The Kruger National Park, without the crowds
THE Best Kruger Park Private Concessions Lodges
Most visitors to the Kruger National Park experience it from behind the wheel of their own vehicle – which is a wonderful thing, and one of the great pleasures of South African safari travel. But within the park’s boundaries lie nine private concessions that offer something entirely different: exclusive areas where visitor numbers are controlled, game drives leave the public roads entirely, night drives are permitted, and the guiding is among the finest in Africa. Similar in concept to the private reserves of the Greater Kruger – the Sabi Sand, Timbavati, and Klaserie – these concessions are either leased from the park itself or community-owned, and the lodges within them offer a genuinely private safari experience that the public roads simply cannot replicate. There is also a particular bonus for those who enjoy self-driving: guests staying at a private concession lodge can venture out onto the Kruger’s public roads during the day in their own vehicle, while their guides are also permitted to use those roads – giving you the best of both worlds.
Below is our guide to the finest lodges across these nine concessions.
Ready to Plan Your Kruger Private Concession Safari?
The private concessions of the Kruger offer some of the most rewarding safari experiences in South Africa – the wildlife and landscape of one of Africa’s great national parks, combined with the exclusivity, guiding quality, and freedom of movement that only a private area can provide. Whether you are drawn to the architectural drama of Singita Lebombo, the history and character of Jock Safari Lodge, or the extraordinary remoteness of Pafuri in the far north, we will help you find the right fit.
Get in touch with our team at Explore and Travel Africa to start planning your Kruger safari – or explore how a private concession stay pairs with the Thornybush or Sabi Sand for a broader and deeply rewarding Greater Kruger experience.
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The Best Kruger Park Private Concessions Lodges are as follows
Singita Lebombo
Singita’s private concession occupies a spectacular stretch of southeastern Kruger, bordering Mozambique – a remote and extraordinarily rich area well known for its lion prides and the quality of its guiding teams.
The landscape here feels different to the rest of the park: more dramatic, more elevated, with long views that stretch towards the Lebombo Mountains.
Singita Lebombo is built into the hillside above the N’wanetsi River, and the views from the suites are frankly extraordinary. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens onto private balconies with daybeds, and the expansive ensuite bathrooms include outdoor showers that make getting ready for a game drive a considerably more enjoyable experience than usual. The main area has two pools, a deck cantilevered over the treeline, a gym, a private wine cellar, and a library. This is Singita at its most dramatic.
Singita Sweni
On the same private concession as Lebombo, Singita Sweni takes a different approach – smaller, more intimate, and nestled into the forest along the banks of the Sweni River. Dark wood structures and deep greens allow the camp to disappear into the surrounding canopy, and the elevated decks are some of the finest wildlife-watching spots in the concession. With over 500 bird species recorded in this area, dedicated birders will find themselves entirely at home.
Each suite has a deck with daybed – which can be pulled out at night for sleeping under the stars – and a lavish ensuite bathroom with a beautiful tub and outdoor shower overlooking the river. Bold colours and striking African design give Sweni a personality that is entirely its own. The main lodge has a lounge, dining and bar area, pool, wine cellar, spa, gym, and gallery.
Kruger Shalati – The Train on the Bridge
There is nowhere quite like Kruger Shalati. Parked on the historic Selati Railway Bridge spanning the Sabie River at Skukuza – the same line that began bringing visitors to the Kruger in the 1920s – this beautifully restored train offers one of the most genuinely original accommodation experiences in Africa. The bridge, the river, the Kruger stretching out beyond: it is a setting that makes you reach for your camera before you have even unpacked.
The rooms are surprisingly spacious for a train carriage, each with floor-to-ceiling glass, a small Juliet balcony, and an ensuite bathroom with both a shower and a bath. The main lodge – built onto the bridge alongside the train – has a pool with the same magnificent view, a well-stocked library, and a viewing deck that draws guests back again and again throughout the day. For those who want their safari to come with a genuinely compelling story to tell, Kruger Shalati is in a category entirely its own.
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Perfectly positioned on the banks of the Sabie River – which forms the boundary between the Sabi Sand and the Kruger National Park – Lion Sands Narina Lodge sits beneath a canopy of tall riverine trees with a sense of calm and seclusion that is immediately apparent. The main area offers an expansive viewing deck that makes the most of the river setting, and nine thatched suites are connected via raised walkways through the trees.
Each suite opens onto a glorious private deck and plunge pool, with air conditioning, an outdoor shower, and a freestanding tub in the ensuite bathroom. Game drives, bush walks, and an indulgent spa complete a thoroughly well-rounded offering from one of the most trusted names in South African safari.
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
The second Lion Sands property on the Sabie River, Tinga Lodge offers a more traditional and classically elegant take on the brand’s signature hospitality. Built to overlook the river, the main lodge has expansive decks, a bar and lounge, a library, pool, and boma for alfresco dinners – all with the river as a constant and deeply rewarding backdrop.
Each private suite overlooks the water and has a lounge area, ensuite bathroom, and private plunge pool. The same exceptional guiding and warm service that defines the Lion Sands experience runs through every aspect of a stay at Tinga.
Lukimbi Safari Lodge
On a large private concession in the game-rich southern Kruger, Lukimbi Safari Lodge overlooks a natural spring and the Lwakahle River – and the wildlife that the water draws makes for rewarding viewing from the lodge itself, not just from the vehicle. The suites each have an outdoor sitting area for exactly this purpose, with ensuite bathrooms and outdoor showers.
The main area has a boma for alfresco dining, a viewing deck, and a pool. Daily game drives are the focus, but Lukimbi also offers a rather appealing optional extra: a round of golf at the legendary Leopard Creek Golf Course or Skukuza Golf Course – both within easy reach and both very worth the detour for those who like to mix their safari with a few hours on the fairway.
Jock Safari Lodge
Named after the four-legged hero of Sir Percy FitzPatrick’s beloved Jock of the Bushveld – one of South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife stories – Jock Safari Lodge is one of the oldest concessions in the Kruger and one of its most characterful properties. Thatched suites are spread along the riverbed, each with a private plunge pool and an outdoor sala that doubles as a sleep-out platform under the stars – one of the more memorable ways to spend a night in the bush
The multilevel main area has various sitting spaces with outstanding views over the Kruger landscape, a spa with sauna and gym, and a warmth and sense of history that newer lodges cannot manufacture. Game drives and bush walks are both on offer, and Leopard Creek and Skukuza golf courses are easily accessible for those who want them.
Fitzpatrick’s at Jock
For families or small groups wanting complete privacy within the Jock concession, Fitzpatrick’s is a self-contained villa experience with its own dedicated guiding and hosting team. Three suites each have a private deck, ensuite bathroom with outdoor shower and soaker tub, and two rooms have private plunge pools. The main area has a pool, boma fireplace, and a lounge overlooking the surrounding bush.
Fitzpatrick’s is one of the few fenced camps in the Greater Kruger, which makes it an excellent option for families with young children – and the kids’ safari programme is genuinely excellent, turning game drives into real adventures for younger guests.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge
Just north of Skukuza, Rhino Post Safari Lodge sits along a seasonal river with a light, considered footprint – thatch, canvas, and glass used with care to create a sense of genuine immersion in the surrounding riverine forest. The suites are nestled under the trees, with canvas and glass walls that keep the bush close, ensuite bathrooms with indoor tub and outdoor shower, and small private sitting areas.
The main area looks out over the river where animals pass through regularly, and the fire pit in the evenings has a particular quality of warmth and atmosphere. Game drives venture both within the concession and out into the broader Kruger, offering excellent variety.
Rhino Walking Safaris Plains Camp
The sister camp to Rhino Post and one of the original walking safari operations in the Kruger, Plains Camp offers something genuinely irreplaceable: the experience of being on foot in one of Africa’s great wilderness areas, with a knowledgeable guide reading the landscape around you in real time.
Early morning walks cover the bush at its most alive, with a shorter afternoon walk followed by a game drive after dark. The spacious ensuite safari tents have everything you need and a sense of glamour that recalls an earlier era of African travel. Many guests combine a stay at Plains Camp with Rhino Post for the fullest possible experience – walking and game drives, rustic and comfortable, all within the same exceptional concession.
Pafuri Tented Camp
In the far north of the Kruger, right on the border with Zimbabwe, the Makuleke Contract Park is one of the most beautiful and ecologically distinct sections of the entire park – and Pafuri Tented Camp, run by ReturnAfrica, makes the most of every acre of it. The camp stretches along the Luvuvhu River through a landscape that includes the extraordinary lime-green fever tree forest, one of the most photographed scenes in the Kruger.
This is a genuine birder’s paradise – over 500 species recorded in the area – and the general game viewing is outstanding. Spacious tents each have a river-facing deck and sitting area, with ensuite bathrooms and both indoor and outdoor showers. The main area has a pool, bar, lounge, and deck. ReturnAfrica also runs the Pafuri Walking Trails in the Makuleke Contract Park – an immersive multi-day experience for those who want to explore this remarkable landscape entirely on foot.
The Outpost
Also in the Makuleke Contract Park, The Outpost takes a bold and architectural approach to its extraordinary setting. Built on a hill above the Luvuvhu River Valley, the views from the main deck and the individual suites are among the most dramatic of any lodge in the Kruger. Retractable screens, outdoor decks with daybeds, and ensuite bathrooms with soaker tubs that look out over the valley below – every detail has been designed to make the most of the elevation and the landscape.
Daily game drives, bush walks, and spa treatments are all available, and for those wanting complete privacy, Pel’s Post echoes The Outpost’s aesthetic as a luxury exclusive-use villa within the same concession.
Imbali Safari Lodge
Near the Manyeleti and the northern Sabi Sand, the Mluwati Concession sits close to Orpen Gate in the central Kruger – and Imbali Safari Lodge occupies a beautiful stretch of seasonal river within it. Suites either overlook the dry riverbed or the open savannah grasslands, each with a private deck and plunge pool.
The main area has a lounge with fireplace, a dining area, and a deck that looks directly across the river to an active waterhole – one of those spots where you find yourself settling in for longer than you planned.
Game drives within the private concession ensure a genuinely exclusive experience, guided bush walks are available on request, and a spa rounds out a well-considered and quietly impressive lodge.
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge
Hoyo Hoyo is one of the most distinctive lodges in the Kruger – a genuine celebration of Tsonga heritage and design, built to resemble a traditional Tsonga homestead. Burnt orange and earth tones run through the six thatched rondavels and the main area, which is a series of interconnected decks overlooking the seasonal Mluwati River and an opposite waterhole that draws animals throughout the day and night.
The rondavels have a veranda, a large freestanding bed, and an ensuite bathroom with outdoor shower – the traditional design carried through into every detail with a care and authenticity that makes Hoyo Hoyo genuinely memorable. Twice-daily game drives with an excellent guiding team complete the experience.
Hamiltons Tented Camp
Named after Colonel Stephenson Hamilton, the visionary first warden who was instrumental in establishing the Kruger National Park, Hamiltons Tented Camp carries its history with quiet pride. One of the very few tented safari camps in the Greater Kruger, it overlooks the Ngwenyeni Dam in a setting that feels appropriately timeless.
Just six spacious tents, each with a private outdoor sala and plunge pool, ensuite bathroom with soaker tub and outdoor shower, and the kind of deeply personal service that small camps do best. The main area – canvas, wood, a pool, and a lounge and dining deck – has a golden-age-of-safari atmosphere that is genuinely evocative rather than merely decorative. Twice-daily game drives and bush walks explore a prolific and varied section of the park.
Contact us for more information about the Best Kruger Park Private Concessions Lodges
Frequently Asked Questions about the Kruger Private Concessions
Most concessions are reached via Skukuza Airport or Hoedspruit Airport, both of which have daily flights from Johannesburg. Your lodge will arrange a private transfer from the airport. For the northern Makuleke concession, Phalaborwa Airport is the closest gateway followed by a 4 hour drive, although charter flights are available. Self-driving from Johannesburg to the southern Kruger takes approximately five hours. The Southern camps of Jock and Lukimbi can be accessed via Kruger Mpumalanga Airport
The private concessions are exclusive areas within the Kruger where self-drive visitors are not permitted. Staying in a concession lodge gives you access to off-road game drives, night drives, and guided bush walks – none of which are available on the public roads. Vehicle numbers at any sighting are controlled, and the guiding is of a consistently exceptional standard. Guests can also use the park’s public road network during the day in their own vehicles if they wish.
Which concession has the best wildlife?
All nine concessions offer outstanding game viewing, but the Singita concession in the southeast is particularly well known for lion prides and the quality of its guiding. The Makuleke Contract Park in the far north is exceptional for birding and offers a very different, more remote landscape. The southern concessions – Jock, Lukimbi, and Rhino Post – benefit from the high game density of the southern Kruger.
The wildlife in the Kruger’s private concessions benefits from everything that makes the broader park exceptional – but without the vehicle density of the public roads and with the added advantages of off-road driving, night drives, and expert private guiding. The Big Five are all well represented, and the lion prides in areas like the Singita concession are particularly celebrated. Leopard sightings are consistently good across the concessions, wild dog are present and increasingly active, and the birdlife – particularly in the northern Makuleke area – is world-class. Whatever draws you to a safari in the first place, the private concessions of the Kruger will deliver it at its finest.
Most lodges welcome children, though minimum age policies vary. Fitzpatrick’s at Jock is specifically designed for families with a dedicated children’s safari programme and a fenced perimeter. If you are travelling with young children, let us know and we will match you with the most suitable options.
The Kruger National Park falls within a malaria area, and precautions are recommended. We advise consulting your GP or a travel health clinic before travel for current guidance on prophylactics. Simple precautions – covering up at dusk and dawn, using insect repellent, and sleeping in screened or air-conditioned rooms – go a long way towards ensuring a comfortable journey.
The dry winter months from May through September are generally considered the best for game viewing – the vegetation thins, animals concentrate around water sources, and the cooler temperatures make for comfortable days in the bush. The summer months from October through April bring lush landscapes and exceptional birding, and rates are often more favourable. The Kruger rewards visitors year-round.
