10 Best Luxury Kruger Safaris

A Kruger National Park safari offers some of the finest Big 5 game viewing in the world, award-winning accommodation, smooth-running logistics, and some of Africa's best trackers and guides. If you’re looking for some of the very best luxury Kruger safaris, then visiting the Kruger’s private game reserves will satisfy your every need for a five-star safari experience.

Set along most of the unfenced western boundary of the Kruger National Park, these private game reserves offer immaculate accommodation, fewer restrictions than in the public park – activities like off-road game driving, guided nature walks and night drives are permitted – and virtually guaranteed Big 5 sightings. We’ve rounded up our best luxury Kruger safaris, all completely customisable to suit your travel wishes:

1. Five-Star Service in Cape Town & Kruger

Duration: 9 Days | Destinations: 2

Kick off this swanky vacation in South Africa’s Mother City, regularly voted one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Enjoy the exceptional service, fantastic cuisine and tranquillity on offer at the elegant Ellerman House, a favourite among stars like Oprah Winfrey. After four days of exploring Cape Town, you’ll be whisked off to Singita Lebombo Lodge, an award-winning safari lodge in a private concession with access to the Kruger National Park. Cape Town and Kruger is a very popular route when visiting South Africa – read our handy guide on how to combine Cape Town and a Kruger safari.

Trip Highlights:

• Opulent accommodation and impeccable service
• Ellerman House, a regular on Condé Nast’s Gold List
• Tours of Table Mountain and Cape Winelands
• Big 5 encounters in Kruger
• Fine dining and exceptional wine cellar at Singita Lebombo

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

2. The Ultimate Bush-to-Beach Getaway

Duration: 14 Days | Destinations: 4

This luxury Kruger National Park safari package presents you with the best that Southern Africa has to offer, culminating at a private coral island surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. This is one of safari’s most popular routes: Victoria Falls to Kruger to the Seychelles. Designed for couples looking for exclusivity, intimate hideaways and outstanding wildlife encounters, this itinerary includes top experiences like encountering the world’s biggest waterfall, seeing the Big 5 and basking in sunshine on a palm-fringed beach with no other towel in sight.

Trip Highlights:

• Tongabezi Lodge, included on The Condé Nast Gold List
• Boat cruises on the Zambezi River
• Guided tour of Victoria Falls
• Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, an award-winning luxury Kruger safari lodge
• Big 5 sightings in the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve
• Barefoot luxury on Denis Private Island in the Seychelles

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

3. South Africa’s Best Cities & Private Game Reserves

Duration: 15 Days | Destinations: 4

Stay at a collection of Africa’s best hotels and safari lodges like Dulini River Lodge in the acclaimed Sabi Sands Game Reserve, the world-famous Saxon Hotel, The Motse on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, and the award-winning Cape Grace in Cape Town. Enjoy exceptional Big 5 game viewing in Kruger, superb service and culinary experiences, and discovering unique desert wildlife like meerkat, aardvark and the elusive pangolin (if you’re very lucky!) in South Africa’s biggest privately-owned reserve. This luxury Kruger National Park safari package is ideal for discerning travellers in search of a diverse wildlife experience.

Trip Highlights:

• Service and cuisine at Dulini River Lodge
• Big 5 game viewing in Sabi Sands
• Fine dining at the Saxon Boutique Hotel
• Privately guided tour of Johannesburg city centre
• Bush walks, stargazing and sleep outs at The Motse at Tswalu
• Game drives and hot-air ballooning in the Kalahari
• Service and fine dining at the Cape Grace
• Tours of Table Mountain and Cape Winelands

Best Suited For:

• Discerning travellers
• Wildlife enthusiasts
• Couples
• Honeymooners

4. A Bush & Beach Family Vacation

Duration: 12 Days | Destinations: 3

This holiday of a lifetime offers you and your family a chance to experience one of the world’s most-beloved cities, unbeatable game viewing in the Kruger, and barefoot luxury on a tropical island. This Kruger National Park safari itinerary kicks off at the splendid Cape Grace, situated in Cape Town’s popular V&A Waterfront. Then you’ll enjoy game drives and guided walks in the sensational Sabi Sands Game Reserve, before saluting breathtaking sunsets on a sheltered coastline on Mozambique’s Benguerra Island.

Trip Highlights:

• Cape Grace, a regular on Condé Nast’s Gold List
• A tour of the Cape Peninsula and Cape Winelands
• Private game drives in Big 5 territory
• Benguerra Island, home to 140 bird species and rare dugong
• Scuba diving and snorkelling at Two Mile Reef
• Dhow (traditional sailboat) cruises on the Indian Ocean

Best Suited For:

• Families
• Groups

5. Cape Town, the Winelands and Kruger’s Big Five

Duration: 11 Days | Destinations: 3

This 11-day adventure is set in private, fully serviced villas that suit groups and families, allowing you to explore South Africa’s best attractions at your own pace.

Blending plenty of rest and relaxation with hand-selected day tours, the itinerary takes in Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and Big 5 game viewing in the greater Kruger National Park.

This dream vacation was designed to be tailored by an Africa Safari Expert to fit your preferences and interests – consider this to be your inspiration for your South African holiday!

Trip Highlights:

• Private vacation villa accommodation throughout
• Taste vintages in the Cape Winelands
• Spot the Big 5 in the greater Kruger National Park
• Extremely luxurious and artfully decorated villas
• Ideal for multi-generational families
• Explore the heart of Cape Town and Zeitz MOCAA
• Views of Table Mountain and Robben Island

Best Suited For:

• Gourmets
• Family
• Friends

6. A Romantic Vacation in Cape Town, Kruger & KwaZulu-Natal

Duration: 13 Days | Destinations: 4

Spend 13 days journeying from one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature to South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, with a premier Big 5 safari in between. Begin your holiday at a hotel on the slopes of Table Mountain, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Town’s Blue Flag beaches. Then spend a few days at the exquisite Delaire Graff, one of the top wine estates in South Africa, before heading off to Timbavati to spot the Big 5 as well as giraffe, spotted hyena and rare wild dog. If you’re looking for diverse game viewing, then this is one of the best luxury Kruger safaris.

Your last few days will be spent at a zen-like forest lodge in the wildlife-diverse Phinda Private Game Reserve, located on the country’s subtropical Indian Ocean coast. This itinerary demonstrates the country’s diverse offerings and is a great example of why South Africa is such a fantastic tourist destination.

Trip Highlights:

• Facilities and service at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
• Azure restaurant’s fine dining and panoramic views
• Cape Town’s beaches, Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront
• Delaire Graff Estate’s superb wines, fantastic dining and exceptional spa
• Big 5 viewing and night game drives in a private game reserve
• River views from Ngala Tented Camp
• Guided walks and rhino tracking excursions from Phinda Forest Lodge

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

7. A Private Adventure from Kruger to Zambia

Duration: 12 Days | Destinations: 3

Ideal as a luxurious family getaway or an indulgent honeymoon with a difference, this safari is all about outstanding service, exquisite cuisine, stunning lodges and game viewing in phenomenal wilderness areas. Journey from South Africa’s home of the Big 5 to the untamed birthplace of guided walking safaris. Throw in a stay at a wonderful lodge on the Zambezi River just upstream from the colossal Victoria Falls, and you have a Kruger National Park safari itinerary that’s hard to beat.

Trip Highlights:

• Londolozi Pioneer Camp, an intimate lodge with superb river views
• Predator sightings in Sabi Sands Game Reserve
• Spot-lit night drives and guided walking safaris
• Thorntree River Lodge’s excellent proximity to Victoria Falls
• Sunset boat cruises on the Zambezi River
• Big game viewing in South Luangwa National Park
• Incredible riverside setting at Chinzombo

Best Suited For:

• Families
• Couples
• Adventurous travellers

8. Ultra Lux Cape Town, Kruger & Vic Falls

Duration: 12 Days | Destinations: 4

Combining 4 of Africa’s best destinations, this tour has it all; from vibrant city and tranquil winelands to bountiful wildlife and 2 of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Kicking off with Mother City and its iconic Table Mountain, the adventure is off to a luxurious, exciting start. From there, venture to the world-renowned Cape Winelands in Franschhoek, also known as South Africa’s culinary capital.

A short flight changes the tempo of your trip from winelands relaxation to Kruger National Park luxury safari. Londolozi Private Granite Suites welcomes you to one of the finest private concessions within the lauded Sabi Sands Game Reserve. As a Big 5 safari destination, you never know what sightings daily game drives and guided walks may unveil. Finally, fly to Zambia to explore the next Natural Wonder of the World, the vast, thunderous Victoria Falls.

Trip Highlights:

• Top Kruger luxury safari destination and accommodation
• Exceptional wildlife experiences, including potential Big 5 sightings
• Hot air balloon safari
• Table Mountain & Victoria Falls – Natural Wonders of the World
• Game drives, guided walks, and sunset river cruises
• Stay in the heart of the Cape Winelands

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

9. Kruger & Seychelles’ Islands

Duration: 12 Days | Destinations: 4

Embark on the ultimate safari and beach odyssey that begins in an exclusive, private concession bordering South Africa’s lauded Kruger National Park. Spend several days at the luxurious Ngala Tented Camp and discover a host of incredible wildlife, including the infamous Big 5, on twice-daily game drives and guided walking safaris. When you’re not exploring, relax and unwind at Ngala’s spa, in its contoured lap pool, or enjoy a romantic riverside dinner for two.

After a brief stop in Johannesburg, jet off to Mahé island in the Seychelles for the seaside sojourn of your luxury Kruger safari. Soak in the sunshine by the pool and on one of the island’s beautiful beaches or venture off and enjoy a variety of activities – from kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, and sailing to sunset cruises, yoga, and water-skiing. Finally, escape to the exquisite, jungle-dense Silhouette Island for an immersive island experience.

Trip Highlights:

• Big 5 game viewing in an exclusive reserve
• Lavish island villas and private beaches
• Explore tropical forests and discover its inhabitants
• River- and seaside dining
• Enjoy a variety of exciting watersports
• Game drives and guided walking safaris
• Indulgent spa treatments

Best Suited For:

• Couples
• Honeymooners

10. Community & Wildlife Luxury Safari: Kruger & The Kalahari

Duration: 10 Days | Destinations: 3

The emphasis of this safari is on exquisite service, exceptional cuisine and unsurpassed relaxation. Discover the family-friendly magic of Saseka Tented Camp, or even its exclusive-use villa, Little Saseka, and enjoy game drives in search of the iconic Big 5 as well as exhilarating walking safaris with your ranger and guide. Staying on a privately-run conservation area bordering the infamous Kruger is a true highlight of this Kruger National Park safari.

More incredible wildlife experiences await in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, where you’ll stay at the sensational Motse, an award-winning lodge situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Explore the beautiful and surprisingly diverse landscapes of Tswalu, home to lion, cheetah, giraffe, buffalo, and both white and black rhino.

This tour also forms part of our Trips With A Purpose – a Positive Impact initiative centred around itineraries that include a visit or an immersive experience that support local communities or conservation. In this case, a fascinating community tour at Nourish Eco Village and a visit to several of the Tswalu Foundation projects.

Trip Highlights:

• Exceptional safari cuisine
• Big 5 African safari
• Meaningful interactions with rescued elephants
• The Motse at Tswalu, an award-winning luxury lodge
• Seeing Kalahari rarities like bat-eared fox and aardvark
• A contribution to Positive Impact initiatives

Best Suited For:

• Families with children
• Honeymooners
• Couples

Ready to Start Planning Your Kruger National Park Safari?

Are you inspired by any of the above luxury Kruger safaris? We’ve been tailor-making dream holidays in Africa for thousands of travellers since 1998. Get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts to help you plan a Kruger National Park safari to suit your personal travel wishes: