
Welcome to Western Kruger!
The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa, and possibly the best national park in Africa for an ultimate safari experience. It also has great Western Kruger hotel and transportation options making it easy to explore. This is the land of fever trees, marula and mopane trees, baobabs and knob thorns. It is also home to the Big Five - buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino; the Little Five - weaver, shrew, tortoise, ant and beetle; and the birding Big Six - pel's fishing owl, ground hornbill, lappet-faced vulture, kori bustard, martial eagle and saddle-bill stork. In fact, the park is said to have the widest variety of mammals compared to any other African game reserve.
To give you an idea of its size, in terms of area, the park is larger than Israel! Spread over two million hectares that stretch 352 kilometres (20000 square kilometres) along the Mozambique border, north to south, the park offers an indescribable wildlife experience.
While there are excellent guided tours in Western Kruger available, the Kruger National Park also makes for a great self-drive experience. The infrastructure is excellent; there are hideouts, picnic sites, waterholes and rest camps all over. In fact, it is the game drives that the Kruger National Park is really famous for. If you are on a safari, then the best thing is to venture out in an off-road vehicle, holding on to binoculars and hanging on for dear life as the vehicle brushes past a bush in pursuit of a pride of lions that were spotted feeding on a kill.
Amongst all the splendour and its wonderful things to see and do, Western Kruger has a charm that is entirely its own. Geologists believe that about 2,000 years ago, the Phalaborwa area witnessed a spectacular volcanic eruption. It resulted in the formation of a huge volcanic pipe, richly loaded with minerals and metals such as iron, copper, gold mica, zirconium, vermiculite and phosphate. Hundreds of years ago, the Sotho tribes settled in the area bounded by the Letaba and Olifants rivers. But they quickly realized that they were in an unfavourable territory and relocated back to this fertile valley. They called the area Phalaborwa. Evidence of mining activities still abounds in the area.
Phalaborwa literally means ‘better than the South'. In 2005, this pretty town was crowned the ‘Cleanest Town' in South Africa. While Phalaborwa was earlier known as the gateway to the world-famous Kruger National Park, it is now called the gateway to the Mozambique due to the highway that links South Africa and Mozambique. Phalaborwa is also affectionately called the ‘Town of Two Summers' as it experiences only a mild winter. Summers are very hot, but made bearable by swimming pools, air-conditioners and fans.
Phalaborwa has several Western Kruger hotel options, and offers a range of Western Kruger tours and possibilities to view wildlife ‘up close and personal'. The walking trails, safaris and river safaris down the Olifants River are all structured to give tourists a memorable holiday experience.
Close to the Paul Kruger gate of the Kruger National Park, is a charming little town called Hazyview. It gets its name from the haze that envelopes the low bush land during the summers. Just 40 kilometres from Nelspruit, this small South African town has become the gateway to the Kruger Park. You can take a flight into KMIA or drive in from Johannesburg. Anyone who wants to self-drive through the Kruger Park will want to spend a night or two in a Hazyview hotel.
From Hazyview, the closest gate to Kruger is Phabeni Gate, only ten kilometres away. The most popular gate, Paul Kruger Gate, is about 45 kilometres away. Tourists can enjoy several adventure and tour activities in Hazyview, including abseiling, hot-air ballooning, river rafting and quad-biking. There are a variety of Western Kruger hotel options available in and around Hazyview, from good budget options to five-star luxury hotels in Western Kruger.
You can use our Western Kruger map to choose your hotel in Western Kruger based on its location. Whether you stay in Phalaborwa, Hazyview, or opt for a private camping or lodge experience, there is bound to be a Western Kruger hotel to suit your taste and budget. Feel free to contact us for more information on how to make your dream Western Kruger holiday become a reality!
Idube Private Game Reserve
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
From: ZAR 3,000.00
Idube Private Game Reserve is situated in the Sabi Sands, the heart of South Africa. Idube Private Game Reserve provides a haven where the best animals and birds are free to live as Nature intended. Making the Kruger the ultimate safari experience.
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- Tours & Activities
Elephant Plains Game Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
From: ZAR 1,400.00
Elephant Plains Game Lodge is sure to live up to your African safari bush expectations. Elephant Plains ensures that you will make great memories with friends and family. The lounges here are great spots where you can relax and share experiences.
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Djuma Bush Lodge
BookLocation: Hluvukani
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Djuma Bush Lodge can accommodate up to 16 guests. The lodge building consists of wood and thatch, and has excellent views of the African veld from the upper deck.
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Kirkmans Camp
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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Kirkman's Camp is Sabi Sand accommodation with a relaxing atmosphere. The camp has great views of the surrounding bush.
[more info]Exeter Leadwood Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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There are no fences between Exeter Lodge and the Kruger National Park. The animals are left to roam freely between the Sabi Sands and the Kruger National Park. Exeter Leadwood Lodge is named after an ancient tree. Leadwood Lodge is perfect for a holiday with family or with friends.
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Exeter River Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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Exeter River Lodge has a relaxing lounge area where you can sit and unwind from the pressures of daily life, while listening to the peaceful sounds of the African bush. A swimming pool is also available for those who would like to take a dip before their meals.
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Arathusa Safari Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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Djuma Vuyatela Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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Vuyatela stands for ‘come and visit again' in the local language Shangaan. Vuyatela is an exclusive lodge, Moving away from the style of traditional game lodges, Vuyatela is an expression of modern South African culture. Local Shangaan villagers have painted the exterior of the lodge.
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Leopard Hills
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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Leopard Hills assures its guests a comfortable and luxurious stay. This 5 star property has the most awesome views, where you can sit back and enjoy a great glass of wine while staring at the sunset over the horizon.
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Exeter Dulini Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
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Coupled with an excellent lodge experience, Dulini Private Game Lodge also offers wonderful game viewing. Dulini Private Game lodge is situated in the western part of the Sabi Sand.
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Singita Boulders Lodge
BookLocation: Hazyview
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Singita Boulders Lodge is perfectly situated along the sand river, with breathtaking views over the African bush.
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Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
BookLocation: White River
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Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is ultra luxurious without losing its simplicity. At the lodge, each suite is treated as a private villa, therefore privacy is not a problem.
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Ulusaba Safari Lodge
BookLocation: Sabi Sands
From: ZAR 4,750.00
Ulusaba Safari Lodge is located on the dry Mabrak riverbed. All Ulusaba's rooms are designed along the lines of a tree house. Staying here, you will feel like you are in the heart of the bush with animals passing you on their way to the nearest waterhole.
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Abseiling
BookDuration: 4 hour(s)
From: ZAR 290.00
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Quadbiking
BookDuration: 1 hour(s)
From: ZAR 320.00
Our quad biking adventure will exceed your expectations. Choose from our 1-hour or 2-hour trails that take you through the scenic Sabie River Valley and through indigenous forests.
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Horse trails
BookDuration: 1 hour(s)
From: ZAR 180.00
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Mountain biking
BookDuration: 2 hour(s)
From: ZAR 50.00
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Geckoiing
BookDuration: 2.5 hour(s)
From: ZAR 330.00
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Paintball
BookDuration: 1 hour(s)
From: ZAR 180.00
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