Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Bring the kids on a Kruger Park safari - here’s how you keep them engaged

The Kruger National Park, as one of South Africa’s top safari destinations, is a bucket list experience for many people.

kids-engaged-on-safari

And while much of the magnificence of a safari holiday is in the scenery, silence and serenity, it also makes for a memorable family holiday.

And while many parents will argue that neither silence nor serenity is something they associate with a family holiday, there is no reason to delay ticking “safari” off your travel bucket list just because the kids are coming along.

In fact, a Kruger Park safari is particularly well suited for a family holiday, irrespective of the age of the children. With some research and good planning, keeping kids engaged on safari could be as simple as spotting Impala on a guided game drive!

At Kruger Gate Hotel we regularly welcome families and we’re very proud to be family friendly. From the room options that cater specifically to families and a child-friendly pool area, to activities like mini golf and a buffet menu that is designed to satisfy even the fussiest eater, we’re here for families.

And when it comes to making safaris fun for kids we’ve got great tips and tricks – our safari guides are all brilliant at ensuring their commentary appeals to the younger (smarter?!) guest in the vehicle.

Games

Turn your guided game drive into an interactive safari experience by preparing to play games. The classic iSpy is an easy one, but with just the right amount of complexity as you spy something green, for example, when much of the surroundings is green!

A game of animal bingo takes a bit of preparation beforehand but is a fantastic way to keep everyone alert. And the reward for the first “bingo!” could be a delicious milkshake back at the Pool Bar and Viewing Deck. In preparing the bingo cards, our guest relations team would be happy to give parents some tips on the animals you’re most likely to see on your game drive to make sure they feature on the bingo card.

Refreshments

Most parents and caregivers will attest to this: If the children are fed and hydrated, and have access to snacks and treats, you’re more than halfway to keeping them happy.

At Kruger Gate Hotel our morning guided safaris come with a complimentary breakfast box filled with goodies, but you’re also welcome to pack your own – our restaurants and gift shop on the property stock a lovely selection of snacks. It can also be arranged with your safari guide to stop off in Skukuza where there are restaurants, cafes and restroom facilities, should you need it.

Equipment

For most adults, getting away from a screen is one of the many appealing things about a safari holiday and a guided game drive. But you may want to consider “equipment” of a different kind. Binoculars are very useful for spotting flora and fauna at a distance, or hidden in a tree. Younger children tend to love the action of looking through binoculars, as a sort of oddity, but it also helps them to actually see what the fuss is about.

Similarly, you may not want them playing games on their tablets or smart phones when the real game is within view, but they could bring along their devices (or use yours) to snap a few photographs of what they see. This can be turned into an educational game for the safari where the focus is on capturing something from a unique angle or looking out to capture something un-typical.

Ultimately, there’s no reason to delay or put off a safari holiday because of children. You may not be able to prevent boredom on tours entirely – and that’s fine too – but you are able to engage them at an age-appropriate level.

It’s a privilege to be in a position to take them on safari and a great way to open their minds to the wonders of the natural world. And seeing something as awe-inspiring as the Kruger National Park through the eyes of a child elevates the experience even more.

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

Wir haben das Hotel als Start in SA gewählt und es war absolut die richtige Entscheidung.
Für uns perfekt!!!

Posted on 22/10/2025 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