Picnic Sites
Most main rest camps have an area set aside for picnics and day visitors.
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.
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.
Location of Picnic Sites
See the detailed Kruger Park map (for sale at gates and shops) for the location of picnic sites, or enquire at your camp for further details about picnic sites in the vicinity.
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 30km 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 the H-9. Also hosts an archaeological ruins and display.
- Makhadzi – this site is on the road running from Malopenyana waterhole. It continues to Giriyondo Gate on the border with Mozambique. It contains 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.
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.