Kruger National Park Where to Stay Near Phabeni Gate

The 6 Best Lodges Near Phabeni Gate, Kruger (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 6 picks

The best lodges near Phabeni Gate in 2026 are Rissington Inn, about 10 minutes from the gate, Umbhaba Eco Lodge, 10 km away on the R40, Hippo Hollow and Kruger Park Lodge on the Sabie River, Perry's Bridge Hollow in central Hazyview and Sabi River Sun. All are in or just outside Hazyview, the town closest to the gate.

Phabeni Gate is the closest Kruger gate to Hazyview, and the road in (the Doispane road) reaches the Sabie River and Skukuza in about an hour of game driving. It is a day-visitor gate: there is no camp at the gate and SANParks does not allow late admission, so plan to be out before closing (17:30 to 18:30 depending on the month).

There are no lodges right at the gate; these are the Hazyview hotels closest to it.

1. Rissington Inn — Near Hazyview, 10 minutes from Phabeni Gate

A characterful guest lodge with deep verandahs, 10 minutes from Phabeni Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples

Rissington Inn is a long-running guest lodge on the edge of Hazyview, about a 10-minute drive from Phabeni Gate. Rooms each have their own character, with en-suite bathrooms, and many have outdoor showers and deep verandahs.

Its restaurant is popular in its own right, and guests come back year after year.

Good to know: Book dinner at the inn even if you stay elsewhere; it is one of Hazyview's favorites.

Rissington Inn, R40, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. Umbhaba Eco Lodge — R40, 4 km from Hazyview

Rooms with balconies over the Sabie Valley, 10 km from Phabeni Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples

Umbhaba Eco Lodge is on the R40 about 4 km from Hazyview and 10 km from Phabeni Gate, overlooking the Sabie Valley. Rooms have private balconies and air conditioning, and the grounds have a pool, dams and walking trails.

Families are well catered for with interleading rooms, and the restaurant has views across the valley.

Good to know: Fiber internet throughout makes it a practical base if you need to work between drives.

Umbhaba Eco Lodge, R40, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. Hippo Hollow Country Estate — Sabie River, Hazyview

A family-friendly estate on the Sabie River with river chalets and two pools.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Hippo Hollow is a family-friendly hotel on the banks of the Sabie River, with gardens and two swimming pools. Its 15 River Chalets suit couples or families of two adults and two children.

Six newly renovated Deluxe Chalets overlook the river or gardens, with modern bathrooms and private patios.

Good to know: Ask for a river chalet; hippos are regular visitors, as the name suggests.

Hippo Hollow Country Estate, R40, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Kruger Park Lodge — Sabie River, Hazyview

Self-catering chalets on the Sabie River with a 9-hole Gary Player golf course.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Groups

Kruger Park Lodge, part of Legacy Hotels, sits on the Sabie River in indigenous gardens where impala and hippo wander through. Accommodation is two-, three- and four-bedroom chalets with full kitchens and covered patios with a braai.

It has three swimming pools, a nature trail and a 9-hole Gary Player-designed golf course, so it suits families and groups staying a week.

Good to know: Book a chalet for four or more and self-cater; it is far cheaper per head than a lodge.

Kruger Park Lodge, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. Perry's Bridge Hollow — Perry's Bridge Trading Post, Hazyview

A boutique hotel inside Hazyview's main shopping and dining hub.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples

Perry's Bridge Hollow sits inside the Perry's Bridge Trading Post, Hazyview's shopping, dining and activity center, so restaurants, a spa and children's activities are a short walk away.

It has 31 air-conditioned deluxe rooms and three family suites opening onto patios with pool or garden views.

Good to know: Its location means you can walk to dinner after a long day in the park.

Perry's Bridge Hollow, Perry's Bridge Trading Post, R40, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Sabi River Sun Resort — R536, Hazyview

A Southern Sun golf resort near the Sabie River, with a day spa and family chalets.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Golfers

Sabi River Sun is a Southern Sun resort on the R536 near the banks of the Sabie River, with a golf course, a popular day spa and 60 en-suite rooms looking over gardens full of wildlife.

Chalets sleep up to six in two bedrooms and a loft, with a kitchen and private braai, which makes it a strong family base for southern Kruger.

Good to know: Southern Sun often runs Kruger packages with game drives; compare them with room-only rates.

Sabi River Sun Resort, R536 Main Sabie Road, Hazyview, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

How far is Phabeni Gate from Hazyview?

About 10 to 15 minutes' drive. Umbhaba Eco Lodge gives its distance as 10 km from Phabeni Gate, and Rissington Inn as a 10-minute drive.

Is there late entry at Phabeni Gate?

No. SANParks lists no late admission at Phabeni, Phalaborwa or Pafuri gates, so you must be through before the gate closes.

How far is Phabeni Gate from Johannesburg?

About 430 km, via the N4 to Mbombela and the R40 to Hazyview, according to SANParks.

Where does Phabeni Gate lead to?

Into south-western Kruger between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza. The road past Doispane leads to the Sabie River and Skukuza.

1. Rissington Inn — Near Hazyview, 10 minutes from Phabeni Gate

2. Umbhaba Eco Lodge — R40, 4 km from Hazyview

3. Hippo Hollow Country Estate — Sabie River, Hazyview

4. Kruger Park Lodge — Sabie River, Hazyview

5. Perry's Bridge Hollow — Perry's Bridge Trading Post, Hazyview

6. Sabi River Sun Resort — R536, Hazyview

Frequently asked questions

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