Jock Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

We had an unforgettable stay at Jock Safari Lodge. The fact that it’s on a private concession inside Kruger makes a huge difference -- fewer vehicles, more intimate sightings, and the ability to go off-road when needed. We saw everything from lions on a kill to leopards on the move and even a honey badger trotting by like it owned the place.||What really stood out though was the staff -- so welcoming, genuine and professional. Our guide Jacob was exceptional, sharing his deep knowledge and spotting animals we’d never have noticed. Every single team member made us feel at home.||The food was absolutely beautiful, every meal fresh, flavourful and thoughtfully prepared. Our dietary needs were accommodated without fuss, and the setting made every bite even better.||The only (small) downside? The coffee could be improved – it just didn’t match the high standard of everything else. If you're a bit fussy about your brew, maybe pack your own or lower expectations slightly.||Overall, Jock Safari is a magical place, full of charm, wildlife and warmth. We wouldn’t hesitate to return.

We had the absolute pleasure of staying at Jock Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park for three nights, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish.||||The accommodation was simply beautiful—thoughtfully designed, comfortable, and perfectly in harmony with the stunning natural surroundings. Every detail made us feel both pampered and connected to the wilderness around us.||||The meals were fabulous, with every dish bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The dining experiences felt both special and relaxed, and the staff made us feel so warmly welcomed throughout our stay.||||The highlight, of course, was the safari experience. Our ranger and guide, Ike, was truly exceptional—knowledgeable, passionate, and endlessly patient. Thanks to him, we saw an incredible variety of wildlife and learned so much along the way. His ability to track and share insights made every drive a real adventure.||||One of the things we loved most about Jock Safari Lodge is its intimacy. With a maximum of just 24 guests, it never felt crowded or rushed. Instead, it offered a personal, exclusive atmosphere where every guest truly mattered.||||We left with full hearts and unforgettable memories. We would highly recommend Jock Safari Lodge to anyone visiting Kruger National Park—it exceeded every expectation. Thank you to the entire team for making our stay so special!||||

The first thing I noticed on arrival was the camp setting, in a shady woodland filled with bird sound. As befits its history, the rooms are furnished in a classic style, and its a place for folks who prefer the full room amenities rather than a safari tent.|The main interest of course is the concession area, and Jock is on a prime spot in a scenic area of Kruger, set on a bend on the ephemeral Biyamati river. The profusion of wildlife was evident on the game drives. Maybe we got lucky, but we encountered two separate prides of lion, with 24-25 adults and cubs in total.|Nice to find a honey badger, different kinds of mongoose, and our guide Jacob had an incredibly sharp eye, finding a well-camouflaged scops owl and lovely pearl-spotted owlet. |On the morning drive it was nice to be able to get down for a short walk to see San art and get a view back to the lodge.|There's a reason this lodge has been so popular for so long - everything runs like clockwork.

Everything about Jock Safari Lodge exceeded our expectations.we stayed 3 nights. It is a special place, very intimate with only 24 guest. The rooms are beautiful and included an outdoor bath and outdoor afternoon bed. The meals were absolutely delicious. Staff are all amazing and so lovely and attentive. Best of all was our ranger Ike. He was incredible and we saw the big 5 and so much more. I can’t recommend this place enough

We had great days in the lodge. As the lodge is quite well established, it is not the newest one, which you see in the rooms. But they are still good. Service and meals are fantastic. And we had some good game drives with Davids 4x4 adventure tours 😉 The Kruger park is huge, so that it takes lots of time to reach special locations as well as spotting animals. But this is nature. Animals go where they want. And sometimes you win, sometimes not. Thats obviously why it is named "game" drive. So, you definitely can visit this place 👍

Even the drive in is an adventure, Rich with wildlife spotting. The staff are welcoming, and the accomodation is luxurious and extensive. Indoor and outdoor areas, allow for privacy and relaxation. An outdoor screened room allows views over the river bed, with a parade of animals coming past. An outdoor bath is also heaven.||meals are declicius and good variety,||Special evenings provide a warm family feel.||The staff are lovely, friendly and generous.||The guides are experienced, knowledgable and will go the extra mile - even when some species are hiding.

Jock lodge is a great place to stay for safari experience. The only suggestion we have is the rooms need to be updated as they are looking dated and old. The plunge pool needs to be recosyed as the inside is all discolored and needs to have a refinishing done. The rooms could be updated and better lighting. Staff is excellent !!!!!

We stayed at Jocks main lodge. It’s beautiful. The rooms are full of amazing amenities like an outdoor plunge pool, outdoor shower and bathtub, outdoor bed with mosquito netting -which is perfect for an afternoon nap. The rooms are relaxing with great beds and AC. The meals and drinks are excellent with options to choose from and there’s plenty of food. The staff are exceptional. If you need anything they will accommodate you. Picnic in the riverbed? Done. Private dinner prepared at your room? Done. They literally take care of your every need. The safaris in the am and pm are magical. Lazarus was our guide-and we consider ourselves lucky to have met him. He knew everything about the animals.He showed us things we never thought we’d see. You could feel his love for his job in everything he did. We spoke to other guides and they were quite knowledgeable also. Tips- tip at the end of your stay. They’ll present you with your bill with suggested tips. If you don’t have ZAR you can charge it to your credit card. If you do a special event like a private dinner I’d tip that person at the time of the event. Jocks is truly a special place. I would definitely return and I’m recommending it to everyone.