Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Wild about wellness: Why a safari holiday is the ultimate wellness retreat

Wellness means different things to different people, but there is generally agreement – and evidence – that going on holiday and spending time in nature is good for our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

An escape to the bush, think the magnificent Kruger National Park and a Big Five safari, is in many ways one of the most holistic wellness experiences travellers can plan for.

At Kruger Gate Hotel you can almost see people relax and recharge when they’re here enjoying the tranquillity of nature and the magnificence of the flora and fauna that surrounds the property.

A safari holiday can be the ultimate wellness experience as it has so many facets to it, all while giving the travellers and guests dynamic options for things to do, or not to do. Remember, there is nothing wrong with doing ‘nothing’ on a safari holiday – being on holiday is the doing!

The ultimate serenity

They say silence is golden and nowhere is this more true than in the Kruger National Park where silence and serenity is all-encompassing. The Pool Deck overlooking the Sabie River is the perfect spot to relax and soak up the silence. Sure, there’s the sounds of birds and animals but it’s a serene sound that is unique to the area and generally brings on a great sense of calm and connection to nature, just knowing you’re near the animals in Kruger National Park.

A guided safari tour is another way to experience a different kind of serenity. A safari guide is a connection between the visitor and the wonders of Kruger National Park. They’re there to bring the magnificence of the landscape, the animals, the birds and the flora to life, and experiencing that close-up is one of the ultimate bucket list experiences, and form a key part of an integrated wildlife tourism experience.

Sights, sounds, scents

Wellness is also holistic and engaging our various senses in new ways can positively contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing. The sights, sounds, and smells of the bush engage our senses in ways that are vastly different from their usual environments, making the experience more vivid and memorable.

It could be the smell of the earth after a summer thunderstorm, or the sound of a fish eagle or the sight of a leopard attacking its prey. These are sensory experiences beyond the everyday that stir different emotions and contribute to an overall sense of serenity.

Solo, or not

For many travellers, doing so on their own is its own form of wellness. At Kruger Gate Hotel we regularly welcome solo travellers l and what we love seeing is how they embrace a ‘hybrid’ solo travel approach. This could be joining a group on a guided morning safari, or opting to become friendly with other guests. The great thing is that guests can be solo but not necessarily alone.

The hotel is large enough to never feel isolated even if you are alone. Similarly, it is easy to also be ‘anonymous’ and just do your thing if that’s what you want.

Active wellness

Kruger Gate Hotel, specifically, has plenty of options for those travellers who prefer a more ‘active kind’’ of wellness. The Fitness Centre is a key amenity, available to all guests, while those who prefer a more serene form of wellness can head to Dee’s African Spa on the property. The spa, magnificently situated on the Sabie riverbank, offers a menu of signature spa treatments, all with a uniquely African flair.

In the Fitness Centre new state-of-the-art equipment sits in a thoughtfully designed space with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the property’s lush garden, ensuring an experience that engages all the senses.

Ultimately, wellness is a highly personal experience and endeavour but there is little doubt that Kruger National Park – one of the world’s top safari destinations – is a great place to relax and rejuvenate.

Guest Reviews

(Translated by Google) You have to go there. It's great.

(Original)
Il faut y aller. C’est top

Posted on 21/09/2025 by Google

Amazing hotel with wildlife in & around the property. Safari game drive with Joel was excellent and we accomplished the Big 5 views of the animals. Food & accommodations were great. Spa treatment with massage, very relaxed 😎🤘🏼

Posted on 19/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

The staff were amazing. Food was incredible. Rooms were great. The whole environment was a paradise.

Likely the best hotel you’ll ever stay at.

Posted on 20/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

This is a great place to stay. Near the park (less than a mile) but less than the park prices. The Safari\'s were great, the food excellent and the service superb.We enjoyed th offered Safari\'s plus a night Safari done by SanParks.

Posted on 18/09/2025 by TripAdvisor

Très bel établissement, bien situé juste à côté d une entrée du parc. .Grand confort, gentillesse du personnel, au top pour les safaris et les massages

Posted on 19/09/2025 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

Excellent location, very clean room, well equipped, very hot water in the bathroom, nice stuff. Everything is very well organized. First thing we saw - pumbas on the parking. Lots of them. Then we entered our room and saw an impala on the terrace, just lying there. I was shocked. There is a shop with snacks and souvenirs and a welcome point with some snacks and beverages in reception area.
We had morning safari for 333 $. It\'s a good price for private safari, it starts 5:30 and you are back at 12. Breakfast to go is provided. Cars are very good and comfortable, even in group, i think, you can have nice observation. We were alone in the car, our guide was a wonderful man, he did his best to show us the animals. We saw lions twice, a lot of giraffes, hippos, elephants, zebras and so on. When we were back we saw a lot of elephants from the pool area.
The most impressing thing - dinner. It is the best dinner we had in South Africa, even better than 300$ dinner in a fancy restaurant in Cape Town. And this one was only buffet, included in our stay but such a big choice and what wonderful taste has the chef, my compliments, every dish was beautifully done. On your way to dinner you can see monkeys on the trees. Hotel is beautiful. Perfect choice for first nights in Kruger. Thank you very much for our wonderful memories.

Posted on 20/09/2025 by Booking.com

Hotel ótimo, com uma localização muito próxima à entrada do parque Kruger. Boas opções para alimentação. Vista para o parque sempre com animais passando por perto. Funcionários simpáticos.

Posted on 19/09/2025 by Booking.com

It’s our 4th trip to Kruger Gate Hotel. We love the fact that we can fly directly to Nelspruit and it’s a short drive to the hotel. The newly renovated bedrooms are lovely. Also love the new breakfast area.

Posted on 21/09/2025 by Booking.com

Lage, Personal, Buffets, Ausstattung. Fazit: Eine supergute Lodge!

Posted on 17/09/2025 by Booking.com

Super schönes Hotel mit Blick auf den Kruger Nationalpark .
Personal sehr freundlich und Hilfsbereit.
Man kann auch diverse Safaris über das Hotel buchen.

Posted on 17/09/2025 by Booking.com

Quarto muito confortável e espaçoso.

Posted on 16/09/2025 by Booking.com

De tudo. Localização excelente. Banheiro excelente. Cama excelente. Café da manhã melhor do mundo. Jantar legal. Piscina linda com possibilidade de ver animais (vimos hipopótamo na nossa vez).

Posted on 18/09/2025 by Booking.com