Kruger rest camps (SANParks)

Campsite in Kruger National Park

From $37 per night

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 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. It is this unique wilderness feel of the camp that makes it a firm favourite with backpackers, the caravanning community and other visitors who want to get away from it all.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $171 per night

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 eagle, Bateleur, being the oldest and the smallest of the bushveld camps, 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, Silwervis and Rooibosrand, 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.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $98 per night

Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east. On the northern and southern 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. Berg-en-Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $109 per night

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 Wild Fig and Jackalberry trees with vast numbers of other fauna and flora species in abundance. The area is a game spotter’s dream come true.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $419 per night

Boulders Bush Lodge, situated approximately 25km south of Mopani, is embedded in the rocky outcrops found in the north 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.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $47 per night

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 home to a larger percentage of the Kruger National Park‘s total rhino population. Come and experience humans living in harmony with nature. Here one has the ability to experience the sharp contrast between the wilderness and the world out there.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $49 per night

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 firm favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $28 per night

Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. Visitors cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the Lebombo Mountains beyond. In this rest camp, 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. Not only do these giants produce fruit at least twice a year, but different trees produce fruit at different times, extending the gifts of life over many months. Watching the endless procession of animals coming to drink at the Sabie River establishes a sense of one’s own place in the eternal cycle.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $90 per night

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 powerful Crocodile River. The camp is unique because it is the only camp to be placed on a boundary, the southern border of the Kruger National Park. Malelane camp 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. Conveniently placed close to the Malelane Entrance Gate, the small town of Malelane and the N4 / Maputo Corridor, it offers classic Kruger self catering accommodation and camping facilities.

Campsite in Kruger National Park

From $25 per night

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. This camp 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. Close to the fence, visitors can indulge in watching a variety of animals that visit a small watering hole. There is also a rustic viewing platform overlooking the Timbavati River.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $93 per night

On the banks of the Pioneer Dam in the Kruger National Park, lies its best kept secret. Named after the mopane veld that surrounds the camp, Mopani Rest Camp nestles amongst the Mopani tree covered koppies. A signature feature is the huge gnarled old baobab tree 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.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $86 per night

Guests that visit Olifants will be exposed to an unforgettable window of Africa. The camp is situated a top a hill which towers several hundred feet over the Olifants river. Views from the lookout platforms allow one to see the river below, just as a soaring eagle would survey it, as it hunts from the skies.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $102 per night

Orpen Rest Camp 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. This in turn, attracts the eye-catching cheetah, lion and leopard. Well known for its diversity of habitat and wildlife, Orpen offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience close encounters with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard in a natural environment. Wild dog, cheetah, zebra and giraffe are also indigenous to this area, a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $183 per night

The Pafuri Border Rest Camp lies in the northern most part of the Kruger National Park, in close proximity to Punda Maria, near the confluence of the Luvubu and Limpopo rivers. Visitors will find themselves in some of the most potentially productive birding territory in South Africa.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $31 per night

When the world was still young, some 3 500 million years ago, molten rock forced its way through the earth’s crust and solidified to form the spectacular granite outcrops where Pretoriuskop Rest Camp is now nestled. The impressive granite dome known as “Shabeni Hill” is not far from the camp, which is found in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. It is immediately apparent to any visitor that Pretoriuskop is unique as brilliant red trees adorn the camp, pre-dating the decision to make exclusive use of indigenous plants in laying out rest camp gardens. Nostalgia prompted an exception to the rule for Pretoriuskop, the Kruger National Park’s oldest rest camp, and exotic flowering plants were allowed to stay, enhancing the strong sense of the past that is so pervasive.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $75 per night

Punda Maria lies in the northern most part of the Kruger National Park, 8km from Punda Maria Gate. The camp is situated in the Sandveld region that is often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant species which occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo, elephant, eland and sable and the area is a bird paradise.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $593 per night

Roodewal Bush Lodge is a secluded lodge situated 44km north of Satara, on the banks of the Timbavati River. Riverine plant life, like Natal Mahogany and Jackalberry trees, create a picturesque view from the braai area, only to be crowned by the brightness of the stars at night. The unique quality of this camp is due to the extreme privacy of each individual sleeping unit, making it ideal for celebration parties, corporate think-tanks and small intimate wedding parties. Not only is the whole camp occupied by the party making the booking, but the units are spaced to offer privacy to each guest / family occupying that unit. Another special feature is the private viewing deck, built on stilts and overlooking the Timbavati River.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

Price on request

Sable Sleepover Hide, situated approximately 10km from of Phalaborwa Gate, is a unique accommodation facility where guests can feel part of nature. A bird hide by day, it transforms into a primitive overnight dwelling by night, where a select few can experience the Kruger National Park nightlife first hand. The hide overlooks the Sable Dam where an abundance of animals gather to drink. Hear the lion roar and the hippo grunt meters away from where you are sleeping and know this is a true African experience.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $106 per night

Satara is a busy camp, and not without reason. It is situated in an excellent game viewing area, with the bush relatively open and the animals plentiful and diverse. The camp itself has a rustic charm, with the bulk of the accommodation set out in a series of circles. Satara is well wooded and the bird-life is prolific. At night the clink of fruit bats is fused with the chirping of cicadas and crickets. The calls of owls and nightjars add to the symphony that is punctuated intermittently by the whoop of hyena, the screech of jackal and the roars of lion.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $103 per night

Shimuwini is a Shangaan word for “Place of the Baobab Tree”. The camp is so named because the nearby Letaba River which fronts the cottages, is lined with these huge trees, one of them estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Shimuwini Bushveld Camp is the most modern of the bushveld camps, being completely rebuilt after the floods in 2000.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $44 per night

Shingwedzi lies in the northern part of the Kruger National Park in the heart of mopane country. A scenic game drive along the Shingwedzi River in a south-easterly direction towards the Kanniedood Dam is one of the most rewarding drives in the Park. Waterbuck, nyala, kudu and elephant are often seen here and the bird life is prolific. Staying overnight at Shingwedzi is an experience that will last a lifetime. It is a rustic camp that still carries the essence of the bush and is untouched by modern technology. Experience magical evenings where the accommodation is arranged in two separate circles and the glow emanating from braai (barbecue) stands cast a tranquil spell.

Kruger rest camp

Price on request

Shipandani Sleepover Hide, situated approximately 3km south of Mopani on the Tsendze River, is a unique accommodation facility where guests can feel part of the nature. A bird hide by day, it transforms into a primitive overnight dwelling by night, where a select few can experience the Kruger National Park nightlife first hand. Large buffalo herds and many elephant bulls frequent the area meters away from where you are sleeping. This is your chance to experience Africa in its truest form.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $102 per night

‘Sirheni’ is a Tsonga word that means ‘cemetery’, after a type of elephant graveyard at a site near to the camp. Sirheni Bushveld Camp nestles on the edge of the Kruger National Park’s northern plains within the Mopane veld of the region. The Mphongolo River lies next to the camp. The accommodation facilities and the camp’s two bird hides overlook the river and a wide variety of game and birds are attracted to it. Visitors have been awakened to the sounds of lion and hyena, as there are often kills at the river. Sirheni has a resident leopard that is seen on a regular basis, often coming down to drink at the river.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $47 per night

Skukuza is the Kruger National Park’s largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie River. The camp is well foliaged and there are some lofty trees along the river’s edge. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $108 per night

Talamati is a Xitsonga word that means “Lots of Water”. Yet, despite the meaning of the name, the river is actually dry. The clay soil however, acts as a giant sponge holding a vast reservoir of underground water and keeping the vegetation lush all year round. Talamati Bushveld Camp is situated in a large open valley, affording superb game viewing opportunities. The luxuriant grassveld in the area attracts large herds of grazers, and the predators never lurk too far behind.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $47 per night

Tamboti tented camp 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. Due to the size and location of this camp, Tamboti is one of the most popular camps in the Park. A great feature is a boma, which makes it ideal for small groups of people to gather around the campfire and relive the animal sightings of the day. For the birding enthusiasts, Tamboti offers a bird hide in which to spend hours looking for that exclusive raptor that has up to now eluded you. The natural bush feeling is kept inside the camp, which has the result of emphasizing guest privacy.

Kruger rest camp in Kruger National Park

From $24 per night

Tsendze, the Tsonga word for ‘tsendzeleka’ or ‘to ramble around like someone lost in the bush’ is the newest accommodation addition to the Kruger National Park. As its name implies, it provides a rustic experience within the natural environment. Located approximately 7 km south of Mopani Rest Camp, the campsites are laid out in a rough figure of eight under and around stands of ancient and beautiful Leadwood, Mopane and Apple Leaf trees. Two prominent seasonal water courses, the Tsendze River and Nshawu Creek, run through this area that is known for the large buffalo herds and many elephant bulls that occur here. Guests can look out for ‘Alexander’, a current big tusker with rather impressive ivory, who is often encountered in the area and along the main tarred route between Tsendze and Mopani Rest Camp. With its abundance of large trees in the camp, Tsendze offers great birding opportunities right around your very campsite.