Probably the most luxurious lodges in Kruger are in Sabi Sands park, including Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge and Bush Lodge, Exeter Lodge, and Mala Mala. I have stayed at all four, and they are uber-luxury. I have stayed at others as well, such as Elephant Plains, Lion Sands, and Simbambili. All are wonderful and very luxurious with fantastic attention to detail. You really only have a small variance in luxury in Sabi Sands from very luxurious to ostentaciously luxurious. You will not be disappointed if you go slightly "cheaper".

Within Kruger itself, I have only ever camped at the public areas, except for staying at Hamilton's Tented Camp and the "hip" Outpost Lodge in the North of the park (I do not recommend).

The advantage of the Sabi Sands park is that it has an enormous concentration of game. The first time I went (to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge), we saw everything from boring Impala to Lion cubs (eating a giraffe) to Leopard making a kill... I was so amazed. It's great for tourists have little time to spend but want to see as much as possible. Some of the private lodges within Kruger tend to be situated in concentrated game areas as well, away from the main roads; I have heard Singita Lebombo Game Lodge (in Kruger) has good game, and it has a spa apparently.

However, there is NO need to spend vast amounts of money. Go to the following website: www.mtbeds.co.za. At the bottom select "Game Lodge" for category and "Kruger National Park" for region. You will get a list of deals/specials for many of the luxury lodges in Sabi Sabi private reserve, Timbavati private reserve and the smaller private concessions within the park itself.

This site is basically where the luxury lodges sell their "empty beds" to South Africans at rates more suitable to South Africans. Furthermore, the rates are priced in Rand, not dollars, so when there is a strong currency, prices are fabulous. I stayed at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge for $98/night/person once (standard rate for my oversized suite/bungalo was $450). I also stayed at Exeter for $146/night/person (more than I wanted to spend, but better than the $500 standard rate).

Many of these special deals have one or both of the following restrictions:
1) Open only to South African residents, and/or
2) Only can book two or three weeks in advance.

My experience with these rules has been that they are not enforced very well. I have an American accent when I speak English, and I have NEVER been asked to prove my residency status (although I have it) when calling the lovely ladies at mtbeds. The friends from abroad I have booked safaris for also never were asked for residency papers when they stayed at the lodges.

The advance booking rule is a bit more strictly enforce, but I have booked 5 weeks in advance. There will always be something available by the way (I booked the Sabi Sabi $98 thing same day).

Suggest you call them direct, be nice, and they will accomodate you. Say you are staying with your family/best friends in Gauteng.

You don't need to be like all the other silly tourists that spend obscene amounts of money!!! I'm a student and I've stayed at the BEST for the BEST prices...

Oh, just about every lodge (including all high end ones) only require a 2 night minimum, not 3 or 4 (unless it has changed in last few months).

Hope this helps. Happy to answer any more questions.