Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Make the school holidays a roaring adventure

With the school holidays fast-approaching, parents may be on the lookout for the perfect destination to create cherished memories with their children.

Make the school holidays a roaring adventure

With the school holidays fast-approaching, parents may be on the lookout for the perfect destination to create cherished memories with their children. Only a 4-5 hour drive from Johannesburg, Kruger National Park is an idyllic playground for families seeking a winter getaway that will leave them spellbound. From unique wildlife phenomenon to thrilling adventure activities, this enchanting wilderness offers something for everyone.

Kruger National Park is the epitome of a perfect family holiday destination, offering a unique blend of adventure, education, and unparalleled natural beauty. It’s a place where families can create cherished memories together, immersing themselves in the wonders of wildlife, experiencing thrilling safaris, and connecting with the awe-inspiring African wilderness.

When looking for places to stay in the Kruger National Park, you’ll quickly learn that there is an abundance of accommodation options to choose from. But finding accommodation that suits the needs of your whole family can sometimes be difficult. Hotels such as ours offer something for everyone. From a range of onsite activities for your little ones to enjoy, to our upmarket spa facility and tranquil viewing deck, which is a quiet zone that can be enjoyed by parents looking for some much needed R&R.

Located in the Greater Kruger Conservancy, right at the Paul Kruger Gate and on the banks of the iconic Sabie River, our hotel provides affordable luxury accommodation in the Kruger National Park, from which families can explore.

Our goal at Kruger Gate Hotel is to provide families with a gateway to this magical realm, where the excitement and enchantment of the park come alive, leaving a lasting impression on both children and adults alike.

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of visiting Kruger National Park during the winter months is the remarkable wildlife phenomenon that unfolds. As the dry season takes hold, lush vegetation recedes, revealing vast open plains and the iconic African savannah. This transformation acts as a beacon for wildlife, drawing them in their masses to watering holes, creating an unforgettable spectacle.

Imagine standing with your little ones, witnessing a majestic herd of elephants ambling gracefully to quench their thirst, while nearby a dazzle of zebras delicately sips water, their black and white stripes a mesmerising sight against the golden backdrop – a  truly surreal spectacle.

While Kruger National Park is renowned for its remarkable Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and buffalo) sightings all year round, the winter season offers a unique opportunity for families to spot elusive predators in action. With the vegetation at its sparsest, the cunning leopards and sleek cheetahs are more easily spotted as they stealthily traverse the grasslands in pursuit of their prey. These exhilarating encounters will leave your children with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom.

For families seeking an extra dose of excitement, Kruger National Park offers an abundance of activities. Engage in guided bush walks, where your children can walk in the footsteps of ancient explorers, discovering hidden gems of the wilderness. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, they will learn about animal tracks, medicinal plants, and the delicate balance of nature. These immersive experiences will nurture their sense of adventure and instil in them a deep respect for the natural world.

To add a touch of cultural enrichment to your trip, consider visiting the local communities surrounding Kruger National Park. Engage with the vibrant culture and traditions of the Shangaan people, who have called this region home for centuries. Your children will have the opportunity to learn traditional dances, try their hand at crafting intricate beadwork, and listen to captivating stories passed down through generations.

These interactions will leave a lasting impression, broadening their horizons and fostering a sense of appreciation for diverse cultures.

As the day draws to a close, immerse your family in the magic of the African night sky. Far from the bright city lights, Kruger National Park offers unspoiled stargazing opportunities that will leave you awestruck.

Following an exhilarating day of unforgettable adventures, our guests seek solace on our exclusive viewing deck, where they can bask in the ethereal beauty of the night sky, adorned with shimmering constellations. As the enchanting nocturnal symphony of the wilderness embraces their senses, it becomes a moment of tranquil reflection, a time to cherish the harmonious connection between mankind and nature.

Kruger National Park is a sanctuary where families can escape the ordinary and embark on a journey of exploration and wonder. From witnessing the extraordinary wildlife phenomenon to partaking in thrilling adventure activities, this captivating destination will create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Simply pack your sense of adventure, ignite your wanderlust and set off to discover the untamed beauty of Kruger National Park with your loved ones this winter.

Guest Reviews

(Translated by Google) Beautiful hotel (lodge) in a perfect location near the Paul Kruger Gate. Superb view of the waterhole, where elephants are almost always present and can be observed from various elevated platforms and the pool. The food is excellent. Unfortunately, the older rooms are a bit dark and dingy, and therefore not very inviting. However, the overall experience here is truly fantastic!

(Original)
Schönes Hotel (Lodge) mit perfekter Lage zum Paul Kruger Gate. Super Sicht aufs Wasserloch, wo es eigentlich fast täglich Elefanten hat und man ihnen von verschiedenen Hochsitzen und dem Pool beobachten kann. Essen tip top. Leider sind die älteren Zimmer etwas dunkel und schmudelig und deshalb nicht wirklich einladend. Die ganze „Experience“ hier ist aber wirklich toll!

Posted on 30/11/2025 by Google

This hotel is now one of my family’s favorites of all time! The staff, communication, and accommodation are all incredible. We are still dreaming of the dips at the dinner buffet- and the chocolate cake! We booked all safaris through the hotel- perfection. Our guide Alex for our private safari was especially wonderful. We sat, nearly alone, watching a rhino for about 30 minutes. Pure South African perfection.

Posted on 29/11/2025 by Google

(Translated by Google) I stayed at the hotel for two nights in November 2025, and if it had been up to me, I would have spent the rest of my vacation there. It's simply wonderful. Good food, friendly staff, large, beautifully furnished rooms, and its proximity to Kruger National Park make it a great choice.

The pool and the adjacent waterhole are fantastic. You can observe so many animals from there; you almost don't need to go into the national park! 😉
Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable here has only themselves to blame. 😁

I stayed at the hotel for two nights in November 2025, and if it had been up to me, I would have spent the rest of my vacation there. It's simply wonderful. Good food, friendly staff, large, beautifully furnished rooms, and its proximity to Kruger National Park make it a great choice.

The pool and the adjacent waterhole are fantastic. You can observe so many animals from there; you almost don't need to go into the national park at all 😉 Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable here only has themselves to blame. 😁

(Original)
Ich hielt mich im November 2025 zwei Nächte im Hotel auf und wenn es nach mir gegangen wäre, hätte ich auch den Rest meines Urlaub dort verbracht. Es ist einfach nur herrlich. Gutes Essen, nettes Personal, große, schön eingerichtete Zimmer und die Nähe zum Kruger Nationalpark macht es einfach.
Der Pool und das daneben liegende Wasserloch ist eine schau. Man kann von dort soviele Tiere beobachten, eigentlich müsste man gar nicht in den NP 😉
Wer sich hier nicht wohl fühlt, ist selber Schuld. 😁

I stayed at the hotel for two nights in November 2025, and if it had been up to me, I would have spent the rest of my vacation there. It's simply wonderful. Good food, friendly staff, large, beautifully furnished rooms, and its proximity to Kruger National Park make it a great choice.

The pool and the adjacent waterhole are fantastic. You can observe so many animals from there; you almost don't need to go into the national park at all 😉 Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable here only has themselves to blame. 😁

Posted on 27/11/2025 by Google

Amazing stay for our honeymoon.

Posted on 22/11/2025 by Google

We phoned Reception at 16h00 on 20 Nov and requested a top sheet and light weight blanket for the night; on return after a sunset gamedrive and supper at the Boma we were disappointed that it was not delivered.

I had a headache, the shop was closed and I asked the Hostess at the Boma, Debra if she knew if there is some assistance. She went out of her way to find me 2 panado\'s! Thank you Debra!

There are so many vista\'s and various offerings at this hotel; I feel like so spoilt when visiting and the Boma is just beyond words! Thank you 😊

Posted on 23/11/2025 by TripAdvisor

This hotel is perfectly located just outside the Paul Kruger Gate by the Sabie River. We flew into Skukuza airport which is extremely small and booked the hotel transfer to collect us. The driver was very helpful, guiding us through paperwork needed for the park and giving us a mini safari on the way to the hotel.
Stayed for 3 nights and had 2 rooms. A lovely hotel with lots of different seating areas connected by wooden walkways, surrounded by trees with a stream running through it. It was well staffed and clean. There were viewing huts over the waterhole and Sabie River where we saw hippos and buffalo and a family of 3 bushbuck in the grounds.
The infinity pool was great, also overlooking the river and the pool bar/restaurant had a good range of food and drink and friendly staff. Just be careful not to leave food/drink unattended on the table as the monkeys come in.
Dinner at the outside Lapa Restaurant was fabulous - so much choice from their buffet and always some singing, often by the staff. The bushbabies patrol around the fence and occasionally come down looking for scraps, which the guests all found entertaining.
Breakfast was another huge buffet with a choice of inside or outside seating. There was also a bar, coffee shop and gift shop, plus a spa which we had treatments at, including extremely firm massages.
We booked 2 morning safari\'s with the hotel (I pre-booked these before we went) and they pointed out that it was fractionally cheaper for us to have a private tour as there were 4 of us. The vehicles can take 9-10 people but I\'m so glad we had the private tour and not the shared vehicle as it meant we could slide across the seats and see so much more and it was much more personalised. (We also did a sunset safari which we had to use SanParks for as private vehicles aren\'t allowed into the park in the evening, but it wasn\'t as good as a much bigger vehicle and less information).
The hotel used Kurt Safari for our morning tours and would thoroughly recommend. We had the same driver/guide, Karabo, each morning so he took us in 2 different directions and we saw an incredible variety of animals and he was very knowledgeable. It was a totally amazing experience!
The morning safari\'s start very early, and you have to fill in some indemnity forms before leaving (you need your passport numbers for this), so we had to be ready about 45 mins before entry to the park at 5.30am. We pre-ordered packed breakfast from the hotel and we stopped at a camp between 8.30-9am to eat - drink, sandwich, apple, yoghurt, biltong, snack. The camps we stopped at also had cafes and shops. The morning safari was about 6 hours, which is long enough really and gave some time in the afternoon to relax and catch up on sleep after a very early start.
We would love to visit Kruger again and if we did, I would stay at this hotel and I would definitely book the private vehicle safari.

Posted on 24/11/2025 by TripAdvisor

I had an amazing time with my sister and our friends. Beautiful accommodations, amazing food, excellent service!! A must visit!!

Posted on 23/11/2025 by TripAdvisor

Eten is heerlijk, locatie is perfect. Mooi zwembad met een bar en restaurant met geweldig uitzicht op het park waar je dieren kan spotten.

Posted on 29/11/2025 by Booking.com

What stood out to us the most about this accommodation is how beautifully everything is designed in an authentic safari style. It’s exactly the atmosphere you hope for when staying in a place like this. The staff are friendly and genuinely seem to enjoy their work; nothing feels forced or like a chore. Thumbs up👍🏼

The breakfast and dinner were varied and tasty. The room looked clean and pleasantly cool upon arrival, and the WiFi worked surprisingly well and fast. The location is also ideal — within walking distance of the Paul Kruger Gate. We felt so relaxed that we ended up booking an extra night.

A special highlight: the pool on the river side. The animals you can spot across the water. A wonderful bonus to an already great stay.

Posted on 29/11/2025 by Booking.com

Nous avons beaucoup aimé le cadre de l hôtel avec la gentillesse du personnel .
L hôtel est juste à côté du parc national donc très pratique pour les safari ( on recommande fortement les safari proposés par l hôtel )

Il y a de nombreuses activités dans l hôtel ( exemple : mini golf, spa/massage , piscine avec vue sur la rivière , belle salle de musculation …)
Et les petits déjeuners et dîners étaient tout simplement excellents !

Posted on 27/11/2025 by Booking.com

Sehr schön gestaltetes grosses Hotel in einem dschungelähnlichen Garten.
Wir hatten ein Deluxzimmer sehr gross und schön gestaltet. Bequeme Betten, 2 Waschtische im Bad, separate Toilette. Essen gab’s abends in der Booma obwohl gross sehr schön und romantisch!

Posted on 26/11/2025 by Booking.com

Pool

Posted on 26/11/2025 by Booking.com

O café da manhã e o jantar foram excelentes! Um buffet completo, muita variedade, funcionários muito simpáticos e prestativos. Valeu muito a pena!

Posted on 25/11/2025 by Booking.com

O hotel é muito confortável e tem funcionários fantásticos. A comida é muito boa. E ainda podemos desfrutar da experiência de estar na piscina e ver os animais bem na frente. Nós vimos Hipopótamos e Elefantes.

Posted on 22/11/2025 by Booking.com

Un séjour d’exception dans un lieu splendide !
Le personnel, le lieu et les repas sont formidables.
Je recommande fortement.

Posted on 28/11/2025 by Booking.com

Tudo perfeito!

Posted on 26/11/2025 by Booking.com

Best Hotel ever!

Posted on 25/11/2025 by Booking.com