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South Africa Safari Lodges Price Comparison

Brian Love Photography

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G'day,

In today's video I give a price comparison of South Africa Safari Lodges mainly in the Greater Kruger area which is the most popular. The Greater Kruger consists of Private Game Reserves that have unfenced borders with Kruger National Park. Game Reserves listed are the Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Manyeleti, Thornybush, Balule and Klaserie.
I have been price watching these areas for 10 years so in my experience, the least expensive lodges and most expensive lodges remained the same over that period of time. So you should not see the least expensive lodge suddenly double in price of the most expensive half. Please remember to do your own due diligence in regards to prices. Details of average nightly rates across all lodges scoped listed further below in the description.
Cheers
Brian

00:00 Introduction
03:11 Sabi Sands Game Reserve
05:38 Manyeleti Game Reserve
07:15 Timbavati Game Reserve
08:10 Klaserie Game Reserve
09:22 Thornybush Game Reserve
10:05 Balule Game Reserve
11:14 Conclusion

Video Thumbnail - Imagine Africa Luxury Tented Camp

Sabi Sands Game Reserve including Londolozi and Mala Mala.
Cheapest: Umkembe Bush Lodge US$570 per night
Next cheapest: Elephant Plains Game Lodge US$665 per night.
Inyati - $1,440
Leopard Hills - $2,625
Arathusa - $1,110
Mala Mala - $2,400
Londolozi - $2,626
Chitwa Chitwa - $2600
Nkorho Bush Lodge - $1,140
Most expensive: Singita $5,390 per night
Average across 10 different Lodges - $2,056 per night

Manyeleti Game Reserve
Cheapest - Honeyguide Tented Camp - $410
Buffelshoek Safari Camp - $480
Pungwe Safari Camp - $585
Ndzhaka Tented Camp -$480
Most Expensive - Tintswalo - $2,580
Average across 5 different Lodges/Camps - $907

Timbavati Game Reserve
Cheapest - Shindzela Tented Camp - $460
Umlani Bush Camp - $585
Bataleur Safari Camp - $790
Africa Retreat Motswari by Newmark - $805
Simbavati Trails Camp - $840
Thambamati Luxury Tented Camp - $1,080
Geiger's Camp - $1,390
Kings Camp - $1,825
Most Expensive Simbavati Hilltop Lodge - $1,990
Average across 9 Lodges/Camps - $1,085

Klaserie Game Reserve
Cheapest - Africa on Foot - $500
Xanatseni Private Camp - $502
Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge - $630
Senalala Safari Lodge - $1,000
Boabab Ridge - $1,065
Simbavati Camp George - $1,320
Makumu Private Game Lodge - $1,465
Last Word Kitara - $1,595
Most Expensive - Klaserie Drift - $1,775
Average across 9 Lodges/Camps - $1095

Thornybush Game Reserve
Cheapest - Tangala Safari Camp - $600
KwaMbili Game Lodge - $635
Shumbalala Game Lodge - $1785
Thornybush Game Lodge - $1690
Simbambili Game Lodge - $2110
Serendella Game Lodge - $2,635
Most Expensive - Royal Malewene - $5,530
Average across 7 Lodges - $2,140

Balule Game Reserve
Cheapest - Isambane Camp - $360
Maninghi Lodge - $500
Chacma Bush Camp - $535
Greenfire Game Lodge - $570
Naledi Lodges - $635
Sausage Tree Safari Camp - $725
Imagine Africa Luxury Tented Camp - $732
Pondoro Game Lodge - $1092
Most Expensive - Ezulwini Game Lodges - $1205
Average across 9 Lodges/Camps - $706

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Instagram: thewildlifefanatic

14 Comments

@HaroldKidder 2 months ago

Leopard Hills in Sabi Sands in oct $2,000 per night for 4 nights but its a trip of a lifetime. cant wait

@MapleRidgeOrtho 8 months ago

Thank you so much for this video and information. It is so hard to find this comparison information of all the accomodations together in one place! Very very helpful!!

@emil8446 2 months ago

I have stayed at Londolozi twice, and am booked in for a third trip next year. It’s worth every penny. I’ve also stayed at Shambalala in Thorneybush. This is also a great lodge at a good price.

@bornufree 1 year ago (edited)

The prices in Thornybush are plain silly. Too many lodges on a medium sized traverse

I will defend Mala for being well priced for what you get, amazing service, huge exclusive traverse , wonderful accommodation etc

Our vehicle once broke down in the middle of nowhere, yet within 30 minutes they brought a replacement vehicle to where we were stranded and we continued as if nothing ever happened! I was impressed 😮

@HelenColonques 1 year ago

Thanks a bunch Brian. This is really useful information. I really appreciate you putting this together as it has saved me a heap of time. It is really hard to wade through all the lodges that are available for the budget that you have. As you know, the Aussie dollar is pretty weak against most other currencies so this is great. Yes you are so correct in saying that just because you can spend BIG $ your will get a better wildlife experience. My last trip to SA was a modest price compared to what my sister spends and I had the best time in some really small tented camps that did not cost a fortune. I don't think the wildlife say to themselves, "oh, here come really wealthy people staying at that fancy lodge, we had better put on a good show"🤣🤣🤣 fantastic job. You deserve more followers. Cheers, Helen Sydney Australia

@JoesWildlifeAdventures 1 year ago

Great rundown of some of the private camps near Kruger Brian!

@carrieres1 9 months ago

Please note that Pondoro's rates are higher than Ezulwini rates. See their respective websites for 2025 rates and 2026 rates. Also the picture used for Ezulwini was during renovations, and is extremely outdated. If giving fair comparables, the information should be accurate. Bad or good publicity is still publicity. Cheers :)

@WillDouglas-z1h 1 year ago

There are some far cheaper ways to expeirence the African Bush, accommodation is far more basic. In a couple of places the guests prepare the food themselves, sleeping is in tents or huts and the ablutions are shared.
However you get to do the same type of game drives as the high prices lodge provide, and in some places you get to participate in reserve management duties such as dehorning rhinos, collaring animals for tracking, and non risk anti poaching duties.

@johncummings7388 1 year ago

Thanks Brian. I've stayed at Manyaleti, Timbavati and Balule. I agree that the more expensive lodges don't guarantee sightings. The most important thing to look for as a photographer are those lodges providing private vehicles at a reasonable price. Lodges in Manyaleti were certainly very competitive in that regard.

@EllenRoest 9 months ago

Difficult to make a reservation. Think that hou have to book a long time in advance. How do people do that

@kaiplaysplaysss5479 1 year ago

Brian is it possible for non drivers to visit ?

@Ventjock 1 year ago

Hi Brian

What are your thoughts on Kapama? Is the premium this reserve charges worth it? None of their lodges are in the “budget friendly” category. I’m considering Buffalo Camp for 3 nights next March and with VAT included I’m looking at $5,200 USD. Seems a bit steep. Doable, but I also don’t want to overpay.

Thanks!