​​How to Plan a Deep Travel Safari in Kruger National Park

One Planet Journey’s Cecilia Taylor heads into the South African bush for a safari in one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on Earth: Kruger National Park. In this deep travel safari guide, she shows how independent travellers can experience the thrill of spotting lions, elephants and rhinos. Combining a self-drive adventure through Kruger with a stay at a low-impact private reserve, Cecilia unpacks what it means to travel meaningfully in wild spaces. And in an exclusive interview with Angela Riley, a senior guide at Isambane Bush Camp, readers get a rare inside look at what makes a safari memorable, and deeply immersive.

Safari in South Africa 

Unless you are a Disney adult, that sense of childlike excitement from visiting an animal park usually fades over time. This is not at all the case at Kruger National Park in South Africa, which is the size of a small country (Belgium, to be specific). It takes everything you know about wildlife encounters to a new extreme. The moment we arrived at Kruger’s Phabeni Gate on the southern side of the park, a buzz of anticipation permeated the air. Five college girls crammed into a rental car, prepared with our illustrated animal checklist, a pair of binoculars, an eclectic playlist, and a trunk full of snacks to pass around.

Though I had already studied in Cape Town, South Africa, for the past two months, I hesitated when friends proposed Kruger National Park as a safari fall break destination. Going on one had always felt like one of those impossible extravagances. Right up there with flying in a private jet or going on an Everest expedition. But with a bit of planning and research, you can have the luxury of Kruger without compromising on budget or adventure. More importantly, an ethical safari is within reach. Here, you can have a truly authentic experience that gives deference to the animals and their environment.

Why Kruger National Park is the Crown Jewel of Safaris 

If you have made it all the way to South Africa, and for many travellers, it is quite a distance, a safari visit to Kruger National Park is almost mandatory. Our group made the scenic 5-hour drive from Johannesburg, but some travellers fly into nearby Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for convenience.

Kruger has well-maintained paved roads connecting a series of rest camps where it’s possible to spend the night. Don’t worry about not spotting your “Lion King” favourites. I can guarantee you will have elephants, giraffes, and wildebeest crossing into the path right in front of your car. With a little luck, and a pair of binoculars, the more elusive leopards and rhinos will also make appearances.

At each of Kruger’s eight entry gates, you pay a conservation fee that goes back into the protection and maintenance of the park. In 2025, it comes out to R486 (27 USD) per day for international visitors. Kruger falls under the governance of South Africa’s National Parks (SANParks). Therefore, find all information about safety, accommodation, and additional experiences such as wellness activities and braai (barbecues) on their website.

Planning your Immersive Self-Driving Safari at Kruger National Park 

When it comes to planning a Kruger trip, there is much more freedom and flexibility to the adventure than online sources may lead you to believe. So, to avoid being funnelled into all-inclusive tours with unnecessary fees, it is better to do your own research and decide what your priorities are. Do you want to see big cats or bird life? Crowded river beds straight out of a nature documentary, or vast grassy plains stretching into the horizon?

Partake in organised game drives offered by the rest camps and lodges, or rent a car and explore on your own? This decision will colour your safari experience the most. I highly recommend doing both. In Kruger, expect paved and well-maintained roads, and you are never far from a rest camp to stop for lunch or gas. Ultimately, our group opted for a few days of self-driving, combined with a couple of nights at a private game reserve just outside the park. Private game reserves have private owners managing them, as the name suggests. However, they are still required to comply with national laws regarding protected areas.

Part of the charm of planning more yourself is that it lends itself to a deep travel philosophy, with more intention, personalisation, and time to reflect. I also encourage you to learn more about the history of Kruger National Park. Additionally, it is critical to understand how both wildlife populations and surrounding South African communities are facing serious threats, including illegal poaching, fuelled by the global trade of ivory.

Why stay at a private game reserve in Kruger National Park 

There are a few reasons that staying the night at a private game reserve can enhance the deep travel elements of your safari, especially for such a once-in-a-lifetime nature experience.

Exclusive and Tailored Game Viewing: Arguably, the biggest advantage to staying at a private game reserve is that you enjoy animal sightings in a relaxed, small group setting. This allows for plenty of one-on-one time with your guide to ask the endless questions that arise.

More Frequent Game Sightings: The animals at Kruger National Park wander freely between private and public lands. However, some lodges are situated in places where certain animals go by frequently. At the lodge we stayed at, there were animal families that habitually passed through the area. Therefore, our guide could tell us even more about their individual backstories.

Up Close Encounters: A self-drive tour of Kruger certainly trumps any road trip that I’ve ever been on. Still, the magic of a private game reserve is that guides can take you off-road and straight towards the action. One highlight of my safari was holding my breath as a female lion passed within meters of our open-sided vehicle. While I almost dropped my phone out of exhilaration, the resulting video turned out way more exciting than the photos taken through my binocular lenses.

Private Game Reserves – A More Conscientious Luxury Alternative 

Luxury Amenities: Safaris have historically been associated with high-class extravagance, especially when paired with game hunting. However, the modern safari is a more refined experience. Plunge pools overlooking the veld. Invigorating massages and wellness packages. Private chefs catering to your preferences. There is no shortage of world-class amenities to add that special touch to your trip.

Integrated Sustainability: Inherently, the limited scale of private reserve lodges and camps makes it easier to manage and track the effects of humans on the environment. However, as the demand for luxury travel increased, lodges have also adapted their policies.

More Direct Options to Support Conservation: The private game reserve conservation fees are lower than those at Kruger National Park. Confined to a smaller area, it is easier for them to create conservation strategies directly applicable to their land. Reserves also often choose to support community initiatives and wildlife education in a more direct way, and feature this information prominently on their websites.

Going Deeper into the Bush at Isambane Bush Camp 

In the heart of the Balule Parsons Private Nature Reserve, Isambane Bush Camp is a serene oasis tucked far away from the city lights and traffic. After navigating through the reserve land, we arrived at the camp where we were given a warm welcome and shown the tastefully decorated veranda, dining area, and pool deck. A small cluster of tents and luxury cabins ensured an intimate atmosphere, limited to our group and a handful of other travellers. Each guest received a walkie-talkie to signal to staff members in case we woke up and saw an elephant underneath our platform. Don’t worry, our host told us, they don’t climb stairs.

Our first morning, we awoke with the sun, watching the squirrel-like bush-babies jump between the rafters. We had a fruitful game drive, complete with coffee and tea on the hood of the open-air safari vehicle. During downtime between game drives, we admired the view from the pool deck. Right then, a pair of antelope approached the nearby watering hole. We looked for the animal behavioural cues we had just learned. After our evening game drive, our group had a delicious private dinner with a mouthwatering stew and elegant signature cocktails named after South African animals.

Interview with Angela Riley from Isambane Bush Camp 

With pleasure, I reconnected with Angela Riley, a Senior Field Guide, Photographer, and Social Media Manager at Isambane Bush Camp, for this deep travel safari guide to Kruger National Park. Meeting Angela had been a highlight of our safari, as she graciously endured us peppering her with questions. She enlightened the experience with the magic behind an unassuming termite mound and took us straight into the action when “big cats” were out and about.

How does the game-viewing and wildlife experience at Isambane compare to those at other reserves or regions? 

What sets the wildlife experience at Isambane apart is our holistic approach. We go beyond spotting animals. Our focus is on sharing all aspects of the interconnected ecosystem. During our game drives, we take the time to highlight interesting facts and stories. Also, we share insights about the animals and landscape that allow for a deeper understanding. We enjoy pointing out the hidden and overlooked details, from trees to insects. Often, it’s these small things that have the most captivating stories to tell.

How do private reserves, like Isambane, ensure an elite hospitality experience that does not compromise the need to protect the natural environment?

Our aim at Isambane is to provide a warm, comfortable stay with a personal touch, giving our guests a truly “wild” experience. Ultimately, we believe that luxury hospitality and conservation can and should go hand-in-hand. Our visitors are actively contributing to the maintenance and protection of the reserve lands when they choose to stay with Isambane, allowing us to preserve this wild space for future generations. 

We operate entirely on solar power and draw from its own source of water to minimise the environmental impact. More importantly, we view each visit as an opportunity to share the significance of these wild protected lands and instil a deeper appreciation for the environment and natural world.

What steps does Isambane take to consider the needs of the surrounding community?

One of the ways that Isambane supports the community is by employing locals in meaningful positions. Here, they acquire new skills, grow in confidence, and become an integral part of a supportive team.

How do guests best get into the “Deep Travel” mindset and make the most of their experience in the bush?

I would recommend embracing the slower pace here and taking every opportunity to head out on the drives. Even the early morning ones, they’re always worth it. Try to arrive with an open mind rather than fixed expectations about wildlife, and recognise that there is so much to learn and appreciate in the quieter moments. Get to know the team as well! Your guides love sharing personal stories and hearing your questions, especially out on game drives.

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Thank you Angela. What a privilege to witness firsthand the sheer natural beauty of the African landscape. I, like many other deep travel lovers, felt a renewed sense of duty to do everything in my power to preserve that wildness.

Are you convinced yet? Unwind in style and honour your inner child by booking a luxurious South African safari in Kruger National park. You and your fellow travellers will never stop talking about it. 

Have you been to South Africa? Did you go on a safari? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.