Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Unique SA Holiday Destinations for a Memorable Experience

South Africa offers countless magical travel destinations, particularly if you want to avoid tourist traps and experience something a bit more unique. If you only visit the popular SA holiday destinations listed in travel guides and websites, you’ll only see a small portion of South Africa’s true diversity.

We’ve chosen several places with unmatched beauty and unique experiences. This list includes gorgeous natural landscapes, quirky historical sites, as well as locations with significant archaeological value.

Unique SA Holiday Destinations

The Kruger National Park, Limpopo and Mpumalanga

One of the top SA holiday destinations is the Kruger National Park, which offers an unmatched  Kruger Big 5 Safari Experience. Not only is it the most famous national park in South Africa, but it also boasts the greatest variety of species. It is among the oldest conservation sites in Africa, with thriving animal populations and highly sought-after wild dog and cheetah sightings.

Nights can be spent in a lavish bungalow or by a roaring campfire as you listen to the sounds of nature. Wake up to a champagne breakfast as an elephant strolls by and lions roar in the distance. Then, embark on a self-drive or guided safari to explore one of Africa’s largest game reserves in search of majestic animals like lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and wild cats. The Big 5 of Africa are the continent’s most famous animals, and seeing them in the Kruger National Park is an experience you are likely to treasure for a lifetime. All year long, close encounters with elephants, buffalo, rhinos, lions, and leopards are common.

The Owl House, Eastern Cape

The Owl House, in Nieu-Bethesda in the Eastern Cape, was home to the well-known South African artist, Helen Martin. The home is the result of her wish to bring colour and brightness into her dark and lonely environment. It has an incredible variety of sculptures, interiors made of colourful glass, and vivid paintings.

Martin, who was divorced in the 1940s and had no living relatives due to the passing of her parents, moved back to her birthplace to work on a project that she grew fixated on. With the help of a worker named Koos Malgas, she started making sculptures of owls, mythological creatures, and sun faces. Over the course of 12 years, she converted her house into a wonderland filled with hundreds of sculptures, shattered glass walls, and colourful windows. The Owl House, with its quirky sculptures and intriguing history, has a magical air to it. Iit is a really unique location that is not quickly forgotten.

The Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal

One of South Africa’s most breathtaking locations is the Drakensberg. A haven for nature enthusiasts, it is renowned for its hiking paths that wind around picturesque mountain gorges, across serene grasslands, and into magnificent river valleys. But if there’s one unique destination within Drakensberg that you simply cannot miss, it’s the Amphitheatre. The Drakensberg Amphitheatre in the Drakensberg Mountains is a spectacular cliff face spanning 5 km. Surprisingly, the towering natural phenomenon attracts very few visitors. What makes this destination even more magical is the magnificent Tugela Falls, found at the cliff’s peak.

Sterkfontein Caves, Gauteng

A World Heritage Site, the Sterkfontein Caves are the ideal location for aspiring archaeologists or enthusiastic explorers. The caves are a wonderful destination to visit and one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. In the region referred to as the Cradle of Humanity, fossilised hominid and animal remains as ancient as 4 million years have been found. These findings provide important insights into the origins and evolution of humans.Any traveller to South Africa will find this visitor centre to be of the highest calibre, with first-rate displays, knowledgeable guides, a restaurant, and breathtaking vistas. The caverns are well located for seeing one of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world since Johannesburg is just 40 minutes away. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in inside the caves.

Book SA Holiday Destinations: Kruger Big 5 Safari Experience

You can book an unforgettable Kruger Big 5 Safari Experience on the Kruger Gate Hotel website, one of the most unique SA holiday destinations in the country. Or Contact Us to plan and book the ultimate Kruger National Park getaway.

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