Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.
Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.
Established in the world-famous Kruger National Park, wilderness trails allow adventurous visitors a close personal encounter with nature by traversing large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot, under the guidance of armed and experienced trail rangers....
You can choose to stay in a number of different accommodation units in a number of different camps. To view this accommodation, simply select a camp and then view 'availability' on the left hand navigation bar in order to see what the units the camp offers.
Sites for caravans or tents – most have power (except Balule and some at Punda Maria). Sites at lower Sabie have designated boundaries and own water taps.
Hut
Single room units with communal kitchen and communal ablution facilities.
Safari Tent
Permanent canvas tent bedrooms on permanent platforms. Some have communal kitchen and communal ablution facilities, while others are fully equipped and have more luxurious trimmings.
Bungalow
Single bedroom units with a bathroom. Some have communal kitchens while others have own kitchenettes with basic kitchen equipment. Some bungalows have perimeter or river views, while others have been upgraded to luxury status.
Cottage
Single bedroom units with living room, bathroom and kitchen.
Family Cottage
Multiple bedroom units with a living room, bathroom and kitchen.
Guest Cottage
Multiple bedroom units with at least 2 bathrooms of which one is en-suite. Fully equipped kitchen.
Guest House
Multiple bedroom and bathroom units with lounge area and often with bar facility and exclusive view.
Luxury Lodges
These exclusive private lodges, with a unique style and atmosphere form part of a suite of products known as SANParks "Golden Kudus", where luxury is the order of the day.
Kruger National Park
Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.
So why rush? Stay Longer, See More!
All the main rest camps have day visitor areas. There are also many picnic spots and other visitor get out points distributed throughout the park. At the picnic spots visitors can (for a nominal fee) hire gas skottels (outdoor elevated frying pans) to cook meals on. These pans are cleaned by the attending staff, thus meaning people don’t have to worry about carrying cumbersome and greasy pans in their vehicles.
There is a maximum threshold of vehicles that can enter the park daily. If this threshold is reached only visitors with pre-booked overnight accommodation will be permitted access.
There are so many creatures to see and sightings of rare species can be the highlight of your trip! Keep up to date with the movements of the wildlife in the Kruger National Park by consulting the sightings map at reception, it is updated daily!
Areas of special interest
See specific camps for such destinations
5 Things To Seek
The Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino.
The Little Five – Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle.
Birding Big Six– Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet- faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork.
Five Trees – Baobab, Fever Tree, Knob Thorn, Marula, Mopane.
Natural/Cultural Features – Letaba Elephant Museum, Jock of the Bushveld Route, Albasini Ruins, Maserini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library, Thulamela.
The nursery continues to cultivate only indigenous plants and more over, mainly endemic plants to the Kruger National Park and surrounds. For R25.00 visitors can walk away with a broad selection of Lowveld species of both trees and scrubs. With the exception of cycads, all seed is collected in the Park and sent to the nursery for drying and cultivation. It also has satellite nurseries in Pretoriuskop, Malelane Gate and Letaba.
Visiting Times:
During weekends and Public Holidays, the nursery is run by the Lowveld Honorary Rangers. During these times the nursery will be open from 08:00 to 16:00 and closed for lunch from 12:00 to 13:00.
Monday - Friday: 07:00 - 16:00
Open on public holidays including New Years Day
Closed on Christmas Day
Conference Facilities
Conference facilities of varying capacity are available from the following camps: Berg-en-Dal, Shingwedzi and Skukuza (2 venues - one next to Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library and one next to the Doctors quarters). Bateleur and Letaba have smaller facilities suitable small groups.
For details of conference capacity and facilities, inquire with camps concerned or through the following contact numbers:
South African National Parks have over the years, played host to many weddings and special family events. With unique surroundings, tranquil settings, superb facilities and enthusiastically helpful staff, let us turn your marriage into a memory that will stand the test of time!
See the detailed Kruger Park map (for sale at gates and shops) for the location of picnic sites. Toilets and barbecue facilities (Cadac gas braai) are provided at all sites, while some have a tuck shop where snacks, soft drinks and wood may be purchased. Enquire at your restcamp for further details about picnic sites in the vicinity. (Please click here for a detailed list of picnic sites in the KNP)
SANParks embarked on a Commercialization as a Conservation strategy in 2001. This included the outsourcing of existing restaurants in order to improve efficiencies, and attract capital investments and expertise from the private sector. All of the park's main rest camps have restaurant facilities (Orpen and Crocodile Bridge has only take-away facilities for light lunches). The Bushveld and Satellite Camps have no restaurant facilities.
Shops
All of the park's main rest camps have retail facilities for both curios and basic provisions (the Bushveld and Satellite Camps have no restaurant or shop facilities). The larger camps have a better selection of stock. These shops used to be run internally by SANParks, but in 2001 it was decided to outsource the function to an organisation specializing in the retail industry. After a thorough tendering process, the contract was awarded to Tiger's Eye.
Swimming Pools
There are swimming pools at the following camps: Berg-en-Dal, Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop, Shingwedzi , Orpen, Satara and Skukuza (2 pools). These pools are for camp residents only. There is an additional pool for day visitors at the Skukuza Day Visitor Area.
Banks/ATM Facilities
Besides a bank (only open Monday to Friday and Saturday morning) at Skukuza and an ATM at Skukuza and Letaba, no cash withdrawal facilities are available in the Park.
Filling Stations
Petrol and diesel are available at all major camps. Petrol stations at Krugeraccept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/ cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase. Credit or debit cards are not accepted for payment at fillings stations.
Why not join the legions of happy park visitors who are now experiencing a memorable African dining experience at one of the many Restaurants based in Kruger?
Located in some of the most impressive settings in the Park, overlooking either rivers or vast pristine bush land, the Restaurants at Kruger have something to offer everybody.
From a Buffet to Table d’ Hote, braai nights under the stars or bush braai’ s, surrounded by the wild , sit back, relax and allow our discreet and efficient staff look after you whilst you experience the warmth of true South African hospitality and cuisine.
Savour the freshest ingredients and tantalising treats at any one of the specialist restaurants available. Appreciate the finest food and fantastic renowned wines from some of the very best vineyards in the world at surprisingly good prices!
This unique experience is a must do on your next visit – Reserve your table (contact details below) beforehand or ask one of our friendly restaurant team to do so when you are in camp.
Traditional South African Braai with 3 meats and selection of salads and freshly baked breads.
* For bush braai bookings please contact the Food and Beverage manager on the above contact numbers for more details and information.
Background
SANParks embarked on a Commercialization as a Conservation strategy in 2001. This included the outsourcing of existing restaurants in order to improve efficiencies, and attract capital investments and expertise from the private sector. The Compass Group is the food and beverage operator running the restaurants in the park.
Your safety and enjoyment of the Kruger National Park are very important to us. To ensure a pleasant and successful trip, it is essential that you adhere strictly to the regulations which are intended for your protection and enjoyment.
Please read the green gate permit you will receive on entry and stick to the rules.
Rules and Other Useful Information
• Visitors must remain in their vehicles unless in a designated area.
• Remember that no part of the body may protrude from a window or sunroof or any other part of the vehicle. Vehicle doors should be closed at all times.
• Stick to the speed limit! All general rules of the road apply within the Kruger National Park. The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar roads and 40 km/h on gravel roads. Please note that not all roads are accessible to caravans.
• Look at the gate times in your green gate permit. You must be inside the camp or out of the gate before these times. No travelling before or after these times are allowed. Gate times must be strictly adhered to and late comers may be subject to a fine.
• You are not allowed to drive “off-road” or on roads with a “no entry” sign.
• The feeding or disturbing of animals is a serious offence. Remember, animals see litter as food!
• Overnight visitors are only allowed to stay at a booked and recognised overnight facility and must report to reception before occupying accommodation or camping.
• All accommodation and camping sites may be occupied from 14:00 on the day of arrival and must be vacated by 10:00 on the day pf departure.
• Vehicles of a carrying capacity exceeding 4 000 kg, buses or any vehicles with more than 25 seats, are restricted to the tar roads.
• A stringent noise restriction is enforced between 21:30 and 06:00. The use of cell phones is permitted only in camps, gates and in cases of emergency.
• The use of roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes is prohibited.
• The Kruger National Park is a malaria zone - we advise that all visitors adhere to their doctor’s instructions.
• Roadside assistance, toll free number 0800 030 666 (Vuswa).
• Rules and regulations are enforced under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act no. 57 of 2003) and transgression can result in a fine.
• To ensure that you see all the animals you want, have a look at the spotting board in the various receptions to track the latest game spotting.
24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL CENTRE NUMBER
(013) 735 4325
Veterinary Restrictions
The Kruger National Park is also home to the Office of the State Veterinarian. Please assist them by obeying these rules:
No live animal (domestic or wild) may be brought into, or removed from the Kruger National Park. That is why NO PETS ARE ALLOWED here.
No raw, wild-animal derived products such as meat, bones, organs and hides may be brought into or removed from the Kruger National Park.
Raw meat and diary products may be brought into the Kruger National Park for your own consumption. However, no raw products from cloven hoofed animals (milk or meat) will be allowed to leave the Kruger National Park through any of the official South African entrance gates unless it is still packaged in a sealed container identifiably market to confirm its South African origin, source or distributor.
• Commercially packaged fish and poultry are exempt from these restrictions.
• Fully processed curios are exempt from these restrictions.
Should you be unclear on any of these regulations or want more information, please contact:
The Office of the State Veterinarian at P O Box 12, Skukuza, 1350.
You can also phone (013) 735 5641 or fax (013) 735 5155 during office hours.
The surface area of Kruger National Park is 7,580 miles² (19,633 km²).
The park was first proclaimed in 1898 as the Sabie Game Reserve by the then president of the Transvaal Republic, Paul Kruger. He first proposed the need to protect the animals of the Lowveld in 1884, but his revolutionary vision took another 12 years to be realised when the area between the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers was set aside for restricted hunting.
James Stevenson-Hamilton (born in 1867) was appointed the park’s first warden on 1 July 1902.
On 31 May 1926 the National Parks Act was proclaimed and with it the merging of the Sabie and Shingwedzi Game Reserves into the Kruger National Park.
The first motorists entered the park in 1927 for a fee of one pound.
Many accounts of the park’s early days can be found in the Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library.
There are almost 254 known cultural heritage sites in the Kruger National Park, including nearly 130 recorded rock art sites.
There is ample evidence that prehistoric man – Homo erectus roamed the area between 500 000 and 100 000 years ago
Cultural artifacts of Stone Age man have been found for the period 100 000 to 30 000 years ago.
More than 300 archaeological sites of Stone Age man have been found
Evidence of Bushman Folk (San) and Iron Age people from about 1500 years ago is also in great evidence.
There are also many historical tales of the presence of Nguni people and European explorers and settlers in the Kruger area.
There are significant archaeological ruins at Thulamela and Masorini
There are numerous examples of San Art scattered throughout the park.
At the time of their proclamation, both the Sabie and Shingwedzi reserves were very poorly developed.
Only in 1916 with the appointment of the Game Reserves Commission under chairmanship of JF Ludorf, the possibility of tourism was raised for the first time in the official report of 1918. This commission, which also placed significant emphasis on the possible merging of the two reserves and to proclaim it as a national park, made it clear that the primary objective of the two reserves was the conservation of nature. The development of tourism facilities could also be considered as it would not necessarily be in conflict with the primary objective. As motivation for this point of view, emphasis was placed on the educational and research opportunities that the reserves offered, and in this respect especially the opportunity that the general public would be offered to see nature in its pristine state.
The First Tourists
Initially, nothing came of these recommendations, and it was only in 1923, when the South African Railways (SAR) implemented a tour to the Lowveld and bordering Maputo (then Lourenco Marques) in Mocambique, that the potential of the reserves as tourist attraction was again discussed. An overnight stop in the Sabie Reserve at the Sabie Bridge (now Skukuza) was only included in the itinerary from a convenience point of view and not because it was felt that the game would offer an attraction. It required much motivation from Stevenson-Hamilton to convince the Commissioner for Railways that the inclusion of a day excursion through the Sabie Reserve would enhance the attraction of the so-called “round-in-nine” railway excursion.
Stevenson-Hamilton’s pleas resulted in the excursion were scheduled so that the trains would travel from Komatipoort to Sabie Bridge during daylight hours. Stevenson-Hamilton arranged that a game ranger would accompany the tourists on this leg of the excursion and also overnight with them at Sabie Bridge. At Sabie Bridge there were no facilities for tourists and they slept on the train. The game ranger would brighten up the evening around large campfires while sharing interesting anecdotes with them. This arrangement was apparently very successful and it was very popular with the tourists.
At the time of the proclamation of the Kruger National Park in 1926, the idea of tourism was already established. During the first board meeting of 16 September 1926, the value of tourism as a source of revenue was also recognized. To promote tourism while simultaneously earning revenue, it was decided that a main road, with various secondary roads for game viewing would be built. The idea was that guides would be appointed to accompany the tourist, for which a fee would be payable. It was also decided that a fee would be charged for the taking of photographs. A third source of revenue would be the writing of articles which would be either offered for sale of would serve to attract foreign tourists.
The lack of accommodation facilities in the park created a significant problem. Early in 1927, the South African Railways (SAR) approached the board with the request to erect quarters and to rent it to them (SAR). Nothing came of this scheme, and in the same year, the board, through the mediation of Stevenson-Hamilton, reached agreement with the SAR to work on a joint strategy for the development of the tourism industry. The board accordingly agreed to the building of roads, rest huts and other facilities, provision of guides and protection services and to refrain from promoting independent traffic. The SAR, in exchange, undertook to provide all transport, by rail and road and to launch advertising campaigns, catering services and to pay the board a percentage of the income received.
To initiate this scheme, four two-track roads were initially provided; from Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie (built by CR de la Porte), from Acornhoek to the Mocambique border (via Satara), from Gravelote to Makubas Kraal (near Letaba) (latter two were built by TEBA) and White River to Pretoriuskop.
In August 1927 the board decided to open the Pretoriuskop area for tourists. This concession would however require that prospective tourists first needed to acquire a permit (which could be obtained from the secretary of the board in Pretoria, the warden at Skukuza or the game ranger at Pretoriuskop stationed at Mtimba or from White River) and tourists needed to return on the same day as no overnight facilities were provided and that only revolvers would be carried for personal protection.
The arrangement to acquire permits was confusing for many visitors and they often passed Mtimba (Post of Ranger Wolhuter) without reporting. In 1929 the Board appointed A Moodie as agent at Moodies Kloof to issue permits until 1931, when a full-time gate official, Captain M Rowland-Jones, could be appointed at Numbi Gate.
By the end of 1927 various additional proposals were considered or made by the Board in order to increase tourism traffic. The Board rejected a proposal from the SAR to build a hotel at Sabi Bridge regarding it as “unpractical”. A proposal was also presented by the SAR for the provision of suitable vehicle crossings over the Crocodile River. In turn the Board requested the SAR to open the railway bridges over the Crocodile, Sabie and Olifants Rivers for motor vehicles, to make the train service on the Selati Railway more convenient for tourists and officials of the Board, and to accept responsibility for the building of a road from Crocodile Bridge to Satara and Acornhoek.
The First Tourist Facilities
It was only in 1928 that the provision of amenities for tourists commenced with sincerity. The first three so-called “rest huts” were built at Satara, Pretoriuskop and Skukuza (then still known as Reserve or Sabie Bridge). Simultaneously, six additional huts were also planned. These huts, or rest huts, each consisted of a set of huts or rooms with a carport. Of the six planned additional huts, nothing came of it, but in 1929 two rondavels with a radius of six metres and ten with a radius of a little more than four metres, were erected at Skukuza and two additional rondavels were built at Satara. Rest camps of the size of Skukuza were envisaged for Pretoriuskop, Satara and Letaba. Two smaller rest camps with six rondavels each were planned for Balule (then still known as Olifants Camp) and Olifants Poort (better known as Gorge) near the confluence of the Olifants and Letaba.
Construction on the rest camp at Olifants Poort already commenced in 1929. The activities were continued in all sincerity in 1930 and besides the two additional rondavels in Skukuza, four were erected at Pretoriuskop (where there were already four), fifteen at Satara, twelve at Letaba, six at Balule, one at Olifants Poort and four at Malelane. At Lower Sabie a five-bedroom guesthouse of wood and steel, which previously served as the ranger Tom Duke’s quarters, was restored and made available to tourists.
All the rondavels that were built during that time were according to the so-called “Selby” construction style (which can currently still be seen in Balule camp). Paul Selby was an American mine engineer who also served on the Board. He designed a hut with a gap between the wall and the roof and also a small hole in the top half of the original stable door. The hole in the door was meant to serve as a peephole to see if there were any dangerous animals between the huts before alighting from their rondavels – at that time the rest camps were of course not fenced. These Selby huts rapidly enticed criticism as they were too cold in winter, too dark as a result of lack of windows and also because people could peep in through the holes in the door. They also provided easy access to mosquitoes! From 1931, all new rondavels were provided with windows.
In the early thirties great progress was made with provision of additional tourist amenities. The old guest house at Lower Sabie soon proved a failure as a result of it dilapidation. It was decided to vacate it and rather build a few huts on the banks of the Crocodile River. Eight rondavels were built at Crocodile Bridge in 1931. The guest house was demolished in 1932.
In 1931 use was also made of tents for the first time. These tents, each with four beds, were initially commissioned at Skukuza and subsequently at Satara.
Besides the rest camps already mentioned, six other rest camps were established during this period. In 1931, construction was commenced at the Rabelais Gate. In 1932 the first huts in the new rest camp at Punda Maria were built. They were of the traditional wattle and daub type as cement could not be afforded at that stage. A small rest camp was also built at Malopene in 1932.
A small temporary rest camp comprising tents was erected in 1933 next to the Tsende River at Mabodhlelene. It was only in use for a few months, before construction of Shingwedzi rest camp was commenced as a replacement. Initially this camp also consisted consisted only of tents. In 1935 the first three-hut units, comprising three rooms, were completed. The roof and external wall structure of these huts as well as others built subsequently, are still in use today.
In 1932 the first ablution block – a unit with four bath and four shower cubicles – was built in Skukuza. During the same year the rest camps were fenced for the first time.
There was experimentation with a new hut design in 1935. At Skukuza, Crocodile Bridge and Letaba, the so-called Knapp- huts were erected. These were square units with corrugated steel roofs, of which the walls were built of large hollow cement bricks. These huts were not liked, they were unsightly and the erection thereof was ceased.
The last two rest camps that were opened to tourists before 1946, were Lower Sabie and Pafuri. After the closing and later demolishing of the guest house at Lower Sabie, it was decided to build a new rest camp. The first buildings of this new rest camp were designed by architects Gerard Moerdyk and were completed in 1936. This comprised three units with six bedrooms each and was laid out in a U-shape. A tent camp was opened in 1939 on the banks of the Luvhuvhu River, where the current Pafuri picnic spot is. A year later it was closed due to flooding and mosquito problems, to only be re-opened after the war.
In many ways the development of the tourism business in the Kruger Park is very similar to that of wildlife management. The Board was involved in a new and unique development for which there were no clear principles or guidelines. Decisions were initially taken haphazardly, and in many cases lessons were learnt through trail and error. As an example, when the first rest huts were built in 1928, it was not considered that rest camps would possibly be established. In 1929 when councilor Oswald Pirow pointed out that the few buildings would not at all meet the needs once visitor numbers increase, he directed as follows: that in future no new huts would be erected, but rather that areas of approximately 100 x 100 metres be fenced and that a corrugated roof structure be erected somewhere near the centre with a container providing boiling water. He felt that such a construction would meet the requirements for a rest camp as visitors preferred to camp out than to stay in huts. The Board agreed with this thinking and accepted the proposal – which was retracted in the same year.
The Boards close link with the Transport Services in establishing the tourism industry has already been reflected. In 1930 the Board undertook to build a rest camp for the SAR in the vicinity of Skukuza, once its own building program had been completed. As a result of the hectic building program, the Board could not meet this commitment and in 1931 the undertaking was withdrawn.
Notwithstanding that hot water is taken fore granted in all public facilities in rest camps today, it was certainly not the case in the early years. Only after the completion of the road between Punda Maria and Letaba, a request was tabled to the Board that ablutions in both camps needed to provide hot water. The road between the rest camps was not only very long but also dusty. (This road for most of the distance ran over dusty black peat soil and could not be graveled during construction). The then chairperson of the Board, Senator Jack Brebner, was not all pleased with the proposal and turned it down on grounds that it was just an unnecessary luxury. The discussion was continued and in 1933 it was granted with some resentment on condition that tourists would pay one shilling (10c) per bath.
“Luxuries” – or not, for Tourists
In 1936 the issue of hot water for baths/shower came under discussion again when it was decided to provide such “luxury” to various other rest camps. This again led to differences in opinion and it was again reasoned that it was an unnecessary luxury, and besides that the Board did not have the funds for the required installation. The issue was again postponed and it was not until 1939 that such installations were brought about – and on condition that gents were only entitled to hot and cold showers, and that hot water for bathing for ladies was available daily between 17:00 and 21:00!
Notwithstanding the rate at which provision of tourist accommodation progressed in the early thirties, it could not meet the demand. In 1934 the SAR and the Transvaal Publicity Conference made an urgent plea to the Board to provide more accommodation. Under this pressure it was even proposed to SAR to park a number of coaches at Skukuza to serve as sleeping quarters. This proposal could not be executed as it would have been illegal.
To obtain funding for more accommodation, the South African Publicity Conference, as well as the Publicity Associations of Pretoria and Johannesburg, directed a requested to the Government in 1935 for a donation of £50,000 (R100,000) to the board for this purpose. For the expending of such an amount the addition of 150 additional beds for Pretoriuskop rest camp (with the existing 150 beds) and a new rest camp for Lower Sabie that would accommodate 200 visitors, was viewed a highest priority. Over and above these new developments, all existing huts had to be made mosquito-proof.
In August 1935 the Government announced that an amount of £30,000 (R60,000) had been approved for the development of tourist facilities. The Board decided that only R40,000 of this amount would be applied for tourism and that the other R20,000 for the provision of water sources for game. In the meantime the Board had instructed architect firms Leith and Moerdyk to prepare plans for the anticipated developments. Gordon Leith was tasked to present a design for the new Lower Sabie rest camp, while Gerhard Moerdyk had to deal with extension of Pretoriuskop rest camp as well as Malelane. By the end of 1935 the plans were already finalized, with an additional proposal that eight to ten wattle & daub huts be erected at Tshokwane. The Board accepted the latter proposal on condition that there were sufficient funds available.
The architects, as well as the executive subcommittee of the Board, had not taken account of the chairperson, Judge J de Wet. Not only did he regard the hot water for showers and baths as unnecessary luxuries, but he could not identify with extravagancies such as septic tanks, retail areas, a dining room, etc, for rest camps. According to his view, there was only a need for sleeping facilities and nothing else! The plans by Leith for Lower Sabie, were accordingly rejected on grounds that it would be too expensive, and instruction was given to Moerdyk to draw up a new – and significantly cheaper – plan.
Picnic Spots – To Fence or not?
In 1938 the warden expressed his concern about picnic spots and indicating that visitors at such unprotected alighting points are subject to unnecessary dangers. The Board was of the view that as rest camps were far apart, such points were justified. After consideration of the matter, it was decided that they should be maintained, but that all picnic spots had to have a Black caretaker and that all shrubs and grass on the terrain had to be cleared. Stevenson-Hamilton was not satisfied, and in 1939 he repeated his warning. The Board maintained its position and as additional preventative measure, it was decided that in future, picnic spots would not be indicated on tourist maps and that warning signs be erected.
Fees in the early days
One of the main driving forces for the initial introduction of tourism in the Park was that it would provide a welcome source of income. With the initial opening up of the Pretoriuskop area to day visitors, the only monies that could be charged were the admission fees of £1.0.0 (R2). In 1928 the Board decided that five shillings (50c) per person would be charged at all entrances gates, with the single exception of Punda Maria- but that a minimum of R2 had to be charged per vehicle. Admission permits could be obtained from game rangers, but also from agents in White River (Legogote) and Rubbervale (of Gravelotte). During the same period visitors on the SAR “round in nine” had to pay R10 per day. This fee included the services of the game ranger.
To deter heavy vehicles from entering the Park, an admission fee for business purposes of R10 per heavy vehicle was charged.
An additional source of revenue was also offered by the pontoons over the rivers. Until the end of 1931, tickets could be bought for 50c. These tickets were valid for seven days and covered any number of crossings on the same pontoon. In 1932 tariffs were increased and vehicles were charged 25c for every time a pontoon was used. Trucks had to pay 50c. Pedestrians were required to pay 25c for the first five persons, and 5c per person above this amount.
Retail and Catering Services
To the uninformed it may today be difficult to understand why the Boards did not manage its own retail business from the early starting years. It must be kept in mind that it was exactly an acute lack of funds that limited the early development, preventing the Board from launching its own projects. This was not the only reason. When an application was submitted in 1929 to open a “tea-shop” at Pretoriuskop, it was declined on grounds that it would prejudice the “natural facilities” of the Park (whatever that may mean!).
By 1930 it was pointed out to the Board that the game rangers at Satara and Skukuza just could not attend to the administration and maintenance of the rest camps together with their other commitments. Subsequently it was suggested that contractors be appointed who would perform these duties under supervision of the game ranger. After consideration and reference of the matter by the executive committee of the Board, the suggestion was accepted. In March 1931 the contract for the management of Skukuza and Satara was awarded to P.W. Willis and, as result of increasing tourist traffic, a similar contract was awarded for Letaba in September of the same year.
The contracts that were awarded to external contractors in this manner resulted in them being responsible for the entire administration of the rest camps. This included the issuing of permits, all retail and catering, rental of bedding and even the erection of their own buildings. In November 1935, the Board decided to appoint their own camp supervisors, resulting in external contractors activities being limited to retail and catering. The first rest camp supervisors were appointed at Pretoriuskop in 1936, Skukuza and Lower Sabie.
In the early years the Board could not make much profit out of its own camps, and revenue was limited to the renting of huts. At that stage the huts were only equipped with wood and “riempie” bedsteads and any additional items such as mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, towels, etc could be hired from the contractors. Initially the renting of a hut cost one shilling (10c) per person per night. As soon as the Board provided luxuries such as hot water and the services of hut attendants, the daily tariff was increased to 25c per person.
The increase in the tariffs led to serious dissatisfaction with the visitors as it was also applicable to children under 16 years. The Board (wisely) yielded to the pressure, and the tariff for children was reduced to 10c per night. Visitors not using hut accommodation were required to pay 10c and children under 16 years 5c per day for a site (camping).
Bedding could be hired from the contractors and after vehement objections that the fee of 30c for a mattress and four blankets was extravagant, the fee was adapted as follows in 1934; a mattress would cost 5c per night, blankets and pillows 2,5c each per night. Packages were also offered, such as a mattress, blanket, pillow and pillow case at 70c per week, or even better, a complete bedding set, inclusive of sheets, for R1 per week! Only in 1940 did the Board take over the hiring out of bedding and at a nominal fee of 25c for three blankets, two sheets and two pillows per night, 15c for any additional nights and R1 per week! By then inner spring mattresses could also be hired at 20c per night.
In 1938 a proposal to the Board to hire towels – initially only at Pretoriuskop – was rejected as it would only provide a marginal income.
First Tourism Supervisory Staff
Many problems were encountered over the years with external contractors and the tendency was that the Board would take over such responsibilities, even if such decisions were made with reluctance. After repeated complaints, the Board appointed their own rest camp supervisors in 1937 at Satara, Letaba and Punda Maria. A proposal that the Board take over all catering as a result of general dissatisfaction, was rejected. Instead it was decided to offer the catering to the SAR, but they did not see their way open to accept that.
In 1943 councilor Orpen requested that a sub committee of the Board be appointed to thoroughly investigate the retail agreements, canteen services, control over rest camps and control over tourism. The Board agreed and a year later a subcommittee was appointed. The subcommittee already recommended in 1944 that the Board take over control of all retail and catering, and that an official be appointed that would accept responsibility for all retails, catering, rest camps and tourists. Such an official had to report in a line capacity directly to Head Office (the secretary of the Board).
The First Tourism Manager
The Board could not immediately implement the recommendation. It nevertheless led to the appointment in 1948 of the first tourism manager HC (Van) van der Veen, as well as in 1946, initiation of amendments to the National Parks Act – enabling the Board to take over all trade activities in the Kruger National Park. In 1945 the trade contract was awarded to “Kruger Park Services”, until the Board eventually took over all trade activities in 1955.
First Liquor Sales to Tourists
An application in 1946 by the contractor to acquire a liquor license was summarily refused by the Board. It was but the first of many similar requests to the Board that fell on deaf ears – until it was eventually decided in the sixties to make liquor available to tourists.
One of issues that the Board had to attend to in the early years, was the type of accommodation to be provided as well as the layout of the rest camps. Already with the planning of the new Pretoriuskop by architect Moerdyk, more definite attention was given to the aspects such as aesthetics, and to deviate from the barracks-like outlay with huts in straight rows. The issue of the type of roofing to be used resulted in dispute amongst the Board members, with some being opposed to thatch on grounds that they offered refuse to vermin. This matter was resolved in favour of thatch roofing.
Hotels or not?
A further issue resulting in the Board “scratching its head” was that of hotels. As early as in 1927 a proposal for building a hotel at Skukuza was rejected on grounds that it would be impractical. In 1930 an application was received from Messrs Mostert and Potgieter of Johannesburg to build a hotel in the Park. This application was also declined, but merely because at that time there were no plans to build hotels in the Park.
With the high pressure on the Board to urgently provide more accommodation, an appeal was again made to erect a hotel of some 300 beds. This appeal even had the backing of The Star. The chairperson of the Board, senator Jack Brebner, was resolute in his opposition and pointed out that hotels would not be profitable as the Park would only have an ‘open’ season of six weeks per year.
In 1935 the thought of hotels even had support from the Board. Councilor Papenfus pointed out that should the Board erect its own hotels, it would be able to exercise full control over them. His proposal was supported by councilor WA Campbell, but made no impression on the chairperson and it was summarily rejected.
In 1939 a businessman by the name of Lawson enquired about the Boards position on hotels on the Park boundary and specifically whether the Board would consider making additional gates available in case of such boundary hotels. The Boards took a far more compromising position and was supportive of the principle on condition that the hotels would maintain a dignified reputation and that the Board would not suffer any losses due to tourists being lured away from the Park. As a result of these negotiations it was decided that additional gates would be provided along the Nsikazi River and at Toulon to assist Lawson. He was planning to erect two hotels, one at Plaston and the other on the farm Toulon. When Lawson requested the Board whether his guests could pay reduced admission fees on second and subsequent visits, once his hotels are in operations, the Board rejected it outright. This state of affairs resulted in the business not being viable and nothing came of these plans.
Due to lack of funds experienced during the early development years, the Board gladly accepted donations from willing private individuals and institutions. Already in 1929, Councilor WA Campbell, who was previously owner of Mala Mala on the Park boundary, donated an amount of £150 (R300) for a “rest house”. He later made more donations and one of the rondavels funded from such donations was converted to a museum currently in Skukuza rest camp.
Supply of Fuel
As a result of the location of the Park and the long distances that needed to be covered to get there, the provision of fuel was crucial from the beginning. The Vacuum Oil Company already requested the Board in 1929 to sell Pegasus petrol in the rest camps. The Board agreed to this request and by agreement the petrol would be sold at 30c a gallon (±4,5 litre) (just more than 6c a litre!), of which the Board would receive 5c. Finality of the agreement could not be achieved immediately. During this period the warden pointed out that petrol was only needed at Satara and Letaba, as ex-ranger
T Duke, owner of the Bantu Shop at Skukuza, intended to also erect a petrol pump. The rest camps at Crocodile Bridge and Pretoriuskop were near enough to petrol pumps outside the Park. In the meantime Shell also applied to sell petrol in the Park.
By August 1930 Pegasus petrol was already available at Satara and Letaba. When Texas, a third oil company, also applied to sell its product, the Board decided at the end of 1930 that the product of only one company was to be sold in the Park. A final decision was not taken and the matter was referred to the executive subcommittee for further consideration. The initial decision could not be adhered to and it was decided to market only two types of petrol, Pegasus in Letaba and Satara and from 1931 also at Crocodile Bridge, while Shell Company received approval to sell its products at Skukuza and Malelane. Apparently Shell did not erect any fuel pumps at Malelane and in 1934 it was reported that Atlantic petrol was sold there and later also at Pretoriuskop, even though the request by Atlantic to sell its fuel across the park, was turned down.
Rules and Regulations
When the Park was opened to tourists in the late twenties, there were rather few rules and regulations besides that bringing in firearms were prohibited. When overnight facilities were created in the reserve, tourists were not even compelled to return to the rest camp at night. They could casually make their camp fires in the bush and then spend the night there. It soon became evident that this state of affairs would result in mischief and in November 1930 the first list of regulations, compiled for the Board, by AA Schoch, was published. Transgressions of these regulations could result in a maximum fine of R100. These regulations in many ways formed the base for the regulations currently in use and included, inter alia, the following: tourists were limited to rest camps at night, drives could be undertaken from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset, cars were limited to roads, a speed limit of 25 miles per hour (40km/h) was implemented, it was an offence to damage any objects and littering was also prohibited.
By 1932 it was pointed out to the Board that the regulations did not have much meaning of they could not be enforced. The Board then decided that as from 1933 a car (or motorcycle) patrol would be implemented in order to that would care of law enforcement. This idea was later abandoned as there were insufficient funds to implement the patrol service.
Automobile Association (AA) and Royal Automobile Club (RAC)
In 1932 the Automobile Association (AA) offered to station a road scout at Skukuza to undertake road patrols. The Board was obliging on condition that the AA official would not interfere with the external contractor offering a vehicle repair service at Skukuza. The AA and the external contractor could not reach a satisfactory agreement, thereby preventing the patrol service from being implemented. To counter this problem, the external contractor’s agreement was accordingly amended in 1934 resulting in the AA being able to implement its service. This service was implemented during the tourist season of 1935, with the undertaking that this would not only be an auxiliary service, but that the AA official would also assist with enforcement of the regulations.
The executive subcommittee of the Board felt so strongly about the abovementioned aspect that they even suggested that the AA approach the Department of Justice so that their official could be appointed as a special police constable.
This patrol service rapidly appeared to be a great success, and in 1936 the Royal Automobile Club also applied to implement a similar service. The application was approved and it was decided that the AA would attend to the area south of the Olifants River, while the RAC would patrol the area to the north thereof.
While the first scheduled service to the Park was only implemented during the late sixties, the Armstrong Siddeley Development Company already applied in 1930 to offer such a service. The initial application was met with approval, but when the Board requested a more formal proposal, the matter came to a halt.
Flights into the Park
In August 1930, councilor Papenfus again raised the issue of an air service. He informed the Board that he had been in contact with the Johannesburg Light Plane Club and that he was confident that a regular air service could be implemented in 1931. It was only in 1932 that the Johannesburg Aeronautical Association (previously known as the Johannesburg Light Plane Club) formally lodged an application for the introduction of such a service.
It was also proposed that such a service would be offered to Satara. The Board was concerned, especially after a report in The Star that flights over the Park would cause panic among the game. In the proposal it was emphasized that flights would not be introduced for game viewing but merely to transport tourists to the Park. It was undertaken to maintain an altitude of at least 2000 feet above ground level. The Board favourable considered the proposal. It saw this not only as a additional source of revenue, but also realized that it would be convenient in cases of emergency.
During the initial negotiations, Malelane was identified as a preferred alternative to Satara, but by June 1932, the latter was decided upon and an area 10 kilometers north of Satara was pointed out as the chosen location for the development of an air strip. It was agreed that minimum flying altitude would be 4000 feet above ground level, that the Association would develop and maintain the landing strip themselves and that they would have a contract for five years to operate the air strip. The Association also undertook to provide vehicles and staff that would take tourists on excursions. Admission fees of 50c per person would be charged and the agreement was finalized in September 1932.
It appeared that Civil Aviation did not agree that flights below 4000 feet were prohibited over the Park. It was decided that in cases of the landing strip being used for private planes, an admission fee of R10 would be charged. An agreement in the contract between the Board and the Association, stipulated that private flights would not be allowed.
In 1933 the air service was advertised as follows in a tourist guide; “In a comfortable two or three seater machine (aeroplane), the journey is accomplished over beautiful scenery, to an aerodrome six miles north of Satara, in the very heart of the KNP.
On arrival the tourists are met at the aerodrome by a roomy five-seater sedan car, and the pilot, who is well acquainted with the KNP, undertakes the dual role of chauffeur and guide.”
The first plane of the club landed during at the Mavumbye air strip during the winter season of 1933 and history was made. A total of seven planes (of which one was illegal) maintained the air service in the Park during the season. An insurmountable problem for the club was the transport of the passengers from the air strip to Satara, and this also led to the service being terminated.
After 1933 there is no mention of this undertaking. It appears as if it was never a true success and subsequently was ceased. Two air force planes used the air strip in 1934 when the locust officials of the Department of Agriculture were taken on inspection tours during the locust combating campaign. The open plains just north of the Mavumbye windmill, are all that is visible today of the former landing strip.
The First Roads
Up until the proclamation of the Park in 1926, the Selati railway line, ox wagons, buggy carts, pack donkeys and horses represented the only forms of transport. There were no vehicles or roads. The first tourist services introduced since 1923 by the SAR, was also exclusively limited to rail transport.
As from 1927 on, the building – actually de-bushing - of roads was started in all sincerity. Naturally, the first roads were connecting routes between established rangers’ posts. The first road to be developed, were therefore those from White River to Pretoriuskop, from Pretoriuskop via Doispane to Skukuza, from Skukuza to Satara and Crocodile Bridge, from Crocodile Bridge via Gomondwane to Lower Sabie (which was built in the mid- twenties by game ranger CR de la Porte for his own convenience, after he acquired the first motor vehicle in the Park – a model-T Ford), from Satara to Olifants Gorge (Gorge), to Letaba via Olifants River camp (Balule) and to Acornhoek, from Acornhoek to Nwanetsi, from Letaba to Gravelotte (built by WNLA), from Louis Trichardt (Makhado today) to Punda Maria and the Limpopo River (Pafuri) (built by WNLA) and from Skukuza via Salitje to Tshokwane. In 1928, construction of the road between Skukuza to Lower Sabie was started, only to be completed in 1931. With this rapid road construction programme, a total of 386 miles (617km) of tourist roads was completed by the end of 1929. During the period 1927 to 1929, three pontoons were brought into operation, over the Crocodile River (at Crocodile Bridge), Sabie River (at Skukuza) and the Olifants River (at Balule). A so-called ‘Corduroy’ causeway was built over the Sand River at a place called “Jafuta”. In 1930, a second pontoon was introduced over the Crocodile River, at Malelane.
The road construction programme continued uninterrupted until mid thirties, and by 1934, approximately 800 miles (1200km) of roads had been completed. This included important connecting roads, such as the road between Letaba and Shingwedzi (1933) and between Malelane and Crocodile Bridge (1933).
In 1932 a new causeway was built over the Sand River to replace the old one and a causeway was also built over the Letaba River.
Although a number of new tourist roads were built between 1935 and 1946, the main focus was concentrated around maintenance and improvement of existing road network. This was made possible as a result of acquisition of a large number of road building machinery in 1938, namely two graders, two bulldozers and a tractor with trailer! Quite a lot of attention was paid to replace the pontoons, which never operated successfully, with causeways. In 1936 a causeway was completed over the Sabie River at Skukuza as well as one over the Olifants River at Balule in 1937. Construction was nearly completed on the one over the Crocodile River at Malelane. In 1938 a causeway was constructed over the Shingwedzi River, and with the completion of the causeway over the Crocodile River at Crocodile Bridge in 1945, this brought about the end of the last pontoon the Park.
The road network as it appeared in 1946, was in itself a extraordinary achievement, if the dire state of the Board finances, the shortage of equipment and manpower and the fact that the Lowveld was relatively inaccessible for vehicle traffic, is taken into account. The thinly spread game rangers were largely responsible for the building or roads as well as rest camps, and the equipment available to them were two Chevrolet trucks, which were purchased in 1929, and a single bulldozer as from 1933!
It is therefore not surprising that Board from the beginning tried all means to acquire assistance. Already in 1927, the SAR and Minister of Land were approached for financial support and the Transvaal Provincial Administration was requested to assist with the road building programme. In 1928, the Transvaal Publicity Conference lodged a strong plea that the TPA would expedite the works programme for the admission routes and causeways. It was also requested that it be adopted that the roads to the Park be used as access routes for the development of the rest of the Lowveld.
Various attempts were made in the early thirties to convince the SAR to open railway bridges to road transport. The attempts proved to be unsuccessful.
In 1935 a comprehensive development program for the Park was compiled, in anticipation of a donation that the Government was expected to make to the Board. In the plan provision was also made for dual track tar roads. The donation of R60 000 that was made, was too small to meet all the needs, and the Board approached the TPA and the Board for National Roads for assistance. When is became known in 1935 that the then Department of Defense (SA Army) required a road parallel to the eastern boundary, it was suggested that they be approached to build a tar road from Punda Maria to Crocodile Bridge.
The effort to have the roads tarred, all failed, and in 1937, the secretary of the executive committee received instruction to enquire with the University of Pretoria about a tar emulsion that could be applied in Pretoriuskop rest camp to counter the dust problem. When the chairperson of the Board, Judge de Wet, came to hear of these developments, he vehemently reacted to it and strongly objected to these so called improvements. “Are we going to keep Pretoriuskop as a rest camp or convert it to a glorified resort?” he enquired. It was not just in rest camps where dust was a problem, and councilor Papenfus argued that the dust that gathers on the plants next to the roads, could be detrimental for the game. He was therefore strongly in favour that a loan be made so that the roads can be tarred. In September 1937 councilor Papenfus’ pleas were heeded , and it was decided to proceed with the laying of tar strips on the roads between Pretoriuskop, Doispane and Skukuza and between Skukuza and Lower Sabie. This decision was not brought to fruition.
Stevenson-Hamilton remained opposed to the tarring of roads until his retirement. He expressed concern that improved roads would lead to increased speeding incidents, and that more wildlife would be killed on the roads. He felt so strongly about this that he even alleged that “….. the death toll of animals would increase beyond all bounds…”. He was not against tarred roads in rest camps.
Until the end of 1946, nothing came of any improvement to roads. Besides, there were few of the existing roads that were properly graveled. The tarring of road surfaces in the Kruger Park had to wait until August 1965 when the tarring of the Naphe Road between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza was commenced. Today there are more than 850 kilometers of tarred roads in the Park, besides 1 444 kilometers gravel roads and more than 4 200 kilometers of fire breaks.
Source
This information was directly translated from the original Akrikaans from the text below:
Pienaar, U de V (Dr), “Neem uit die Verlede”, Published by South African National Parks (then National Parks Board) in 1990.
Section “Development of Tourism” of Chapter 17 (by Dr SCJ Joubert) “The history on the development of the Sabie and Shingwedzi Reserves and the Kruger National Park, 1898 to 1946.”
Note: All Prices VAT inclusive and all tariffs in South African Rand
Tariffs subject to alteration without advance notice
Daily Conservation Fee
Valid from 1 September 2009 to 31 October 2010
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID):
R40 per person, per day
SADC Nationals (with passport):
R80 per person, per day
R40 per child, per day
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors):
R160 per adult, per day
R80 per child, per day
Cargo Carriers
Cargo Carrier 2 – 4 tons
Rate to be confirmed
Cargo Carrier heavier than 4 tons
Rate to be confirmed
Members of SANParks’ loyalty programme WILD do not pay daily conservation fees provided that proof of Identity and their WILD card are shown on arrival.
All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis.
All main rest camps have mini ATMs either at the shop or restaurant. Skukuza and Letaba have normal ATMs and Skukuza also has a bank. The bush camps, however, don’t have ATMs.
Filling Stations are available at 12 camps: Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Skukuza, Berg en Dal, Pretoriuskop, Satara, Orpen, Olifants, Letaba, Mopani, Shingwedzi, Punda Maria. South African legislation stipulates that fuel stations are only allowed to accept legitimate petrol / fuel / garage cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase. Unfortunately no credit cards will be accepted as payment for fuel at any fuel stations.
Most rest-camps have retail facilities and restaurants. Tariff prices do not include meals.
Vehicle fuel is available in the main rest camps in Kruger.
Currently bedding is supplied in all accommodation.
Cooking Utensils and Refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated while booking.
Adult is 12 years or above.
Child (2-11 years), under 2 years - Gratis
All rates can be discounted at the discretion of the park or rest camp management. (The travel trade will not be subject to these discounts but rather to the negotiated agreement. Pensioners attention is drawn to existing pensioner discounts.)
Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied:
No animals may be brought into a National Park
Consult our reservation staff or watch press for details for out of season discounts and promotions.
Plan your trip – do not try and cover too great a distance. The Kruger National Park is a massive tract of land and frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. Slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground.
Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
Do not leave any food unattended, as thieving monkeys and baboons are a constant threat.
SANParks can be found in a variety of the country’s regional habitat and topographic biomes and Kruger National Park is characterised by combinations of savannah, thornveld and woodland eco-zones. Large African mammals are present. Kruger has 12 main rest camps, 5 bushveld camps, 2 bush lodges and 4 satellite camps.
Emergencies and Contact Information
Kruger National Park Admin Offices: +27 (0)13 735 4000
This enormous and magnificent park is one of the most popular public-entry game parks in the world. Its density of permanent game is unrivalled with hundreds of different species; 507 birds, 336 trees, 147 mammals, 114 reptiles, 49 fish and 34 amphibians!
Few visitors leave South Africa without visiting the Kruger National Park or one of the private reserves along its borders but it is also frequented by locals in their own vehicles, as you can drive yourself around and stay overnight in one of the many public restcamps. There are also a few exclusive private lodges that have been granted concessions within the Kruger National Park.
The far north of the park is the wildest and most difficult area to access and because of this, it has alluring qualities for the real adventurer.
With greater ecological co-operation across African borders, several countries bordering South Africa have agreed to take down some fences, and those between Kruger and Mozambique's Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou, have been demolished to create the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This unique political innovation is creating a colossal wilderness area.
Hints & Tips
All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis.
Besides a bank (only open Monday to Friday and Saturday morning) at Skukuza and an ATM at Skukuza and Letaba, no cash withdrawal facilities are available in the Park.
Petrol and diesel are available at all major camps. Petrol stations at Krugeraccept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/ cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase. Credit or debit cards are not accepted for payment at fillings stations
Most rest-camps have retail facilities and restaurants. Tariff prices do not include meals.
Vehicle fuel is available in the main rest camps in Kruger.
Currently bedding is supplied in all accommodation.
Cooking Utensils and Refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units. Exceptions will be indicated while booking.
Adult is 12 years or above.
Child (2-11 years), under 2 years - Gratis
All rates can be discounted at the discretion of the park or rest camp management. (The travel trade will not be subject to these discounts but rather to the negotiated agreement. Pensioners attention is drawn to existing pensioner discounts.)
Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied:
No animals may be brought into a National Park
Consult our reservation staff or watch press for details for out of season discounts and promotions.
Plan your trip – do not try and cover too great a distance. The Kruger National Park is a massive tract of land and frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. Slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground.
Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
Do not leave any food unattended, as thieving monkeys and baboons are a constant threat.
Seasons
Rainy Season:
The subtropical climate has hot rainy summers starting in October and ending around March. The summer rains transform the arid park into a lush flowering paradise, but the increased foliage does make animals harder to see.
Dry Season:
The winter months from April to September are extremely pleasant with warm dry days and cold nights. Traditionally, the best game viewing is in the winter as the vegetation becomes sparse and water is restricted to rivers and water holes.
Fire Information
Bushfires are very common in African Savannas, especially during the dry season between May and October. Fires in Kruger are managed using the patch mosaic fire philosophy whereby fires are ignited at selected localities and left to burn creating a natural patch mosaic of burnt and unburned patches. The extent of all fires in the Kruger National Park is mapped on a monthly basis using satellite imagery and information gathered by Rangers.
These patch fires, although randomly ignited, are closely monitored by the Section Rangers and only ignited under favourable conditions when the Fire Danger Indices (FDI’s) are low to moderate. Patch fires are selectively used to reduce the amount of fuel and to create patches of burnt and unburnt areas. This generally prevent the hot, high intensity uncontrolled fires from becoming unmanageable later in the season. Rangers will generally stop setting fires when the FDI’s become too high and conditions too dangerous. This usually happens during August and September when hot berg wind conditions can easily cause fires to runaway and turn into disaster fires. Once the rainy season starts lightning fires may occur and such fires are allowed to burn freely to allow lightning a chance to contribute as one of the natural sources of fire.
During a fire, the grass layer is often burnt completely. However, only the dead leaves are burnt, whilst the roots are still healthy. The early burns may sometimes resprout and this green flush during the dry season will benefit certain antelope species. Research also indicates that bush encroachment tree species, such as sicklebush, may be knocked back by these burns, giving improved game viewing pleasure as positive spin-off.
Animals can hear, feel and smell a fire when it is still very far away and most mammals normally have enough time to escape. Snakes and many kinds of insects, escape into holes in the ground, where they are safe, because the heat from the fire front seldom penetrates the soil below 5 cm depth.
To see the latest reports and to track the temporal changes of fire scars as the fire season progresses please visit our website For those interested in more scientific detail about fires, please feel free to contact Navashni Govender at Scientific Services, Skukuza.
Malaria is a word many people associate with game parks in Africa. However only two of the South African National Parks are in a malaria risk area and they are the Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park, although at both these venues the risk is usually low. Historically there have been incidences of malaria in other parks, but then there are recorded incidences of malaria from urban Europe and other non-risk areas. But to all intents and purposes Kruger is the only malaria risk park in the SANParks’ set-up.
Anti-malaria prophylactics are thus recommended for visitors for Kruger. The highest risk period is between December and April (end of the rainy season). A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 to give detailed explanation on risk and advice on precautionary measures. Visitors wishing to take prophylactics should consult a knowledgeable medical practitioner or recognized travel clinic about recommended medication, as certain products cause nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects with certain people.
Very often (particularly after periods of low rainfall) the malaria risk in Kruger is very low. Many people decide not to take prophylactics and rather try to avoid getting bitten. The most vulnerable times are between dusk and dawn. People are advised to stay indoors during these periods, or cover exposed skin with light clothing or insect repellants. The ankles are the most critical area. Burning anti-mosquito coils and ensuring netted screens are kept closed are other preventative measures.
While malaria prophylactics are recommended, no prophylactic is foolproof and any person developing flu-like symptoms 7 to 20 days (or even longer) after being in malaria areas should be tested immediately for malaria, until the symptoms clear or an alternative diagnosis is made. It is important to advise medical practitioners that you have been in a malaria area to avoid incorrect diagnosis.
On the question of prophylactics, no drug is guaranteed 100% effective, but a combination of Chloroquine (taken weekly first one week before) and paludrin (daily - first 2 days before) appears to be the most recommended prophylactic. Mefloquin is a single alternative. These would be available from pharmacies in Johannesburg and en route to the park (and perhaps for sale at some of the larger rest camps in the park). However as they should be taken a week in advance, if one chooses to use them, buying them in SA would be leaving it late, unless you will be spending time elsewhere in the country (most of which is malaria free).
The threat of malaria should not affect your decision to enjoy and experience the Kruger Park, but is just something one should be aware of and take precautions to be exposed to.
NB Most types of mosquito do not carry the malaria plasmodium and if one is bitten it does not mean one will contract malaria. Only mosquitoes of the anopheles genus carry the plasmodium, and then only if they have previously fed on an infected host. As the presence of people with the plasmodium in their bloodstream in the park is greatly reduced compared to past times, risk is once more reduced. One reason for these reductions is that the accommodation units in the parks are sprayed periodically throughout the year. Now that international campaigns see treatment taking place in adjacent countries such as Mozambique and Swaziland, malaria occurrence has been further reduced.
Rats, mice, bats and insects, snakes and other small mammals have been around in all the rest camps of the Kruger National Park (KNP) for many decades.
This is due to the artificial nesting and roosting sites created for them by the buildings, as well as vast sources of food brought about by visitors leaving foodstuff outside and all the insects attracted to the lights in the camps. Even in camps where special bat-houses are installed, bats still use the buildings as well.
It is almost impossible to keep the rodents and bats out of buildings as they originate from the surrounding natural bush and are able to crawl through the tiniest of holes.
Fortunately the vast majority of visitors to the KNP realise that rodents, bats and other insects, reptiles and mammals are an integral part of the KNP ecosystem and accept them as such. Kruger Park boasts an impressive diversity of rodents: 25 species of rodents (mice and rats), 9 species of shrews, 3 species of elephant shrews and 43 species of bats.
Most people also accept that a visit to the Park may inevitably lead to some sort of a close experience with some 'creepy crawly', be it a bat, mouse, spider, scorpion or insect. Here is some information about what animals you may encounter when visiting our park.
Bats and Insects
Light draws many flying insects and with these insects come their predators. These predators could take on the form of bats and frogs. Please remember to keep your screen doors closed as this will prevent these unwanted creatures from entering your room. Should you forget and a bat enters the room by mistake, please do not panic! Calmly place a towel over the bat and release it outside or call for assistance.They are some of the most interesting small mammals with some of the most extraordinary adaptations to find food and survive. Bats, for example, use ecolocation in flight to zoom in on insects and this is one of the wonders of the world in my view. An African night will never be complete without their feint but sharp sounds in the background.
Spiders, Snakes and Scorpions
Yes, these creatures are part of our environment but will most probably not harm you if not threatened. If you must walk around at night please DO NOT DO SO WITHOUT A TORCH. If you do come across a snake please do not try to catch it! Rather report this to the Manager on duty or to reception.
Monkeys, Baboons and Bushbuck
Monkeys, baboons and tame bushbuck are very cute and can be entertaining for young and old, BUT PLEASE DO NOT FEED THEM.
Remember that by feeding them, you are signing their death warrant, as they become aggressive and may have to be destroyed. By feeding these animals you do not only aggravate the situation but you also make these animals lazy and they become dependant on this food supply. The same applies to animals you may encounter along the fences of the camps in KNP, including Hyaena. Do not throw food to them or attempt to touch or tease them.
Before going out in the morning in search of animals please make sure that you have put all foodstuffs securely away. Remember that these monkeys and baboons have learnt to open up fridge doors and cupboards.
Gas skottels (mobile frying pans on stands) can be hired at most picnic sites for a nominal fee. The picnic site attendent then washes these on departure, thus freeing visitors from transporting greasy pans.
Most main rest camps have an area set aside for picnics and day visitors.
Location of Picnic Sites by Region
Marula Region (Between Crocodile and Sabie Rivers)
Skukuza – down stream from the main camp, there is a swimming pool and small shop
Afsaal – located on H3 between Skukuza and Malelane - has a small shop
Nkuhlu– located on H4-1 between Skukuza and Lower Sabie on the banks of the Sabie River – has a small shop
Albasini Ruins –next to Phabeni Gate at the start of the S1 there is a rudimentary picnic site with no gas – toilet facilities are at the nearby gate – hosts a historic display
Nkayeni Region (Between Sabie and Olifants Rivers)
Mlondozi – located off S29 overlooking Mlondozi Dam, approximately 15 km from Lower Sabie
Tshokwane– on the H1-3 approximately midway between Skukuza and Satara and between Lower Sabie and Satara – has a small shop.
Nhlanguleni – on the S36 approximately midway between Skukuza and Orpen
Muzandzeni – near the junction of the S36 and S126 about 30 km from Satara
N’wanetsi – at the end of the H6 some 25km from Satara – hosts a spectacular lookout point
Timbavati - near the junction of the S40 and S127, on the banks of the Timbavati River – a large baobab tree is nearby, as is the Ratel Pan Hide
Nxanatseni Region (Between Olifants River and Limpopo River)
Masorini – about 10 km east of Phalaborwa Gate on theH-9. Also hosts an archaeological ruins and display
Makhadzi – this new site is due to open in September 2003. It will be on a new road running from Malopenyana waterhole. Ultimately this road will continue to Giriyondo Gate on the border with Mozambique (April 2004). It will also contain an information centre on some park history and on the Transfrontier Park
Mooiplaas – a few km south of Mopani on the H1-6
Babalala – on the H1-7 approximately midway between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria and some 14 km from Sirheni Bush Camp
Pafuri – set in birder’s paradise on the banks of the Levuvhu River on the S63 a few km from Crook’s Corner where 3 countries meet. The Pafuri Attendants are Frank Mabasa and his wife. Frank has a keen knowledge of birds and has been donated a pair of binoculars and a bird book which allows him to show birds to passing amateur and expert birders alike. He has a list of over 200 species seen in the vicinity of the picnic site. (For more birding information go to Birding)
Picnic sites operated by concessions:
Tshokwane
Tshokwane was A Man of Muti. The picnic site bearing his name is ideally situated between the two most popular camps in the KNP, Skukuza and Satara and offers it’s own form of reviving medicine in the form of attentive service and refreshments.
Always bustling, the Picnic Site offers a wide array of food, from delicious Burgers and Toasted sandwiches to healthy and interesting salads. Don’t forget to stock up on ice cold drinks before you leave on the next leg of your journey as well as sweets and perhaps a toy or two to keep the children busy between exciting wildlife viewing opportunities.
For those hoping to braai, Gas Skottel braai’s are available for hire and you can stock up on all the items that you forgot to bring, from bacon and eggs to oil and salt and even a lifter to turn the eggs!!
From Coffee to Coke, Bar One to Biltong, Tshokwane is the perfect place to Refresh, Revive and Relax before heading back out to see the big 5!!
Nkuhlu
Nkuhlu - a great secret but an even better discovery. Nkuhlu could very well be the Kruger National Parks best kept secret. You come across this absolute oasis by surprise so keep your eyes wide open for the stone Cairn that announces that you have arrived.
The tranquil setting on the banks of the Sabie River is the perfect place to unwind and relax under the giant shade giving Natal Mahogany trees. Watch as the ancient denizen of the River, the crocodiles, stealthily patrol the shallow waters in front of you. For the bird watchers delight in the vast array of feathered beauty this “place of many big trees” plays host to.
In the shop on site you can eat, drink or shop. Nkuhlu is rightly known for being a Curio mecca with everything from Bush Hats to Kruger keyrings, colourful T shirts to something for the Kids, but don’t forget to pause a while longer and explore the menu on offer, which includes Waffles a speciality of this particular picnic site.
Nkuhlu too offers Skottel braais in addition to a delicious full snack menu.
The management plans were finalised after a process of discussion with stakeholders at scheduled park-specific meetings. You can also find out more about the process here.
Use our forum to discuss the Trails, share your experience, or ask a question.
What the trails are all about
A small percentage of South Africa is classified as real wilderness areas. In the Kruger National Park 49% of the surface area of about 2 million hectares are zoned as wilderness and it is in these areas that the KNP conduct wilderness trails.
There are thousands of wildlife destinations on the African continent but few of them offer an authentic wilderness experience to tourists. Driving around in an open game drive vehicle the whole time and staying in a luxury lodge is not necessary the real thing. Staying in a rustic, primitive camp and experiencing the African bush on foot is much closer to an ultimate wilderness type of recreation. That is what we offer the more adventurous tourist – wildness, remoteness, tranquillity, peace and a big bonus: no other people!
Although the KNP conduct trails in big five areas the main aim of these trails is to have a wilderness experience. The KNP Wilderness Trails cannot compete with other expensive luxury destinations as far as guaranteed game viewing and service is concerned but we can offer vast open spaces and a special kind of atmosphere that very few other destinations can match. Everybody nowadays offers big five as part of the package. Few can offer an experience of real bush exclusivity. KNP Wilderness Trails sees dangerous animals as part of the bigger picture and not the whole picture.
There are so much more to see and to experience and we focus not only on the big aspects of nature but also on the smaller things that most people miss when they only drive around. Being on foot makes you feel part of the environment and not removed from it when you spend your time in a vehicle. It tunes you in to all facets of nature because you can see, smell, hear, touch, feel and even taste wild things. Driving is a visual experience – walking is a sensual experience.
Wilderness ethics and philosophy are very important aspects of the KNP’s presentation on trails. It is a sad fact that there are so few real wilderness areas left to the human race on earth and our mission is to create this awareness amongst our clients. The more people worldwide that stand up for our natural heritage the more we and future generations will benefit.
It is never the same people that we say goodbye to than the people that we’ve met. Simply because in a few days’ people relax and enjoy it so much that they forget their problems and the outside world where they came from to such an extent that they become rejuvenated and recharged.
General Information
Wilderness Trails History
There are currently 7 wilderness trails in the Kruger National Park. The first trail, Wolhuter, was established in July 1978 in the south western part of the KNP. These trails were so popular that almost immediately two others were opened namely the Olifants (November 1979), along the eastern side of the Olifants river, and the Nyalaland (July 1980) between Punda Maria and Pafuri in the far north of the KNP.
Bushmans (July 1983) is situated in the southwestern corner of the KNP and neighbours Wolhuter trail. Metsi Metsi (August 1988) was built north of Orpen dam on the eastern side of the well-known Tshokwane picnic site.
Both the Sweni (October 1990) and the Napi (October 1991) are donor camps and are situated near Nwanetsi and Pretoruiskop respectively.
Duration of the trail
Wilderness trails starts on either a Wednesday afternoon to a Saturday morning or a Sunday afternoon to a Wednesday morning.
It is a three-night trail with the two days in between spent walking.
Trailists arrive and book in at the reception of the rest camp from where the trail departs.
The trail ranger meets the group at 15h30 in a designated parking area in the respective rest camp.
At this point trailists must be ready and equipped as well as all last minute shopping done before the trail departs which only comes back after the three nights in the wilderness camp.
What to bring
Clothing should be comfortable and durable. Neutral colours such as khaki are preferable. Light or bright coloured garments should be avoided. T-shirts are not recommended as they provide little protection against the sun on the neck. A hat and an all-weather jacket should be taken along. A tracksuit, either woollen or lightweight depending on the season, is a useful garment.
Footwear should be worn in prior to the trail, have thick soles and provide good ankle support. Sandals can be worn in camp.
Cameras, binoculars, walking sticks, sunscreen lotion and reference books are optional.
A good quality torch is essential for moving around camp at night. Lighting is provided in the form of kerosene lanterns, as there is no electricity.
Malaria prophylactics are essential. Consult your chemist. Insect repellents can also help to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes or other insects.
Catering
The trail provides simple but wholesome meals prepared by a cook on either an open fire or a gas stove. Trailists with special dietary requirements must please realize that although the trail can cater for some (e.g. vegetarians) it is very difficult to suit every individual’s special need. Prior arrangements in this regard are essential. We will help if it is in any way possible.
Trailists provide their own liquid refreshments in the form of alcohol or any other cool drinks. Drinking water is provided as well as coffee and tea with a fruit juice as part of the bush breakfast. There are limited cooling facilities in each camp. Alcohol abuse will and cannot be tolerated.
Wilderness Atmosphere
The camps are situated within a wilderness trail area and far away from normal tourist activities.
The reason why people come on these trails are to get away from modern day living. We request all trailists to respect the environment that they are in and to keep the atmosphere wild even when in camp.
Please comply by the following rules:
No cell phones
No radios or tape/cd/mp3 players
No private vehicles out to trail camps
No generators
Take note of these important tips:
A maximum of eight persons between the ages of 12 and 65 years may participate per trail. To derive the optimum benefit and enjoyment from a trail adventure, it is recommended that a group comprises persons of a similar age, with common interests and the same level of fitness.
A reasonable level of fitness is required as up to 20 km may be walked per day. The distance is covered at a leisurely pace, however, to afford trailists an intimate encounter with the wilderness. Due to the terrain covered and the safety factor, handicapped persons should not participate in these trails.
All participants have to complete an indemnity form before embarking on a trail. Minors must be in possession of a form signed by a parent or legal guardian. These forms should be handed to the trail ranger before departing on the trail.
The general rules and regulations of the Kruger National Park also apply to trailists.
Trailists depend on the trail ranger for their safety and for guidance. The trail ranger should therefore be obeyed at all times. Failure to co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of the trail.
For safety and ethical reasons liquor may be consumed at the trail camp only. Excessive consumption of liquor is strongly discouraged.
Trailists provide their own liquor and soft drinks.
Limited space is available in a communal refrigerator.
Malaria Prophylactics are essential. Please consult your chemist.
Routine
Trailists arrive at the trail camp late afternoon after a slow drive from the individual restcamps. Upon arrival guests are orientated or introduced to the camp and then given time to settle in and relax. The trail leader will give the trailists a full briefing on the camp rules, routine for the next couple of days, what to expect, safety aspects and will answer any questions.
After a wholesome meal the guests have the opportunity to sit around the fire, socialise, listen to night sounds and marvel at the stunning nightskies.
The mornings start before the crack of dawn with a cup of coffee, tea and a rusk after which the walk will start from camp or a drive might be taken out into the wilderness area to a point from where the morning walk will commence.
We return late morning and after a well-deserved brunch a siesta is a welcome treat till mid afternoon. The afternoon activity consists of a short walk and traditional “sundowners”.
We return to camp where once again a well cooked meal is served to restore body and soul.
The second day is a repeat of the first day’s activities.
The last morning trailists have the opportunity to enjoy the early morning bush chorus from the camp as no walking takes places. Guests are then returned to point of departure after a small breakfast.
Infrastructure
The trail camps are rustic and spartan. There are no electricity or power generators. Accommodation consists out of A-frame huts or tents, as is the case at Napi camp. There are four units that sleep two each. Ablution facilities are communal except the Napi tents where it is on suite. All linen and towels are provided.
Ablutions consist out of flush toilets and gas geyser showers.
There is a communal social area (lapa) with thatched roof or open campfire area.
Cooling facilities consists out of a fridge with limited space.
The cook prepares all meals in a very basic kitchen with washing up basins and storing facilities.
A fence surrounds the camp but it is basically only to tell animals and people where the camp boundary is.
Water for washing gets pumped from boreholes close to camp. Water should not be wasted unnecessarily – especially in dry times.
Individual trail information
Bushmans Trail
Situated in the south western corner of KNP this wilderness area is characterized by deep quiet valleys and high rocky outcrops with spectacular views. These secluded valleys exclude trailists from the outside world.
These high lying outcrops are accessed early in the morning to enjoy the vastness of the landscape as well as to search for game, with surprisingly good results. The broken terrain is ideal for unusual but safe close encounters with big game. The heavy presence of elephant and rhino has resulted in a well marked network of natural game paths and allows for structured and comfortable walks.
Night sounds are unique. Guests can hear a great variety - specifically freckled night jars as well as spotted eagle owls.
White rhino are plentiful as well as other game species. Typical to the terrain are antelope species like kudu, klipspringer and mountain reedbuck.
Plantlife is very diverse especially in the higher lying areas – this area is also classified as a botanical reserve within KNP and unique trees only to this area occur.
The high altitude of the area accounts for unusual bird sightings from time to time including redthroughted wryneck and jackal buzzard.
Bushman paintings are a big attraction as well as other cultural and historical sites. Trips to these sites are a regular feature of the trail routine, the aim of which to educate trailists on San (Bushman) culture and their art.
The camp is uniquely hidden between a series of massive granite kopjes providing a very pleasant atmosphere.
This wilderness trail is situated in the eastern side of KNP along the Nwaswitsontso river near Tshokwane picnic site. The departure point is Skukuza restcamp.
The Lindanda plains with masses of game at certain times of the year offer hikers a chance to walk amongst high densities of plains game. Black rhino are well represented in this area as well as the more common white rhino. Predators such as cheetah and lion are also fairly common.
Away from the plains the Nwaswitsontso river can be accessed which provides for spectacular scenery. This river is very important in dry times and attracts game and birds in large concentrations.
Birds unique to plains habitats such as ostrich, kori bustard, lappet faced vultures, secretary birds and black coucal can be seen.
Vegetation is homogeneous and knobthorn and marula trees dominate.
The large open camp is situated on an atributary of the Metsi Metsi river at the foothill of the imposing Nwamuriwa mountain.
This wilderness area is situated on the undulating granitic landscape between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza restcamps. Both the Mbyamithi and Napi rivers flow through the area and offers scenic walks along the riverbanks with stunning large trees.
Vegetation consists mainly of broad leave woodland and tamboti thickets. Large open sodic patches are pleasant to the eye and host unique plants such as the summer impala lily.
Seasonal pans in these areas allows for lots of big game sightings. Both white and black rhino are regularly seen wallowing in these pans.
The camp is fantastic for night sounds and amongst others giant eagle and barred owl give the night character. The Mbiyamithi river is one of the best habitats to view thick billed cuckoo because of the prevalence of it’s parasitic host the redbilled helmet shrike.
The camp consists out of four safari tents with on suite ablutions and a large veranda from which to view the surrounding bush and the Mbiyamithi river below the tents.
The most remote and out of way wilderness trail camp of all is situated between Punda Maria and Pafuri with the spectacular gorge of the Levuvhu river a big attraction. Punda Maria restcamp is the departure point for this trail and is only 540km or a 5 hour drive from Johannesburg.
The area is one of the best in the country for bird watching and various localized species such as Verraux’s (Black) eagle, Pel’s fishing owl, grey headed parrot and mottled spinetail can be seen. The last mentioned roosts inside a giant baobab in the trail camp and can be watched at leisure whilst in camp.
The area is botanically very rich with scarce sandveld and dryland vegetation communities. The real drawcard to this spectacular wilderness area are large concentrations of giant baobabs.
There are no large concentrations of game but unique animal species occur such as nyala, Sharp’s grysbok, eland, roan antelope, yellow spotted rock hyrax, elephant shrews and red rock rabbits. Elephant and buffalo are regularly seen.
Important cultural sites occur representing Zimbabwe stone culture and San rock art. One of these sites is situated on a high hill right above the Levuvhu river, which is easily accessible with a spectacular view.
Fossilized remains of two types of dinosaur can be seen, making this area unique.
The camp is hidden in a secluded spot on the Madzaringwe river with towering cliffs of the Soutpansberg in the background.
Situated on the banks of the Olifants river this wilderness area is very popular as it offers remote valleys and gorges where the river flows through the Lebombo mountains as well as flat open plains with good game viewing potential. The river is a big attraction especially as both the Olifants and Letaba rivers join before flowing into Mozambique. These rivers are the focal point of the trail experience as it has a lot to offer. Large concentrations of hippo and crocodiles are dominant features. The day is incomplete without the call of fish eagles, ever present on the rivers. Birding as well as a divers plantlife are a big plus for this popular wilderness trail.
Satara restcamp is the departure point for this trail.
The biggest attraction on this wilderness trail is the Sweni river surrounded by open flat thorntree savannah where large herds of game concentrates at certain times of the year. This in turn attracts large concentrations of predators and the biggest drawcard of the trail experience is to be part of this predator/prey relationship. Hearing lions roar at night occurs frequently as sound travels far in this open landscape.
Birds typical of plains landscapes occur. The Sweni river accounts for frequent sightings of the shy nocturnal white backed night heron. Mozambique night jar and scops owl are dominant night calls from camp.
The flatness and remoteness of the area offers excellent star gazing opportunities.
The camp is situated on the Sweni river and is surrounded by open plains. A covered lapa allows one to view the surrounding plains and associated game through out the day.
The first of all the wilderness trails is situated roughly between Berg-en-dal, Ship mountain and Afsaal picnic site. It was named after one of the first rangers that were appointed in the establishment of the Sabie Game Reserve in those days - 1902. Harry Wolhuter later in his career killed a lion single handedly with his hunting knife while out on patrol on horseback.
It is a spectacularly scenic wilderness area characterized by high granite outcrops with deep valleys as well as a flatter undulating landscape. Wilderness qualities are high as the trail area is far removed from the boundaries of the Kruger National Park.
Culturally, Wolhuter Trail was a very active area in days gone by and a lot of relics of the past can be seen everywhere. Evidence of Bushmen and stone and iron age people can be found on the higher lying areas and rocky outcrops.
The famous Jock of the Bushveld and his master Sir Percy Fitzpatrick were also criss-crossing this area on their adventurous hunting trips and transport driving routes.
Plantlife is very diverse especially in the higher lying areas – this area is also classified as a botanical reserve within the KNP.
Birdlife is good with a lot more species to be seen in summertime when all the summer migrants return.
White and black rhino can be found in the Wolhuter Wilderness area with the former very concentrated. Elephant and buffalo are also regularly seen as well as sable, mountain- and common reedbuck can be seen. Other more common species include zebra, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildebeest and warthog.
Wolhuter Wilderness Trail’s biggest plus point however is to sit on a granite outcrop and to stare into the distance and experience a wild feeling in a wild land amongst wild creatures.
Many visitors to Kruger are self-drive visitors. At the same time however many people (particularly internationals) chose to fly to the park’s periphery and then hire a vehicle.
Air
There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport and the new Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) located between Nelspruit and White River. KMIA also receives daily flights from Durban and Cape Town, while there is also a flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit. The Skukuza Airfield, formerly used for daily commercial flights from Johannesburg is no longer open for commercial flights. No aircraft may land at Skukuza or any other landing strip within the park without prior permission from the Park Director.
Bus shuttle
Private Connections (a private company) operates this shuttle service between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) to Kruger National Park. The contact details are:
The cost to use the shuttle to Kruger National Park from Nelspruit is R500,00 per person, one way. The trip takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. It is recommended that the shuttle should be booked with Heather.
Car Hire
Car hire at KMIA, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa airports and at Skukuza Camp itself or from all major towns in South Africa. South African National Parks endorses Avis Car Rental. You can also e-mail them at avisskukuza@avis.co.za
Coaches
A number of coach tours are available of varying degrees of luxury. Transport companies, often in conjunction with tour operators/travel agents, facilitate these.
Packaged Tours
Various Tour Operators offer packaged tours to our parks and camps. Visit our links page.
Entrance Gates
There are nine entrance gates to Kruger, namely (anti-clockwise from the north):
Giriyondo Access Facility between South Africa and Mozambique is operational. Please read here for additional information.
Late Entry
Latecomers at entrance gates will be refused entry, whilst offenders at rest camps will be warned and fined if they are repeat offenders.
Late entry escorts (at a fee) are available at the following gates for the camp in brackets only. This is only available until 21:00. Escorts depart every half hour until this time:
Paul Kruger (Skukuza)
Numbi (Pretoriuskop)
Malelane (Berg-en-Dal and Malelane)
Crocodile Bridge gate (Crocodile Bridge Camp)
Punda Maria gate (Punda Maria Camp)
Orpen gate (Orpen Camp)
No late admission at Phabeni, Phalaborwa and Pafuri
Gate Security will phone camp duty phone when there are guests and transport is arranged. If guests advise in advance, then trips can be better planned. Fee is currently R150,00 per vehicle.
Internal Road Network
Tourist roads in the park are either tarred, or good gravel roads; speed limit: 50 km/h on tarred roads, 40 km/h on gravel roads and 20 km/h in restcamps. An average speed of 30 km/h on tourist roads is recommended for maximum safety and game-viewing enjoyment.
Vehicle Restrictions
Motorcycles and vehicles with an axle load exceeding 8000 kg are not permitted. Caravan and trailers as well as coaches and buses are restricted to the tar roads. Open vehicles are permitted only if the driver is in possession of a valid permit and such vehicles have a covered canopy so that human shapes do not break the shape of the vehicle. Such permits are available at Skukuza on 013 735 4000 and inquire after open vehicle permits
Gates to the Northern Region of the Kruger National Park
Recommended gate:
Phalaborwa Gate
Take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg). Before reaching Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen head towards Phalaborwa and the gate.
Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate.
Shimuwini Bush Camp is 50 km away from the gate. Allow about 2 hours for the drive to the bush camp.
Olifants Main Rest Camp is 83 km away from the gate. Allow about 3 hours for the drive to the camp.
Mopani Main Rest Camp is 74 km away from the gate. Allow about 3 hours for the drive to the camp.
Letaba Main Rest Camp is 51 km away from the gate. Allow about 2 hours for the drive to the camp.
Alternative Gates
Punda Maria Gate
Take the N1 to Polokwane (Pietersburg). At Makhado (Louis Trichard) link up with the R524 and follow this route for ±140 km.
That will take you to the gate. Allow between 5 to 6 hours for the trip to the gate.
Punda Maria Rest Camp is 10 km away from the gate. Allow about 20 minutes for the drive to the camp, however if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time!
Orpen Gate
Head toward Nelspruit on the N4, take the R540 Belfast turn off. At Lydenburg turn left onto the R36 heading north. 30 kms before Hoedspruit turn right onto the R531 and head to the gate.
Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate.
Olifants Main Rest Camp is 102 km away from the gate. Allow about 4 hours for the drive to the camp
Airports to the Northern Region of the Kruger National Park
Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit)
74 km from Phalaborwa Gate
68 km from Orpen Gate
93 km from Hazyview
147 km from Nelspruit
Kruger Park Gateway Airport
Situated in Phalaborwa, 3 km from Phalaborwa Gate
Gates to the Central Region of the Kruger National Park
Recommended Gate
Orpen Gate
Head toward Nelspruit on the N4, take the R540 Belfast turn off. At Lydenburg turn left onto the R36 heading north. 30 kms before Hoedspruit turn right onto the R531 and head to the gate
Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate.
Satara Main Rest Camp is 48 km away from the gate. Allow about 2 hours for the drive to the camp.
Talamati Bush Camp is 30 km away from the gate. Allow about 1 1/2 hours for the drive to the camp.
Orpen Main Rest Camp is at the gate.
Alternative Gates
Phalaborwa Gate
Take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg). 40 kms before Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen, head towards Phalaborwa and the gate.
Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate.
Satara Main Rest Camp is approximately 120 km away from the gate. Allow about 5 hours for the drive to the bush camp.
Airports to the Central Region of the Kruger National Park
Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit)
• 74 km from Phalaborwa Gate
• 68 km from Orpen Gate
• 93 km from Hazyview
• 147 km from Nelspruit
Gates to the Southern Region of the Kruger National Park
Recommended gate to Biyamiti and Berg-en-dal
Malelane Gate
Take the N4 to Nelspruit and head through Nelspruit to Malelane. Then turn left at Kruger National Park sign just outside Malelane and head towards the gate.
Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate.
Biyamiti Bush Camp is 39 km away from Malelane. Allow about 2 hours for the drive to the bush camp.
Berg-en-Dal Main Rest Camp is 12 km away from the gate. Allow about 30 minutes for the drive to the camp.
Recommended gate to Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie
Crocodile Bridge Gate
Take the N4 to Nelspruit, head through Nelspruit to Malelane and on to Komatipoort (about 110 kms). Then turn left onto the R571 just after Komatipoort and head on to the gate.
Allow between 5 to 6 hours for the trip to the gate.
Lower Sabie Main Rest Camp is 34 km away from the gate. Allow about 2 hours for the drive to the camp.
Crocodile Bridge Main Rest Camp is right at the gate.
Recommended gate to Pretoriuskop
Numbi Gate
Take the N4 to Nelspruit then take the R40 to White River. Just out side White River take the R538 to the gate.
Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the trip to the gate.
Pretoriuskop Main Rest Camp is 9 km away from the gate. Allow about 20 minutes for the drive to the camp.
Recommended gates to Skukuza
Paul Kruger Gate
Take the N4 to Nelspruit then take the R40 to White River, Hazyview via the R40. From Hazyview, take the R536 to the gate.
Allow between 5 to 6 hours for the trip to the gate.
Skukuza Main Rest Camp is 12 km away from the gate. Allow about 30 minutes for the drive to the camp.
Alternative gate
Phabeni Gate
Take the N4 to Nelspruit then take the R40 to White River, Hazyview via the R40. From Hazyview, take the R536 to the gate. Gate is 10 kms outside Hazyview.
Allow between 5 to 6 hours for the trip to the gate.
Skukuza Main Rest Camp is 39 km away from the gate. Allow about 1 and ¾ of an hour for the drive to the camp.
Pretoriuskop Main Rest Camp is 24 km away from the gate. Allow about 1 hour for the drive to the camp.
Airports to the Southern Region of the Kruger National Park
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
KMIA is situated between Nelspruit and White River
The times reflected in the table below are approximate minimum times via the shortest route travelling at legal speed limits. Allow additional time for stops along the way.
Camp
Gate
Minimum
Travelling Time
(Hours:min)
Balule
Phalaborwa
02:00
Bateleur
Punda Maria
02:30
Phalaborwa
03:30
Berg-en-Dal
Malelane
00:20
Crocodile Bridge
02:15
Numbi
02:15
Paul Kruger
02:15
Biyamiti
Malelane
01:15
Crocodile Bridge
01:15
Crocodile Bridge
Crocodile Bridge
00:00
Malelane
02:00
Paul Kruger
02:15
Letaba
Phalaborwa
01:30
Orpen
02:30
Lower Sabie
Crocodile Bridge
01:00
Numbi
02:30
Paul Kruger
01:30
Malelane
Malelane
00:00
Maroela
Orpen
00:10
Mopani
Phalaborwa
02:15
Punda Maria
02:45
Olifants
Phalaborwa
02:00
Orpen
02:15
Orpen
Orpen
00:00
Pretoriuskop
Numbi
00:20
Malelane
01:45
Crocodile Bridge
02:30
Pretoriuskop (via S1)
Paul Kruger
01:30
Punda Maria
Punda Maria
00:20
Orpen
01:30
Roodewal
Orpen
01:45
Phalaborwa
02:30
Satara
Orpen
01:15
Phalaborwa
03:00
Shimuwini
Phalaborwa
01:15
Shingwedzi
Pafuri
02:30
Punda Maria
01:15
Phalaborwa
03:30
Sirheni
Punda Maria
01:15
Skukuza
Paul Kruger
00:20
Numbi
01:30
Malelane
01:45
Crocodile Bridge
02:00
Talamati
Orpen
01:15
Gates
Gate
Route
Distance from
Johannesburg
Crocodile Bridge
N4 via Witbank & Nelspruit to Komatipoort
475 km
Malelane
N4 via Witbank & Nelspruit to Malelane
428 km
Numbi
N4 to Nelspruit, R40 to White River, R538/R539 to Numbi
411 km
Phabeni
N4 to Nelspruit, R40 to Hazyview, turn right to gate, or
430 km
N4 to Belfast, R540 to Lydenburg via Dullstroom, R37 to Sabie, R536 to Hazyview, on to gate
440 km
Paul Kruger
N4 to Nelspruit, R40 to Hazyview, turn right to gate, or
460 km
N4 to Belfast, R540 to Lydenburg via Dullstroom, R37 to Sabie, R536 to Hazyview, on to gate
470 km
Orpen
N4 to Belfast, R540 to Lydenburg via Dullstroom, R36 and R531 to Orpen via Ohrigstad, JG Strijdom Tunnel and Klaserie.
490 km
Phalaborwa
N1 to Pietersburg (Polokwane), R71 to Phalaborwa via Tzaneen
490 km
Punda Maria
N1 to Louis Trichardt, R524 to Punda Maria
550 km
Pafuri
N1 to Louis Trichardt, on to Musina (Messina), but turn right at R525
People and Conservation Department is SANParks’ community liaison strategy in order to promote conservation ethics and create benefits for the local communities presented by the existence of the Kruger National Park.
The Department has four key performance areas:
Environmental Education.
Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge.
Economic Empowerment.
Community Facilitation.
In each key performance area, projects are implemented to address the community needs through facilitation processes.
Communication strategy with the communities
People and Conservation has facilitated the formation of six forums within the borders of the Kruger National Park as a communication channel for all conservation related activities and community issues. The forums are constituted by the interested and affected members of the community (Functional Community). These forums sit with People and Conservation in their monthly meetings. They represent all villages bordering the Kruger National Park.
People and Conservation Department has managed to established various projects jointly with the adjacent communities such as:
1. Sales outlet structures:
Kruger Gate sales outlet
Numbi Gate sales outlet
Hlanganani Phalaborwa sales outlet
These projects are facilitated through Economic Empowerment and are owned and managed by the community art and crafters.
2. Contractors Development Programme:
In the following fields:
Construction and Fence Maintenance: Theses projects are done in a joint effort with Technical Services of the Kruger National Park sponsored by DEAT through Poverty Alleviation.
Invasive Species Control: Also a joint effort project between Invasive Species Control Unit funded by DWAF and DOL.
3. Community Outreach Programme:
Information about the Kruger National Park, Conservation messages, Tourism activities, Access opportunities and Importance of Conservation is shared with communities.
Tree planting in schools and community centres: Trees are donated on request by the community centres and schools. Some planted during Arbor Day celebration events.
4. Reconstruction of Thulamela Heritage Site:
This project aims at the promotion of the Cultural Heritage Management by the Kruger National Park as a means of addressing cultural tolerance
by the conservation areas and its neighbouring communities.
5. Skills and Learnership Development Programme:
This programme is facilitated in order to up-skill the community members to be employable in the work environment.
This is funded by the Department of Labour through INTAC- THETA Projects.
Achievement
Community Capacity Building through Conservation related projects.
Future Plans
Sustain all existing programmes and projects with the aim of maximizing the Kruger National Park's contribution towards community development through opportunities presented by the Kruger National Park and thus building constituencies for conservation.
Kruger National Park is best known for its big game sitings and large expanses of wilderness; however, Kruger has a unique cultural and historical landscape and diversity, with well over 255 recorded archaeological sites ranging from early Stone Age (roughly 1 million years ago) to various Iron Age settlements and recent historical buildings and sites. Many of these sites hold cultural and spiritual importance, while others reveal an exciting and romantic history of the area.
Conservation of these sites is imperative due to their cultural and spiritual value and the historical importance. As national stewards of the conservation of the area we are legally bound to protect these sites.
Sighting the "Big Five" has become something of a quest for many people when on safari, and the Kruger National Park has more than its fair share of these, with an estimated 1,500 lion, 12,000 elephant, 2,500 buffalo, 1,000 leopards and 5,000 rhino (black and white). It should certainly not be a pre-requisite of a safari to see these or even a priority, as there are plenty of other fascinating animals and birds in the African bush.
Kruger is one of the premier game-watching destinations in the world. Approximately 145 mammal species occur in the park. It is possible to see all the classical African big game, including elephant (KNP Elephant Census Summary), black and white rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and many antelope species. Large carnivores include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. There are also many smaller mammals equally enticing species. Here is a checklist of the most visible species.
Vegetation
With the Kruger National Park being so vast it naturally has a tremendous botanic diversity. Simplistically the Kruger National Park can be divided into 16 macro ecozones. The northern half of the park, north of the Olifants River is predominantly mopane veld, while south of the Olifants the ecozones are thornveld. There are 336 tree species in the park.
Prevalent or striking species:
Baobab
Red Bushwillow
Common Cluster Fig
Common Coral Tree
Delagoa Thorn
Fever Tree
Lowveld Fig
Jackalberry
Knob Thorn
Leadwood
Natal Mahogany
Marula
Monkey Orange
Mopane
Transvaal Mustard Tree
Lala Palm
Raisin Bush
Sausage Tree
Tamboti
Round-leafed Teak
Protected Trees of the KNP
(Government Gazette No. 26752 of 10 September 2004)
Of the 47 species listed, 17 (36%) occur in the KNP
View pictures of accommodation for each camp or book online.
