Five money bags

FULL FIVE STAR  JUMP TO LODGES

These lodges occupy prize positions in the Greater Kruger, both from the perspective of game viewing and location, and have access to large amounts of land. Service and comfort levels are consistent with top grade international accommodation.

daily sharing pp
South African Rand, ZAR
USD Dollar, USD
Euro, EUR
Pound Sterling, GBP
from
R 6,000
$ 317
€ 297
£ 258
to
R 8,500
$ 449
€ 421
£ 365

Shumbalala lodge panorama from river

WILD WITH COMFORT

These lodges are excellent. They do not lose sight of the fact that your principal reason for being there is to be in the wild and, whilst extremely comfortable, they are not over-the-top in terms of luxury.

Elephants at Ngala Safari Lodge deck

EXCELLENT LOCATIONS

Most are located in areas where game relies on secondary water sources, such as waterholes, pans and seasonal rivers, so the lodges do not attract the premium attached to prime perennial river frontage. It is not worth their while focussing on luxury in their lodges when you will be away from them for most of the day spending time with game. Prices are kept down as a consequence.

Pafuri Camp bar

TRICKIER LOCATIONS

The five money bag lodges that are on year-round rivers tend to be in areas which are harder to get to, such as the two groups on the banks of the Luvuvhu river in north Kruger, an area we highly recommend for scenery and value.

TEN PER VEHICLE

These lodges allow up to ten guests on a game vehicle.

Chasing leopard at Honeyguide

SEVERAL LARGER VEHICLES

The lodges often have up to four full drives in progress at a time, making them larger than the six and seven money bag lodges and accommodating between 20 and 40 guests in total. However the shared traversing ranges are 60 to 100 square kilometres in size, so there is plenty of opportunity for undisturbed exploration.

Riverbed drive at Hamiltons Tented Camp

CONCESSIONS

The private concessions in the Kruger operate mostly in this price range. Concessions have unique access and traversing rights over 10,000-15,000 hectares of the park zoned for your exclusive use. They are accorded the same privileges as private reserve owners in driving off-road and in offering night drives and morning walks.

Open kitchen at Jock Safari lodge

LODGE FACILITIES

The levels of comfort are five star. The food tends to be restaurant style service from a menu, but there will also be plenty of opportunity to watch your food being cooked, and to eat, around the fire. These lodges tend not to have spas. Massages may be available in your suite or on the deck, and there may be a gym.

Clientele: once-in-a-lifetime visitors, honeymooners, people who have saved up for a particularly special experience.

Dining at Hamiltons Tented Camp

Hamiltons Tented Camp

19th century African colonial experience with 6 luxury canvas and wood suites on the Nwatswitsonto River. Shares 100 sq km Kruger Mluwati concession. Plentiful Big Five & birdlife. Silver service, bush dinners, picnics.

The Outpost architecture at dusk

The Outpost

Mind-expanding modern design maximises 180º panorama over river & plains dotted with baobabs. Enjoy the view from bath or balcony. Remote, peaceful, private. Privileged access to gorges & forest.

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.

Kapama Buffalo Camp exterior at night

Kapama Buffalo Camp

Buffalo Camp is basic, small yet elegant, and keenly priced. It exudes charm and character. Ten luxury tents are raised on stilts and, whilst there is no air conditioning, fans and a lovely pool provide relief from the heat. Big Five sightings are reliable and Kapama is easily accessible.

Elephant herd at Inyati Lodge

Inyati

Substantial Big Five property unusually spanning both sides of the Sand River with first rights in that part of the 100 sq km traverse. Particularly strong on walking and birding. Catch-and-release fishing.

Elephant visiting Geigers Camp veranda

Geiger's Camp

A sophisticated exclusive-use private retreat in northern Timbavati. Watch elephants at the deck from an infinity pool. Large, luxurious suites. Elegant library. Unbeatable sleep-out hide.

Simbavati Hilltop

Small, unusually architected lodge in the less visited northern sector of the Timbavati. Views from the koppie top across wooded plains to the foothills of the Drakensberg. Spectacular double outdoor showers.

Explorer-style splendour of Tanda Tula Field Camp

Tanda Tula Field Camp

Walk an exclusive Timbavati concession from a comfortable mobile tented camp. Campaign-style facilities including a spectacular mess tent are moved for each safari. Track Big Five on foot whilst learning bushcraft and identification skills looking at the small things in the bush.

Bull elephant in front of Honeyguide tent

Honeyguide Tented Camps

Two tranquil luxury tented camps in the less-developed, large Manyeleti, with 23,000 hectares of Big Five territory unfenced with Sabi Sand and Kruger. Walking, undisturbed driving, unhurried sightings, photography.

Dagga boy buffalo on drive at Imbali

Imbali

Turn-of-the-century inspired luxury thatched lodge sharing 10,000 hectare Mluwati concession adjacent to Sabi Sand/ Manyeleti. Waterhole overlooked by infinity pool and expansive suites. Local tribal settlement history on walks.

Pel's Post from the Luvuvhu floodplain

Pel's Post

Impeccable new, exclusive-use lodge on Luvuvhu river bank with a spectacular floodplains view. Luxury, off-the-grid retreat. Excellent big baobab and fever tree Makuleke traversing. Private chef, guide and vehicle.

Kapama Southern Camp main lodge

Kapama Southern Camp

Southern Camp is a medium sized lodge priced at the lower end of the five star bracket and, being fenced, offering decent chances of Big Five. Proximate to Eastgate airport and the R40, it is ideal for the full private lodge safari experience in short order when time is limited.

Dinner on rhino deck at Kapama River Lodge

Kapama River Lodge

River Lodge offers the largest private bush accommodation in the Lowveld, with appropriately sized views of the Drakensberg mountains. On a private fenced reserve, it is fully featured with an excellent spa, offering good value and a quick way to see the Big Five when time is limited.

Dining at Ngala Tented Camp

Ngala Tented Camp

Luxurious creature comfort under canvas in semi-permanent safari tents. Expansive concession-style private reserve in the Kruger. Glorious river view in the centre of the elephant-rich Timbavati plains. Outstanding walking and game drives.

Ngala elephants on game drive

Ngala Safari Lodge

Traditional family-friendly bushcamp with Timbavati riverside luxury cottages. Extensive private Kruger concession reserve, with 15,000 hectare traverse. Good elephant and (possibly white) ngala (lion). Potential for cheetah and wild dog sightings on the plains.

Lions on horseback trail at Wait-a-Little

Wait-a-Little Horseback Trails

Three multi-night horseback trails varying in range and comfort are offered in 35,000 hectares below the Blyde Canyon and its escarpment. Suited to experienced riders, small groups of well-schooled horses are able to approach the Big Five under the supervision of armed guides.

Jock Main Lodge from river

Jock Safari Lodge

A pair of beautiful thatched luxury lodges (each suitable for a family or other group) at the confluence of two large seasonal rivers. Exclusive traverse. High density of game. Ask to see rock art on the excellent morning walks.