Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Travelling in South Africa: The Ultimate Bucket List Destinations

The Kruger National Park welcomes visitors. There are plenty of picnic places, rest stations, and day visitor areas. At the entry gates, a map shows all of these stops. Before your vacation, plan how much you can travel and see in a day.

South Africa Bucket List

South Africa is a spectacular vacation spot, but there’s so much to do that it’s almost impossible to choose which destinations to add to your bucket list. Its rich culture, fascinating history, thrilling wildlife, and breathtaking scenery makes it a desirable holiday destination for tourists across the globe. Several trips to this nation would merely provide a taste of the many wild and beautiful experiences the country has to offer. We’ve selected our top 3 South African  bucket list locations.

Kruger National Park

During any journey to South Africa, seeing the Big Five should be at the top of your bucket list. But did you know that in a single visit to Kruger National Park, you have a legitimate opportunity to see all five of Africa’s most famous animals?

The Kruger National Park is home to hundreds of different kinds of animals, including rhinos, leopards, elephants, lions, buffalo, and many more. At the Kruger Gate Hotel join a once-in-a-lifetime Kruger Big 5 Safari to get the best chance of seeing the Big Five. Morning, all-day, afternoon, and night safaris, as well as private or group safaris are available. Guests can even pre-order a packed breakfast to pick up the following morning to snack on during their safari.

Click here for more information on Kruger Gate Hotel’s game drive packages, and book your accommodation here.

Drakensberg

The province of KwaZulu-Natal is home to the magnificent mountain range known as the Drakensberg. The mountains span around 1000 kilometres and end at the Lesotho border. In this region, you may plan a stay at one of the picturesque hotels, B&Bs, guest houses, farm stays, campgrounds, or RV parks and experience a variety of excursions. When visiting the Drakensberg, you have the option to hike at several scenic locations.

For those who are feeling particularly adventurous, staying overnight in a cave is an even more unique experience. The Drakensberg World Heritage Tour and guided horseback rides are two other fantastic local activities. We strongly advise you to visit the Drakensberg to see the landscape for yourself since it speaks for itself.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is an experience that should be on everyone’s South African bucket list because of its iconic flat summit, amazing vistas, and exhilarating cableway. Ride the aerial cableway up to the rocky plateau, which is covered in lush Cape fynbos. Once there, you will be able to take in the breathtaking views of Cape Town’s beaches and beyond.

While you’re at it, why not add the famous hiking trail, Lion’s Head, to the list? You’ll probably work up a sweat, but when you reach the top, you’ll be treated with one of the most breathtaking views the city has to offer. We’d say it’s 100% worth the exertion.

Guest Reviews

Had a wonderful time at this hotel.Staff excellent. Food amazing. Accomodation was clean and comfortable. Will definitely come back.Thank you for making our holiday enjoyable.

Posted on 16/08/2026 by Agoda

I had a wonderful stay at the Kruger Gate Hotel. The room was very nice and very comfortable with a lot of storage. The breakfast was good and the dinner buffet outdoors was excellent with many different local dishes, and amazing ambience with the fire pits and the local singers as well as the hotel staff singing ‘happy birthday’ to guests. The game drives arranged though the hotel were amazing and we saw all the Big 5 and many of the other animals and birds as well. The spa was wonderful as well. The infinity pool and viewing deck are truly amazing. As the hotel borders the Kruger National Park, we were regularly visited by elephants, nyala, water buck, and some hippos as well as a croc could be seen. The truly amazing allure to this property, however, is the staff. I cannot say enough good things about everyone. Everyone made us feel welcome and well taken care of. Special requests were honored with diligence. I would definitely book this property again.

Posted on 22/08/2026 by Expedia.com

This has been such a special family holiday with the most memorable experiences. We’re blown away by the hospitality and overall atmosphere here. We are leaving with full hearts and so grateful! My eldest daughter said today was “the best day ever”, and we all felt that way!

Posted on 22/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

The food, accommodation, service and game drives were all amazing. All the staff were so friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back!!

Posted on 18/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

After a week in lodges in remote areas, we really enjoyed our almost week-long stay at the Kruger Gate Hotel. While it\'s not a small safari lodge, it is a very nice hotel a short distance away from Kruger National Park. The hotel is also very beautiful architecturally.

For us, the Kruger Park was the best of both worlds - close to safari activities, but with the conveniences that a larger hotel has to offer. I have seen complaints in other reviews that it is a bit impersonal and packaged, but we did not feel that way at all. It is big - I think they told me there were 144 rooms - but the staff took great care of us during our stay.

Breakfasts and dinners are done buffet style. We thought the quality of the food was very good except for the desserts at dinner. Game drives arranged through the hotel were excellent. The hotel has some nice amenities, like a putt-putt course and tennis courts. We enjoyed our day at the spa, the highlight of which was getting up from my massage, looking out the window, and seeing an elephant maybe 30 meters away.

We would definitely stay here again.

Posted on 23/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

We just want to thank everyone for the magic experience that you provide to us. Everyone was so kind and helpfull, from the people that works in the reception, to the people works in the facilities and, specially, Gibson, our safari guide. He was awesome, we saw how hard he tried to find the animals that we wanted to see. Just want to say thank you to everybody!

Posted on 21/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

Our stay has been short but without a doubt it is a magical place and we will repeat for much longer I have no words the service and the people are incredible and it has been one of the best experiences seeing animals from the pool elephants etc thank you very much for the attention

Posted on 23/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

The Kruger Gate Hotel is the best! The hospitality and helpfulness of the staff is wonderful! Sarah simply solved a transfer problem in minutes and saved our safari! Sensational food and accommodation! Worth the investment! The location is wonderful, it\'s possible to spot animals like hippos and herds of elephants from the hotel pool!

Posted on 20/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

Super experience. Staff was welcoming and attentive. Food and drinks were delicious. Hotel design and setting were magical. I wish we would have booked more nights.

Posted on 17/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

Kruger Gate Hotel was the perfect place for our family reunion. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by such warm, friendly and attentive staff who made us feel truly at home.
The attention to detail throughout our stay was exceptional, and every little touch made our family experience even more special. The natural beauty surrounding the hotel is simply breathtaking, creating a peaceful and unforgettable setting that perfectly complements the magic of the Kruger.
It was wonderful to have our family together in such a beautiful and welcoming environment. We left with wonderful memories that we will treasure for years to come.

Posted on 16/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

Absolutely incredible. Service was immaculate, atmosphere, environment, rooms, everything was outstanding.

Posted on 16/08/2026 by TripAdvisor

No le falta detalle, muuuy buen hotel.

Posted on 23/08/2026 by Booking.com

Everything was superb!

Posted on 22/08/2026 by Booking.com

Everything on high level! Comfortable and organized very good!

Posted on 21/08/2026 by Booking.com

Tout , le lieu les tentes et le cuisine ! Un grand bravo à la manager aux petits soins pour ses clients

Posted on 19/08/2026 by Booking.com

The hotel doesn’t feel or look like a hotel. It’s completely integrated into the scenery with big trees incorporated everywhere.

Posted on 27/08/2026 by Booking.com

Como viajante só tenho a agradecer toda equipe.
Gostei de tudo no Kruger Gate Hotel.
Atendimento impecável e todos sempre muito simpáticos. A localização do hotel é sensacional, aproveitamos muito a proximidade do gate para o Safari, além disso podemos apreciar vários animais passando em frente do hotel. Inclusive, tem uma familia de hippos que vivem bem ali, pertinho.
O quarto estava impecável, com todo cuidado necessário com os viajantes. Recebemos capsulas de cafés todos os dias. A área comum do hotel também estava sempre limpa.
A comida nós amamos, tudo delicioso e fresco. Algo que chamou muito atenção foi o cuidado em alterar alguns pratos no dia seguinte, para que não seja sempre o mesmo tipo de comida, adorei!

Posted on 25/08/2026 by Booking.com

What I liked about Kruger Gate Hotel was its beautiful location, relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff, delicious food, and the amazing wildlife experience.

Posted on 25/08/2026 by Booking.com

Lugar maravilhoso! Cheio de animais em frente ao hotel

Posted on 23/08/2026 by Booking.com

caro mas vale cade centavo
o café da manhã é excepcional, a vista da piscina é incrível e o quarto é muito espaçoso e confortável

tivemos um problema com nosso carro alugado e os funcionários foram extremamente solidários e nos ajudaram a chegar ao hotel em segurança tarde da noite

thanks Sara and Dzunisani!!!

Posted on 22/08/2026 by Booking.com

Absolument tout était parfait
Le buffet le soir incroyable d’une qualité folle et le petit déjeuner le matin juste parfait
Le personnel tellement gentils souriants vraiment
La vue depuis la piscine est à couper le souffle on dirait un tableau vivant c’est juste magnifique

La proximité avec la porte juste incroyable on est à 1 min top chrono de la kruger Gate ????

Je n’ai qu’une envie c’est d’y retourner

Merci mille fois pour ce séjour

Posted on 22/08/2026 by Booking.com

Posizione eccellente esattamente davanti una delle entrate migliori del kruger Park!
Struttura nuova..meravigliosa! Colazione e cena eccellenti! Pool bar con vista sul parco dove poter vedere gli animali a pochi metri mentre si fa il bagno o si beve un drink!
Abbiamo fatto un massaggio di coppia pazzesco!
Esperienza stupenda!
Personale sorridente gentile e sempre attento al benessere degli ospiti!

Posted on 18/08/2026 by Booking.com

Lage direkt am Krüger Nationalpark gelegen, man blickt vom Pool und den Terrassen auf den Park und das Krüger Gate, Tiere (u.a. Elefanten, Büffel, Flusspferde) kommen direkt bis an den Zaun, der Infinity Pool ist der Wahnsinn, ebenfalls die Frühstück- und Abendessenauswahl (Bedienung an verschiedenen Essenständen)

Posted on 24/08/2026 by Booking.com

La location è incredibilmente bella. Una vista sul Kruger con elefanti e altri animali ai piedi della piscina. La palestra non era un buco con pochi attrezzi, ma una vera mini palestra! Il cibo di qualità molto alta. La stanza una meraviglia. Ovviamente non si paga poco

Posted on 22/08/2026 by Booking.com

The buffets were the best I\'ve ever had and far exceeded any expectations. It was fun to see various animals around the property. The location is perfect for getting an early entry into the park. Everyone was very friendly and my family had a great time. Would definitely come back.

Posted on 17/08/2026 by Booking.com

Struttura molto bella di fronte all’entrata del Kruger, posizione top! Molto ben organizzati per fare i safari.
Alla sera c’era qualche spettacolo e falò in mezzo che creava un’atmosfera bellissima

Posted on 24/08/2026 by Booking.com