Plan a Marloth Park trip
What to decide before you book, in the order most people decide it, with real prices and dates.
Last checked 26 October 2026
Marloth Park is a small town in the bush on the south bank of the Crocodile River, with Kruger National Park on the other side of the water. Most people rent a self-catering house here. Some days they drive into Kruger through Crocodile Bridge gate, and other days they stay home and watch the animals come through the garden. A few decisions are worth making before you book.
What to decide first
Start with where you'll sleep. You can stay in Marloth Park and drive into Kruger, sleep in a rest camp inside the park, or stay in another town near the gates. Marloth Park or inside Kruger prices a 4-night trip both ways. Where to stay near Kruger puts Marloth next to Hazyview, Malelane, Komatipoort and Hoedspruit.
Next is the budget. What a Marloth Park trip costs adds up the house, Kruger fees, fuel and tolls for a weekend, a family Easter and a week.
Then pick your dates. The best time to visit covers the heat, the rain and the malaria months. It also covers the school holidays, when Marloth fills up and the Kruger gates get busy.
The numbers to know
- A couple's unit in Marloth Park was asking about R1,500 a night for a mid-week stay in November 2026. Our accommodation guide has more prices.
- From 1 November 2026, Kruger's daily fee is R140 for a South African adult. You pay it only on the days you go in. See Kruger fees.
- Crocodile Bridge gate is about 15-20 km from Marloth, and Johannesburg is 420-440 km away by road. See getting here.
- By late October 2026, 92% of Marloth's places to stay were booked for Christmas week. If you want December, book early.
Once you've booked, our first visit guide takes you through arriving, the gate and your first day.
Marloth or inside KrugerA rest camp or a Marloth house: 4 nights priced both ways at 2026/27 rates, gate hours, holiday quotas and who each suits.
Where to stay near KrugerMarloth Park against Hazyview, Malelane, Komatipoort and Hoedspruit: gates, distances, prices and 2026 closures.
Trip costThree worked budgets for a Marloth Park trip: house, Kruger fees, fuel and N4 tolls from Johannesburg, at October 2026 prices.
Best time to visitDry winter or green summer: heat, rain, malaria, school holidays, game viewing, prices and December availability.
Read next
Getting hereJohannesburg to Marloth Park is 420-440 km on the N4, about 4.5-5 hours. Routes from Pretoria, KMIA and Maputo, the right turn-off and 2026 tolls.- First visitYour first stay in Marloth Park: the gate and stand numbers, animals in the garden, feeding rules, no pets, power and water, shops and night driving.
Kruger feesKruger's daily conservation fees from 1 November 2026: R140 for South African adults, R70 for children. SADC and international rates, Wild Card and who pays when.