Leopard Sands, Kruger Park offers an intimate luxury safari experience at Kruger National Park in South Africa. *Photo by Elyse Glickman*

Throughout Africa, many modern safari camps have evolved from rustic outdoor adventure campsites with skilled guides to stylish and family friendly four-star resorts to luxurious and well-appointed retreats appealing to travelers hunting the benefits of five-star hotels (“Out of Africa”-inspired interior design, gourmet food, and wellness amenities) while having certainty that their money will be well spent between seeing wildlife in their natural habitats to having meaningful interactions with people connected to the land.

Leopard Sands River Lodge at Kruger National Park, on the banks of the Sabie River, accomplishes this goal on several levels. Owners’ and managers’ commitments to conservation and quantifiable benefits to the surrounding communities is a big selling point for travelers putting serious thought into planning their ultimate safari retreat.

Many camps built on this model were on full display at the May 2026 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba, an industry conference where owners, managers, and representatives compete for the attention of selective travel agents, meeting planners, and press with even more selective clients or readers.

Some had installations with tray-passed snacks providing attendees samples of the good life along with evidence they were providing their employees, neighboring communities, and animals a legitimately good life.

The lodge is located on the tranquil banks of the Sabie River and borders Kruger National Park. *Photo courtesy of Leopard Sands River Lodge*

Rather than have private grounds like some of the featured resorts at the show, Leopard Sands works in partnership with local organizations that support Kruger National Park and other natural reserves and attractions.

Or as General Manager Van Heerden Haasbroek sees it, a wholly immersive safari above and beyond the animals. “Since we opened in 2023, we use our location outside of the park as our strength,” Haasbroek explained when I asked about what makes a one high-end game drive stand out among many.

Indeed, our game drive and Panorama Route guides, who grew up in or were long-time residents of the area, defined the safari camp stay as much as the animals.

The hospitality industry veteran moved his family 1,400 kilometers to take on safari lodge management with a conservational approach. He stressed it incorporates an overarching mission to protect both the animals and the culture of local communities for future generations, including his own children. His work with the development and launch of Leopard Sands from the opening forward is a culmination of experience at other lodges leading up to it.

“The support of our employees, who believe in the concept and growing with it, makes all the difference,” he said. “I remind my team that the fifth star of a hotel rating does not come from buildings, but from exceptional service--a smile, a willingness to work, and providing our guests the experience they want.”

Select evenings are complemented by traditional Boma dinners beneath the stars featuring authentic African entertainment and fireside dining. *Photo courtesy of Leopard Sands River Lodge*

The immersion began the moment our plane landed at Skukuza Airport, right inside Kruger National Park, which felt so ceremonial and fitting given Kruger celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. Before our bags arrived, our drivers already had a table up with a selection of beer, soft drinks, locally produced dried fruit, nut mixes, and biltong (think South African beef jerky).

Our first game drive was effectively the 35-minute commute from the airport to the resort, which included a spontaneous stop to observe hippos enjoying a midday swim in the Sabie River a stone’s throw from the park’s Paul Kruger gate.

The immersion continued with chilled refreshment towels and an interactive performance by a local troupe to make the delivery of our bags to one of the 18 suites currently in use feel seamless.

We got a peek at updated suites (under the direction of Delta Designs’ Grant Gillis) and new suites under construction that update the aesthetic to ensure the settings reflecting the influence of artists in nearby communities above and beyond Ralph Lauren-inspired chic that has prevailed at high-end safari camps for years.

Every suite comes with a private splash pool with uninterrupted river views and wildlife sightings. *Photo courtesy of Leopard Sands River Lodge*

Our riverfront suites, though yet to be refreshed, had an airy, cottage-like layout that draws the eye onto a private deck and plunge pool overlooking the Sabie. In the middle of the room, there was a queen-sized bed artfully draped with mosquito nets offering protection and romantic vibes.

Around the perimeter of the space, there was a desk and cabinets made from rich, dark organic wood adorned with nature-inspired motifs, rich artisanal textiles, an oversized soaking tub, tiled interior shower, and outdoor shower filled with South African-made soaps and lotions.

Black-and-white photography of leopards in their element and hand-crafted art pieces added visual polish to the space without feeling contrived or theme-y.

The lodge features 18 elegantly appointed suites, each thoughtfully design to immerse guests in the sights and sounds of the African bush. *Photo by Elyse Glickman*

The suites’ arrangement allows them to be easily converted into a personal wellness space for a 50- or 80-minute massage. As I prepared for the session after a long day of sightseeing, my practitioner explained that oils and botanicals from the area were precisely selected based on my needs expressed on the questionnaire.

While there is a new fitness room and a larger public area pool deck that would make a good yoga class site, all the trappings of a luxury spa experience in the African bush were in place, down to the sounds of wind, water, and rustlings of the occasional passing animal just beyond my deck.

Following my 80-minute massage, which worked in some deep-tissue phases, it was nice to rinse off in the concealed outdoor shower and relax on the romantically attired bed rather than worry about going from the spa area back to the room.

Guests can also enjoy private in-room spa experiences to complement their daily game drives. *Photo by Elyse Glickman*

The in-room spa experience nicely complemented our game drives, walking safaris (focused on birds, insects, and plants), and a day-long Panorama Route Tour covering some of the area’s most extraordinary geological landmarks including God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Blyde River Canyon.

Those with more time or inclination can make reservations for a day at the Skukuza Golf Club, Shangana Cultural Village, and recreational adventure parks and shopping excursions.

However, I was glad my friends and I chose our drives and activities wisely to appreciate the comfort and setting at our doorstep made even better with the staff’s relaxed but attentive service.

The lodge’s restaurant offers a casual setting where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. *Photo courtesy of Leopard Sands River Lodge*

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus devised by Executive Chef Warren Garner and Chef Kevin Govender featured items that run the gamut from lean and produce-forward to the hearty, meaty, and substantial.

The breakfast menu offered a rotating selection of three made-to-order items, alongside fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies, fresh-cut fruit, house-baked breads, and exceptional coffee.

Lunch menus also had three selections, and was flanked with an assortment of breads, salads, charcuterie, and cheeses.

Dinner on most nights is a full-on white tablecloth experience with three different appetizers and mains to choose from.

The restaurant offers breathtaking views of the Sabie River and Kruger National Park. *Photo courtesy of Leopard Sands River Lodge*

Leopard Sands’ most distinctive dining experience is the Boma dinner, offered on Wednesday and Saturday. It is part cultural performance with local dancers, singers, and musicians and part community street party—especially given the fact many of the employees have personal ties to neighboring villages.

While Chef Garner presided over the family style spread, those preparing the food had the same infectious enthusiasm and energy as the performers. As an adventurous diner, I appreciated the way South African and international recipes integrated indigenous, East Indian, British, and Dutch influences, produce, and seasoning. Friends who had dietary restrictions, meanwhile, had no problems requesting modifications or order burgers, salads, and other familiar dishes.

As the pre-sunrise game drives draw those intent on grabbing photos of lions and leopards (the most illusive of the “Big Five” animals), the kitchen impressively hit the ground running with fresh coffee and pastries.

All game drive vehicles were outfitted with nuts, dried fruits, and cookies packaged in Indian tiffin containers, along with blanket-thick ponchos that came in handy during early morning game drives.

“Our full-board package allows guests to enjoy all of the wonderful things that (the province of) Mpumalanga has to offer,” Haasbroek affirmed, even though there are only so many things one can do in a three- or four-day visit.

It just goes to show that sometimes you can see more when you visit fewer places, taking in the best Kruger National Park has to offer as it begins its second century.

Guests’ stay includes two shared daily safari drives into the Kruger National Park, where visitors can see leopards, lions, elephants, and more. *Photo by Elyse Glickman*

For more information and to book a stay at Leopard Sands River Lodge at Kruger National Park, visit their website or call +27 (0)13 591 3154. For special deals on your stay, click here. Follow on Instagram: @tingana_collection

Belfast, Mpumalanga, South Africa

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[Photos courtesy of Leopard Sands River Lodge/Elyse Glickman]

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A Safari Destination From the Heart: Leopard Sands River Lodge at Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, South Africa