Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

How Kruger Gate Hotel Is Bringing Clean Water to Thousands Through Solar Innovation

Kruger Gate Hotel is more than just a luxury safari lodge — our partnership with Innovation:

Africa is delivering clean water to over 6,000 people in Mpumalanga’s rural villages through groundbreaking solar technology.

Kruger Gate Hotel has become known for offering premier safari experiences for families, tourists, solo travellers and anyone looking to experience the African bush; but behind the scenes, the hotel is playing a powerful role in transforming lives in surrounding communities.

Through an innovative partnership with the non-profit Innovation: Africa, and with the support of the Cork Trust, Kruger Gate Hotel is helping to bring clean, safe water to thousands of residents in drought-stricken Mpumalanga. Using solar technology, the hotel and its partners are funding and facilitating a sustainable solution that’s already making a lasting impact — and setting a new benchmark for conscious tourism in South Africa.

In 2023, two rural villages – Belfast Borhana and Belfast Borhana 1 – became the site of a major solar-powered water project, with over 6,000 residents now benefiting from fresh, reliable water. A high-yield borehole, delivering 1.6 litres of water per second, was drilled and fitted with a solar pump and storage system. From there, nearly 3km of piping and 20 communal taps now distribute water across a 4km radius. This isn’t just about access: it’s about empowerment, education, and dignity.

What makes this initiative particularly impactful is its focus on long-term impact. Remote monitoring technology tracks water and energy usage in real-time, ensuring transparency and system performance. A community-elected water committee has been trained and equipped to manage the system, collect maintenance contributions, and hire local operators. Ten local workers were trained and employed during construction, gaining certified skills in bricklaying, trenching, scaffolding, and pipe installation. These projects help ensure that tourism in and around the Kruger National Park supports not only the environment, but also the people who call the region home.

Building on the success in Belfast Borhana, Saringwa Village (home to 2,000 residents) is now entering the drilling phase. Located on the banks of the Sabie River, this community has long relied on untreated river water. With plans for two towers and 10 communal taps, clean water is expected to flow by August 2025. This is more than a hotel project. It’s a replicable model for sustainable development – a rare example of a safari lodge with community impact that extends far beyond its gates.

Guests at Kruger Gate Hotel aren’t just experiencing world-class safaris and luxury riverfront accommodation. They’re directly supporting a model of tourism that uplifts communities, supports women and children, and promotes long-term change. “Our guests often ask how they can give back,” says Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel. “By simply choosing to stay with us, they’re already making a difference. These water projects are a privilege to support—they change lives.”

Whether you’re planning a bucket-list trip to the Big 5 or looking for accommodation near Kruger National Park with a deeper purpose, Kruger Gate Hotel offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the beauty of South Africa while contributing to meaningful impact.

Book your stay and be part of a journey that goes beyond the safari – where meaningful tourism meets innovation, and every drop of water tells a story of resilience.

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

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