The Mluwati Concession is a 10,000-hectare private area in the central part of Kruger National Park, named after the Mluwati River that runs through it. It sits next to Sabi Sands and Manyeleti Game Reserves, allowing wildlife to move freely between them.

Within the concession, there are three lodges: Imbali Safari Lodge, Hamiltons Tented Camp, and Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, all offering private suites with plunge pools and views of the bush.

Amenities are limited to what the lodges provide, so there are no banks, ATMs, fuel stations, or shopping outside of the lodge facilities.

The concession is famous for luxury safari experiences and private access to game drives and bush walks, with a high chance of seeing the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—alongside cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, and many antelope species.

Activities include guided game drives, bush walks, bird watching, stargazing, and cultural experiences.

Wildlife is everywhere, so follow your guide’s instructions, stay in vehicles unless told otherwise, and be aware of smaller creatures like snakes, scorpions, monkeys, and bushbuck.

Open fires are not allowed except in designated areas, and malaria precautions are recommended. Check-in is usually in the afternoon and check-out by midday, and if you’re arriving late, inform your lodge in advance to avoid missing activities.

It’s about 450 kilometres from Johannesburg, which takes roughly five to six hours by road, or you can fly into Kruger Mpumalanga or Hoedspruit Eastgate airports and drive in.

The nearest main gates are Orpen, 35 kilometres away, and Phalaborwa, about 70 kilometres from the lodges.