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Calm, calmer, calmcation - here’s how to take it the easiest on a Big Five safari holiday

Life can be pretty busy. And noisy. To say nothing of the incessant virtual distractions and notifications.

So it’s easy to understand why more and more people are seeking silence, solace and calm on their holiday, or rather their calmcation, be it on an African safari in Kruger National Park that includes the whole family, or a luxury safari experience for two.

Taken from “calm” and “vacation”, a calmcation is simply a holiday that prioritises slowing down, relaxing and unwinding, and engaging in activities that rejuvenate the body and mind. It’s about simplicity, connection and, well, calm. And can be one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel.

And it’s a travel trend that’s showing no signs of slowing down (!!). Take the calmcation to the next level by selecting those experiences known to promote and elevate calm.

“Any kind of time out in nature is good for you, and a safari holiday in Kruger National Park even more so as it really brings you up close and personal with Mother Nature, in a setting that is inherently tranquil,” says Miguel Farinha, Hotel Manager of Kruger Gate Hotel, located mere metres from the Paul Kruger Gate entrance to the Park.

Experience a guided game drive

A guided safari tour is a unique way to experience a different kind of serenity. It’s an opportunity to really sit back and soak in the wonder of the bush and Kruger National Park’s flora and fauna in all its glory.

A guided safari, in particular, serves as a kind of connection between the visitor and the wonders of Kruger National Park. Professional safari guides are there to bring the magnificence of the landscape, the animals, the birds and the flora to life for you, while you simply sit back, relax and soak it all in, and put all those wildlife photography tips you’ve been researching to good use. Navigating Kruger National Park is what they do best, so you can simply focus on embracing it all.

Treat yourself to a spa experience

Is there anything more calming than a full-body massage? Yes, it’s a full-body massage in a tree house treatment room overlooking the Sabie River – the ultimate wilderness spa experience!

Dee’s African Spa at Kruger Gate Hotel offers exactly that – and more. The spa’s approach to wellbeing is one that combines ancient wisdom with modern technologies to offer an authentically tranquil experience.

Opt for silent mode

They say silence is golden and nowhere is this more true than in the Kruger National Park where silence and serenity is all-encompassing. “We love to recommend to guests that they simply sit on the Pool Deck overlooking the Sabie River and soak up the silence. Sure, there’s the sounds of birds and animals but it’s a serene sound that is unique to the area and generally brings on a great sense of calm and connection to nature,” says Farinha.

Embrace the wonder of water

Whether that’s the water from a summer thunderstorm, or immersing yourself in the infinity pool that overlooks the Sabie River at Kruger Gate Hotel, people close to water can do wonders for enhancing that feeling of calm.

Every traveller’s idea of a calmcation will be different – and rightly so – but one thing is for sure. Kruger National Park – the jewel in South Africa’s tourism crown – is the ideal destination for a calmcation that will rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.

Guest Reviews

(Translated by Google) You have to go there. It's great.

(Original)
Il faut y aller. C’est top

Posted on 21/09/2025 by Google

Amazing hotel with wildlife in & around the property. Safari game drive with Joel was excellent and we accomplished the Big 5 views of the animals. Food & accommodations were great. Spa treatment with massage, very relaxed 😎🤘🏼

Posted on 19/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

The staff were amazing. Food was incredible. Rooms were great. The whole environment was a paradise.

Likely the best hotel you’ll ever stay at.

Posted on 20/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

This is a great place to stay. Near the park (less than a mile) but less than the park prices. The Safari\'s were great, the food excellent and the service superb.We enjoyed th offered Safari\'s plus a night Safari done by SanParks.

Posted on 18/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

Très bel établissement, bien situé juste à côté d une entrée du parc. .Grand confort, gentillesse du personnel, au top pour les safaris et les massages

Posted on 19/09/2025 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

Excellent location, very clean room, well equipped, very hot water in the bathroom, nice stuff. Everything is very well organized. First thing we saw - pumbas on the parking. Lots of them. Then we entered our room and saw an impala on the terrace, just lying there. I was shocked. There is a shop with snacks and souvenirs and a welcome point with some snacks and beverages in reception area.
We had morning safari for 333 $. It\'s a good price for private safari, it starts 5:30 and you are back at 12. Breakfast to go is provided. Cars are very good and comfortable, even in group, i think, you can have nice observation. We were alone in the car, our guide was a wonderful man, he did his best to show us the animals. We saw lions twice, a lot of giraffes, hippos, elephants, zebras and so on. When we were back we saw a lot of elephants from the pool area.
The most impressing thing - dinner. It is the best dinner we had in South Africa, even better than 300$ dinner in a fancy restaurant in Cape Town. And this one was only buffet, included in our stay but such a big choice and what wonderful taste has the chef, my compliments, every dish was beautifully done. On your way to dinner you can see monkeys on the trees. Hotel is beautiful. Perfect choice for first nights in Kruger. Thank you very much for our wonderful memories.

Posted on 20/09/2025 by Booking.com

Hotel ótimo, com uma localização muito próxima à entrada do parque Kruger. Boas opções para alimentação. Vista para o parque sempre com animais passando por perto. Funcionários simpáticos.

Posted on 19/09/2025 by Booking.com

It’s our 4th trip to Kruger Gate Hotel. We love the fact that we can fly directly to Nelspruit and it’s a short drive to the hotel. The newly renovated bedrooms are lovely. Also love the new breakfast area.

Posted on 21/09/2025 by Booking.com

Lage, Personal, Buffets, Ausstattung. Fazit: Eine supergute Lodge!

Posted on 17/09/2025 by Booking.com

Super schönes Hotel mit Blick auf den Kruger Nationalpark .
Personal sehr freundlich und Hilfsbereit.
Man kann auch diverse Safaris über das Hotel buchen.

Posted on 17/09/2025 by Booking.com

Quarto muito confortável e espaçoso.

Posted on 16/09/2025 by Booking.com

De tudo. Localização excelente. Banheiro excelente. Cama excelente. Café da manhã melhor do mundo. Jantar legal. Piscina linda com possibilidade de ver animais (vimos hipopótamo na nossa vez).

Posted on 18/09/2025 by Booking.com