Cape to Cairo offers the following recommendations for game lodges in the Kruger area. Also see our page on other South African game lodges, and our page on Mpumalanga Country lodges.

Mala Mala, the largest of the private reserves at Kruger, remains close to its origins as a safari camp. The heart of the Mala Mala experience are the superbly qualified and personable Game Rangers. They are formally trained, with university degrees in the natural sciences and also serve as your host in camp, taking care of your every need while sharing his knowledge and love of the bush with you.

Mala Mala currently operates three camps each offering the superbly refined service which is a Mala Mala hallmark..

Main Camp price at $575 per person per night, this is the best value for service, luxury and game-viewing in South Africa.

Rattray's is the Mala Mala's completely new signature luxury camp

Sable Camp offers luxury and intimacy. 

While most of the luxury camps in the Mpumalnga reserves are lodges, Tanda Tula is a luxury tented Camp, and therefore offers superb value as well as comfort.  Food is superb, as it should be in a camp that is operated by the famed Constantia Uitsig hotel in the Cape.  Tanda Tula is is located in the Timbavati Reserve, which shares an open boarder with Kruger and so wildlife viewing is excellent. 

Singita is without question the premier luxury operator in Africa, with a focus on a holistic experience.  Singita combines a focus in its safari operations on understanding the ecology, along with the big game viewing that you expect from any high end safari operator.  Singita's lodges are architectural landmarks, designed to complement the environment. Individual rooms are spacious and luxurious.  Meals are superb, justifying its membership in  Relais and Chateaux.  Singita is also remarkable for a fabulous cellar, well stocked with rare South African vintages. 

Singita offers lodges in three  distinct destinations

Singita Ebony and Boulders Camp in the Sabi Sands Reserve.

Singita Sweni and Lebombo, a private concession within Kruger near the boarder with Mozambique.

Singita brings it trademark to Tanzania's Grumeti Reserves, an enormous private reserve adjoining the Northern boundary of the famed Western Corridor of the Serengeti Reserve.

Without question, Drifters Game Lodge, a tented camp in the Belule reserve, is our recommendation for an affordable Kruger Experience at €165.00 per person sharing.  The Camp is consistent with the Drifters experience, with no compromise on experience but without costly frills.  The lodge provides an excellent gameviewing experience and provides both gamedrives and bush walks.  .  The tents are spacious and comfortable on wooden platforms overlooking.  

Londolozi is one of the oldest game lodges in Africa and a long time member of the Relais and Chateaux Group.  The management of this lodge has recently returned to the Varty family, who have refurbished the lodges and returned Londolozi to its origins as a luxury safari camp.