Why Skukuza is still South Africa’s Favourite Rest Camp
Skukuza Rest Camp is at the heart of the big five game reserve and is a favorite amongst local and international visitors. Whether you choose to self-drive or visit the Kruger National Park as part of a tour, the camp has everything you could possibly need and more.
The area in which Skukuza Rest Camp nestles was once the location for a railway bridge that connected Komatipoort with Tzaneen in the northern reaches of the Lowveld during the gold rush.
The Selati Train would cut across the Sabie Game Reserve for approximately eight kilometers and stop at the Sabie Bridge which can still be seen at Skukuza today. Passengers would stay on the train overnight and continue on their journey the following morning.
With the introduction of a nine-day train trip through the Lowveld in 1923, the stop in Sabie became a highlight for passengers who would often see a variety of wildlife, and so in 1926, the reserve was proclaimed South Africa’s first National Park.
With the concern of disruption to the wildlife in this area, the Sabie Bridge seized to exist and Skukuza Rest Camp, which is now the Kruger National Park’s headquarters and biggest rest camp, was established.
Skukuza Rest Camp is at the heart of the big five game reserve and is a favorite amongst local and international visitors. Whether you choose to self-drive or visit the Kruger National Park as part of a tour, the camp has everything you could possibly need and more. With the camp’s close proximity to Skukuza Airport, visitors even have the option to self-drive or fly-in, making those weekend getaways that much easier.
The camp boasts a range of standard to moderate luxury accommodation, along with world-class facilities such as a conference centre, a 9 hole golf course, two restaurants, two swimming pools, a gas station, guided morning, sunset, and night game drives; wilderness walks, and visits to a nearby bird hide.
The Sabie River which generally flows all year round attracts an abundance of wildlife, making Skukuza one of the top game viewing locations in the Kruger National Park. Visitors to Skukuza Rest Camp generally sight the big five, with lions frequently seen roaming the area.
The birdlife at Skukuza is too one of the best in the park, with frequent sightings of hornbills and kingfishers. The Lake Panic Bird Hide is positioned seven kilometers from the camp and offers the opportunity to photograph birds and other incredible wildlife.
