South Africa : Kruger Area

A leader in African conservation South Africa set aside an area the size of Wales to protect its wildlife populations and established the Kruger National Park. With the greatest variety of animals, birds and plants in Africa, Kruger provides excellent game viewing. For a truer bush experience the private game parks bordering Kruger are the place to go where you can enjoy walking and night drives as well as huge numbers of animals. The Drakensberg range runs up near to Kruger.

Quick links:
Garonga Safari Camp	Nottens Bush Camp
Djuma Bush Lodge	Royal Malewane
Djuma Lodge - Vuyatela	Singita Private Game Reserve
Leopard Hills	Thornybush Game Reserve
Londolozi - Tree Camp

Garonga Safari Camp
Garonga Safari Camp is an exclusive camp situated west of the Kruger National Park in the Makalali Private Game Conservancy. The camp's six Bedouin style luxury en-suite rooms are surrounded by ebony trees on the banks of a dry watercourse and command beautiful views. The camp is well designed with a large open-plan living area, a wine cellar, a 'spill over' swimming pool as well as a special sala for aromatherapy sessions. The activities on offer are flexible and varied, there are game drives, bush walks, tracking animals, bird watching, game viewing from hides (even the pool) and sleeping out under the stars. Garonga is a very relaxing safari lodge and perfect for honeymooners or couples looking to get away from the masses.

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the lodge	Makalali	bush picnic

pool	bedroom	spa

The Hambledon suite offers total privacy with a private deck and pool and, when possible, a private game vehicle.

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Hambledon suite	bedroom	bathroom

Djuma Bush Lodge
The Bush Lodge is a luxurious lodge set in the Sabi Sands wildlife reserve and comprises of eight thatched chalets all en-suite and with air conditioning. The Lodge itself is built of local wood and thatch and is unique in its construction, all the guests have access to 2 viewing decks, from which you can view the game without even leaving camp. The lodge offers morning and afternoon game drives with excellent guides who will point out animal tracks, the plants and will tell you about the history of the reserve and the traditions of the local people. Meals are served in the dining room or under the African sky, around a roaring fire in the boma.

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the pool	thatched chalet	boma

Djuma Lodge - Vuyatela
This exclusive lodge has broken the mould of traditional game lodges and is the pride of Djuma. Vuyatela is an expression of modern South African culture. The lodge has been beautifully constructed with teak decks, private plunge pools and abstract scenes painted on the walls. The main lodge area has a large double deck and bar overlooking the waterhole, indigenous bird watching tower and a vast aquarium, stocked with indigenous fish. There are twice daily game drives and bush walks.

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luxury bathroom	bedroom	sabi sands

Leopard Hills
Leopard Hills Lodge is located in the world-renowned Sabi Sands Game Reserve, set in the thick bush and a densely populated wildlife area. Each of the large rooms has glass-fronted panels for panoramic views which can also be enjoyed from your private balcony. Leopard Hills prides itself on high levels of service, fine cuisine and a new cellar brimming with racks of celebrated local and International wines. The guiding is one of the best in the area, experienced rangers conduct game drives twice a day and walking safaris can also be arranged.

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glass fronted bedroom	game viewing	pool

Londolozi - Tree Camp
Londolozi is in a prime wildlife haven on the border of the Kruger National Park, this area has been rated the best game experience in Southern Africa. It consists of 4 separate camps set along the Sand River and the most exclusive is the Tree Camp. Each of the six air-conditioned luxurious suites has its own cascading plunge pool, outdoor shower and en suite bathroom featuring a huge, inviting bath tub. The private decks with plunge pools and outdoor shower overlook the lush banks of the Sand River. The camp has a sitting area with guest library. The main sitting area leads out onto a large wooden deck, raised on stilts and elevated over the river and there is a large swimming pool set in the camp's garden.

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plunge pool	bedroom	dining terrace

Nottens Bush Camp
Notten's Bush Camp is part of the Sabi-Sand Game Reserve, which adjoins the south-western side of the Kruger National Park. This area is well known for its superb game viewing experiences and large numbers of animals and makes an ideal first time safari location. The big difference with Nottens compared to other lodges in the area is that you are staying at Bambi and Gilly Nottens home, where you will be made to feel extremely welcome, personal attention is their trademark and they will ensure that your stay is an unforgettable experience.

There are 5 luxurious en-suite chalets (only accommodating 10 guests at any one time), each one has an open deck from which you can view the wildlife in front of the lodge and some even have outdoor showers. All the bathrooms have hot running water but the lodge and chalets are lit with traditional paraffin lighting. Meals are a social event at Nottens and the camp is well known for its delicious food, often evening meals will be eaten out under the clear African sky.

Nottens is a small and intimate camp, the staff are excellent and are all part of the Nottens extended family. This makes for a lovely relaxed atmosphere at the lodge and everyone is so welcoming you really feel at home. I highly recommend Nottens as it's uncommercialised, very homely and the food is excellent.

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rhino in front of camp	pool	boma

leopard	preparing food	lodge

Royal Malewane
Royal Malewane is situated in the heart of the Thornybush Game Reserve close to the Kruger National Park. This camp defines luxury and is one of the most exclusive ways to go on safari. There are 6 luxurious 'colonial' suites each one built on rich deckwood, with a thatched gazebo shade and spillway pool. The activities here are well organised and game viewing activities occur in the early mornings and evenings, when the animals are at their most active. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the immediate surroundings of camp. The other highlight of Royal Malewane is the cuisine, simply out of this world! Great care is taken to provide perfect mouth watering meals from your packed lunch to a 4 course dinner under the stars - all expertly prepared by the in-house award-winning chef.

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the lodge	bedroom	reception

Singita Private Game Reserve
With its tranquil setting on the borders of the Kruger National Park and its luxury accommodation combined with personal friendly service Singita is regarded as one of the top safari spots in Africa. The two lodges Ebony and Boulders each completely distinctive in style share the same high standards and fine cuisine and wine which brought it to the attention of the prestigious Relais and Chateau organisation. Activities include morning and evening game walks and drives. Both lodges have nine exquisite suites each with air-conditioning, a fireplace, separate living area and balcony with fantastic views.

Ebony Lodge has been built in the colonial - style with an all weather dining room and a stylish bar and Club Room which provides guests with ample space to relax, a large deck area and swimming pool with wonderful views.

Boulders Lodge reflects a more modern African contemporary style with the living room and timber dining deck area elevated and built into the branches of Jackalberry trees overlooking the Sands River.

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Ebony Lodge - the main sitting area	Ebony Lodge - bedroom	Ebony Lodge - bathroom

Boulders Lodge - main lodge interior	Boulders Lodge - bedroom	Boulders Lodge - bathroom and plunge pool

Thornybush Game Reserve
Adjacent to Kruger National Park, with a huge diversity of bird and mammal species lies 11,500 hectares of pristine African bush - the Thornybush Game Reserve. Big game viewing is complemented by excellent accommodation in the form of 5 lodges.

The newly refurbished Main Lodge has 15 luxury suites set on the banks of the seasonal Monwani River and overlooking an active water hole. The sitting and dining areas are suspended over the river and have a stunning view.

n'Kaya combines luxury with natural simplicity using indigenous wood for decoration. There are 4 thatched cottages with adjacent sitting rooms and en suite bathrooms.

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Main Lodge - lodge	Main Lodge - by the fire	Main Lodge - bathroom

Main Lodge - pool	n'Kaya - sitting room	n'Kaya - game drive