In terms of the range of accommodation offered within Kruger, no national park in the world quite lives up to the same level of service. The Kruger National Park has a large number of rest camps, bushveld camps and lodges and even some overnight hides, all run by South African National Parks Board. But it is the luxurious privately-run game lodges that steal the show when staying in the Kruger National Park, as a trip is transformed into something more like an experience – the pace of life slows to a leisurely tempo, your every need is catered for, and extravagance is not spared. All this in the wild heart of Africa – small wonder that the Kruger Park has the reputation that it does.
PRIVATE, LUXURY GAME LODGES (CONCESSIONS)
Up until fairly recently the only accommodation in the Kruger was the government run rest camps. However, large tracts of untouched land have been leased, in a fairly unusual commercial move by the park, to private operators who have established lodges run in a similar way to the luxurious private reserves on the western boundary of Kruger National Park, like Sabi Sands and Timbavati. These private game lodges might still be bound by most of the rules of the Kruger park, but they offer incredible luxury, superbly guided game drives, and the freedom to move into the greater park area if desired, although there is more than enough to occupy you when staying here. These private game lodges offer a more intimate and exclusive experience of the vast Kruger Park.
The most celebrated of these luxury private concessions includes Buhala Game Lodge situated on the banks of the Crocodile River where the familiar call of the Fish eagle, gracefully thatched accommodation and breathtaking scenery are yours to enjoy.
Jock Safari Lodge has as its southern boundary the old wagon route from Delgoa Bay to the gold fields of the interior, and, true to the surrounding wilderness, offers romantic and elegant suites influenced by indigenous Zulu and Swazi cultures; whilst Pestana Kruger Lodge lies on the Nkomazi tourist route known as the wild frontier, with views over the Crocodile River, just 150 metres away from the Malelane Gate on the south side of the Kruger National Park.
THE PRIVATE GAME RESERVES
Flanking the western boundary of the Kruger National Park are a number of private game reserves. Though none of them fall within the park’s boundaries, together they form the heart of South Africa’s big game country and some of the most famous private lodges and the best wildlife viewing in the world take place here. The main reason for rich game viewing is the free movement of animals between the private reserves and the Kruger National Park – at least 100 kilometres of fencing has been removed, ridding the area of man-made borders. The private game reserves allow for vehicles to leave roads, and animals on the whole are more used to the presence of man so there’s a greater chance of seeing them. Private game reserves include Sabi Sands Game Reserve, which is home to the well-known lodges of Londolozi, Ulusaba and Lions Sands;Timbavati Game Reserve and Klaserie Game Reserves.
Information by http://www.sa-venues.com