Property

South African property developers rush to the Kruger

Kirsten Minnaar • 12 September 2025

South African developers are increasingly looking at luxury, eco-friendly safari developments, which have strong potential for property buyers and tourists.

According to Seeff Property Group’s head of hotel broking, Peter Rowell, South Africa’s hotel and hospitality sector is currently offering attractive investment prospects, boosted by the robust post-pandemic tourism rebound.

This trend is particularly pronounced in South Africa’s safari tourism market, which, according to a report by Grand View Research, was valued at an estimated $11.7 billion (R207.26 billion) in 2023.

This market is projected to almost double in value, reaching an estimated $23.1 billion (R409.38 billion) by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%.

Various factors support this growth, including increased global consumer preference for authentic and responsible travel experiences.

This upward trend is creating renewed interest in investing in the sector with safari-styled products, especially in or near the wildlife reserves.

This is a primary choice not just for local investors but also for international investors from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Middle East, and elsewhere.

The luxury safari market is a significant growth area, with the private safari segment alone expected to grow at an 11% CAGR over the forecast period, as noted in the Grand View research report.

This shift towards higher-end, personalised experiences is a key factor in the sector’s increasing revenue. Travellers are no longer just looking for a holiday, but a bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Rowell explained that the opportunity lies in meeting this demand with products that offer exclusivity and a connection to nature, and there are plenty of opportunities for investors here.

Shawu’s Hills

Rowell cited the example of the new Shawu’s Hills Wildlife Estate, a premium eco-residential development which has recently obtained the rights to build a luxury, 4-Star Safari Hotel, offering an excellent opportunity in this sought-after sector.

The name “Shawu’s” is derived from the surrounding hills where one of the Kruger’s biggest elephants, who had the same name, once roamed.

The development is on the Crocodile River, close to the Kruger National Park and the Mozambique border.

Boss Architects designed the estate’s lodges, cabins and recreational buildings to maximise the unique location, optimising views, natural light and the sense of space and place.

The proposed Safari Hotel will feature 123 rooms in three categories: standard, superior, and premier. It will also offer private villas to allow for tiered pricing.

Additionally, guests will have 6.5 km of riverfrontage, where they can view wildlife and sunsets from the comfort of their hotel.

The location is just 12 km from the Crocodile Bridge Gate to Kruger National Park, South Africa’s flagship game park, which attracts over one million visitors annually from across the globe.

Given the Kruger’s popularity, accommodation occupancy rates are high, particularly in the busiest wildlife sighting months. Introducing more accommodation in the wildlife setting is expected to be a welcome development.

Seeff Properties is partnering with Shawu’s Hills Wildlife Estate to search for qualified investors who are excited to embrace the opportunity to bring this impressive hotel to life.

Rowell said the proposed hotel layout is an environmentally well-constructed design that blends in naturally, and the independent professional property development report shows a promising return on investment.