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

Our stay at kruger was nothing less than extraordinary, the resort is located at a prime location making the kruger national park quite accessible, thanks to our safari guide Mr Happy we were able to see the entirety of the big 5 animals. However the most impressive thing was their hospitality, the staff were considerate and polite . The spread offered by the hotel is out of the world and despite being a vegetarian I was able to find multiple options
Lastly I would like to specially thank Head chef Leo, as on our demand , within a span of 10 mins chef leo served us a delicious spread of indian dishes , and although we were not able to finish it , it was genuinely quite tasty . Leo is a gem of person and one of the nicest people i have ever met. It was a delight to stay here and I do hope to visit the place soon

Posted on 03/06/2026 by Google

What a luxurious and beautiful place!
The food buffet had some very tasty options.
Personell was very friendly and helpfull.
We booked a couples massage and boy, how good that felt!
Also did a full game drive in Kruger, well organized.
If we ever come back to South Africa, we are definitely staying in this place again

Posted on 02/06/2026 by Google

These photos our butler was amazing

Posted on 31/05/2026 by Google

The atmosphere is relaxed and beautiful as you are in the park. Service is great. Every staff you encounter says hello and asks how you are doing, as well if you are enjoying yourself.The rooms are very large with lots of storage, seating area inside as well as outside. Bed is very
Comfortable. Would definitely recommend and come again

Posted on 28/05/2026 by Google

Excellent hotel - wonderful place to stay

Posted on 04/06/2026 by Hotels.com

no local localização na equipe excelente um lugar maravilhoso e memorável para ficar

Posted on 02/06/2026 by Hotels.com

Tudo incrível!!! Atendimento, refeição, camas maravilhosas.

Posted on 28/05/2026 by Hotels.com

And the stay was a lot of fun, and the hotel has an unbelievably good location! Right at the gate of Kruger National Park! The food and especially the service are perfect. Our server Tshepo was especially nice - very kind and a gifted singer!

Posted on 29/05/2026 by TripAdvisor

Our stay was absolutely fantastic. We spent four nights at the hotel and enjoyed every single moment. The rooms were spacious, beautifully designed, and very comfortable. In general, the entire hotel complex impressed us with its tasteful architecture and the way it blends perfectly into the surrounding nature. Perhaps that is also why you can often spot harmless animals wandering around the property, which added to the unique atmosphere.

The food was excellent, with a wide variety of options to suit every taste. There was always something for everyone, and the entertainment offerings created a wonderful overall ambiance. What truly stood out was the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff throughout the entire resort — everyone made us feel genuinely welcome.

A special highlight was the pool deck overlooking the river, where animals could occasionally be seen nearby, making the experience even more memorable.

We also booked two full-day safaris directly through the hotel with the guides Culture and Chris. Both guides made the game drives incredibly entertaining and shared fascinating insights about the wildlife and the surrounding area. They always did their best to position us in the best spots for animal sightings, which made the game drives truly unforgettable. We never wanted the day to end.

Overall, we would book this hotel again without hesitation. We are certain this will not be our last visit.

Posted on 28/05/2026 by TripAdvisor

Kruger Gate Hotel continues to offer the very best experience for those venturing into Kruger National Park - accommodation, facilities & service and especially the staff make this at top of the list. We atill meet the resident bushbuck and warthog, as well as ververt monkeys and baboons, wandering the grounds but this is part of the pleasure.

Posted on 30/05/2026 by TripAdvisor

Fantastyczna obsługa

Posted on 02/06/2026 by Booking.com

Excellent location right next to Kruger National Park. The breakfast and dinner buffets were outstanding, with plenty of choice and great quality. We especially appreciated the breakfast packs prepared for our early morning safaris. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, and the safari experiences were fantastic.

Posted on 02/06/2026 by Booking.com

Everything

Posted on 01/06/2026 by Booking.com

Amazing location, beautiful setting, friendly and helpful staff, excellent breakfast.

Posted on 29/05/2026 by Booking.com

Einzigartig die Lage, Komfort und luxuriöse Gestaltung der ganzen Anlage mit Infinity Pool und Blick über den Fluss zum Krüger Park. Besonders erwähnenswert ist das herausragende Dinner in der Arena am Abend mit Feuerstelle , welches wir in dieser Vielfalt und Qualität noch nicht erlebt haben. Hygiene 1a, Dessert und Salate in klimatisiertem Bereich. Freitags zusätzlich BBQ. Das einzige Hotel, in dem wir Wiederholungsgäste sind.

Posted on 03/06/2026 by Booking.com

We booked a 3 night stay in their newly renovated luxury room and it was nothing short of fantastic. Its spacious, bright and clean. The property itself is beautiful, looks like a massive treehouse. Its also big and there are lots of areas to explore. Everything is neatly kept and clean. There is a little shop that is open into the evening incase you want snacks and drinks. It also has safari essentials like maps, info guides and binoculars. Breakfast and dinners were absolutely amazing. Its a nightly rotating menu with lots of classic South African foods. Everything from springbok, kudu, crocodile, pap and wors, bobotie, malva pudding. We opted for shuttle pick up and drop offs from the airport which was super easy. We also booked a guided safari one day, and rented a car for a self drive safari the following day. Being able to book both directly from the hotel was very very convenient. Would absolutely recommend this place to anyone and cant wait to visit again.

Posted on 28/05/2026 by Booking.com

Perfektes Hotel am Kruger Gate. Die ganze Anlage war für uns ein Traum mit super schönen Blick von der Terrasse auf den Sabie River (mit Hippos). Hotel nicht ganz billig, aber günstiger als die mega teueren Lodges im Park. Preis war inkl. HP. Abendessen (Buffet) war hervorragend. Mit das beste was wir hatten. Auch das Frühstück war super. Draussen sitzen direkt am Busch. Zimmer modern eingerichtet (nicht unbedingt afrikanisch). Haben hier uns mal 2 Tage gegönnt und würden nächstesmal garantiert länger bleiben - Daumen hoch!! ;)

Posted on 30/05/2026 by Booking.com

Quarto espaçoso, cama e travesseiros excelentes

Posted on 03/06/2026 by Booking.com

Posizione ottima attaccato al Kruger Gate. Posto bellissimo, personale gentile e disponibile. Safari organizzato dall\' hotel bello! Cena e colazione a buffet.

Posted on 31/05/2026 by Booking.com