The short answer. Most South African game reserves charge a conservation levy on top of your lodge rate. In 2026 most private reserves charge from about R100 to R660 per person per night, and the Sabi Sand up to R957 at its top lodges. The Kruger charges South African residents R134 per adult per day until 31 October 2026, then R140. Always check whether a special includes the fees before you compare prices.
Fees are set by the reserve, never by the lodge or by us, and the same levy applies whoever you book with. This table puts them in one place.
Conservation fees by reserve, 2026
| Reserve | Fee in 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kruger National Park | R134 per adult, R67 per child (2 to 11), per day. From 1 November 2026: R140 and R70 | South African citizen and resident rate. WILD Card members pay no daily fee |
| Sabi Sand | R106 to R957 per person per night, depending on the lodge, plus a gate fee of R370 per vehicle and R170 per person | 4 tiers set by the lodge's rack rate: R957 (rack R30,001 to R50,000), R574 (R17,501 to R30,000), R310 (R5,001 to R17,500), R106 (up to R5,000). Some lodges cap it at 3 nights |
| Timbavati | R660 per adult, R330 per child under 12, per night | Fully catered lodges. Gate fee R340 per vehicle |
| Thornybush | R650 per person per day | Includes the community, conservation and tourism levies |
| Klaserie | R560 per person per night | Latest published figure |
| Kapama | R500 per person per night to 30 June 2026, R650 from 1 July 2026 | Applies to all ages, children included |
| Karongwe | R105 gate fee and R40 rhino levy per person, once per stay | Some lodges add a small tourism levy |
| Madikwe | R260 per adult (13 and over), R130 per child (2 to 12), per night | South African resident rate. Gate fee R180 per adult and R80 per child, once per stay, if you drive in |
| Welgevonden | R360 per person per night | Collected at the lodge on departure. Subject to change during 2026 |
| Phinda | R99 per person per night | Plus a small bed levy |
| Pilanesberg | R168 per adult, R84 per child (5 to 12), per day, plus R168 per vehicle | South African citizen rate at the gate |
| Manyoni | R200 per adult, R100 per child under 12, per night | To 15 December 2026, then R210 and R105. Some lodges add a habitat levy |
| Mabula | R220 per person, once per stay | Paid at the lodge on departure |
Figures as at 1 October 2026, from the reserves' and lodges' published 2026 rates. Fees can change during the year, so check your lodge's terms before you pay.
What it adds to a stay
For 2 adults spending 3 nights in the Timbavati, the levy is R660 × 2 × 3, which is R3,960 on top of the lodge rate. The same stay in Phinda adds R594. In the Kruger, 2 adults pay R268 a day in conservation fees.
That difference matters when you compare specials. A cheaper rate in a reserve with a high levy can end up costing more than a slightly dearer one where the levy is low or included.
How to read a special
- If a special says "conservation fees included", the levy is already in the price.
- If it says nothing, assume the levy is extra and paid at the gate or the lodge.
- Children's fees vary. The Timbavati charges half for under 12s, while Kapama charges every guest the full levy.
Every special on our site says whether fees are included, and our stay calculator shows what is and isn't in the total. For the rest of the small print, read what a South African resident rate includes.
Questions we are asked
Are conservation fees included in South African resident rates?
Usually not. Most lodges charge the reserve's conservation levy on top of the resident rate, so check each special.
Do children pay conservation fees?
It depends on the reserve. The Kruger and Madikwe charge less for children, the Timbavati charges half for under 12s, and Kapama charges all ages the full levy.
Why do Sabi Sand lodges quote different levies?
The Sabi Sand sets its levy in 4 tiers based on each lodge's rack rate, from R106 to R957 per person per night in 2026. A lodge's tier decides what you pay.
How much is the Kruger conservation fee for South Africans?
R134 per adult and R67 per child per day until 31 October 2026. From 1 November 2026 it is R140 per adult and R70 per child. WILD Card members do not pay the daily fee.
Why do private reserves charge a levy?
The levy helps pay for running the reserve, including anti-poaching work, roads and fences, research and community projects.
