Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Why the younger generation are increasingly drawn to places such as the Kruger National Park

It’s that time of the year again, the summer holidays are fast approaching and with travel restrictions finally eased across the globe, wanderlust is in the air.

But, this year, as people start to think about and plan their summer vacation, we can expect to see a new growing trend in vacation destinations among the younger generation – nature-based tourism and places such as the Kruger National Park.

As the name highlights, nature-based tourism centres around travel within outdoor environments or around places of natural beauty and usually involves participating in adventurous activities such as mountain climbing or more relaxing activities like hiking, stargazing and taking wildlife tours. This kind of travel has become more popular in recent years as it offers young people an escape from busy cityscapes and the constant connected buzz of everyday life.

Additionally, research suggests that younger people are interested in animal activities, but only those that offer little interaction with the animals themselves – encounters that leave animals to enjoy their natural surroundings without interference from humans.

These trends are likely to continue to grow for the foreseeable future as travellers are craving wide open spaces and are looking for holiday trips that are closer to home due to economic constraints, and as young people shift towards adopting more sustainable lifestyles.

“It should really come as no surprise that the most socially and environmentally conscious generations of younger tourists, millennials and Gen Zers, are increasingly gravitating towards nature travel which presents them with a way to positively interact with the world around them while also gaining that sense of peace, relaxation, and the chance to discover new experiences that we all look for from a vacation away,” says Sarah Watson of Kruger Gate Hotel. “As such, they are also looking for accommodation providers that tie into this way of life and Kruger National Park accommodation that ensures that they are holidaying in a more sustainable way”.

Travel destinations like the Kruger Gate Hotel, situated just 100 metres from the entrance of the enchanting Kruger National Park, are a nature-loving tourist’s dream destination as they offer travellers a haven away from home (and most importantly away from the crowds), nestled in the midst of some of South Africa, and the world’s, most beautiful natural assets. From the country’s iconic wildlife, such as the Big Five, majestic rivers and waterfalls, and vast forest canopies to unique outdoor experiences, these nature-based destinations present young travellers with tremendous value.

There are a number of benefits attached to nature-based tourism, including environmental, economic, social and even health-related benefits for those individuals who participate in this form of travel. In fact, it can play a big role in driving funding and support for the conservation and restoration of these vast areas of wilderness and natural beauty, empower the communities which surround them by contributing to employment and the growth of local economies, and enable the protection of local wildlife. Additionally, spending time in nature can greatly reduce stress and anxiety, improving both mental and physical wellbeing.

“Nature-based travel destinations don’t only offer tourists the opportunity to connect with the wonder of the world around them and experience it in its most raw and relatively untouched-by-the-world state, they can also be a powerful tool in engaging young tourists – who often previously opted for travel to tropical beaches and party hotspots – in helping to ensure the resilience and sustainability of local communities and domestic tourism,” adds Watson.

According to a recent report on the future of nature-based tourism, there is significant growth in demand for sustainable tourism products and services as young travellers pursue experiences that enable them to engage in local cultures, foods and environments and are increasingly interested in seeing better benefits for local communities.

Watson concludes: “At Kruger Gate Hotel, situated right by one of the world’s best reserves, we are dedicated to ensuring that guests of our hotel pose little to no harm to the natural environment surrounding us and the Kruger National Park animals who visit the watering hole outside our hotel. And we will continue to play our part in ensuring a better and more sustainable future for the Park through the Kruger National Park activities that we offer as well as by ensuring that as a business, we are sustainable as possible in everything that we do”.

Guest Reviews

(Translated by Google) I had a wonderful stay at the Kruger Gate Hotel.
It's ideally located for enjoying a safari.
The animals roam freely—I was greeted by a family of warthogs outside my room door. Monkeys roam the trees, and buffalo, elephants, and other species roam freely around the pool.
The staff is lovely and welcoming (special mention to Debrah :) ).
The room is pleasant and comfortable.
The food is delicious.
In short, a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature's bounty.

(Original)
J'ai passé un excellent séjour au Kruger Gate Hotel.
Il est idéalement situé pour profiter d'un safari.
Les animaux viennent librement - j'ai été accueilli par une famille de phacochères devant ma porte de chambre, les singes font leurs vies dans les arbres et de la piscine, buffles, éléphants et autres espèces viennent naturellement.
Le personnel est adorable et accueillant (mention spéciale à Debrah :) )
Chambre agréable et confortable.
La nourriture est délicieuse.
bref un endroit parfait pour se reposer et profiter des cadeaux de la nature.

Posted on 19/05/2025 by Google

highly commendable. simply the best.

Posted on 18/05/2025 by Google

rooms a bit dated rest are good

Posted on 13/05/2025 by Agoda

Kruger Gate Hotel was very nice with an amazing spa. Breakfast & dinner was included in our rate. They were very accomodating for me with Gluten Free requirements. They went thru the whole buffet with me and confirmed what was gluten free & what was not. Surprisingly most of the buffet was good for me. The food was amazing. I did a facial & a 90 min massage. Both were very good & highly recommend them. I did one safari with the lodge, which was extra, but so worth it. We go so close to so many animals. I would definitely stay here again.

Posted on 19/05/2025 by TripAdvisor

Stayed at the hotel for 4 nights with my partner, our room was spacious and cleanliness was very good. Good variety of food for the buffet dinner and all of the top shelf liquors available. Water supplied and topped up daily. The Safari trips were brilliant and I really recommend them. Enoch was our driver for the tour (we did an all day one which started at 5.30am with breakfast available to collect and take with you) and he was fantastic. Really knowledgeable about the area and he knows his animals. Nothing was too much for him and was happy to stop at any animal siting. Enoch is friendly, chatty and I swear he has a sixth sense on where to head out in the vast amount of land on the national park. If you get Enoch as your guide you\'re on to a winner already and have a superb chance of seeing the Big 5 which we did. Definitely going back to Kruger National Park and would stay here again.

Posted on 20/05/2025 by TripAdvisor

Hotel with enormous charm located 2 minutes from the Kruger gate. It is a faultless one! Beautiful place good meals a magical safari.

Posted on 13/05/2025 by TripAdvisor

Excellent location for the price! Courteous staff. Excellent breakfast and dinner( especially for me many vegetarian choices were offered). Staff at dinner and breakfast went out of their way to get what we wanted. Amazing safari offered by the hotel with a great guide. Couldn’t fault a thing! Can think of only superlatives to describe anything. Thanks to all staff!

Posted on 18/05/2025 by TripAdvisor

Everything was great. The staff were amazing, could not do enough for you. There was a great selection of food (I’m vegetarian). We did three safari drives and the guides would endeavour to help guests see as many animals as possible (we saw the big 5 over the three excursions). Great location right next to Kruger Gate. We also used the spa which had a lovely range of treatments. The room and bed were very comfortable. I hope to return and would recommend to anyone wanting to visit this area.

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Booking.com

Breakfast was good,all assorted,spoled for choice

Posted on 19/05/2025 by Booking.com

何から何まで、かなり洗練されていて、とても満足している。

Posted on 19/05/2025 by Booking.com

Das Hotel direkt am Kruger Gate ist wirklich beeindruckend – eine große Anlage, aber mit sehr viel Liebe zum Detail und einem tollen afrikanischen Flair gestaltet. Alles ist geschmackvoll und atmosphärisch. Besonders das Abendessen war ein Highlight: Der Bereich mit Feuerstellen, in dem gegessen wird, ist wunderschön gestaltet und schafft eine ganz besondere Stimmung.

Ein absolutes Highlight ist der beheizte Infinity Pool mit Blick auf ein Wasserloch – das dazugehörige „Viewing -Deck“ ist traumhaft zum Entspannen, Cocktails genießen und einfach die Natur auf sich wirken zu lassen.
Leider wurde unser Erlebnis dort etwas getrübt: Trotz klarer Hinweisschilder zum Ruhebereich hielten sich einige Gäste nicht daran und verhielten sich sehr laut. Schade war, dass das Personal in dieser Situation nicht eingeschritten ist – gerade in einem Bereich, der zur Entspannung gedacht ist, wäre mehr Rücksicht wünschenswert gewesen.
Abgesehen davon ist die Anlage für ihre Größe wirklich hervorragend gestaltet – mit viel Atmosphäre und Komfort. Wir würden wiederkommen, hoffen aber auf etwas mehr Achtsamkeit im Ruhebereich.

Posted on 13/05/2025 by Booking.com

Location to gate of Kruger national park
Staff were polite and helpful
Rooms were good sized and comfortable
Good diverse food options

Posted on 21/05/2025 by Booking.com

Absolutely perfect location for access to the Kruger Park, setting and atmosphere created the African experience.

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Booking.com

Very good breakfast, I enjoyed it. Would like to have better variety of fruits, though

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Booking.com

Perfect location and suitable for the family

Posted on 15/05/2025 by Booking.com

Very friendly and helpful staff! Beautiful pool deck with the best pizza’s. Lovely buffet, both at brekkie and dinner. Handy location right by Paul Kruger Gate.

Posted on 13/05/2025 by Booking.com

Kruger Gate Hotel exceeded my expectations! Lovely staff, great ambiance, excellent breakfast and dinner! Our server, Given, was excellent the first night and recommended some good African Wine. Our first game drive ever was a great experience as our driver tried his best to find the Cats. Thepo|Thope was our server for my wife's birthday dinner, and he was phenomenal, along with the Chef and the crew. We experienced African hospitality! Will recommend Kruger Gate Hotel to friends and family and I hope to come back!

Posted on 13/05/2025 by Booking.com

Extreme hospitality in a beautiful setting. Everyone was kind and smiling. Great food. Clean spacious rooms. Adjacent to Kruger Gate

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Booking.com

De tudo. Desdo café da manhã, a piscina, o mini golf, os funcionários, até o jantar.

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Booking.com

Ein traumhaftes Hotel mit freundlichem und jederzeit hilfsbereitem Personal, top ausgestatteten Ferienhäusern und einem Abend- und Frühstücksbuffet mit einer großen Auswahl. Der Ausblick vom Pool auf den Krüger Nationalpark ist einzigartig und lässt einen täglich was Neues entdecken.
Wir haben 2 Privatsafaris mitgemacht und unsere Guides sind dabei stets auf unsere Wünsche eingegangen und haben es uns ermöglicht, die Big 5 zu sehen.
Es hätte für uns keinen besseren Abschluss unserer Südafrika-Reise geben können.

Posted on 18/05/2025 by Booking.com

We enjoyed the staff, the food, the amenities and the location.

Posted on 14/05/2025 by Booking.com

Sehr schöne, grüne und gepflegte Anlage, mit Blick auf den Sabie River und Krüger. Die Lage ist top, da man in weniger als 5Min im Park ist. Super freundliches und aufgestelltes Personal! Leckeres Essen! Gut geeignet auch für mit Kindern!

Posted on 18/05/2025 by Booking.com

Uitstekend

Posted on 17/05/2025 by Booking.com

Safari
Vue panoramique
Proximité porte

Posted on 17/05/2025 by Booking.com