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A Parent’s Guide: Visiting Kruger Park with Children

A family holiday in the iconic Kruger Park is a magical and unforgettable experience.

Your children will grow into adults with exciting, funny and fond stories that will be passed through the generations in your family. It also offers young explorers the chance to witness Africa’s incredible wildlife up close, potentially triggering a lifelong love of nature and interest in conservation.

A family Kruger safari requires some planning to ensure a fun, safe, and stress-free adventure. Here’s Kruger Gate Hotel’s parent’s guide with essential tips for making the most of your family trip to Kruger National Park.

Choose child-friendly accommodation – Finding the right accommodation for your family is key to a successful stay. Keep in mind that camping is not for everyone, and long treks to access a gate into Kruger can tire out some children before the safari has even started. Kruger Gate Hotel is one of the best hotels near Kruger National Park for families, offering spacious rooms, a child-friendly atmosphere, and amenities that cater to both parents and kids. The hotel’s location right at the Paul Kruger Gate means quick and easy access to the park, minimising travel time and maximising thrilling wildlife encounters.

  • Plan your safari around your kids’ needs – Game drives can be long, and younger children may struggle with patience and the lack of physical activity. You can choose shorter morning and afternoon drives, when animals are most active, and temperatures are cooler. Self-driving safaris allow much more flexibility, so families can take breaks as needed.
  • Keep kids engaged on safari – Children have an innate curiosity and fascination when it comes to nature. Parents can nurture this by turning wildlife spotting and birdwatching into a family game. They can also do some research and be the ones with a library of fun facts about Kruger National Park. Bring binoculars, field guides, cameras and checklists so they can spot, identify and record their sightings. This not only enhances their sense of adventure and fun but is educational and can inspire a long-term love of nature and care for conservations efforts. A Kruger safari is not just an opportunity to learn about the endangered species in South Africa but to also find out that there’s a lot more to get excited about than just the Kruger National Park Big 5.
  • Teach wildlife safety early – Children need to understand the importance of staying quiet and seated during game drives to avoid startling animals or drawing unwanted attention. A safari is an incredible opportunity to foster a deep sense of respect for nature in your children from a young age. Encourage calm behaviour and common sense, not just on game drives but also when you make stops at rest camps or picnic sites.
  • Pack smart for a comfortable safari – When traveling with kids in South Africa’s wilderness, preparation is essential. Bring:
    • 1. Sun protection – hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses
    • 2. Comfortable clothing – lightweight layers for hot days and warm gear for early mornings
    • 3. Bug repellent – to keep mosquitoes and flies away
    • 4. Travel first aid kit – for minor scrapes and insect bites
  • Include age-appropriate activities – While traditional game drives are the highlight of a Kruger visit, mix things up with family-friendly activities:
    • 1. Visiting educational centres, picnic sites and bird hides – Give the kids a break from driving and let them stretch their legs.
    • 2. Swimming – The pool at Kruger Gate Hotel is a great way for kids to cool off and chill out between wildlife activities.
    • 3. Playing sports – You can balance long stretches on game drives by playing tennis, volleyball, putt-putt and outdoor chess at Kruger Gate Hotel.
  • Follow rules and safety tips for families
    • 1. Stay in your vehicle – Except at designated areas of the Kruger National Park, always keep kids inside the car during game drives. This includes standing up on safari vehicles or hanging arms and heads out car windows.
    • 2. Lock food away – Monkeys and baboons are quick to grab snacks from picnic tables or open car windows.
    • 3. Be cautious near water – Rivers and dams may have crocodiles and hippos, so keep a safe distance.

Create unforgettable Kruger safari memories

A Kruger safari with children is an enriching experience, sparking their curiosity and love for nature. By choosing child-friendly safaris, planning wisely, and staying at a comfortable base like Kruger Gate Hotel, parents can enjoy a stress-free and unforgettable adventure with their budding wildlife enthusiasts.

Guest Reviews

Our experience was phenomenal..the stay was amazing from the security at the gate to the help desk and the management team were very friendly and helpful…ohh I can not forget Refiloe and Miguel and the team at large…they were exceptional…

Posted on 20/10/2025 by Google

(Translated by Google) Really friendly staff.

(Original)
Todella ystävällinen henkilökunta.

Posted on 13/10/2025 by Google

Sim

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Hotels.com

The room was amazing..food was great from breakfast and dinner and lunch..the staff was friendly ohhh Refiloe who has made our stay extraordinary and the team at large

Posted on 20/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

From the moment we stepped into Kruger Gate Hotel it was like stepping into paradise.
I cannot praise the staff enough, thoughtful cheerful very friendly, the catering staff presented a variety of beautiful dishes every day.
The facilities were brilliant, rooms were spacious with extremely comfortable beds. And the view from the pool area onto the safari park were amazing.
I would highly recommend Kruger Gate Hotel to anyone visiting South Africa, especially first time visitors wanting to experience the Safari Park.

Posted on 16/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

We had a great experience at Kruger Gate Hotel. Since we made the reservation we felt that they were very kind and welcoming answering all our questions and support us. When we got here, Dion, the driver who took us from the airport was very nice and helped us to find the animals in our way to the hotel. The hotel has an excellent location and the Safari was perfect! Prince was our tour guide for the Safari and we also loved it. Staff are very friendly and kind. Cleaning is very good . It is a beautiful and big hotel. For sure I will come back!

Posted on 14/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

Wonderful hotel with an excellent viewing terrace to watch the comings and goings of the local wildlife...1st day, we spotted an a bush elephant and nile crocodile, with so many different species of antelopes at the waters edge. Food excellent and rooms very spacious. The staff were so helpful.

Posted on 17/10/2025 by TripAdvisor

Breakfast buffet was excellent
Location of the facilities was excellent
Tea/coffee/water facilities at reception was a great touch
Staff all fantastic
Lunch menu was great

Posted on 21/10/2025 by Booking.com

The entire experience was dreamy, we had a wonderful time. Between game drives that were amazing, we enjoyed all the hotel’s amenities, and they all contributed to our amazing Safari experience. The room was great, and so was the spa and the gym. The food selection is very big and the pool has amazing view (we even had some elephants who visited!). The staff is amazing and very welcoming! Highly recommended.

Posted on 14/10/2025 by Booking.com

Na porta do Paul Kruger Gate, staff cordial, quarto confortável, comida deliciosa, e vista para a savana que permite ver bem pertinho a vida selvagem do viewing deck do hotel (vimos girafas, elefantes, hipopótamos, impalas, macaquinhos, sem precisar sair do hotel).

Posted on 21/10/2025 by Booking.com

Staff were excellent, dinner in the Lapa was amazing with so many options. The pool overlooking the Sabi riverbed was especially great. We spotted a number of different wildlife including hippos and elephants whilst enjoying our morning coffee.

Posted on 19/10/2025 by Booking.com

Fantástico. A cordialidade da equipe, especialmente do gerente Miguel, é impressionante. A qualidade e variedade da alimentação, tanto no café como no jantar, é espetacular. A localização, a limpeza, a estrutura, tudo nota 10.

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com

Fantástico. A cordialidade da equipe, especialmente do gerente Miguel, é impressionante. A qualidade e variedade da alimentação, tanto no café como no jantar, é espetacular. A localização, a limpeza, a estrutura, tudo nota 10.

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com

I can\'t fault this place. Everything was amazing, from the rooms and facilities to the location, views and food. Seeing animals wander by whilst swimming in the infinity pool is just incredible.

Posted on 15/10/2025 by Booking.com

Everything was GREAT ❤️

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com

O lugar é perfeito não encontrei nenhum defeito

Posted on 16/10/2025 by Booking.com