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Discover the "Big Five" as part of your South African trek
Kruger National Park Lodges and Camps
The world-renowned Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve is as luxurious as a safari lodge can get; choose from suites at the turn-of-the-century, lantern lit Selati Camp, the contemporary thatched-roofed Bush Lodge, or the incredible subterranean Earth Lodge, which boasts 12 suites with walls sculpted from tree roots, a library, an art gallery, and full spa services. Good value options include the quaint thatched-roofed cottages at the Skukuza rest camp, located within the park and laid-out in a circle to encourage interaction among guests; these feature kitchens, enclosed verandas, and either one or two bathrooms with a bath, washbasin, separate shower and toilet.
If you want to feel a bit more isolated, head to the nearby Lower Sabie rest camp on the banks of the Sabie River (where just about every kind of animal stops for a drink at some point). The Steenbok and Moffet luxury guest cottages can comfortably sleep up to five people in two air-conditioned bedrooms. Both cottages also have two en-suite bathrooms (en-suite usually just means running/flushing water) and though the Moffet cottage has an enclosed veranda, you may be attracted to the Steenbok for its amazing river views.
If you’re determined to capture that Out of Africa romance, check out one of the Lower Sabie’s 20 new East African safari tents (from $72/night) but make sure you get one with a riverside view. The word “tent” just doesn’t do these dreamy accommodations justice – all feature twin beds, an en-suite shower and toilet, and an outdoor kitchen (sans Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, of course). For a real budget stay, check into the Safari Tents at the Skukuza camp; they’re built on wooden stilts and consist of one room with either two or four single beds.