Ulusaba Rock Lodge
Kruger and surrounds, South Africa
- Pure luxury with excellent safari experience
- Breathtaking scenery
- The 'Big Five'
- All rooms with stunning panoramic views of the Sabi Sand Reserve
The world-renowned Kruger National Park is one of the world's most spectacular nature reserves. Set off on a Kruger National Park holiday and take in the awe-inspiring landscape and scenery of the South African wilderness. Perfect for nature lovers or those looking for an adventure, make the most of a luxury Kruger safari.
Hotels in Kruger and surrounds
Motswari Private Game Reserve
Kruger and surrounds, South Africa
1,049 reviewsVirgin Rating- One of the original safari lodges in South Africa
- Timbavati location over 15,000 hectares, 'Big Five' wildlife and more
- Overlooking a waterhole great for animal spotting
- Amazing game viewing and excellent rangers
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Kruger and surrounds, South Africa
549 reviewsVirgin Rating- 19th century décor
- 6 elevated tents
- Butlers dressed in traditional colonial uniforms
Ulusaba Safari Lodge
Kruger and surrounds, South Africa
612 reviewsplusVirgin Rating- Pure luxury with excellent safari experience
- Breathtaking scenery
- Exceptional service
- Fantastic bush location built along the banks of a dry river bed
Jock Safari Lodge
Kruger and surrounds, South Africa
856 reviewsVirgin Rating- Top game viewing in luxurious surroundings
- Within Kruger National Park
- Rooms with private plunge pool
- Spa
Kruger Gate Hotel
Kruger and surrounds, South Africa
1,654 reviewsVirgin Rating- Open-air restaurant
- Stunning infinity pool with game views
- Next to Kruger National Park
- Dees African Spa
Essential information for Kruger and surrounds
Do I need a visa?
Your UK passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa and it should have at least 2 blank pages when you present it at immigration to enter or leave South Africa.
Everybody should go on a safari at least once in their life, and where better than South Africa's world-famous Kruger National Park and the Eastern Cape, rich in wildlife and home to the Big Five.
One of Africa’s biggest game reserves, Kruger is home not only to the Big Five (FYI, that’s lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos), but hundreds of other mammals and birds, too. For wildlife, Kruger National Park is pretty much unparallelled. Not only that, rolling savannah and distant mountains make for the safari setting of dreams.
Want to experience safari without skimping on luxury? You’re in luck. Kruger National Park and the Eastern Cape is famous not only for its vast and diverse variety of flora and fauna, but also for its luxury safari lodges, so you get the best of both worlds.
Highlights of Kruger National Park and surrounds
Kruger safaris are always sensational, but there’s nothing quite like taking a game drive around the National Park by sunset or sunrise. Spot the Big Five before the rest of the world wakes up, as well as cheetahs, wild dogs, antelopes, honey-badgers, bush babies and up to 350 bird species.
For a different safari experience altogether, how about walking Kruger safari tours with expert field guides and trackers? There’s nothing quite like it for feeling close to the action and at one with the wildlife.
If you’re feeling fancy, take a helicopter flight across the bushveld and over the Blyde River Canyon. The views will take your breath away, and the ride itself is a thrill. You might even be lucky enough to spot a herd of elephants from way up in the sky, where you’ll be able to watch the magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Enjoy phenomenal stargazing – some of the best in South Africa – from Jock Safari Lodge, where you can even choose to sleep out on your riverside sala for the best outdoorsy experience.
Planning on taking the kids? They’re in for a treat! Drop them off at Ulusaba Rock Lodges's ‘Cub’s Club’ for mini rangers’ courses, safari goodies and activities which will inspire even the most apprehensive of little ones. Kruger National Park holidays are truly the best for individuals and groups of all kinds, including families of all sizes and ages.
Many of the lodges celebrate the local Shangaan culture with traditional singing and dancing after dinner or around the BOMA by night, a beautiful and harmonious treat for everyone.
Often when you think of safari holidays, you think of basic lodges and tents. But that’s not how we do safaris at Virgin Holidays, oh no! We’re all about treating you to a bit of luxury, no matter your destination.
Safaris in the Kruger Park safaris are always sensational, but there’s nothing quite like taking a game drive around one of the lodge’s private concessions. Choose a lodge in the Sabi Sands reserve and you will be able to skip the crowds and search for wildlife in your very own piece of paradise, with less vehicles and the ability to do night-drives, you really will feel spoilt. Book the exclusive Cliff Lodge at Ulusaba for jaw-dropping views and a private pool, as well as world-class service, or sleep under the stars in the oh-so-exclusive Chalkley’s Treehouse at Lion Sands. Kick back with a cocktail at the Motswari Private Game Reserve, which looks onto a watering hole, and watch animals come and go as you sip.
Special occasion? Celebrate your honeymoon with romantic private dining under the African skies and enjoy a hot stone massage using Africology products at the Aroma Boma Spa, Ulusaba.
Sounds just a little bit better than you were expecting, hey?
Foodies, rejoice: you’ll get to taste some delicious local food as part of your Kruger safari packages:
- After an early start spotting the Big Five, a post-safari breakfast will be extremely welcome. How does poaches eggs on a Boerewors patty, a specialist sausage, sound? Thought so.
- Lunch is served followed by high tea before afternoon game-drive then it is time for the best bit, sundowners. Enjoy stretching your legs in the park where your ranger will select a gorgeous spot for you to enjoy some traditional South African snacks with a cool cocktail or some fine local wine.
- Feast on Kudu burgers from a Braai, a traditional African BBQ – super succulent and so tasty you’ll want seconds, and maybe thirds. Even better, enjoy your dinner around the BOMA, with breathtaking views across the plains – the perfect sunset dining experience.
- As for drink, South Africa is, of course, famous for its vineyards, which means one thing and one thing only: wine. And good wine, at that. Try Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and other new world wines from local vineyards. What a way to wind down at the lodge after a day of wildlife-spotting!
It’s high time you booked yourself and your family or loved ones onto that safari trip you’ve been talking about for years, huh?
Let’s get this show on the road: browse our Kruger National Park hotels and lodges right now, this minute, and you’ll soon be hanging out with (okay, near) lions in the African bush.