Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

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

Good👍

Posted on 29/09/2025 by Google

My husband and I have never been on a safari and after doing a lot of research we settled on the Kruger Gate Hotel. The service experienced was 10/10 absolutely attentive, from the moment we arrived the stay was nothing short of incredible. Rhandzu made our stay a memorable one he was personable, and always remembered the details. It was lovely to chat with him at the end of a busy day, aside from the impeccable service - the property was absolutely stunning. The amenities were fresh, clean and inviting ! We spent lots of time at the infinity pool, where we saw buffalo as well as a mom and baby elephants. We also visited the spa where we had a couples treatment that was amazing - so amazing I fell asleep. They also had a convenience / souvenir store onsite, a coffee shop and games like chess and mini golf. I will definitely be coming back!

Posted on 26/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

We had an absolutely amazing experience at KGH!
The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our stay. The hotel itself is top-notch, with stunning views and a fantastic ambiance, especially at night.
A huge shoutout to the ladies at the spa - they provided exceptional treatment and made us feel truly welcome. Thanks to the entire team at KGH for making our stay so special!
Thank you

Posted on 28/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

O hotel é lindo, a comida maravilhosa e o atendimento de toda a equipe foi incrível! Também amamos os safaris, principalmente pela duração mais longa do que eu via em outros lugares, porque isso proporcionou irmos para áreas mais distantes no parque. Pretendo voltar com certeza!! Esse hotel vai fazer parte das lembranças da viagem mais maravilhosa da minha vida!

Posted on 01/10/2025 by Booking.com

Super mooie omgeving. Mooi hotel met een fantastisch ontbijt en diner. Ruime kamers

Posted on 28/09/2025 by Booking.com

スタッフのサービスが抜群に良い‼︎
Safariツアーも親切にBIG5見させてもらえる。

Posted on 27/09/2025 by Booking.com

Fantastic location, great food, great staff

Posted on 27/09/2025 by Booking.com

Just loved the new pool area looking over the river !

Posted on 27/09/2025 by Booking.com

We loved Kruger Gate Hotel so much we came back again spontaneously and booked an even more expensive room! The staff were exceptional - helpful, playful (hello cheeky lady;) and efficient. The booked safari was next level as safari drivers share intel on animal locations so travelers see more and ours shared stories and information about the animals that you don’t get on a self drive. We now know how the myth of the elephant’s graveyard came about. Incredible. Loved the chalet we stayed on first night. Great design. Especially the mudroom, outdoor private showers and shared chalet pool. Mmmmmmmm

Posted on 26/09/2025 by Booking.com

De gerenoveerde kamers zijn prachtig, het ontbijt fantastisch en het diner in de boma een echt feest.
Het uitzicht over de crocodile river is geweldig en de afstand naar de gate perfect.
Het vriendelijke personeel wat ons welkom terug heette met een grote lach (waren hier zeven jaar geleden ook) en voor ons gaat dit zeker niet de laatste keer zijn in dit fijne hotel! We gaan eind half oktober weer 🥰

Posted on 28/09/2025 by Booking.com

Wir hatten einen rundum perfekten Aufenthalt im Krüger Gate Hotel. Schon die vorab gebuchte Abholung vom Flughafen verlief reibungslos.
Die Mitarbeiter waren jederzeit freundlich, zuvorkommend und aufmerksam

Unser Zimmer war komfortabel, und die gesamte Anlage ist wunderschön und lädt zum Wohlfühlen ein.

Besonders hervorzuheben ist das abendliche Buffet, das mit seiner Vielfalt und Qualität absolut überzeugt hat – auch für Vegetarier gab es eine große Auswahl. Das Frühstück war ebenso ausgezeichnet. Die abendliche Atmosphäre mit Feuerstelle und teils musikalischer Begleitung war außergewöhnlich und gleichzeitig angenehm unaufdringlich.

Ein absolutes Highlight war unser vorab gebuchtes Boma Dinner mit privatem Dining – kulinarisch hervorragend und sehr stimmungsvoll. Ein besonderer Dank an Excellent :) Ein schönes Erlebnis war das phantastische Geburtstagsständchen, das uns unvergesslich bleiben wird.

Auch die Safari-Ausflüge ( ein Highlight) ließen sich unkompliziert buchen. Wir unternahmen eine Ganztagessafari sowie eine Nachmittags-Safari. Bei der Ganztagessafari gab es morgens vor der Abfahrt einen Kaffee und zusätzlich eine Lunchbox für unterwegs.

Fazit: Wir können das Krüger Gate Hotel uneingeschränkt empfehlen und würden bei einem erneuten Besuch im Krüger Nationalpark definitiv wieder hier übernachten.

Posted on 28/09/2025 by Booking.com

Schöner Blick in den Park. 2min Fahrzeit zum Paul Kruger Gate. Geführte Safaris einfach über das Hotel buchbar (am besten vor der Reise anfragen). Super freundliches Personal. Eine unglaubliche Auswahl an Speisen zum Abendessen und Frühstück.

Posted on 28/09/2025 by Booking.com

De tudo! Este hotel é espetacular, simplesmente sensacional em tudo, da arquitetura, a hotelaria, dos atendentes e equipe até os safaris!

Posted on 23/09/2025 by Booking.com

Très bien placé à quelques mètres de la Kruger gate. Variété et qualité des plats du buffet

Posted on 29/09/2025 by Booking.com

Atendimento maravilhoso, ótimas acomodações e muito bom restaurante .

Posted on 29/09/2025 by Booking.com

Hôtel juste incroyable !
La piscine offre un panorama sublime, les chambres sont propres et vraiment agréables, et le personnel est au top, que ce soit pour le safari ou au sein de l’établissement. Le petit-déjeuner est très bon, et le buffet du soir aussi (seuls les desserts étaient un peu décevants). L’endroit est luxueux, calme et parfait pour profiter du cadre exceptionnel du Kruger.

Posted on 29/09/2025 by Booking.com