Kruger
As famous as Tanzania’s Serengeti and Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the Kruger National Park is South Africa’s finest game viewing national park; this is a very good area to view Africa’s big game. The Kruger’s fame however has come with a price; the sheer volume of tourists means this is one of the continents most visited parks. There are quieter areas, the Sabi Sands in particular where game viewing and the quality of accommodation is world class, but fenced boundaries and a general lack of authenticity mean that safari here is for the first timer to Africa, and not for the purist.
Safari in the Kruger certainly splits opinion. The ease of big game viewing is arguably the best in Africa, but the easy access from Johannesburg and the fact that much of the park has a network of tarmac roads, means that this undeniably excellent big five viewing is tempered by that lack of true wilderness that we believe Africa is really all about.
The reality is that the Kruger is not for the safari purest, it is for someone looking for an introduction to safari, or for someone looking for a guarantee of viewing big game within a limited period of time. The major advantage of safari in South Africa is the quality of accommodation. Parts of the Kruger and the Sabi Sands Reserve in particular are home to some of the continents most luxurious accommodations. Royal Malewane, Singita Boulders, Lebombo, Ebony, Londolozi are all recognised as leading luxury safari lodges.
So, for those of you looking for a short safari fix whilst staying in great accommodations the Kruger and its surrounding reserves are a great option. One thing that no-one can argue about is that the guarantee of seeing the Big Five in the Kruger and the Sabi Sands is very real.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Kruger
Located in the Kruger National Park itself, Singita’s Lebombo is the most contemporary of all the South African Singita lodges and one of the most unique designs of any safari lodge. Recognised as having exceptional levels of service as well as seriously good game viewing, Lebombo is world class and deserves to be placed amongst South Africa’s finest properties.
Kruger
Royal Malewane is located in a private game resereve outside of the Kruger National Park. Regarded as one of Africa’s most luxurious lodges, this place is arguably on another level completely. The accommodation here would rival any other hotel on the planet and with great game viewing this is one of the best safari hotels for those of us looking to be pampered. A truly sumptuous lodge where nothing is left out.
Kruger
Located alongside Lebombo on the private Singita reserve in the Kruger National Park itself, Sweni is yet another top end Singita product that carries the usual standards to be expected of the Singita brand. Sweni is smaller than Lebombo so offers a slightly more personal experience than its more contemporary brother. A world class lodge and one of the Kruger’s finest properties.
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