Many people travelling on a budget look for hostels in Kruger Park, but they don’t exist in the form we know. There are no dormitory rooms filled with bunk beds.
Instead, if you want to stay inside Kruger National Park and are on a budget holiday, you could:
- Camp
- Stay in huts; or
- Spend a bit more on a safari tent or bungalow
If you still want to stay in a youth hostel or Kruger Park backpackers’, there are cheap options within shouting distance of the park. If you stay outside the park though, you’ll miss the experience of sleeping inside the park and listening to the sounds of lions or hippos at night.
If you stay outside the park, you still have the chance to go on safari. Hostels generally run guided tours into the park at reasonable prices. Ask your hostel reception about safari packages they organise. The tours will normally take you into the park in a four wheel drive. You might even go to a picnic site for lunch. If you do, it’s good being out of the car and hearing the sounds of the bush!
Our suggestion: stay in the park and go for basic hut accommodation with shared kitchen and bathroom. If you’re staying a little longer, buy a tent and other camping equipment!
If you decide to camp or stay in a hut, remember to bring:
- A torch
- Mosquito repellent spray
- Braai/BBQ tongs (we like to braai every night!)
- Cutlery and crockery
Cheaper accommodation won’t stop you from enjoying Kruger National Park. You’ll have access to all the same facilities as everyone else. In the absence of proper backpackers’ in Kruger Park, there are still options to suit any budget.