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Kruger National Park The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1989 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park is 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, 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man’s interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries is very evident in the Kruger National Park – from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Thulamela and Masorini. 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. Attractions and Activities 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! Five things to seek: The Big Five: Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion and Rhino The Little Five: Elephant Shrew, Buffalo Weaver, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle Birding Big Six: Kori Bustard, Ground Hornbill, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork Five Trees: Fever Tree, Baobab, Knob Thorn, Marula and Mopane Natural / Cultural Features: Jock of the Bushveld Route, Letaba Elephant Museum, Masorini Ruins, Albasini Ruins, Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library and Thulamela (a late Iron Age stone walled site) Activities include morning and afternoon nature walks, morning and night game drives, bush braais, 4x4 and eco- trails, wilderness hiking trails and backpack hiking trails. Balule Satellite Camp Deep in the heart of the Kruger National Park, in the most exquisite topography, lies a small satellite camp named Balule – after the Tsonga word for the Olifants River. This camp is one of the best places for guests to experience nature at first hand. Situated more or less in the centre of the park, just south of Olifants Camp, Balule lies close to the mighty Olifants River. With only the most basic of facilities and no electricity, a low fence is the only barrier that separates you from the wilderness, resulting in a true “back to basics” experience. Five things to seek: Elephant, Hippopotamus, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Hyena and Goliath Heron Bateleur Bushveld Camp This delightful camp is situated on the banks of the Mashokwe spruit, approximately 40km south west of Shingwedzi in the beautiful northern Mopane Woodland savannah of the Kruger National Park. Named after the majestic Bateleur eagle it is the oldest and the smallest of the bushveld camps, and offers a unique atmosphere and superb game viewing. One of the many features Bateleur offers is a game viewing hide that overlooks a waterhole just outside the camp. Two dams, Rooibosrand and Silwervis, are within close range of the camp and are restricted to the residents of Bateleur – good to know as there will never be a traffic jam even if the camp is full. Five things to seek: Leopard, Bateleur Eagle, Hippopotamus, Elephant and Blue Wildebeest Berg en Dal Rest Camp Berg en Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the southern and northern sides, dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp; it is the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment. Five things to seek: Leopard, Wild Dog, Klipspringer, Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Heuglin’s Robin Biyamiti Bush Camp On the banks of the Mbiyamiti River, hidden by Delagoa thickets, nestles one of the most beautiful bushveld camps in the Kruger National Park. The camp is ideally situated between huge Jackalberry and Wild Fig trees, with vast numbers of other fauna and flora species in abundance. The area is a game viewers dream come true. Five things to seek: Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog, White Tailed Mongoose and Orange Breasted Bush Shrike Boulders Bush Lodge Boulders Bush Lodge is situated approximately 25km south of Mopani, and is embedded in the rocky outcrops found in the northern section of the Kruger National Park. The majestic rocks form a backdrop to the units that are built on stilts, with wooden boardwalks connecting the bedrooms to the communal area. The rooms are spaced closely together without losing their privacy, making it suitable for groups made up of close families and friends that want to experience nature’s tranquillity together. The viewing deck affords guests an unhindered view of the Mopane veld plains, surrounding a private waterhole. Five things to seek: Zebra, Buffalo, Giraffe, Tawny Eagle and Giant Eagle Owl Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp This small and delightful camp is situated in the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park, on the northern bank of the Crocodile River from which it derives its name. After an early morning game drive, one can retire from the Lowveld heat to a lunch of prawns before coming back for late afternoon game viewing. The game viewing area is known as the “Southern Circle” and is renowned for its concentration of different prides of lion with different hunting techniques and behaviour. It has an abundance of prides, herds, troops, packs and swarms. It is also home to a large percentage of the Kruger National Park’s total rhino population. Five things to seek: Lion, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Kudu and Giraffe Letaba Rest Camp The idyllic Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means “river of sand” and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds when owls, nightjars, fruit bats, frogs, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until a lion roars then all is silent. Five things to seek: Elephant, Bushbuck, Red Headed Weaver, Lala Palm and Fish Eagle Lower Sabie Rest Camp Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors can’t help but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the Lebombo Mountains beyond. At Lower Sabie the bounty and plenitude of nature are very evident, eloquently symbolised by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees, the mighty Sycamore Fig which provides generously for the livelihood of many birds and insects. Here you can relax and watch the endless procession of animals coming to drink at the Sabie River. Five things to seek: Leopard, Lion, Hippopotamus, Goliath Heron and Giant Kingfisher Malelane Satellite Camp Malelane Camp can be found where the rolling fields of sugar cane of the neighbouring farms and the majestic savannah of the Kruger National Park are separated by the mighty Crocodile River. Malelane is unique because it is the only camp to be placed on a boundary, the southern border of the Kruger National Park. Malelane has the added benefit of being a very small camp, with fewer guests than found in the main camps, adding to a more intimate bush experience. It is conveniently placed close to the Malelane Entrance Gate, the small town of Malelane and the N4 / Maputo Corridor. Five things to seek: Leopard, Rhinoceros, Wild Dog, Giant Sycamore Fig and Fish Eagle Maroela Satellite Camp Maroela is a small camp situated on the banks of the Timbavati River, on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park – approximately 2km east of Orpen Rest Camp. Maroela is one of only two camps in the park that exclusively caters for guests with caravans and for campers. There are no other pre-erected accommodation structures in this camp. There is a rustic viewing platform overlooking the Timbavati River, and visitors can indulge in watching a variety of animals that visit a small watering hole close to the fence. Five things to seek: Buffalo, Elephant, Hyena, Jackalberry and Thick Tailed Bush Baby Mopani Rest Camp On the banks of the Pioneer Dam in the Kruger National Park, lies it’s best kept secret, Mopane Rest Camp. Named after the mopane veld that surrounds the camp, Mopani Rest Camp nestles amongst the Mopani tree covered koppies. A huge gnarled old baobab tree is a signature feature in the heart of the camp. The vegetation inside the camp is left as found in the wild, adding to the unique atmosphere of the camp. Five things to seek: Waterbuck, Hippopotamus, Tsessebe, Mopani Trees and African Fish Eagle Olifants Rest Camp Visitors that stay at Olifants will be exposed to an unforgettable window of Africa. Olifants is situated on top of a hill which towers several hundred feet over the Olifants River, with lookout platforms maximising the views. Five things to seek: Lion, Elephant, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile and Martial Eagle Orpen Rest Camp Orpen is situated centrally on the western border of the Kruger National Park. It is a small camp that derived its name from the surname of the donor of the land, Eileen Orpen. The scattered trees and wide open plains covered by sweet grass attract many browsers.
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