Guided Kruger Safaris - The Directory
We think self-driving in Kruger is a wonderful experience - the freedom to explore, using the KrugerExplorer App to choose routes and learn about the wildlife and having a personal adventure is fantastic!
But we also recognise there are lots of good reasons why people would rather have a qualified guide showing them around Kruger. Doing it this way can be excellent for those on a budget (because you don't have to hire a vehicle) and the local, day-to-day knowledge of the guides can help locate wildlife.
However, there are literally hundreds of companies and guides that offer their services for showing visitors around Kruger - some qualified, some otherwise - and so it can be overwhelming trying to find the right guide.
We've therefore compiled this Directory of genuine firms that are approved by SANParks to provide guiding services through Kruger National Park to help you choose the best guiding option for you.
Please note that by including these firms on our website, we are in no way endorsing them as we have not used their services - please do your own research on each of them by checking out their websites and TripAdvisor ratings before committing!
Kruger Guides Directory
The following services descriptions have consistent terms in them - some are self-explanatory but here's what the less obvious ones mean:
- Private safaris will be just you and your booking group, whereas shared safaris are with other bookings in the vehicle. Shared tours are a good way to reduce costs.
- Fixed itinerary tours follow a set route, bespoke can be tailored to your interests.
- OSV means Open Safari Vehicle. These are the commonly seen open-sided vehicle with visitors sat in the back. Closed vehicles will typically be SUVs with air-con.
- Start/finish is indicative of where the company typically operates and is able to pick up and drop off from. Most can be flexible on transfers and pick-ups from other locations on request too.
The last part of each overview lists any specialist offerings such as birding tours, photographic expertise or language / translator services available.
Private, bespoke safaris in KNP, multi-night visits, semi-open vehicle. Accommodation is in a beautiful lodge / villa on a nearby private reserve and drives are into Kruger from there. Budget is mid-range and luxury. Offers specialist photography tours and can focus on any area of personal interest of the guests.
Private and shared, bespoke safaris in KNP, day or multi-night visits, OSV or closed air-con vehicles. Mid-range budget, have accommodation if needed, start and finish Phalaborwa. Also offer range of local wildlife and non-wildlife activities outside of KNP.
Specialist photographic safari firm with gimbal-equipped vehicles and gear available for hire. Private and shared, bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Mid-range and luxury budgets, arranges accommodation inside KNP, start/finish day drives from Hazyview, Skukuza and Pretoriuskop, plus wide range of neighbouring towns and airports for multi-night trips. Offers specialist birding safaris.
Private, fixed or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Budget is mid-range, arranges accommodation inside and outside of KNP, start/finish Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. Specialist focus on high quality braai meals that are included in tours, adding to the authentic bush experience. Also offers birding, golf safaris and Italian language options.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV or closed vehicles available. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside and outside of KNP, start/finish from Phalaborwa and Letaba, but can support others. Offers specialist birding, Panorama Route and cultural tours, has French and Spanish translators.
Private bespoke safaris in KNP, day or multi-night visits, OSV or closed vehicles available. Budget to mid-range cost point, arranges accommodation inside or outside of KNP, start/finish any of Hoedspruit, Hazyview or Johannesburg.
Private, bespoke safaris in KNP, multi-nights visits, OSV or closed vehicle. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation mostly inside KNP, start/finish flexible with Jo’burg and even Cape Town transfers available. Magical meal and sundowner settings are a focus, specialist photographic or birding guides available and days tours to sites outside the park can be arranged too, including Panorama Route and wildlife rehab centres.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV or closed vehicles available. Mid-range budget, arrange accommodation inside or outside of KNP, start/finish Phabeni, Paul Kruger or Numbi Gates and Hazyview. Specialist photographic safaris available and all morning drives include coffee and snacks.
Private and shared safaris in KNP, half- or full-day drives, OSV. Low cost, doesn’t arrange accommodation, start and finish Crocodile Bridge Gate (free pick-up from Komatipoort available).
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSVs or closed vehicles available. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside and outside of the park, start/finish mainly Hazyview but can make other arrangements. Can arrange a German-speaking guide on request and offers Panorama Route and eSwatini tours.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside and outside of KNP, start/finish from a wide-range of towns outside KNP. Offers specialist birding and photographic safaris, plus Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch and French language options.
Private and shared safaris in KNP, day or multi-night visits, OSV or closed SUV vehicles available. Mid-range budget, arranges accommodation inside KNP, start and finish Hazyview area. Owner Gerrie does all the guiding himself.
Private and shared, bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Options for all budgets available, arranges accommodation inside and outside of KNP, start/finish Crocodile Bridge, Marloth Park, Mjejane and Malelane areas. Offers walking safaris, birding guides, bush braai packages, training and practical hours for students, visits to Mozambique.
Private and shared safaris in KNP, day visits, OSVs. Mid-range budget, arranges accommodation in Marloth Park and SANParks activities within KNP, start and finish Crocodile Bridge Gate via Marloth Park / Komatipoort. German and Dutch translators and birding specialist tours available.
Private, tailored safaris in KNP, multi-day visits, closed air-con vehicle with some open vehicle drives. Mid-range budget, arranges accommodation, start and finish Hoedspruit. Inclusive environment and founding guides (Erin and Heather) are both on every tour. Taking bookings for Aug 2020 onwards.
Private and shared fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day or multi-night visits, OSV. Mid-range budget in KNP and have luxury option in Sabi Sands, arranges accommodation inside or outside of KNP, flexible start/finish locations. Offers Johannesburg pick-up, has specialist birding, photographic, German and sign-language options.
Private, bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Mid-range budget, arranges accommodation inside KNP, start/finish flexible for multi-night trips, Crocodile Bridge Gate for day trips. Offers photographic, birding and predator-focused safaris on request.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Options for all budgets available, arranges accommodation inside and outside of KNP, start/finish from any southern neighbouring town and offers other locations on request. Offers specialist birding, photographic and languages safaris plus other tours in the region.
Private only, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, multi-night visits, OSV. Mid-range and luxury options available, arranges accommodation inside KNP, start/finish with Johannesburg transfers and a Panorama Route tour. Tours include braai meals with a qualified chef. Offers photographic safaris and mixed safari-golf tours. Guides available in Italian and French.
Private and shared fixed itinerary safaris in KNP, day or multi-night visits, OSV (closed vehicle available if guest has young children). Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside KNP, multi-night packages include Jo’burg pickup, day drives start/finish Nelspruit, White River and Hazyview. Offers exclusive Rhino Care Safari at Care for Wild rhino sanctuary.
Small group shared safaris in KNP, private on request, multi-night visits, OSVs. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside KNP with options outside if camps are full, flexible start/finish locations. Transfers from Jo’burg and has own chef to cater for dietary requirements. French and German language options available, help arranging self-driving safaris.
Private and shared, bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSV. Mid-range and luxury budgets, arranges accommodation inside KNP, start/finish from a wide range of nearby neighbouring towns and airports. Offers specialist birding options on request and Panorama Route day tours.
Specialise in private bespoke safaris in KNP or Greater Kruger. Day or multi-night visits in an OSV. Mid-range / luxury with budget options available, accommodation arranged inside or outside of KNP, Hoedspruit-based but other start/finish locations available on request.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day or multi-night visits, OSV or closed vehicles. Budget to mid-range cost point, arranges accommodation inside or outside of KNP, start and finish Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa, airport transfers available. Specialise in healthy safaris, wellbeing and food experiences alongside wildlife viewing.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSVs. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside or outside of KNP, start/finish mostly Hoedspruit but can do Orpen Gate or Phalaborwa options. Open to any specialist requests they can cater for.
Shared, fixed itinerary safaris in KNP, multi-night trips, OSVs. Options for all budgets, accommodation in Viva’s lodges near KNP, Jo’burg or Hoedspruit pickup. Arranges fly-in packages and offers sleeping under the stars option.
Private and shared, fixed itinerary or bespoke safaris in KNP, day and multi-night visits, OSVs. Options for all budgets, arranges accommodation inside or outside of KNP, start/finish mostly Hoedspruit but can do Orpen Gate or Phalaborwa options. Open to any specialist requests they can cater for.