The best of
Kruger, and the wild beyond.
The best lodges in the Sabi Sand. The rest camps worth booking a year ahead. The lodges nearest Paul Kruger Gate, the game drives worth an early start and the private reserves worth the money — ranked, with each place's own website and a map pin for every pick.
Ranked guides to Kruger, the private reserves and Africa's safari countries — updated through 2026
the Bush
A sighting you’ll talk about for years.
A sundowner you’ll never forget.
We’ll help you find them.
Kruger first,
then the rest of the bush.
01Kruger National Park
Rest camps, concession lodges and the gates.
02Sabi Sand
Leopards and Africa's best-known lodges.
03Greater Kruger
Off-road tracking, night drives, walking.
04Timbavati
White lions and better-value lodges.
05Hazyview
Near Phabeni, Paul Kruger and Numbi gates.
06Hoedspruit
The way into central Kruger's reserves.
07South Africa
The best lodges and reserves in the country.
08All of Africa
Kruger against the Okavango and the Mara.
09Klaserie
Big, quiet and made for walking.
Whatever you're after.
01Safari lodges
The lodges worth the splurge, reserve by reserve.
02Kruger rest camps
SANParks camps ranked for game, views and value.
03Game drives
Open-vehicle drives into Kruger from the gateway towns.
04Private reserves
Sabi Sand or Timbavati? Which reserve to choose.
05Luxury lodges
Singita, Londolozi, MalaMala and the rest, compared.
06Budget lodges
Big Five safaris that don't cost a month's salary.
07Family lodges
Lodges that welcome children, and the malaria-free ones.
08Walking safaris
On foot with an armed guide — the bush up close.
09Malaria-free reserves
Madikwe, Pilanesberg, the Waterberg and the Eastern Cape.
10Panorama Route
Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and the waterfalls.
Where most people
start reading.
-
01
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK · LODGES INSIDE KRUGER
The 17 Best Private Lodges Inside Kruger National Park
17 picks, starting with Singita Lebombo Lodge.
Read the guide -
02
SABI SAND · LUXURY SAFARI LODGES
The 13 Best Luxury Lodges in the Sabi Sand
13 picks, starting with Singita Ebony Lodge.
Read the guide -
03
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK · KRUGER REST CAMPS
The 12 Best Rest Camps in Kruger National Park
12 picks, starting with Lower Sabie Rest Camp.
Read the guide -
04
HAZYVIEW · HOTELS
The 8 Best Hotels and Resorts in Hazyview
8 picks, starting with Kruger Park Lodge.
Read the guide -
05
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK · NEAR PAUL KRUGER GATE
The 6 Best Lodges Near Paul Kruger Gate
6 picks, starting with Kruger Gate Hotel.
Read the guide -
06
GREATER KRUGER · PRIVATE GAME RESERVES
The 9 Best Private Game Reserves in Greater Kruger
9 picks, starting with Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
Read the guide
The good stuff,
all written down.
A little more
about us.
01What is Best of the Bush?
A ranked guide to safaris in Kruger National Park, its private reserves and the rest of Africa — lodges, rest camps, game drives and reserves, with each place's own website and a map pin for every pick.
02Should I stay inside Kruger or in a private reserve?
Stay in a SANParks rest camp if you want to self-drive on a budget. Choose a lodge in a private reserve such as the Sabi Sand or Timbavati if you want guided drives that go off-road, night drives and fewer vehicles at sightings. Our guides to each cover the best options.
03When is the best time for a Kruger safari?
May to September, the dry winter months, when the bush thins out and animals gather at water. Summer (November to March) is green, hot and good for birds and baby animals, with afternoon storms.
04Is Kruger malaria-free?
No. Kruger and the Greater Kruger reserves are in a low-risk malaria area, highest in the wet summer months; speak to a travel clinic. If you want to avoid malaria entirely, look at Madikwe, Pilanesberg, the Waterberg or the Eastern Cape reserves.