The Kruger National Park is considered to be one of the world’s best known wildlife sanctuaries. The park is 350 km’s long, bigger than many countries and in many cases it’s visitors only get to see the southern part.
If you head up north of the Letaba River, you will find hardly any tourists and fewer animals, but you’ll get to see some localised mammal and bird species that you won’t see in other sections of the park.
The northern section has three public rest camps out of the 21 and even though there is a slim chance of seeing one of the big 5, you will be very impressed with the wilderness. The best way to bring the bush alive is to hire the services of a good guide, for their knowledge of the north.
If you start off in the south and then make your way up north, the first camp you will encounter is Mopani. Here you’ll enjoy stunning views over the dam and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see Roan and Sharpe’s grysbok in this area.
One of the best camps is Shingwedzi, which lies on the river and just south of the camp you’ll get to view plenty of game. If you follow the road that traces the river to the Kanniedood Dam, you will find buffalo, elephants and greater kudu, as well as many of the regional bird species such as heron, kingfisher, stork and the rare broad-billed roller.
The upper northern rest camp is Punda Maria, here you can enjoy guided tours to the Thumela Heritage Site. It’s quite an experience exploring and learning about the ruins of a 16th-century royal village. These ruins resemble a smaller version of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, which happen to lie a few hundred kilometres north.
if you’re in a 4×4, you can head into Mozambique via the transfrontier park and then make your way to the coast…
Take advantage of the magnificent viewpoints once you reach the Luvuvhu River and then head up north to Crook’s Corner. Here the majestic fever tree forest is definitely worth a stop. The northern section of the park is a special treat because more often than none, you’ll have a water hole, picnic spot, camp site or viewpoint all to yourself.
Contact Shingwedzi
Tel: +27 (0)13 735 6806/7
Mobile: 082 889 4376
Contact Punda Maria
Tel: +27 (0)13 735 6873
Mobile: 082 802 0066
More info on the Limpopo area |