Search

Where's your next trip?

Route Planner
DE/EN
Kruger National Park, South Africa
🕐
Home › Destinations › South Africa › Krüger-Nationalpark
Northeast

Krüger-Nationalpark

Kruger National Park is one of the best places to experience Africa's wildlife up close. Elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras roam endless savannas here, a true paradise for nature and adventure lovers. On our classic safari, with a bit of luck, we spotted a few of the famous Big Five. Another highlight was a relaxed evening drive across the grounds, while the setting sun bathed the landscape in magical light. Everything was rounded off with a picnic in the middle of nature.

Private full-day safari with sightings of the Big FiveSundowner picnic in the middle of the wildernessScenic afternoon drive on the lodge groundsAnimals roaming freely right on the Muluwa Lodge grounds
🚁 Bringing a drone? South Africa requires registration – see the full drone guide →

Getting to Krüger-Nationalpark

From Cape Town we flew with Airlink to Mbombela (Nelspruit, MQP), around 2 hours 25 minutes, costing between €60 and €250 per person depending on when you book. Our accommodation arranged its own transfer for €46, which brought us comfortably to the hotel. Alternatively, the route could also be covered by rental car (about 18 to 20 hours, a stopover is recommended), or by long-distance bus (over 24 hours, less comfortable). Depending on where your accommodation is located, other airports are also worth considering: Skukuza right inside the park, Hoedspruit for the central and northern part, or Phalaborwa near the northern entrance.

Where We Stayed Near Kruger National Park

Muluwa Lodge

Beautiful setting in the middle of nature, relaxed atmosphere, an ideal base for excursions. On the sprawling grounds, alongside zebras, giraffes and antelope, many more (harmless) animals live and can be watched right from breakfast. Extensive activity offering (safari, picnic, massage), great breakfast, high-quality restaurant food, very friendly staff.

Cost: around €130 a night (depending on season and booking time). Only downside: the price for the airport transfer was comparatively high.

Verdict: A great place to stay for anyone who values nature, peace and stylish ambiance. Thanks to the wildlife on the grounds, the good food and the friendly service, definitely worth recommending.

Muluwa Lodge

Dining at Muluwa Lodge

Breakfast

Good selection, convincing flavors, and especially lovely: while eating, zebras and antelope roamed freely across the grounds. Small downside: no milk alternatives.

Breakfast

Dinner

Every evening a set menu with starter, main and dessert, always with a vegetarian option too, plus usually a glass of wine and a margarita. Twice a week the menu was swapped for a BBQ buffet, also with vegetarian alternatives. Varied and delicious, we were never disappointed.

Dinner

Drinks

A glass of wine by the pool or a cocktail by the campfire, the perfect companions for a relaxed evening. Great tasting and beautifully served.

Drinks

Activities In and Around Kruger National Park

Our safari in Kruger National Park

We were picked up right at our accommodation at 5:30am, and our guide was waiting at the entrance with coffee and a breakfast lunch pack. The tour was private, which turned out to be a real advantage, our guide could focus entirely on what we wanted to see.

Right in the morning we spotted elephants calmly crossing the road, later a lioness in the tall grass, plus rhinos, buffalo and giraffes up close. At the rest stops, cheeky monkeys lurked, waiting only for visitors' food, one even opened my zipped backpack and stole my snacks.

Cost: full-day private safari for 2 people around R2,065 per person, including transfers, guide, coffee and breakfast lunch pack. Kruger National Park entrance fee (R486 per adult) comes on top.

Verdict: A once-in-a-lifetime experience with many unforgettable moments. The private tour and our guide's expertise in particular made the day something really special. Tip: stash your snacks well, the monkeys are true professionals at stealing.

Our safari in Kruger National Park

Sunset picnic

After a short ride in the open safari vehicle, we headed to one of the loveliest picnic spots in the area, where a lovingly set table was already waiting in the middle of nature: a generous platter of cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, bread and crackers, plus a bottle of wine of our choice.

Cost: R395 per person, duration about 2 hours.

Verdict: A genuine highlight of our trip, good food, great wine and an incredible backdrop. The perfect mix of relaxation and nature experience.

Sunset picnic

Scenic afternoon drive

In the late afternoon, in the open safari vehicle across the accommodation's sprawling grounds, while the golden evening sun bathed the landscape in warm light. Sightings of giraffes, antelope, zebras and many more animals, plus a drink of your choice.

Cost: R250 per person, duration about 1 hour.

Verdict: A relaxed ride with great views and wonderful animal sightings, perfect for winding down the day in nature.

Scenic afternoon drive
← Back to all stops in South Africa