Overview, trip report, images, and reviews from our visit to Kruger Park Lodge.
Overview
The Kruger Park Lodge Estate is situated on a 9 hole Gary Player designed golf course on the banks of the Sabie River in Hazyview, Mpumalanga. The resort offers guests a tranquil and peaceful haven away from the madding crowds.
Kruger Park Lodge Trip Report
As timeshare owners and frequent point exchangers, we required a base close by the Kruger National Park (KNP) to allow us daily visits into the Kruger National Park. RCI suggested the Kruger Park Lodge as an option, and we are immensely pleased that we acted on their recommendation.
Travelling to our destination from Pretoria went well with minor delays due to roadworks. We had our compulsory stop at Milly’s, for a quick bite.
At Kruger Park Lodge, the reservation process and check-in proceeded without any hiccups, and the unexpected unit upgrade we received due to ongoing renovations made this holiday even more special.
The timeshare units, surrounding gardens and amenities are kept to a high standard and can not be faulted. Strict COVID protocols were in place and adhered to.
The close proximity to the Kruger National Park and Hazyview shopping centres makes it all the more convenient as a travel destination.
We will definitely return in the future.
With the Phabeni Gate nearby, entry to the Kruger National Park is a breeze. We bought a Wildcard on our first day, as it worked out much cheaper, seeing that we were planning to visit the Park for 6 days in a row.
We are also planning to visit other SANParks next year, making this a viable option.
The staff at the Phabeni Gate was always friendly, and service was prompt and efficient. Inside the Park, all facilities and amenities were in a good state, with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. However, this did not distract from the experience at all. The staff were always friendly and helpful. The lack of overseas visitors to the Park was evident, but there was good support from local tourists all around.
We had pre-determined routes for every day we planned to spend in the Park and covered most of the roads in the vicinity of Pretoriuskop and its surrounds. We had good sightings most of the days, missing out on lions and rhinos. The animals and veld were in good condition after the excellent rainfall received during the rain season.
We highly recommend spending your first and last days travelling through the Park, if you are not staying in the Park. In our case, we entered at Phabeni Gate and exited at Berg-en-Dal Gate.
Returning to Pretoria proceeded without incident, and we feel blessed and privileged to have been able to spend time in this amazing place again.