Kruger National Park Where to Stay Tented Camps

The 10 Best Tented Camps in and Around Kruger (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best tented camps in Kruger in 2026 are Hamiltons Tented Camp, six vintage tents on the Mluwati concession; Plains Camp, a four-tent walking camp; RETURN Africa's Pafuri Camp in the far north; Kruger Untamed's seasonal Tshokwane River and Satara Plains camps; SANParks' Tamboti on the Timbavati River; and Nkambeni and Mdluli for budget tents with guided drives.

Sleeping under canvas is the most atmospheric way to stay in Kruger: you hear lions and hyenas at night through the tent walls. Kruger's tented options range from SANParks' simple riverside tents to vintage-style luxury camps on private concessions, plus seasonal camps that only open in the dry winter months.

All of the camps below are inside the park or on concessions within it, except Sabie River Bush Lodge and Ndhula, which are just outside. Prices per person sharing per night: $ under $150 · $$ $150–400 · $$$ $400–1,000 · $$$$ over $1,000.

The list at a glance

Hamiltons Tented Camp Mluwati concession, western Kruger
Plains Camp Rhino Walking Safaris concession, near Skukuza
Pafuri Camp Makuleke Contractual Park, far northern Kruger
Kruger Untamed: Tshokwane River Camp Tshokwane, central Kruger
Kruger Untamed: Satara Plains Camp Near Satara
Tamboti Satellite Camp Timbavati River, 2 km from Orpen
Nkambeni Safari Camp Near Numbi Gate, inside Kruger
Mdluli Safari Lodge Inside Kruger
Sabie River Bush Lodge R536 Kruger Gate road
Ndhula Luxury Tented Lodge Between White River and Mbombela

1. Hamiltons Tented Camp — Mluwati concession, western Kruger

Six vintage-style elevated tents on a private concession next to the Sabi Sands.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Couples · Romantics

Hamiltons recreates an early-1900s tented safari with six elevated canvas tents with teak floors, slipper baths and outdoor showers, linked by raised walkways under jackalberry trees, on the 10,000-hectare Mluwati concession.

Good to know: Pair it with a night at Imbali or Hoyo Hoyo on the same concession.

Hamiltons Tented Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. Plains Camp — Rhino Walking Safaris concession, near Skukuza

A four-tent walking camp with sleep-out platforms.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Walkers · Adventurers

Plains Camp is a small trails camp run by Rhino Walking Safaris on a 12,000-hectare private concession, with only four tented suites overlooking the Timbetene Plain and guided walks with armed rangers.

Good to know: Book a night on the sleep-out deck.

Plains Camp, Rhino Walking Safaris, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. Pafuri Camp — Makuleke Contractual Park, far northern Kruger

Nineteen tented suites on the Luvuvhu River in Kruger's best birding country.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Birders · Families

RETURN Africa's Pafuri Camp has 19 tented suites linked by raised walkways under big trees on the Luvuvhu River, in the Makuleke Contract Park at Kruger's northern tip; family tents have two rooms.

Good to know: Bring binoculars: Pafuri has more than 450 bird species.

Pafuri Camp, Makuleke, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Kruger Untamed: Tshokwane River Camp — Tshokwane, central Kruger

A seasonal 20-tent camp in a dry riverbed between Skukuza and Satara.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Adventurers · Wildlife lovers

Tshokwane River Camp was Kruger's first seasonal luxury tented camp, open only in the dry winter, with 20 en-suite tents along the Ripape riverbed in one of the park's busiest game areas.

Good to know: Winter only; book early for July to September.

Tshokwane Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. Kruger Untamed: Satara Plains Camp — Near Satara

Thirty cottage tents near Satara, open in winter only.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Groups

Satara Plains Camp is a seasonal tented camp near Satara with 30 cottage tents for up to 60 guests and a campfire lounge in the riverbed, designed with Shangaan cultural influences.

Good to know: Combine with the S100 drive for lions.

Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Tamboti Satellite Camp — Timbavati River, 2 km from Orpen

SANParks tents on the Timbavati River, one of Kruger's most popular small camps.

$ BudgetBest for Budget travelers · Couples

Tamboti is a small SANParks tented camp on the Timbavati River about 2 km east of Orpen, with a boma and bird hide; SANParks calls it one of the most popular camps in the park.

Good to know: Riverfront tents sell out months ahead.

Tamboti Satellite Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

7. Nkambeni Safari Camp — Near Numbi Gate, inside Kruger

150 en-suite tents on a concession near Numbi Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Budget travelers

Nkambeni has 150 en-suite safari tents on an 11,500-hectare concession inside Kruger near Numbi Gate, with game drives and bush walks, making it one of the cheapest ways to sleep in the park with guided activities.

Good to know: Book drives with the camp to save driving yourself.

Nkambeni Safari Camp, near Numbi Gate, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

8. Mdluli Safari Lodge — Inside Kruger

Fifty family-size tents inside Kruger, fully wheelchair accessible.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Accessible travel

Mdluli's 50 tents sit inside Kruger on community-owned land, each sleeping two adults and two children, with an infinity pool and a choice of guided drives or self-driving. It is fully wheelchair accessible.

Good to know: A strong choice for travelers with limited mobility.

Mdluli Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

9. Sabie River Bush Lodge — R536 Kruger Gate road

Bush tents, rooms and cabins on the road to Paul Kruger Gate.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · Budget travelers

Sabie River Bush Lodge on the R536 toward Paul Kruger Gate has luxury bush tents, rooms and log cabins, and sells packages with Kruger game drives, Panorama Route tours and transfers.

Good to know: Book a package if you want everything arranged.

Sabie River Bush Lodge, R536 Kruger Gate Road, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

10. Ndhula Luxury Tented Lodge — Between White River and Mbombela

Luxury tents 10 minutes from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Short stays

Ndhula is a luxury tented lodge between White River and Mbombela, 10 minutes from KMIA and about 50 minutes from Numbi Gate; guests praise its well-equipped rooms and food.

Good to know: Handy for a first or last night near the airport.

Ndhula Luxury Tented Lodge, White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

Can you stay in a tent inside Kruger National Park?

Yes. SANParks runs tented camps such as Tamboti, and private concessions inside the park have tented camps including Hamiltons, Plains Camp, Pafuri Camp, Nkambeni and Mdluli.

What are Kruger Untamed camps?

Seasonal luxury tented camps inside Kruger that open only in the South African winter (the dry season): Tshokwane River Camp between Skukuza and Satara, and Satara Plains Camp near Satara.

Is a tented camp safe in Kruger?

Yes. Tents are sturdy, raised or fenced where needed, and staff escort you after dark at unfenced camps. Always follow the camp's rules about walking at night.

What is the cheapest tented camp in Kruger?

SANParks' Tamboti satellite camp is the cheapest, and Nkambeni and Mdluli offer affordable tents with guided game drives included as options.

1. Hamiltons Tented Camp — Mluwati concession, western Kruger

2. Plains Camp — Rhino Walking Safaris concession, near Skukuza

3. Pafuri Camp — Makuleke Contractual Park, far northern Kruger

4. Kruger Untamed: Tshokwane River Camp — Tshokwane, central Kruger

5. Kruger Untamed: Satara Plains Camp — Near Satara

6. Tamboti Satellite Camp — Timbavati River, 2 km from Orpen

7. Nkambeni Safari Camp — Near Numbi Gate, inside Kruger

8. Mdluli Safari Lodge — Inside Kruger

9. Sabie River Bush Lodge — R536 Kruger Gate road

10. Ndhula Luxury Tented Lodge — Between White River and Mbombela

Frequently asked questions

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