Kruger National Park Rest Camps
Help Me PlanComfortable En-Suite Accommodation in the Kruger Park
The Kruger National Park’s rest camps are how local visitors have enjoyed the park for decades. Set in pristine environments, these camps provide comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations with private bathrooms. Staying overnight at a rest camp allows guests to experience the wilderness in comfort and enjoy easy access to early-morning and late-afternoon game drives. If you are deciding between the two, our comparison of a private lodge and a national park rest camp sets out the differences.
Berg en Dal
Berg-en-Dal is in southwestern Kruger, an area known for the prevalence of rhinos. The camp is the most easily accessible by road from Johannesburg and should be considered by those planning a short overland trip to Kruger.
Letaba
Letaba is one of Kruger’s most beautiful rest camps and enjoys spectacular views of the winding Letaba River. It is home to the Elephant Hall, which tells the story of the largest tuskers that lived in Kruger. Repairs after the January 2026 floods are under way, and SANParks expects the camp to be fully operational by December 2026.
Lower Sabie
Lower Sabie’s location on the Sabie River makes it one of the most popular rest camps in Kruger Park. Game drives to the more open central grassland of the park and the southern region, with its high density of rhinos, are very convenient from Lower Sabie.
Private Overland Safaris to Kruger
Private Guided Safaris to the Kruger National Park, led by one of our experienced guides, have offered international visitors an excellent way to explore the park, its fauna, and flora without breaking the bank since 1998.
These safaris overnight at one of the rest camps in Kruger. Accommodation is always in air-conditioned bungalows, each with an en-suite bathroom. The three-day classic Kruger safari uses Berg-en-Dal, about 12 km from Malelane Gate.
SANParks runs every rest camp. Game drives and guided walks led by SANParks field guides are booked at reception, and private night drives are not allowed. Gate times follow the seasons, from about 05:30 to 18:30 in midsummer to 06:00 to 17:30 in midwinter, and everyone must be back in camp before the gates close. Most main camps sell fuel and groceries and serve meals, and many have a swimming pool for overnight guests.
The southern camps, Berg-en-Dal, Pretoriuskop, Skukuza and Lower Sabie, are the easiest to reach from Johannesburg and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Satara, Orpen and Olifants cover the open central plains, while Letaba, Shingwedzi and Punda Maria suit travelers heading into the quieter north. For something smaller, the bushveld and satellite camps have no restaurant, and guests self-cater and book activities through a nearby rest camp. Skukuza is the first stop on our five-day Kruger and Arathusa safari, which ends with two nights at Arathusa in the Sabi Sand.
The 7-Day In-Depth Kruger is the most popular safari; it visits three distinct parts of Kruger, and the shorter but equally impressive 5-Day Kruger Park Explorer visits southern and central Kruger. Bird watching is one of the most popular activities on these safaris.
Find Safari Packages
Olifants
Set on a hill overlooking the valley of the Olifants River, this camp offers one of the park’s most spectacular views. Meals are served at the restaurant and cafeteria, and a small shop sells essentials.
Orpen
Orpen is located in one of the most game-rich areas of the Kruger National Park. The camp is adjacent to the Orpen Gate and is easily accessible from Hoedspruit Airport. It is a small camp that does not have a restaurant.
Pretoriuskop
Pretoriuskop is Kruger’s oldest rest camp and one of the nicest. Conveniently located in the south of the park, it is about 9 km from Numbi Gate. The area contains a high rhino population, and some rare antelope, like roan and sable, also frequent this part of Kruger.
Punda Maria
The most northerly of the rest camps, Punda Maria is quite a long drive from the closest airport and a long way from Johannesburg. The camp is set in a beautiful area with many baobab trees dotting the landscape. Northern Kruger is also much less visited than the southern part of the park.
Satara
Satara is situated in the heart of Kruger and is surrounded by sweeping open plains that draw large herds of grazers. Of course, these animals are followed closely by lion prides and other predators. If the quality of game viewing is your primary concern, Satara is a good choice.
Shingwedzi
Shingwedzi Rest Camp is in the northern part of Kruger. It is a relatively large rest camp, and its swimming pool is welcome in the northern heat. This camp is recommended only to those who want to experience the northern part of Kruger.
Skukuza
Skukuza is the main rest camp in the Kruger National Park and enjoys a perch overlooking the Sabie River. Banking and postal services are available here, and the shop is well stocked.