Kruger National Park Safari

Important Dos and Don’ts During Your Kruger National Park Safari

The Kruger National Park is the home of prime safaris, and many people from all over the world visit this very special place every year. The point of going here is to enjoy the fauna and flora from the different regions of the park in a way that does not negatively affect the nature or the enjoyment of other people also visiting the park at the same time. All prime game reserves have rules and regulations, but sometimes there are some unwritten rules – let’s call it park etiquette – that allow people to enjoy the experience much more, and that prevent the natural order of the wild from being disturbed.

Adverse behaviour can cause all kinds of problems – from endangering personal safety to causing damage to the surrounding nature, so it is essential that everybody planning a safari in the Kruger National Park is aware of how to behave when visiting a nature reserve. While it may be extremely exciting to spot a leopard or rare animal on a game drive, screaming with enjoyment can disturb the animal and send it fleeing back into the bush, and then the experience is spoilt for everyone. Phones ringing loudly can have the same effect. Basic good behaviour is expected from everyone to maximise the enjoyment of the experience for everyone, so here we provide you with some of the basic rules to stick to when you go on a safari in the Kruger National Park.

  • Prepare before you go: If you are going in your own vehicle, ensure that you have all the basics in the vehicle, such as water, snacks, and clothing, in case the weather gets cool. When you are on a safari in the Kruger National Park, wear clothing that is comfortable – you don’t need to dress up (unless you are having a romantic dinner in one of the luxury lodges!). If you are going on game drives in open vehicles or on guided bush walks, stick to neutral colours and avoid bright colours. The point is to blend in, so that you are less likely to be spotted by animals. Remember to wear a hat and take a camera, binoculars, and of course, water. If you are planning to take pictures with your cellphone, ensure that the sound is switched off or you may miss some great sightings.
  • Know the rules: When entering the gate to start your safari, you will be given a set of rules that are specifically designed to prevent damage or injury to people, the environment, and the animals. One of the best things to keep in mind (if you are not residing at one of the rest camps or luxury lodges inside the park) is the closing and opening times of the gates. The opening times are set and cannot be changed, so those arriving late will incur fines. Also note that all the rest camps also have their own opening and closing times. This is to protect both people and animals.
  • Driving in game reserves: If you are doing a self-drive, there are strict rules. Firstly, be acutely aware of the speed limit and stick to it. When you see animals, don’t make a noise or block the road so that that others cannot pass. Do not stray off the park roads or follow obscure dirt tracks. You may get stuck or lost. Keep your windows closed as much as possible, especially when there are animals about. Keep your car doors locked. Avoid driving over any dung on the road – you may end up killing a whole group of dung beetles or other important insects! Keep your music in the vehicle on low volume, and never hoot your horn, except in an emergency. Never, ever leave your vehicle – even if it seems that there are no animals about!
  • Interactions with fauna and flora: During your safari in the Kruger National Park, you cannot, under any circumstances, interact or interfere with the animals. Don’t antagonise them by driving up too close, and be especially weary of getting too close to the bigger game species, like elephants. If you encounter these crossing the road, stop some distance away, and leave them to cross the road. If you are too close, you may even back away quietly to give them more space. Being too close may lead to them getting aggressive and storming your vehicle, and this is the last thing you want! Under no circumstances should you ever feed any animals, even if you are in a rest camp.
  • Extraordinary animal sightings: If you spot something well worth watching, like a lion kill, keep some distance away, and turn off your engine (especially if you have a diesel vehicle). When there are a few vehicles watching the same thing, ensure that there is a lot of space for the animals to leave. Never leave your vehicle or hang out of your window. Stay a while, enjoy the sighting, and then move on for others to also get a turn. Be polite – if you see other people on the road, flash your headlights for them to stop, move close to their vehicle, and very quietly tell them (through your window) where they can encounter this particular sighting.

If you choose a Kruger National Park safari, you have to stick to the rules! And if you need to find a wonderful place to stay during your safari experience, contact Lukimbi Safari Lodge for the experience of a lifetime.

Kruger Park Accommodation

Need Luxurious Lodge Accommodation in the Kruger Park? Choose Lukimbi Safari Lodge! 

If you are one of the thousands of people who are planning a trip to the Kruger National park this year and looking for accommodation, you will find that there are a lot of options. These options include camp sites, rondavels, bungalows, family cottages, and many others. Regardless of the budget, guests will find some pleasant and suitable accommodation here.

If, however, you are looking for a truly memorable and special experience, you should treat yourself to a stay at one of the many privately-owned safari lodges in the Kruger National Park, such as Lukimbi Safari Lodge. At our perfectly positioned safari lodge, you will enjoy the highest standard of hospitality, stunning surrounds, delicious cuisine, and some of the finest wines around.

Our lodge is situated close to one of the southern gates of the game reserve, and we have gone to great lengths to make the lodge as unobtrusive as possible from the exterior, while creating an artistic and wonderful environment inside. Our stunning staircase will welcome you as you enter the lodge, and from here you can walk onto our deck that overlooks the river where animals come to quench their thirst during certain times of the day. Our guests really enjoy having “flame-lit” meals outdoors at our authentic African boma, and in our restaurant we take the time to re-arrange the tables to provide our guests with the opportunity to enjoy different views over the river while they dine on our delicious fare.

Our lounge is well positioned to overlook the river, and the bar includes a library with a variety of interesting reading materials. We have a unique wine list that is award winning, plus our own wine cellar. From here, you can pick and choose some of the best wines available in the country. Our wonderful deck provides stunning views of the surrounding nature and part of the river.

At Lukimbi Safari Lodge, our goal is to provide our guests with the ultimate in luxury accommodation with our suites. The Premier suites are positioned for maximum privacy and more space. They exemplify superb comfort – all suites have a lounge with separate dining area, large private balcony, outdoor shower, two bathrooms, and a large shareable bath, plus a wooden deck with a private pool overlooking the river. These suites are an absolute must and provide some of the best lodge accommodation you can find in the Kruger National Park.

Our Classic suites all enjoy close proximity to the surrounding trees and nature, and the high windows provide superb views. The bathroom is positioned to overlook the river, and the private deck extending from the lounge provides you with a feeling of being in the African bush. An outdoor shower adds to the experience. These suites contain a bath and shower, mosquito net, large, comfortable bed with high-quality linen, and air conditioning. We also provide a mini bar and a refreshment station for tea and coffee.

Our outstanding list of facilities includes a pristine swimming pool, bar, secure parking, child-minding services, gym, curio shop, laundry facilities, and much more! We truly provide some of the best lodge accommodation and facilities in the Kruger National Park.

If you are looking for the most unforgettable experience – whether you take some time out alone, or come with a partner or your family, Lukimbi Safari Lodge is the place to be. All you have to do is to give our welcoming team a call to book your ultimate Kruger Park adventure! Come stay at one of the best lodges in the park.

Kruger National Park Lodges

5 Good Reasons to Visit Lodges in the Kruger National Park

South Africa is a very popular tourist destination, and every year, millions of people flock to this country to experience the various attractions and wonderful activities that are available here. One of the main reasons why many people visit this country is to experience the Kruger National Park and to stay over at some of the most luxurious lodges in the park. Visitors who yearn for the perfect, authentic African safari experience are always happiest at one of these lodges, and Lukimbi Safari Lodge is one of the many different Kruger National Park lodges that provides guests with the most memorable African adventures.

The nature around these lodges is completely untouched, because it is a wildlife conservation area. This ensures that the magnificence of the natural setting remains unspoilt and completely authentic. The environment here is alive with creatures and plants of the wild, and the vibrancy of this park ensures that it remains one of the premier safari locations in the world. It is an outstanding destination for any lover of nature who is enamoured with the African ambience and atmosphere. Those in search of true natural beauty in all its fullness should spend some time at Lukimbi Safari Lodge, one of the most wonderful Kruger National Park lodges.

There are other great reasons to visit the Kruger National Park, and these include:

  1. Millions of acres of unspoilt African landscape: Nature lovers who want to commune with the wild and untouched soils and landscapes of Africa have many hectares in which to do so. The park stretches across different environments, and the fauna and flora differ throughout the park. This means that there is a lot to see in the different areas of the Kruger Park.
  1. Value for money: Because there are various camps, self-catering accommodation option, tented camps, and lodges to choose from, there is something that suits every budget. All the types of accommodations are varied and comfortable.
  1. Easy to reach: Because the Kruger National Park is only a few hours away from O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, the park is easy to reach. You can travel by rental car, by coach, hire a transfer, and you can even fly to one of the luxurious lodges. The park itself is easy to access through one of the many different gates – you just have to pay attention to opening times.
  1. Variety of activities: Staying at one of the beautiful Kruger National Park lodges provides you with much more than game drives and safari hikes! Depending on the lodge, there is a very wide range of activities to choose from, and even golf enthusiasts will find their share of joy at the first-rate Leopard Creek Country Club. Those who love bird watching will be spoilt for choice, because there are around four hundred species of birds to be found in their natural habitats throughout the park. Guided nature walks can be a total pleasure to experience, as all the guides are trained trackers and know the park very well, which means that they can provide a wealth of information about the fauna and flora in the park.
  1. Premier accommodation in one of the luxury Kruger National Park lodges: If you stay in a lodge, such as Lukimbi Safari Lodge, you will never forget the experience, and you will always yearn to return to this fantastic, authentically African establishment. Five-star accommodation and cuisine are provided for guests, and the lodge can easily be accessed from the south. Here you will remain entertained and uplifted at all times, while you soak in the luxurious comfort provided by the lodge’s facilities. The lodge is situated on 37 000 acres of private land within the Kruger National Park, and we offer 16 large suites, tastefully decorated with the décor of modern Africa.

If you want to enjoy a luxurious stay at one of the best lodges in the Kruger National Park, call our team at Lukimbi Safari Lodge, and we will ensure that you have an experience that you will never forget! What are you waiting for? Contact us today, in order to avoid disappointment.

Accommodation Inside Kruger National Park

Why Most People Prefer Accommodation Inside the Kruger National Park 

Up until the nineties, there was very little accommodation outside of the Kruger National Park that would be close enough for comfortable day trips, and people usually booked the few establishments that were available because they were cheaper. Nowadays, there are a lot of options that are virtually on the border of the park and very close to the gates, and as a result, it is not as cost-effective as it used to be to stay outside the park instead of choosing accommodation inside the Kruger National Park. There are also other reasons why people now tend to choose accommodation inside the Kruger National Park instead of on the outskirts, or outside the park entirely.

  • Better exploration: If you choose accommodation outside of the Kruger National Park, you have to be close to a gate, otherwise you end up travelling long distances each day to get your game viewing done. Those who choose accommodation inside the Kruger National Park can move from one camp to another, and as a result, they can explore a much bigger area of the park. Usually, people feel that the point of going to the park in the first place is to spend time in the park, as to explore as much of the park as possible. The camps in the park are also relatively close to each other, so if you don’t feel like a long drive on a particular day, you can choose a camp that is not too far away, and perhaps only spend some time in the morning or afternoon game viewing, and then relax at the camp for the rest of the time. It is very interesting to see how the terrain changes from area to area, and the fauna and flora changes along with the terrain. Staying inside the confines of the park allows you to experience these changes more vividly.
  • Immersion in the environment: If you choose accommodation inside the Kruger National Park you can become fully immersed in the environment, the setting and the atmosphere of the camp. It is one of those experiences that just cannot be repeated elsewhere, and if you stay outside of the camp you never really get the full experience and feel of the camp, especially at night. There is something really special about being inside the camp for a while – it is like a little world away from the world, and the feeling practically immediately changes once you leave the gates of the Kruger National Park.
  • Great accommodation inside the Kruger National Park: There is a wide range of accommodation inside the park. You can choose from luxury five-star lodges where you can experience just about every conceivable luxury, or you can choose from chalets, tented camps and other, more basic types of accommodation that will suit your budget better.

Why You Should Choose Lukimbi Safari Lodge

If you are looking for accommodation inside the Kruger National Park that is a true combination of the wild and luxury, Lukimbi Safari Lodge is the place to be. Located only 26 km from the Malelane Gate, it is perfectly situated for easy access to the park and all the wildlife you can handle! The lodge is built in true African style – thatch roof, wooden walkways and balconies, private suites, pristine swimming pool, fine dining, and many more.

The suites at Lukimbi contain high windows overlooking trees, and a private balcony overlooking the scenery below where you can spot game coming in for an evening drink in the watering hole nearby. Suites also contain indoor and outdoor showers, luxury linen, tasteful décor, and the feeling of the African bushveld dominates wherever you go in the lodge. Premier suites have their own private swimming pools and private decks, and all suites are equipped with everything that one would expect from a five-star establishment – and more!

There are also several activities that Lukimbi can offer you, including guided walks, as well as game viewing safaris in the morning and the afternoon – this way you can see the wildlife in the Kruger from an open game drive vehicle. A highly experienced and trained guide will provide all the information you need about the environment and the animals, and you will be thrilled by what you encounter along the way!

If you are looking for accommodation inside the Kruger National Park, please give us, at Lukimbi Safari Lodge, a call to make your booking today!

4 Top Tips to Experience Luxury Kruger Safaris at an Affordable Price

A lot of people and families have the long-held dream of going on a luxury safari at some stage of their lives. While it can be easy for residents of African countries to experience what the bush has to offer on a budget, very few South Africans actually have pockets as deep as foreigners, and luxury Kruger Safaris usually just end up being pipe dreams that are never realised.

Luxury safaris can be incredibly expensive – sometimes ridiculously so, and the average income for most people just do not allow such expense for luxury. This is why they choose to go on holiday in cheaper places or stay in the budget accommodation sections or camping sites of the game reserves.

There are, however, ways and means to experience luxury Kruger safaris if you are clever. Clearly, they will still cost more than your average holiday, but if you plan well and you save up a little, a luxury safari during which you can stay in a five-star lodge for less than you think may well be in your future!

Here are some things you can do to make it possible to experience luxury Kruger safaris without having to re-mortgage your home:

  1. Choose low season: If you are prepared to take the kids out of school for a few days (it is cheaper during term time) and don’t mind some rain, you can go to the Kruger during low season and save a bunch of money. Usually the seasons depend on rainfall, and as a result high season usually falls during the dry season, which is in winter. Because it is dry this time of year it is easier to encounter animals at watering holes and it is easier to spot game because the vegetation is not as lush and thick as it is during rainfall season. It is also not as hot as in summer. If you, however, have your heart set on luxury Kruger safaris, then there is no better time to shave some cash of the price of accommodation and just about everything else. There are other wonderful benefits of going in low season too – the landscape is green and vibrant, and the rains are refreshing and make for highly spectacular sunsets and sunrises. Animals usually have their babies during low season, so you will also have a rare opportunity to encounter newborns and young animals.
  1. Drive yourself: Forget about the luxury coach or flying there. Fill up your car, get some snacks for the road and drive there yourself. Taking your own vehicle also gives you more freedom to explore the park at times that suit you and you don’t have to be bound to the game viewing schedules of other tourists enjoying their luxury Kruger safaris. There are fewer vehicles on the road during the low season and there are a lot of places to explore inside and out of the park if you feel a bit adventurous.
  1. Focus on the accommodation: The thing that turns ordinary safaris into luxury Kruger safaris is usually the accommodation. During low season you can get some really good deals from luxury lodges because they are not fully booked. During this time, they usually also feature great specials and push promotions. If you can save money elsewhere, you can splurge on accommodation, and this will ensure that you can experience all the luxuries, the fine dining and the plush accommodation that will turn your safari into sheer luxurious enjoyment.
  1. Get an expert to help: Because most of us do our own bookings online nowadays, we forget that there are experts out there to help. Some travel agents or safari bookers specialise in luxury Kruger safaris and they have their fingers on the pulse of all the new lodges, specials and promotions when it comes to anything safari related.

If you thought that luxury Kruger safaris are way out of your reach, think again! And if you are looking for a great place to stay that will provide you with all the safari lodge luxuries you dream of, contact us at Lukimbi Safari Lodge today to check out our specials and promotions.