Matthys’ Kruger Experience: From Cape Town to Greater Kruger

An unforgettable journey awaits travellers flying from Cape Town to the Greater Kruger, especially those seeking luxury, abundant wildlife, and authentic safari moments. We sat down with safari expert Matthys Van Aswegen, who recently returned from an unforgettable trip around Kruger with Africa in Focus, to learn all there is to know about what makes Kruger such a remarkable safari destination.

During his epic journey, Matthys stayed at several standout lodges that served up different flavours of safari life. In all, he visited Garonga Safari Camp, Little Garonga, Garonga MCH, Oliver’s Lodge, Savanna Private Game Reserve, Dulini River, and Dulini Leadwood. Each property contributes to what a safari at Kruger should be – a balance of luxury, relaxation, and immersive wildlife encounters.

Garonga: Private Reserve Magic

Garonga is set within the massive 27,000 hectare Greater Makalali Private Nature Reserve in Limpopo and offers a sense of exclusivity – especially for those seeking a remote and personal safari experience. The area and its surroundings are also unfenced, allowing game drives to go off-road so you can get closer than ever to wildlife.

The reserve not only boasts the presence of the Big Five, but it is also home to cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, and much more! Lodges Matthys stayed at include Garonga Safari Camp, Little Garonga, and Garonga MCH Luxury Tented Camp.

“You feel like the bush is yours alone,” Matthys explains. “Game drives are never rushed and the staff’s attentiveness makes every moment feel personal.”

Garonga Safari Camp is a six-room property designed for travellers who want intimacy without compromising on comfort. With three tents on each side of the camp, it feels balanced and private, making it a wonderful choice for couples, small groups, or families with children over 12.

Dining is an integral part of the experience, with full catering across all meals (except halal and kosher). Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, guests gather for a traditional boma dinner under the stars.

Little Garonga complements this with spacious suites in brick-and-mortar lodgings, ideal for families or groups. Between both camps, the combination of lodge style and intimate service makes them some of the more desirable South African camps. Matthys notes that Garonga MCH Camp, in particular, would be an excellent option for a multigenerational safari:

“I would say that it’s good for a multi-gen family or friends,” he says. “The food was great and I loved it. The service is excellent because there are so few people in the camps. It’s very personalised.”

Garonga MCH offers an exclusive and intimate safari experience, boasting just four exclusive tented suites. Guests can unwind by the swimming pool or wallow in the sounds of the bush in one of the many hammocks scattered around the camp.

Oliver’s Lodge: Fine Dining & Transition

Before fully crossing the threshold into the Kruger wilderness, Oliver’s Lodge in White River served as the perfect transitional stop for Matthys. With Austrian owners infusing European flair into cuisine and decor, the lodge gives guests a memorable first or last night en route to or from their safari.

Oliver’s Lodge overlooks a pristine 18-hole golf course and includes upmarket rooms, family rooms, and an in-house restaurant that combines Austrian flair with African warmth and hospitality.

“Oliver’s Lodge is very warm and friendly, with big open lawns at the back, and the rooms are massive,” Matthys recalls. “They take care of everything you can think of. It’s comfortable.”

His highlight, however, was definitely the food. “Their food is genuinely something else,” he says.

Matthys suggests ending or beginning your South African safari here, especially if you yearn for a couple of nights to acclimatise or recuperate from jet lag.

Savanna Private Game Reserve

One of Matthys’ standout experiences took place at Savanna Private Game Reserve. At Savanna, the line between opulence and nature is seamless, striking a satisfying balance for discerning safari travellers. The suites are luxurious, often with private heated plunge pools – a treat, especially in cooler months.

The décor is light and elegant, with materials like driftwood adding a subtle natural touch. Guides combine technical knowledge with storytelling to create an elevated safari experience that appeals to both novices and experienced travellers.

“The rooms are beautiful, tastefully decorated, and comfortable,” explains Matthys. “It’s got a nice big bath and a bar, a bathroom area with a nice shower, and an outdoor shower. And each unit comes with its own private plunge pool.”

If you’re a foodie at heart, this is the perfect camp for you – something that Matthys wholeheartedly agrees with.

“The food was incredible,” he says. I had the most delicious salmon I’ve had in my life and the presentation of all the meals was top-notch!”

Dulini River & Dulini Leadwood

From his incredible culinary experience at Savanna, Matthys ventured yet deeper into the Sabi Sand wilderness. Here, he stayed at Dulini River and Dulini Leadwood – two lodges that are both exclusive and deeply immersive. Both Moya and Leadwood lie alongside active riverbeds, where wildlife often passes by the decks.

“The attention to detail is incredible, even in the decorations and the service to all types of touchpoints, like the rooms and where things are placed,” Matthys says. “The size of the rooms is also massive!”

Apart from its sublime accommodations, Sabi Sand is also known for its sheer abundance of wildlife. After all, it borders the Kruger National Park and covers an area of over 65,000 hectares, so you can expect some truly remarkable big game sightings.

“Game viewing is phenomenal in that area,” elaborates Matthys.

“Sabi is just incredible. If you want to come to Africa and you want to see the Big Five, and you want to see an abundance of animals, you cannot beat Sabi.”

Wildlife Encounters in Kruger

Wildlife highlights are central to any safari in the Greater Kruger region. Matthys witnessed several unforgettable sightings, including wild dogs with young pups – an experience he had personally always dreamed of.

“I’ve missed it every single time,” he says frustratedly. “I’ve never seen wild dogs, and that was on my personal bucket list. We saw the wild dog standing there, along with its 10 puppies. That was one of the best sightings I’ve ever had.”

But beyond game drives, there’s so much more for safari travellers to explore:

• Walking Safaris: Get up close with the smaller inhabitants of the bush and learn about fascinating birdlife, insects, and flora.
• Sundowners: Watching the light shift across the savanna with a drink in hand is a safari tradition not to be missed.
• Riverbed Decks & Pool-Viewing: At river lodges like Dulini, you can enjoy game viewing from the comfort of your private room.
• Photo-Op Moments: The magic of wildlife photography is in the special moments, from seeing predators at dusk elephants silhouetted against the horizon to scanning for small nocturnal creatures during evening drives.

Best Time to Visit & Travel Tips with Matthys

As one of Discover Africa’s safari experts, Matthys is incredibly familiar with exactly what safari travellers want to experience. For international luxury travellers planning their first safari, here are a few practical tips gleaned from his personal experience:

• When to Go: Winter months (June to August) yield excellent game visibility since the bush is thinner. Avoid February if possible – it’s the peak of the rainy season. In the summer, you can also use the pools to cool off.
• What to Bring: Binoculars, good sun protection, neutral clothing, camera gear (if interested), and comfortable footwear.
• Stay Duration: At least four to six nights to absorb both wildlife and lodge comfort. Short stays can feel rushed, given how many lodges and experiences there are to explore.

The Greater Kruger region is an ideal first-time safari destination for travellers seeking a place where luxury, wildlife, and authenticity coexist. Whether you’re drawn to high-end camps, river lodges, or the thrill of big game sightings, this is a trip that demands to be lived, not just seen.

Start planning your safari with Matthys today and explore Kruger’s finest camps and experiences.