Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Kruger Gate safari: November’s Best Wildlife Sightings

Every day, Kruger Gate Hotel guests set off on our open-air vehicles for morning, afternoon and all-day safaris. There are always exciting encounters with the rich wildlife of the southern region of the Kruger that is so easily accessed through the nearby Paul Kruger Gate.

We love this account of a morning safari by one of recent guests

It took just few moments after departing with our guide to cross the Sabie Bridge, just as the first rays of golden sunlight shone through the bushveld trees. We went through the Kruger Gate, turned along a bend and came face to face with a lone Spotted Hyena strolling down the middle of the road! As it passed right by the side of the vehicle it let out its strange whoop. It was brilliant happenstance to start off our safari.

We enjoyed plenty of good sightings of giraffe, kudu and impala on our route along the Sabie River, and stopped to watch young male impalas in horn-clashing contests while a Whitebacked Vulture and two juvenile Bateleur Eagles hunched in Leadwood tree close by. Our guide explained that it was rutting season for the impalas, and that the birds were waiting for the sun to rise higher so that they could catch the warm-air thermals and save energy by gliding as they search for prey.

Moving on we crossed paths with a cute family of Banded Mongoose who were on a morning walk with a pair of Swainson’s Francolin. On our way to the Nkuhlu picnic site we had close encounters with a sleepy looking Steenbok pair lying under a thorn thicket, Waterbuck making their way towards the river and a gorgeous family of elephants dozing in the woodland right at the roadside. At Nkuhlu, we found a spot with a serene view over the river and ate our breakfast packed by the hotel while Cape Glossy Starlings and Vervet Monkeys watched around us to see if there was any chance of sharing our food!

Just after setting off again, we stopped on a bridge over sandy riverbed with a few rocky pools and stands of reeds. In the distance, a Wild Dog family, we counted 12 individuals, had come down to drink. A few of them chased each around on the sand bars. Although we needed our binoculars to watch the interaction, it was real joy to see these endangered predators enjoying a carefree morning. The next stop was N’watimhiri Dam which was teaming with Woollynecked and Yellowbilled Storks, African Spoonbills and Great White Egrets. A pair of African Fish Eagles flew into the nearby treetops, and their ringing call, that quintessential sound of the African wilds, filled the air. Hippos were grunting lazily in the water. Comically, a pair Hammerkop Storks and a Grey Heron had staked out their favourite fishing spots on the backs of two of the hippos. But the best sighting here was a magnificent Saddlebilled Stork, with its immense wings spread wide, coming into land at the water’s edge. It was immediately mobbed by its two begging juvenile offspring, and we watched the parent patiently feeding them.

On the way back towards the gate, it started to get swelteringly hot. We took a looping dust road along the stretch of the Sand River and were lucky to see two lionesses lying in the shade of a tree. If that wasn’t enough to satisfy us, there was a stunning leopard lounging in a tree just before the gate. So, our morning Kruger Gate safari was perfectly topped by a whooping hyena in the cool dawn and tailed by a lounging leopard in the midday heat!

Guest Reviews

Nice

Posted on 11/06/2025 by Google

I highly recommend this hotel. It is one of a kind. Feels like you are surrounded by bushes and wild animals but in actual fact its one of the safest places to go relax and revive.

Posted on 11/06/2025 by Google

I had an incredible three-night stay at Kruger Gate Hotel, and I can't recommend it highly enough. The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed, ensuring a restful retreat after days of exploration. The food was exceptional, offering a variety of delicious options that truly enhanced the experience.

The Viewing Deck was an absolute highlight—especially at night, where I had the surreal experience of seeing hyenas, hippos, impalas and elephant roaming nearby. It felt like an intimate connection with the wild, something you don’t often get in a hotel setting. To top it all off, we were treated to a private dining experience on our final night, set at the same breathtaking deck area.

This stay was nothing short of unforgettable, and I sincerely hope to return in the future. If you’re looking for a luxurious yet immersive safari experience, Kruger Gate Hotel is the perfect choice!

Posted on 10/06/2025 by Google

We stayed here for 4 nights a couple of days ago and can highly recommend it. It’s right on the edge of the park with a great view of the river and surrounding area inside the park. So you can basically watch elephants play in the water while relaxing at the pool with a drink. We even heard a lion roar at night, so you are just in the middle of nature. All the rooms are split over the premises, so it never feels crowded. The rooms were nice, spacious and clean.
We did one full-day guided safari, which was super helpful with lots of information on the animals (we nearly saw everything we wanted to see in just one day), just beware of the monkeys when you stop for a picnic break. Never leave anything in an open car, they will be all over it and raid your stuff :)
The other days we did self drives, which was also great, we saw so many animals (all of the big 5, but so much more as well) and landscapes, which was impressive. The entrance to the park is literally 2 minutes away, so all very close.

The spa in the hotel was great, a huge selection of food for breakfast and dinner as well and the staff was very friendly and helpful. At dinner, they are often singing and dancing, celebrating people’s birthdays or engagements and you really feel that they are enjoy being there and having a wonderful time with the guests.

One staff member that stood out to us was our waiter at dinner. Zenda really made us look forward to every evening, he soon knew us by name, remembered our drink choices, was just such a happy spirit and even reserved a nice table by the fire on the last evening for us so we could watch a singing/dancing show we did not know would take place that evening. We would not have seen it from our usual spot.

For us, a dream holiday and we are already planning the next stay with friends and family.

Posted on 06/06/2025 by Google

Our stay at Kruger gate hotel was incredible, an entire experience that felt totally surreal. The staff were so hospitable and so welcoming, we couldn’t have asked for more. Everyone was so friendly and the atmosphere here was beautiful. I cannot recommend Kruger gate hotel enough to anyone visiting South Africa. A bucket list stop for sure.

Posted on 14/06/2025 by TripAdvisor

Seldom a return visit surpasses prior experiences. They keep on getting better. Will surely be back in the future.

Posted on 09/06/2025 by TripAdvisor

Kruger Gate Hotel each and every member of the team deserve Five stars, pick up from air port was very prompt, checking was very prompt, booking our safari’s where mostly pre booked just needed to confirm on arrival which was easy, as most where early starts the hotel offer a breakfast box which was simply to order the day before and you collect in the morning which a good selection to choose from. We did book an extra safari which we weren’t able to attend due to my wife having a migraine, we thought we lost the money but on checking out the hotel refunded our money which was surprising unexpected. Everything from our room, grounds of the hotel, bar, dining area, view deck, spa, golf course and play area were as we expected all well kept. Dining area Lapa is where we ate during the evening with very good choices to suit everyone’s dietary needs, the staff were hands on at all times, some freshly cooked as ordered. Breakfast dining again catered for everyone’s dietary needs including gluten free food, with plenty of options of hot and cold food and drinks. Bar serviced anything from soft drinks, cocktails, wine, beers, spirits, and even tea and coffee with a very relax setting. View deck one of our favourite places to unwind and relax watch the elephants, hippo’s, giraffes and lions roam freely while we had a drink, there is also a chance to use the infinite pool on the view deck if you wish too, there was also three smaller viewing deckings which where available for everyone to use. Our room was five star very high standard and modern too all house keeping staff worked hard and kept our room clean and turned our bed down every night which is nice touch. Safaris where excellent and the driver would go above and beyond to get you to see the Big Five, with plenty of stops to use the toilets, gave plenty of time for pictures to be taken. Gary & Sarah you have an excellent team who provide a five star service to all of your guest. What a beautiful place to stay

Posted on 09/06/2025 by TripAdvisor

Been going to this hotel for over 40 years. Such good value and the perfect location for the start of the Kruger

Posted on 10/06/2025 by Booking.com

café da manhã excelente ,staff super atencioso ,ambientes super agradáveis

Posted on 09/06/2025 by Booking.com

As instalações do hotel são lindas. O deck com vista para o parque é um espetáculo a parte. Tivemos sorte e em poucas horas pudemos avistar muitos animais. Comida e atendimento impecável. Muita variedade de opções. Os funcionários estão sempre felizes e dispostos a te ajudar. A localização é perfeita para quem está interessado em fazer self Safari, a menos de 5 minutos do portão do parque.

Posted on 06/06/2025 by Booking.com

Localização boa para quem não vai ficar dentro do parque, pois fica logo ao lado do portão Paul Kruger (é só cruzar a ponte). Por estar tão perto e de frente pro rio, é possível ver alguns animais passando perto da piscina, como elefantes (uma família passou por ali de manhã um dia), ou perto dos quartos (como macacos e impalas).
O café da manhã é muito bom, buffet bastante variado com opções feitas na hora (omelete, waffle, panquecas).
O jantar também é um buffet numa área com uma foqueira, bastante variado com opções de pratos africanos e de cozinha internacional. E alguns preparados na hora (wok, queijo quente, smores). Algumas noites tiveram apresentação de dança e música local, muito legal!
O quarto que ficamos era super confortável, cama enorme, banheiro com pia dupla, banheira e chuveiro. Todas as comodidades (frigobar, máquina de café, chaleira elétrica, cofre, secador de cabelo, ameninites) Muito bem decorado também.
Bastante seguro, todos os carros precisam se identificar para entrar, incluindo os carros de Safari.
A piscina fica na area mais próxima do parque, a vista é linda. Piscina para crianças fica num pedaço mais protegido da mesma área.
O spa é sensacional, fazer massagem num bangalô de frente para o rio, super privativo, foi muito relaxante.

Posted on 09/06/2025 by Booking.com

Amazing location. Great equipment. Super comfortable and clean.

Posted on 10/06/2025 by Booking.com

Es war einfach toll. Am Pool viele Tiere beobachtet. Frühstück und Abendessen Buffet. Es hat an nichts gefehlt. Zimmer sind groß und komfortabel eingerichtet. Sehr gute Betten.

Posted on 07/06/2025 by Booking.com