birdlife that frequents the waterhole.

Khaya Ndlovu

Limpopo & Mpumalanga

The child-friendly Khaya Ndlovu Manor House in the Rietspruit Big 4 Game Reserve is surrounded by nature and a stone’s throw away from Hoedspruit. Khaya directly translates to ‘home’ or ‘haven’ in isiZulu, and it could not be more appropriate for what they have on offer. The Khaya Ndlovu Manor House is situated in the northern section of the reserve overlooking the famous Blyde River Canyon’s splendour, exuding a luxurious and exotic ambience. 

Balule River Lodge

Limpopo

At Balule, you’ll have a luxury safari experience without paying luxury prices. The camp has excellent views over the Greater Kruger National Park and Olifants River. It consists of two guest houses, each with three double rooms, and the main house has a dining room, lounge, library, terrace as well as a boma. The additional Elephant Suite is situated high above the rest of the camp, offering excellent bush views. Located between the two Kruger gates – Orpen and Phalaborwa – this is safari at its finest.

Fairfarren Lodge

Limpopo

Fairfarren is a luxury two-bedroom house with king-sized beds and en-suite bathrooms. It’s fully equipped for self-catering and has a pool and deck area from which you can watch wildlife wander by. The lodge is set on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, and animals (including warthog, duiker and impala) meander through the bush all around the house, and birds are abundant.

Bergdale Cottages 

Mpumalanga

You will find Bergdale Cottages nestled at the foot of the Sabie Valley, just a 12-minute drive from the Phabeni Gate. They have five newly renovated cottages, the perfect base from which you can explore the Kruger and Panorama route. Each cottage has its own private courtyard with a braai and undercover stoep. The horses and chickens roaming around Bergdale’s homestead make for a fun detour from a full day of game watching. 

Lindanda Luxury Lodge

Western Cape

This stunning lodge is ideally located close to the Kruger and can be booked exclusively for eight people. The property has four en-suite bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen, lounge and a stunning outside area including a private pool and cooking area. Families with small children will enjoy staying in the two interlinking rooms. Guests can enjoy the plains game, including kudu, giraffe, impala and warthog, strolling by daily.

Elephant Walk Retreat

Western Cape

Situated on the banks of the Crocodile River, at the most southern entrance to the Kruger National Park lies Elephant Walk Retreat, just a stone’s throw from the Crocodile Bridge Gate. This is the perfect escape for families, friends  as well as romantic getaways. Enjoy fantastic wildlife sightings from the comfort of your patio or deck – the big five are frequent visitors. Huge herds of elephant also stroll along the fence line often. Elephant Walk Retreat boasts some of the most spectacular sunsets. Sip on a glass of crisp wine as the last rays of sunlight disappear behind the horizon and listen to the bushveld choir come alive at night – with lions roaring, hyenas giggling and hippos groaning.

Words: Mart-Marié Du Toit | Photography: Emma Gatland, Anthony Grote, Villiers Steyn, Courtesy Images