Guests photographing elephants from an open safari vehicle. Photo: Pexels (free licence).

Which safari companies are best for Kruger private reserves?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 2 November 2026

These are the companies with camps of their own in Kruger National Park or a private reserve of the Greater Kruger, read from their own websites, with what each charges per night and what age limits it sets.

Which safari companies are best for Kruger private reserves?

Each card below names the company's camp and its reserve, from the Sabi Sand to Timbavati, Klaserie and Thornybush, with its rates and child policy where its camps are all in that country.

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table holds 117 companies that own and run their own camps: the camp owners named most in ChatGPT answers to the safari questions Uncompromised Travel asks every day and on award lists. Their websites were read on 19 and 20 October and 2 November 2026, with their reviews on Google, SafariBookings and Trustpilot. This page carries every one of them whose own website names, in one sentence about its own camps, a camp of its own in Kruger National Park or a private reserve of the Greater Kruger (a camp placed only beside it does not count): 15 companies. Cards are in alphabetical order. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted. No company paid to be on this page.

Acacia trees and a dirt track at sunset. Photo: Pexels (free licence).

Cheetah Plains

Best for: Sole-use villas in the Sabi Sand
In the Greater Kruger: Cheetah Plains, in the north-east corner of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga), sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park.
Countries: South Africa only (Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga).
Children: Children of all ages welcome.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 73 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.cheetahplains.com

Sources: camps and where they are, family and child policy, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Dulini

Best for: Sabi Sand lodges with Botswana and Zambia
In the Greater Kruger: Sabi Sand lodges: 'traversing rights over an impressive 10,500 hectares' including 16 km of Sand River frontage, inside the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (a voluntary association of landowners) with a 50 km unfenced boundary with Kruger.
Countries: South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
Enquire: www.dulini.com

Sources: land and traversing, countries with camps. Read 19 October 2026.

Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Best for: Big Five game viewing in the northern Sabi Sand
In the Greater Kruger: It sits on the dry Manyeleti riverbed, overlooking an open area and watering hole.
Countries: South Africa (one lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve).
Children: The lodge welcomes children aged 8 and older only.
Reviews: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 242 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Enquire: www.elephantplains.co.za

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, family and child policy, google. Read 2 November 2026.

Londolozi

Best for: Five camps on the Sand River
In the Greater Kruger: All five of its camps are on the Sand River in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger area: Varty Camp, Founders Camp, Tree Camp, Pioneer Camp and the Private Granite Suites.
Countries: South Africa only (the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, within the Greater Kruger area).
Rates: Lowest published 'From' rate: R27,950 per person per night at Varty Camp.
Children: Varty Camp and Founders Camp accommodate children aged 6 to 16 and children 6 and over are welcome on game drives.
Private guide: 'A limited number of private safari vehicles' can be booked in advance (subject to availability) and must be booked for the guest's entire stay.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 242 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.7 out of 5 from 1 review, read 19 and 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.londolozi.com

Sources: camps and where they are, price per person per day, private guide and vehicle, google, trustpilot. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

MalaMala

Best for: Owner-led lodges in the Sabi Sand
In the Greater Kruger: Tengile Game Reserve (Sabi Sand Nature Reserve): Tengile River Lodge and Kirkman's Kamp.
Countries: South Africa only (Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger).
Rates: 2026 per person sharing: lowest R26 100 (MalaMala Camp luxury room), highest R50 000 (Tengile River Lodge, peak season). 2027: lowest R29 160 (MalaMala Camp luxury room and Kirkman's Kamp cottage, high season), highest R60 000 (Tengile River Lodge, peak).
Children: Kirkman's Kamp and MalaMala Camp take children of all ages.
Private guide: A private vehicle is sold per vehicle, per night: 2026 R23 000 at Tengile River Lodge and Kirkman's Kamp; 2027 R22 000 (high) or R25 500 (peak) at MalaMala Camp, Sable Camp, Rattray's, Tengile and Kirkman's.
Reviews: Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 560 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.malamala.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, price per person per day, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

MORE Family Collection

Best for: South African safaris with Cape stays
In the Greater Kruger: Lion Sands Game Reserve (Sabie River, where Sabi Sand meets Kruger): River, Narina, Tinga, Ivory.
Countries: South Africa.
Children: Lion Sands: Tinga ages 6+, River and Ivory 10+, Narina 16+, villas all ages; children 10 to 15 pay 50% at River and Ivory, 6 to 15 at Tinga.
Private guide: Monwana Family Suites and the villas include a private safari vehicle (Fish Eagle, Hinkwenu, Marataba Villa).
Enquire: www.more.co.za

Sources: camps and where they are, family and child policy, private guide and vehicle. Read 20 October 2026.

Rhino Walking Safaris

Best for: Walking trails in a Kruger concession
In the Greater Kruger: Plains Camp, on a 12 000 hectare private concession in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 39 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Enquire: www.rws.co.za

Sources: camps and where they are, google. Read 2 November 2026.

Savanna Private Game Reserve

Best for: A nine-suite western Sabi Sand lodge
In the Greater Kruger: Savanna Lodge, in the western Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (a 65,000-hectare private reserve), within the greater Kruger National Park conservancy, traversing 10,000 hectares.
Countries: South Africa.
Rates: Per person sharing per night in ZAR: lowest R21,000 (Luxury Suite, 2026); highest R27,300 (Executive Suite, 2027).
Children: Children of all ages are welcome in the Savanna Suite.
Private guide: The Savanna Suite rate includes a private vehicle and the suite comes with a private guide, tracker and vehicle.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 171 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.savannalodge.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, price per person per day, google. Read 20 October 2026.

Simbavati

Best for: Timbavati and Klaserie lodges
In the Greater Kruger: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: Hilltop Lodge, River Lodge, Trails Camp, River Sands, Mvubu Cottage.
Enquire: www.simbavati.com

Sources: camps and where they are. Read 2 November 2026.

Singita

Best for: Lodges and villas across five countries
In the Greater Kruger: South Africa: Sabi Sand (Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge, Castleton, Ebony Villa)
Enquire: singita.com

Sources: camps and where they are. Read 19 October 2026.

Tanda Tula

Best for: A family-led Timbavati tented camp
In the Greater Kruger: Inside the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which is unfenced from Kruger National Park.
Countries: South Africa only (Timbavati, Greater Kruger).
Rates: Lowest: child (6-16) sharing, 15,750 per night in 2026; lowest adult: Safari Suite sharing, 31,500 per person per night in 2026.
Children: Children aged 6 to 16 welcome; 17+ pay the full adult rate; under 6 'by special arrangement only' (younger children may be accommodated for exclusive use).
Reviews: Google: 5 out of 5 from 103 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.tandatula.com

Sources: land and traversing, countries with camps, price per person per day, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

The Royal Portfolio

Best for: Royal Malewane with Cape hotels
In the Greater Kruger: Royal Malewane, Greater Kruger National Park area.
Countries: South Africa only: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus and the Greater Kruger.
Children: Royal Malewane: Farmstead welcomes children over 10.
Private guide: Royal Suites at Malewane Lodge include a 'private safari vehicle with a Field Guide and Tracker'.
Reviews: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 13 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.theroyalportfolio.com

Sources: camps and where they are, family and child policy, private guide and vehicle, google. Read 19 and 20 October 2026.

Thornybush Collection

Best for: Owner-run lodges in Thornybush and Sabi Sand
In the Greater Kruger: Simbambili Game Lodge: Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (entrance at Gowrie Gate).
Countries: South Africa only.
Rates: ZAR, per person sharing per night, including VAT. 2026 (1 Jan to 31 Dec): Saseka R28,000 (single R42,000)
Children: Thornybush Game Lodge: all ages; under 6s not on drives unless a private vehicle is booked (R17,500 per day in 2026, R20,500 in 2027); child rate under 12 (75% in a separate room with one adult; three children sharing 50% each).
Private guide: Private Vehicle Safaris are listed as an activity.
Reviews: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 176 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 from 2 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.thornybush.com

Sources: camps and where they are, countries with camps, rates per person per night by season, family and child policy, private guide and vehicle, google, trustpilot. Read 20 October 2026.

Tintswalo

Best for: Family-owned lodges and hotels in South Africa
In the Greater Kruger: Safari and Manor: Manyeleti Game Reserve, Orpen Road, Hoedspruit, Greater Kruger.
Countries: South Africa.
Children: Boulders: children of all ages welcome; under 16s must share a suite with an adult (16 and over); extra children aged 6 to 15 pay 25% of the suite rate, 5 and under free; extra guests 16 and over pay 50%.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 107 reviews, read 20 October 2026.
Enquire: www.tintswalo.com

Sources: camps and where they are, family and child policy, google. Read 20 October 2026.

Ximuwu Lodge

Best for: An accessible Klaserie lodge
In the Greater Kruger: Ximuwu Lodge and Tluka Villa, both in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger, about 20 minutes from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport.
Countries: South Africa only.
Rates: Suites, per person sharing per night: ZAR 26,500 (2026), ZAR 28,000 (2027).
Children: Children 8-12 sharing a suite with two adults pay ZAR 10,000 (2026) / ZAR 10,500 (2027), limited to one child; a single child in their own suite pays the full adult rate; guests aged 12+ pay the conservation levy.
Reviews: Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 16 reviews, read 2 November 2026.
Enquire: www.ximuwu.com

Sources: camps and where they are, rates per person per night by season, google. Read 2 November 2026.

What do they charge per person per night?

6 of the 15 camp owners on this page publish a rate per person per night; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Each line is the company's own figure as its website gives it. Companies with camps in several countries are left out of this list and their cards, because their published figure can be for a camp elsewhere.

Londolozi: Lowest published 'From' rate: R27,950 per person per night at Varty Camp.
MalaMala: 2026 per person sharing: lowest R26 100 (MalaMala Camp luxury room), highest R50 000 (Tengile River Lodge, peak season). 2027: lowest R29 160 (MalaMala Camp luxury room and Kirkman's Kamp cottage, high season), highest R60 000 (Tengile River Lodge, peak).
Savanna Private Game Reserve: Per person sharing per night in ZAR: lowest R21,000 (Luxury Suite, 2026); highest R27,300 (Executive Suite, 2027).
Tanda Tula: Lowest: child (6-16) sharing, 15,750 per night in 2026; lowest adult: Safari Suite sharing, 31,500 per person per night in 2026.
Thornybush Collection: ZAR, per person sharing per night, including VAT. 2026 (1 Jan to 31 Dec): Saseka R28,000 (single R42,000)
Ximuwu Lodge: Suites, per person sharing per night: ZAR 26,500 (2026), ZAR 28,000 (2027).

A male lion resting on rocks, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).

What age limits do they set for children?

11 of the 15 camp owners on this page publish a child policy; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their policy can differ from camp to camp.

Cheetah Plains: Children of all ages welcome.
Elephant Plains Game Lodge: The lodge welcomes children aged 8 and older only.
Londolozi: Varty Camp and Founders Camp accommodate children aged 6 to 16 and children 6 and over are welcome on game drives.
MalaMala: Kirkman's Kamp and MalaMala Camp take children of all ages.
MORE Family Collection: Lion Sands: Tinga ages 6+, River and Ivory 10+, Narina 16+, villas all ages; children 10 to 15 pay 50% at River and Ivory, 6 to 15 at Tinga.
Savanna Private Game Reserve: Children of all ages are welcome in the Savanna Suite.
Tanda Tula: Children aged 6 to 16 welcome; 17+ pay the full adult rate; under 6 'by special arrangement only' (younger children may be accommodated for exclusive use).
The Royal Portfolio: Royal Malewane: Farmstead welcomes children over 10.
Thornybush Collection: Thornybush Game Lodge: all ages; under 6s not on drives unless a private vehicle is booked (R17,500 per day in 2026, R20,500 in 2027); child rate under 12 (75% in a separate room with one adult; three children sharing 50% each).
Tintswalo: Boulders: children of all ages welcome; under 16s must share a suite with an adult (16 and over); extra children aged 6 to 15 pay 25% of the suite rate, 5 and under free; extra guests 16 and over pay 50%.
Ximuwu Lodge: Children 8-12 sharing a suite with two adults pay ZAR 10,000 (2026) / ZAR 10,500 (2027), limited to one child; a single child in their own suite pays the full adult rate; guests aged 12+ pay the conservation levy.

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

6 of the 15 camp owners on this page offer a private guide or vehicle; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their terms can differ from camp to camp.

Londolozi: 'A limited number of private safari vehicles' can be booked in advance (subject to availability) and must be booked for the guest's entire stay.
MalaMala: A private vehicle is sold per vehicle, per night: 2026 R23 000 at Tengile River Lodge and Kirkman's Kamp; 2027 R22 000 (high) or R25 500 (peak) at MalaMala Camp, Sable Camp, Rattray's, Tengile and Kirkman's.
MORE Family Collection: Monwana Family Suites and the villas include a private safari vehicle (Fish Eagle, Hinkwenu, Marataba Villa).
Savanna Private Game Reserve: The Savanna Suite rate includes a private vehicle and the suite comes with a private guide, tracker and vehicle.
The Royal Portfolio: Royal Suites at Malewane Lodge include a 'private safari vehicle with a Field Guide and Tracker'.
Thornybush Collection: Private Vehicle Safaris are listed as an activity.

Kruger private reserve camp owners: the questions people ask

Which publish a conservation model?

14 of the 15 do: Cheetah Plains, Dulini, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Londolozi, MalaMala, MORE Family Collection, Savanna Private Game Reserve, Simbavati, Singita, Tanda Tula, The Royal Portfolio, Thornybush Collection, Tintswalo and Ximuwu Lodge. Each one's own website says so.

Which publish a deposit?

4 of the 15 do: Londolozi, Savanna Private Game Reserve, Simbavati and Tanda Tula. Each one's own website says so.

Which have guest reviews on Google, SafariBookings or Trustpilot?

11 of the 15 do: Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Londolozi, MalaMala, Rhino Walking Safaris, Savanna Private Game Reserve, Tanda Tula, The Royal Portfolio, Thornybush Collection, Tintswalo and Ximuwu Lodge. Each platform's rating and count are on the card, never added together.

Which of these companies have all their camps in one country?

11 of the 15: Cheetah Plains, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Londolozi, MalaMala, MORE Family Collection, Savanna Private Game Reserve, Tanda Tula, The Royal Portfolio, Thornybush Collection, Tintswalo and Ximuwu Lodge. The others run camps in more than one country, so their cards leave out rates and child policies on pages about one place.

Can I book these camps through Uncompromised Travel?

No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Each card has the company's own enquiry link; you can also book through a safari planner.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the company's own website its lines were read from, under Sources, with the date they were read.

How were these camp owners chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel safari camp owners table and its own website names, in one sentence about its own camps, a camp of its own in Kruger National Park or a private reserve of the Greater Kruger (a camp placed only beside it does not count). A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

How current are these facts?

Each company's website was read on 19 and 20 October and 2 November 2026. Rates, child policies and reviews change, so confirm them with the camp before you book.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be listed.

Which safari companies are best for Kruger private reserves?

Which safari companies are best for Kruger private reserves?

What do they charge per person per night?

What age limits do they set for children?

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

Kruger private reserve camp owners: the questions people ask

Which publish a conservation model?

Which publish a deposit?

Which have guest reviews on Google, SafariBookings or Trustpilot?

Which of these companies have all their camps in one country?

Can I book these camps through Uncompromised Travel?

Where can I check these facts myself?

How were these camp owners chosen?

How current are these facts?

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

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