Blog - La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge

Celebrating Our TOP 100 Sustainable Hotels & Resorts of the World 2025 Award

2025-11-08T00:00:00+02:00

We are deeply honoured to announce that La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge has been named a Winner of the TOP 100 Sustainable Hotels & Resorts of the World 2025 by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards. This recognition celebrates the lodge’s dedication to responsible hospitality and sustainable innovation.

Our commitment to sustainability is woven into every part of the guest experience: solar energy systems that reduce our carbon footprint, smart water management that conserves precious resources, eco-friendly construction that respects the landscape, and community engagement initiatives that support local people and traditions. Earning Green Tourism Certification and developing hands-on guest education programs were milestones driven by a desire to inspire meaningful travel choices.

To our patrons: thank you. Your support makes this work possible — from choosing to stay with us to joining in our conservation efforts and spreading the word. This award belongs to every guest, team member, partner, and community member who has invested in La Kruger’s vision.

We’ll continue improving, learning, and sharing—because sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Thank you for helping us lead the way.

Best Nature Focused Lodge Accommodation 2024 - Mpumalanga

2024-08-02T00:00:00+02:00

Dear Esteemed Guests,

We are truly honored to have received the recognition for the Best Nature Focused Lodge Accommodation 2024 in Mpumalanga, as well as the Client Experience Award for Most Dedicated Guest Experiences. Your support and appreciation have played a vital role in our journey, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Thank you for being a part of our story. We look forward to welcoming you back to La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge for more unforgettable experiences in nature.

Business Concept Award - La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge

Most Eco-Conscious Safari Lodge 2024 – Mpumalanga

2024-06-09T00:00:00+02:00

Dear Valued Guests,

We are thrilled and honored to announce that La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge has been awarded the prestigious title of "Most Eco-Conscious Safari Lodge 2024 – Mpumalanga." This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Travel & Tourism Awards - La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our guests for their support and contribution to our eco-friendly initiatives. Your choice to stay with us not only allows you to experience the beauty of the African bushveld but also helps us in our mission to protect and preserve this precious ecosystem for future generations.

We are truly grateful for your continued trust and loyalty. It is our privilege to provide you with a luxurious and sustainable retreat where you can connect with nature while making a positive impact on the environment.

Thank you for being a part of our journey towards a more sustainable future. We look forward to welcoming you back to La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge for more unforgettable experiences in the heart of Mpumalanga.

LUXlife Magazine Announces the Winners of the 2024 Travel & Tourism Awards

BEST LIFESTYLE LODGE EXPERIENCE 2023 - MPUMALANGA

2023-07-06T00:00:00+02:00

As normality returns to the world, we look forward to hosting many more adventure seeking patrons in our quaint and well established nature lodge. We also wish everyone world wide, amazing holidays filled with wonder and exploration.

Official Press Release Here

This years directory of awardees

Best Nature Lodge Hotel Mpumalanga 2021

2021-08-20T00:00:00+02:00

Our dedication and hard work have once again shone through as we strive to offer only the best services to our guests during their stay. We hope to welcome more visitors to our extraordinary country and venue soon as normality returns to the world.

2020 Best Luxury Lodge Accommodation - Mpumalanga

2021-01-27T00:00:00+02:00

Thank you to all of our loyal costumers for your recent and past support of our establishment. We are featured in the 2020 awards sections in LUX Life Magazine

Wishing everyone health & vitality further,

The La Kruger Team

2020 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award

2020-12-04T00:00:00+02:00

MARLOTH PARK, MPUMALANGA – December 4th, 2020 – Tripadvisor today announced that our establishment has been recognized as a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award-winner for the category of Hotel. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great traveller feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe.

"We are truly gratified to all of our patrons who have supported us through this year!"

“Winners of the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners' achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for travelers as the world begins to venture out again.”

To see traveller reviews and popular activities, features and amenities of La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge, visit Tripadvisor

BEST LUXURY NATURE RETREAT - MPUMALANGA

2020-12-03T00:00:00+02:00

Sunrise Surprise!

2020-10-17T00:00:00+02:00

An early start at 03:00 am in the morning is an early time to get up for a safari. After a hot cup coffee and a quick shower, we headed off with William our guide to the Crocodile Bridge Gate for our much anticipated Sunrise Drive.

Jitters and small talk filled the transfer vehicle. Suddenly we stopped on the Crocodile Bridge gate. The most amazing sighting forced us into reverse gear. Three lions (two young males & one female) were wondering down the bridge in our direction (as caught via the dash cam).

The female then jumped down from the bridge on the waters edge, where to our bewilderment she began to eat (what we suspect was breakfast) on an Impala which they had recently caught and killed.

It was an incredible experience and just the most purrrrfect way (excuse the pun) to start the excursion. We had many more wonderful sightings, including a honey badger that we followed and who was following a honey guide bird which lead him to the honey breakfast.

A perfect morning ended with us having the most delicious breakfast feast (which was most welcome having seen all the animals eat theirs) upon return to La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge. We definitely recommend the early start for the sunrise drive, it is well worth it and you won't be disappointed.

Adorable Warthog Piglets

2020-10-07T00:00:00+02:00

La Kruger welcomed not one, not two, but three adorable baby warthog piglets recently .They looked about 4-7 days old, still very small playful and fluffy. Made famous through the unforgettable character, "Pumba," in Disney's hit movie, 'The Lion King,' the African warthog has become an extremely popular animal. Here in Marloth Park, you will see them on a regular basis. They are very common in this location and love to be the center of attention. Warthogs may look like a placid and caressible animal but they are just the opposite and can be extremely dangerous. Warthogs have sharp tusks and hooves which they use to defend themselves.

Mother Warthogs are very protective of their new born, going to great lengths to protect their babies. Hence why we were very fortuitous to come in such close proximation. It seems that the Sow now feels that they have a safe haven here and that no harm will come to them. They stayed here for a few days before venturing on again. We hope to see you again next year Mommy Warthog.

COMMON NAME: Warthog

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phacochoerus africanus

TYPE: Mammals

DIET: Herbivore

GROUP NAME: Sounder

AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 15 years

SIZE: Height at shoulder: 30 inches

WEIGHT: 120 to 250 pounds

Warthog Spring Birth At La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge

2018-10-19T00:00:00+02:00

The piglets were born on the 22nd September 2018. It was a really exciting event and we are pleased to have welcomed the new members to our family. We did manage a few photo's but really did not want to disturb the new sounder (group of Warthogs).

Image courtesy of Katja Schadewald

Christine, Tom and Katja were staying at the lodge during this time and I have shared thier email below. We would like to thank them for thier kind comments and recent support of our establishment! We are truly humbled to receive such positive feedback...

Dear Lizette, Dear Lynette,
Dear La Kruger Staff,

It’s been awhile but first of all, we’d like to thank all of you for the great days we had at La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge. It felt like home to us and mostly because you’ve been so kind, dedicated and magnificent. We loved our Chalets, the Lodge, the surrounding area and of course the breakfast and dinner – very delicious. Gosh, how lucky we’ve been to see all that and all these animals tiny to big on our Safari trips and on top of it the warthog with her little tiny babies right beside the Lodge. Thank you so much for just everything! It was the best part of our holidays. You really made our days perfekt while we stayed with you.

We have a little request, if you don’t mind. Our Camera couldn’t manage to make a good Photo of the warthog with her little babies. If you could maybe send us a Photo of her and the little ones? It would be so great and really appreciated.

Best wishes and hope to see you all again one day. You guys are amazing! Take care.

Christine and Tom & Katja

Kruger National Park Bush Braai

2018-09-13T00:00:00+02:00

The excursion departed from La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge at 16h00pm. We were picked up in an open game viewing vehicle by a very knowledgeable guide "Corlia."

Having just departed the lodge, we took the second dirt road headed to exit Marloth Park when lo and behold, only five minutes into our trip we had a traffic jam! Now most people despise a traffic jam, but when the jam is a result of a tower of Giraffes, it becomes a memorable experience.

Giraffe Traffic Jam - Collectively known as a "Tower."

The Giraffes, lazily browsed on into the bush and we set off again. A short while later just before exiting Marloth Park from the asphalt road we were again greeted with a road block. This time however it was in the form of an Ostrich. So elegant she was, slowly walking right down the middle of the road, a posing beauty giving us the opportunity to take some wonderful photo's. Corlia seized the chance to share her knowledge, informing us that ostriches have the largest eye of any land mammal allowing them to see predators at long distances. Ostriches also have three stomachs, lacking teeth however, they swallow pebbles to grind their food. An adult ostrich carries about 1kg of stones at any one time.

The flightless ostrich is the world’s largest bird.

Within 20 minutes we had reached the Crocodile Bridge gate and so the excitement began to build. Before entering the Kruger National Park, we were briefed on the safety regulations by Irving (the head guide) and once through the booms the fun really started.

We had an over an hour's sunset drive. So off we went. Our first sighting was a very intriguing one indeed. A mob of Mongoose. They were extremely quick and agile, communicating in an almost tweeting fashion. We did manage to take one photo, I presume that the guilty party had eaten too much and decided to rest!

A recent study by scientists from the University of Exeter has found that banded mongooses pass on traditions (relating to foraging) from generation to generation. This practice had previously been thought be reserved for humans and so-called higher animals such as other primates.

Further upon our adventure, we were taken to Hippo Pools. Here we were treated to being allowed to disembark and climb the rock structure with Irving. The pools are beautifully set in nature and there are cave paintings which we were shown. Above the pools we were treated to a magnificent sunset and an array of animals came down to drink from the ponds where the Hippo's wallowed. Elephant, Buffalo and plain games teemed the area!

Irving keeping an eye out as we watched the sunset dissappear over the horizon.

With a hunger striking our bellies, we were led back to the vehicles and departed for the braai area approximately 7km away. As dusk fell upon the Kruger, we could already get a sense of the night life awakening. We managed to see a Genet and a Hyena en-route!

We arrived at the site, and it was mesmerising! Set in a beautiful wooded area, atop a small dam we were greeted by the staff and welcomed with drinks, snacks and friendly hospitality that can only be described as "amazing!"

Snacks anyone?

The food was tantalising on our taste buds and in the true South African way there was more than enough to go around on the buffet. What a pleasure it was to relax in nature next to an exquisite fire, and have such service bestowed upon us! Boerewors, steak and chicken braaied to perfection accompanied with salads and starches that represent South African cuisine in style! Dining under a million plus stars and listening to the night time express itself as animals communicate and each minute is filled with wonderment and excitement! All of this warm emotion, washed down with an ice cold beer, wine and cold drinks offered throughout the meal.

Second helping - no problem!

Delicious salads.

Best bush steaks!

Mouth watering South African desserts.

Having eaten our fill, and observed elephants quietly walking past our dinner feast, it was time to depart on our night drive before exiting the Kruger National Park.

Dinner and a show!

We were not to be disappointed, only 10 minutes into the night drive and we came upon a pride of lions, resting having had their dinner. So close-by it felt as if we could reach out and touch them (highly not recommended), We were also treated to some Jackal, Cheetah and Civet all of which Corlia highlighted and educated us on! It really had been a spectacular evening as the vehicle hummed slowly through the park under the starry African sky heading for the park exit.

Lions roar to communicate their position to other prides. A lion’s roar is the loudest of any big cat and can be heard up to 8 km away.

African civet is omnivore (eats plants and animals). Its diet includes fruit and various vegetation, insects, eggs, birds, reptiles and small mammals.

Cheetahs have between 2,000 and 3,000 spots, which help them to camouflage themselves.

Upon our return to the lodge, it was time to retire having experienced this once in a life-time adventure! With sleepy heads and full tummy's we crept into bed and fell asleep to the sweet lullaby of lions roaring in the distance!

If this is your type of adrenaline and you have an up and coming stay with us, don't forget to book in advance as the space is limited. The bush braai departs La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge at 16:00 pm and returns at approximately 21:00 pm! We look forward to you making memories @ La Kruger.

Morning Walk - Kruger National Park

2017-11-03T00:00:00+02:00

The excursion departed La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge at 04:00 AM with much excitement as to what the morning would present us with. Jitters & small talk filled the air as we were safely transferred by Jan to the Crocodile Bridge Gate. Upon arrival we had a very efficient welcome & set off with our armed guide.

What is hiding behind the bush? Read on to find out...

A trudge through the veld for a short distance brought us to our first sighting. A loud "bark" echoed through the bush, and a sudden flurry of activity surrounded us as Impala bounded across our line of sight. They had seen us coming and their response was immediate flight. We managed to take an awesome photo of the dominant male who only had one horn! This brought about great excitement and it seemed the group was awake now.

Impala with one horn

As we walked along through the great nature that is the Kruger National Park, we saw many of the plain game animals, from the stealthy Steenbok (which we almost missed) to the elegant Giraffe, which by the way is a lot taller when you are on foot and standing a mere 2 meters away even when it's an adolescent and laying down! In between we had great sightings of Kudu, Zebra, Water-buck and even had to give way to a Dung Beetle passing by. All the while, the guide was very informative and shared his knowledge with the group! We even came across a mother Jackal.

The mother jackal changes the den site in every two weeks to protect the pups from probing predators.
Young Giraffe laying down! Giraffe tongues are long, reaching around 20–21 in (50–53 cm).

One can classify dung beetles into four broad categories. The first group – the rollers – will roll dung into round balls for use as food or a source in which the females can lay their eggs. The second group is known as tunnelers. This group buries their dung where they find it. The third group, called the dwellers, do not roll or burrow, they simply live in the manure. The final group, a bunch of lazy beetles, will steal dung balls from the rollers and are known as stealers and there are - 800 species in South Africa.

Relaxing by the riverbed!

We decided to have a rest at a nearby riverbed where the Hippo's were wallowing before heading back. While we were relaxing, our guide was on alert and making sure we were safe. Suddenly he told everyone to be quiet. Something was amiss and hiding in the bush. "Don't run," he said. "There is a young Lion just 20 meters away, and he is looking straight at us!" Well, instinct kind of does take over and everyone was nervous, ready to bolt. It must have looked like the Olympic 100m dash final when you are lined up on the starting blocks.

A great big growl, followed by a roar deafened us and he decided we were to close. He mock charged us stopping 15 meters away. The guide stood his ground, in front of everyone and stared him down, nobody moved a muscle. I don't think I saw a bead of sweat leave his forehead. It was tense, a 5 minute maximum stare down but it felt like an hour. Eventually the Lion, turned around and jogged back into the bush. There was a simultaneous sigh of relief as we all unwound & tried to keep our legs from buckling!

No steady hands for this photo!

Walking back was in a quick succession. We had lived to tell the tale & had had an amazing morning. There was one more surprise in store for us... As we were getting ready to depart the Crocodile Bridge Gate and head back to La Kruger for a well deserved full English breakfast, with nerves still pulsing through our over excited bodies. BOOM, fright of our lives! A Warthog had decided to sleep under the transfer bus and jump out just as we were settling in. No harm done but we had certainly been entertained and ended the trip in uncontrollable laughter!

Naughty Warthog that gave us a massive fright!

If this is your type of adrenaline & you have an up & coming stay with us, don't forget to book in advance as the space is limited. The morning walk departs La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge at 04:00 am and returns at approximately 09:00 am for a late breakfast! We look forward to you making memories @ La Kruger.

Sunset Drive - Kruger National Park

2017-10-01T00:00:00+02:00

Our guests were Paulo Freitas & his family from Brazil as pictured above.

Paulo & Tamara rated the experience as one of their top 5 experiences. "We saw the big 5 and really enjoyed the trip." "Seeing the Lions close-up really makes you realise how small you are in this world." "The guide was very professional and we felt safe the whole time." "Thank-you for the wonderful experience!"

Below is a photo of the Lions - up close & personal.

Orlando, Paulo's brother highlighted his best moment for us. "I enjoyed the whole journey, but if I really have to choose, I suppose the Leopard would be my number one." "Being such an elusive animal, we were really gratified to see one." "We traveled so far for this trip, and when the big cat came into view, my heart was pounding with excitement!"

Photo of the Leopard waking up.

Mr. Julio Orlando Freitas (The boys father), said, "It was a dream to come here to South Africa & see the Big Five." "This trip delivered everything my wife & I planned for so long." "We really cannot pick a highlight for the trip." "All the animals were wonderful, and seeing them with my family just makes everything so much more special."

One Of The Lions Standing Very Alert - Time For Lunch?

Thank-you for the Freitas family for allowing us to come on your epic adventure with you!

If this is your type of adrenaline & you have an up & coming stay with us, don't forget to book in advance as the space is limited. The sunset drive departs La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge at 15:30 pm and returns at approximately 20:30 pm. We look forward to you making memories @ La Kruger.

Spring Time Specials @ La Kruger

2017-09-01T00:00:00+02:00

Spring has finally arrived in our small bush town.

As the Kruger national park awoke this morning, we were welcomed by a very subtle spring rain. The birds were chirping endlessly and the wildlife seemed to teem around the lodge in a manner that can only be described as, "excited."

So the thought came upon us, why not offer our upcoming guests an "early bird" discounted rate directly from our website on activities?

It had to be done, how could we keep this secret from our wonderful guests? Below are the results of what you can expect when booking 30 days in advance for one of our excursions! Terms & Conditions apply.

EARLY BIRD KRUGER PROMO - 5% DISCOUNT

Early Bird Kruger Promotion

EARLY BIRD REGIONAL PROMO - 5% DISCOUNT

EARLY BIRD REGIONAL PROMOTION

EARLY BIRD ELEPHANT PROMO - 5% DISCOUNT

EARLY BIRD ELEPHANT PROMOTION

With our dedicated shuttle service available directly from the Lodge, getting to an excursion has never been easier and hassle free. Just another reason to book, transparent & simple we aim to put you at ease during your stay.

We asked the staff what they thought about the idea? As you can see from the photo below, they were exhilarated, not only because of the discounts, but in welcoming you to our warm establishment! So go on, book to your hearts content to avoid disappointment.

Warm Bush Regards

Management @ La Kruger