Make a Direct Booking

Book your stay directly with Jock Safari Lodge for the best rates.

make a booking

Guest Enquiry

Not ready to make a booking just yet? Submit a travel enquiry and our team will be in touch.

make an Enquiry

Blog by Jock Safari Lodge

Jock Safari Lodge is so very much more than just a 5 star game lodge. When staying at Jock, guests are taken on a sensory journey, which encapsulates history, flora, fauna, conservation, relaxation and fine South African food and wine.

The Lodge is located in the south-western corner of the world famous Kruger National Park (KNP) at the confluence of the Mitomeni (Shangaan for ‘Jackelberry Tree’) and Biyamiti (Shangaan for ‘Place of many Trees’) rivers.

It was the very first privately owned and operated concession in the Kruger National Park, and now owned by the Caleo Foundation, a non-profit conservation organisation. The sole aim of the foundation is to preserve and protect nature and wilderness areas whilst providing guests with the opportunity to experience and appreciate nature in its purest form without leaving a negative impact.

Together with SANParks, the National conservation authorities, the Caleo Foundation and our own wildlife Ranger team, we strive to support the conservation of this precious land, ensuring it will be enjoyed for future generations. When staying with us and going out on game drives or wilderness walks, we strive to show each and every guest the importance of nurturing and protecting wildlife and flora.

Within the 6, 000 private hectares of the Jock Concession, we have exclusive traversing rights in what is regarded as the best Big Five game viewing area in the Kruger. While there are no guarantees in nature, we can assure you that your Ranger will strive to provide you with a truly memorable experience of the untamed Kruger.

Jock Safari Lodge is named after a local South African legend, Jock of the Bushveld, a true animal classic book written during South Africa’s first gold rush era. This canine hero of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s famous story of courage and loyalty has stirred adventurous souls for years.

Both our lodges, Jock and Fitzpatrick’s, have their own unique character and atmosphere and 2018 will see a significant refurbishment, yet retain their old world charm in décor choices, fixtures and fittings.

Aside from daily game drives, wilderness walks, spa treatment and the Kids on Safari initiative for our younger guests, stargazing is quite a special moment during your time with us. With the absence of surrounding artificial light, the stargazing opportunities at Jock Safari Lodge are spectacular, especially when viewed from the upstairs bar deck. How better to end a blissful day at Jock, than to sit and reflect under the star studded-canopy of the African sky?

We look forward to welcoming you to Jock Safari Lodge.

Our best experience of Kruger was at Jock’s. You can feel the love for nature in the heart and soul of the wonderful owners. The rooms are practically in the wild. We saw elephants just passing in front of the room. Sleeping in matras under the stars (if you want), amazing food in the river bed. Will never forget this experience!

-Jacob Yavin Vermeulen

We recently stayed here for 3 nights. We had read about Jocks and the strong recommendations. This place is better than ever expected, truly a magical place. The staff were exceptional, food 5 star and location amazing. The safari drives were also amazing and our guide IKE looked after us and was an amazing tracker. There are only 12 rooms so max 24 guest so you get to know the other guest without being overcrowded – the rooms are private and sit on-top of the river bank – you can watch the animals walking past from your day bed. Honestly this place is first class. We were self drive so easy access for Skuska airport or main Kruger gates. As it it a private lodge you get the added bonus of private areas as well as direct access to Kruger – truly amazing place and highly recommended. We were sad to leave and will return.

-John Smith

Jock Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the Kruger national park. It’s amazing location gives you a unique and real safari vibe. The lodge itself looks so amazing, stunning rooms, restaurant and relax areas. When you arrive at the lodge you will be welcomed by the amazing staff, that will tell you what the planning looks like. The planning is really amazing, you will get so much food and drinks, on top of that 2 amazing safaris with the best rangers! The safaris are really something else, private routes and amazing storys. The staff and everyone is really amazing at the lodge, this is a must do experience!

-Teuni D

The lodge is advertised as 5 star but I’d happily give it 6. Everything was perfect for the 3 night stay myself and my wife had, The room was spacious, clean and had everything you could want. The double shower cubicle was huge.There was an outside shower and bath, sunbeds, plunge pool, patio table with chairs and even a meshed tented area on the end of the platform overlooking the river bed with a made up double bed in case you wanted to sleep under the stars. The lodge staff were amazing, friendly and nothing was too much for them, Evening meals were fantastic, two of which were Brais (BBQ’s) on the river bed. The game drives were brilliant and our guide (not Driver!!) David, was really friendly and knowledgeable. We got the big 5 twice over. Will definitely be returning for a stay in the winter. Have done previous lodges in Kruger, Zimbabwe and Kenya but this tops them all.

-R. Davie

We spent several days here in early March — simply, the best! Very comfortable room and excellent food, with a warm staff. Highlights are the twice a day game drives. This definitely is not “pre-packaged” stuff — your guide (ours was Jacob) has a keen sense of where to find the animals, and drives over river beds and down back trails to find them -in a respectful way. We eagerly anticipated this part of our trip, and it exceeded expectations. You must go to have this experience.

-Robert D

I visited Kruger and Jock Lodge in 2017 and all I wanted to do is come back. That happened in Jan 2022 and once again it was wonderful in every way. The location is on a normally dry river bed so you can see wildlife from your window or terrace. The staff is so gracious and helpful. The wildlife guides are the most knowledgable and enthusiastic I have ever met. I come for the beauty and the animals and Jock Lodge delivers every time.

-Eva Fellner

Our best experience of Kruger was at Jock’s. You can feel the love for nature in the heart and soul of the wonderful owners. The rooms are practically in the wild. We saw elephants just passing in front of the room. Sleeping in matras under the stars (if you want), amazing food in the river bed. Will never forget this experience!

-Jacob Yavin Vermeulen

We recently stayed here for 3 nights. We had read about Jocks and the strong recommendations. This place is better than ever expected, truly a magical place. The staff were exceptional, food 5 star and location amazing. The safari drives were also amazing and our guide IKE looked after us and was an amazing tracker. There are only 12 rooms so max 24 guest so you get to know the other guest without being overcrowded – the rooms are private and sit on-top of the river bank – you can watch the animals walking past from your day bed. Honestly this place is first class. We were self drive so easy access for Skuska airport or main Kruger gates. As it it a private lodge you get the added bonus of private areas as well as direct access to Kruger – truly amazing place and highly recommended. We were sad to leave and will return.

-John Smith