I stayed in a bare-bones bungalow inside Kruger National Park. It was a good value, but I'm not sure I'd do it again.
Tammy Barr
- Kruger National Park is a protected area of South Africa surrounded by wildlife.
- I spent $90 per night to sleep in a bare-bones bungalow inside the park.
With expedition-style adventures on the rise, I was eager to go on a safari in Kruger National Park, the largest national park in South Africa.
Choosing the park was easy, but I had a tough time deciding where to stay since Kruger has a wide range of accommodations.
There are 12 main rest camps in the park alone, plus some more remote bush camps and lodges. Plus, there are private game reserves nearby that connect to Kruger and offer lodge accommodations ranging from basic to opulent.
Eventually, I settled on spending two nights at Satara Rest Camp in a bungalow in the park that cost $90 a night (not including the $25 park entrance fee each guest has to pay each day).
We had to drive two hours after entering the park to get to Satara Rest Camp.
Satara is centrally located in the park, requiring at least a two-hour drive from any gate entrance.
However, the many wildlife sightings during our drive to the campsite kept us entertained.
Satara is known as the best camp for lion, leopard, and cheetah spottings.
There are 152 bungalows at Satara, 100 campsites, and some larger cottages. Our bungalow was in a circle of 24 other units, with each one offering a single parking space.
I chose Satara because of its prime "cat country" location, meaning it's conducive to seeing lions and leopards.
However, we were greeted by other wildlife as well. As we were unloading the car, a vervet monkey climbed through the open hatch to inspect our luggage and look for snacks.
The unit was decently sized and had a thatched roof.
The bungalow was constructed like a traditional South African rondavel — it was round with a thatched roof.
I slept well, despite the twin beds being slightly uncomfortable.
I was surprised by how large the bungalow felt inside.
The room had two twin beds with slightly saggy mattresses. Still, I was able to sleep soundly on them after the long days of animal observation.
Our simple room also had air conditioning, a safe, and lovely retro safari-themed curtains.
The bungalow provided the amenities and features of a standard hotel room.
The shower area was quite spacious and our room came with clean towels and a bar of soap.
Housekeeping also serviced our unit daily.
We opted for the bungalow with no kitchen but had access to appliances if we needed.
We decided not to get a more expensive unit with an attached kitchen since we didn't plan to cook.
Instead, we had three fantastic meals at the on-site restaurant, which served steaks, venison, sandwiches, and other delicious plates.
Inside our bungalow, there was a medium-sized refrigerator and a small outdoor barbecue. The only space to sit for a drink or meal was the table on the private deck.
We also had access to a nearby communal kitchen with a boiling-water faucet, sink, cooktops, and prep area.
Satara Rest Camp also has other amenities for guests.
In addition to the restaurant, the gated camp had a deli, general store, car wash, and gas station on the property.
We also had access to a swimming pool and play area.
Although the bungalow was fine, I think a private lodge would be worth the money.
Although our stay didn't include guided game drives, our self-guided drives were pretty successful. We saw a lot of animals, so I didn't feel like I missed out.
I enjoyed our bare-bones experience, but I think paying more for a private lodge connected to the park would be a better value for many travelers.
These usually start at $300 to $900 per person a night, but they typically offer higher-end accommodations — and meals and guided game drives are included in the price of the stay.
Regardless of the type of accommodation you choose, though, I recommend staying within the park if you plan to self-drive through Kruger. It's super convenient, and morning safari drives start just before the sun rises.
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