2. Places
  3. Kruger fly-in lodges near airports
  4. 60 mins fr Hoedspruit apt

60 mins fr Hoedspruit apt

Hoedspruit Eastgate airport is an extension of a large military base which has runways large enough to land the space shuttle. Kapama fenced reserve is opposite the boom gate at the front of the airport.

Access gates to Timbavati, Balule and Klaserie are very close on a direct road that doesn’t go near town or indeed anywhere else.This makes a number of lodges accessible by a 45 minute drive or transfer (or less) and suitable for short fly-in stays.

Hoedspruit is also the most convenient mainline airport for lodges in the north of Sabi Sand (90 minutes to Gowrie gate), and for Manyeleti.

Wild dog on drive at Naledi

Naledi

Super, family-owned pair of Balule Lodges run with great passion, enthusiasm and guiding. Excellent waterhole and river hides. Ideal for photography and tranquil wildlife watching.

Kapama Fenced Reserve

Large family-owned private reserve one fence away from Greater Kruger. With 13,000 hectares of its own enclosed land to traverse, it is large enough to feel wild and give you a good chance of seeing the Big Five in a 2 night stay. Good quick private lodge experience.

Rhino at Africa on Foot

Africa on Foot

A rustic, simple plains camp of five rondavels, two of which are family. Excellent Shangaan rangers, walks and tracking. Good big five presence with large buffalo herds and elephant at the swimming pool.

Buffalo on drive at nThambo

nThambo Tree Camp

Unusual semi-luxury Klaserie camp with tent platforms raised on stilts for deck views of the tree-line at eye-level. Overlooks a plain with good general game and an active waterhole. Good Big Five area.

Elephant at Chacma Camp, Em Gatland

Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma is a tiny traditional thatched camp offering 3 family friendly chalets in diverse, rugged Balule landscape. With the Olifants river running through the reserve close by, elephants are omnipresent and Big Five are excellent. There are plenty of secret viewpoints and sundowner spots.

AoF Wilderness Trail dinner setting

AoF Wilderness Trail

Magical three-night mobile camp that follows you around 8,000 hectares of Big Five Balule. Dome tents, camp beds, bucket showers, meals cooked on the fire. Raw and wild African wilderness on foot.

Viewing elephant from nDzuti deck

Amani

Excellent small farmstead-style lodge near a very active waterhole. Excellent game viewing along the adjacent Klaserie river bank with a resident lion pride often active nearby.

Elephants from deck at Gomo Gomo

Gomo Gomo

Excellent value chalet lodge on a busy Klaserie waterhole with 6,000 hectares of traversing and a focus on producing Big Five sightings. Basic accommodation with a mix of double and family units.

Elephant at Baobab Hill

Baobab Ridge

Family-run lodge of comfortable cottages set around small but active Klaserie waterhole. Spacious suites with views. In-pool game viewing. Good value Big Five (though leopard can be elusive).

Pondoro treehouse

Pondoro

Tasteful, thatched Olifants floodplain lodge surrounded by Balule's pachyderms. Particularly elegant premium suites with natural design elements and some outdoor baths. Owner-led walking and driving activities. Ambitious cuisine and decent wine cellar.

Elephant at Ezulwini River Lodge

Ezulwini River Lodge

Comfortable rondavals or luxurious suites with Olifants view. Abundant hippo and elephants under fig canopies on the riverbank. Good birds, Big Five. Lookout panorama deck and tower.

Buffalo at Mohlabetsi camp entrance

Mohlabetsi

Traditional thatched rondavel and chalet lodge situated on an active Balule waterhole visited by nocturnal elephants and plains game. Olifants river traversing and craggy hilltop walking. Game drives. Great basic value-for-money.

Billy's Lodge

Small premium family-run Balule bush retreat with good food and wine cellar. Plains savannah and seasonal-river frontage. Good big five sightings with traversing to the Olifants.

Elephants drinking from swimming pool at Royal Malewane

Royal Malewane

Ultimate classic safari lodge with a colonial feel and impeccable service. Excellent Big Five in Thornybush, newly opened to the Greater Kruger. Master trackers produce abundant sightings on drives and foot.. Also a spa destination in its own right. Popular with rock stars

Kapama Karula has a sleek modern design

Kapama Karula

Karula is Kapama's most luxurious lodge with huge suites and private pools, two of which are lap length in size. Sublime tented suites contrast with elegant modern architecture in the central area. Remote and secluded, it is the most tranquil and exclusive of the five lodges.

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