The Orpen Kruger
A little closer to the wild
Just 100 metres from Orpen Gate, The Orpen Kruger pairs luxury lodge accommodation with easy access to two remarkable wildlife areas.
Our traversing rights allow guided game drives in both Manyeleti Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. Manyeleti is a separate reserve within the Greater Kruger ecosystem, sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger.
Join our expert rangers in an open safari vehicle, or explore Kruger at a personal pace on a self-drive. After a day in the bush, return to the comfort and quiet of the lodge.
GUIDED GAME DRIVES
See more with a guide
Join our expert game rangers in an open safari vehicle. From tracks in the dust to a movement in the trees, their knowledge brings the bush into focus.
Explore Manyeleti or Kruger with a guide who shares the stories behind the sightings. The reserve, route and departure arrangements are confirmed when booking.
KRUGER SELF-DRIVES
Make the day your own
For guests who enjoy the independence of their own vehicle, Kruger offers the chance to explore at a personal pace. Pause at a waterhole, follow a favourite route and take time over each sighting.
Our location makes Orpen Gate a convenient starting point. Plan around the park’s gate hours, entry requirements and designated public roads.
Gate and conservation fees are payable by guests for both options. Guided drives are subject to availability; please confirm rates and inclusions with our team.
Explore central Kruger
The Orpen region and the road to Satara
Why this part of Kruger is special
Orpen opens onto the western side of central Kruger, where a mixture of woodland and grassy plains supports a variety of wildlife. Zebra and wildebeest graze in the open, while giraffe, impala, warthog and elephant add to the interest of a drive towards Satara.
The combination of grazing animals and varied habitat also makes the region rewarding for predator viewing. Around Satara, lion, leopard and cheetah are regularly recorded, although the bush always keeps its own timetable.
Explore central Kruger
Take the H7 towards Satara
The tarred H7 is the main route east from Orpen towards Satara. Make time for the journey itself: scan the open ground, look into the shade of the trees and pause where it is safe to watch animals move through the landscape.
Around Satara, knob-thorn and marula savanna gives the area its distinctive character. Relatively open vegetation can make game easier to spot, and the changing habitats keep the drive interesting beyond the big cats.
For a self-drive, plan the route around current road conditions and gate hours, allowing plenty of time for sightings and the return to Orpen. Our team can help guests plan a day suited to the time available.
A small field guide
Meet the Big Five
Five remarkable animals. Five very different ways of living in the bush.
All occur in the wider Kruger landscape. Every encounter is a possibility, never a promise.
The Big Five
What to expect
Let the bush
set the pace.
1. Fresh air and changing light
Open vehicles bring the sounds and scents of the bush closer. Early starts can feel cool, even when a warm day lies ahead.
2. Time to look a little closer
Wildlife moves freely. There may be quiet stretches between sightings, with birds, plants and tracks adding to the experience.
3. A comfortable return
After the drive, settle back into lodge life. Our private chalets offer space to unwind, with dining at the lodge bringing the day to a relaxed close.
A little preparation.
A more comfortable day.
Gate & conservation fees
Guests are responsible for paying their own gate and conservation fees.
These charges are set by the relevant park or reserve authority, independently of The Orpen. We do not control the tariffs, and they may change.
Please budget for these costs in addition to accommodation and game-drive charges. Our team can help clarify the applicable fees before a visit.
What to pack
- Light layers and a warm jacket
- A sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Binoculars and a camera
- Water and personal essentials
- ID or passport and entry documents
Before heading out.
The next sighting starts here.
Let us help plan a stay with time for the wild. Enquire about game drives, accommodation and the details that make the day your own.
