With over 20 national parks across South Africa and as many as 21 rest camps scattered from the south to the north of Kruger alone, it can be difficult to decide what destination and camp best suits your interests. With this in mind, we have put together this list of 5 SANParks camps in South Africa that are incredibly popular and offer unforgettable experiences.
The Sabie River is a great place to spot game throughout the year, particularly the dry season when animals congregate at the water's edge.Location: Southern Kruger ParkWhat makes it special: River views & various styles of accommodationAn inside look: Skukuza Restcamp nestles on the southern banks of the Sabie River, shaded by the trees along the river’s edge. Skukuza Rest Camp is loved by most because of its incredible collection of accommodation options: from campsites and safari tents to bungalows, cottages and guesthouses - there is something for everyone.The camp facilities at Skukuza are some of the best in the Kruger, including the world-class AM Spa with its four luxurious treatment rooms, two outdoor treatment rooms, pool and mani/pedi bar. From a game viewing perspective, Skukuza is a good place to see the Big 5 and predators such as wild dogs and hyenas.
The Lower Sabie River and surrounding savanna are potentially one of the best places in the park for sighting the Big Five. Guided game drives led by professional rangers offer the best opportunities.Location: Southern Kruger ParkWhat makes it special: River & mountain views An inside look: Lower Sabie Restcamp is one of the main camps in the Kruger, set on the banks of the Sabie River - a crucial source of water for the abundant wildlife. Lower Sabie Restcamp offers a soothing nature experience and the area surrounding the camp is known for its incredible predator sightings, particularly of lion, leopard and cheetah. There are also plenty of grazers, including rhino who are an important member of the iconic Big 5. The camp offers a variety of accommodation options including campsites, huts, bungalows, safari tents and a guesthouse. Some units are fully equipped with kitchens and en-suite bathrooms, whilst others utilize the ablution facilities that are serviced daily.
Storms River Mouth Rest Camp faces the Indian Ocean which is only meters away, so it is hard to miss the sound of waves breaking on the rocky shore.Location: Garden Route National ParkWhat makes it special: Resident-only beach & comfortable accommodations An inside look: Storms River Mouth Restcamp is located in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park - a destination known for its incredible birdlife, dolphin sightings and walking trails. From kayaking and lilo adventures to boat cruises and scuba diving excursions, Storms River Mouth Restcamp offers the perfect base from which to experience the best adventures of the multi-dimensional marine/forest national park.Storms River Mouth Restcamp boasts forest huts, forest cabins, chalets, oceanettes and cottages that overlook the pristine forest or ocean. Each unit is self-equipped except for the forest huts who utilize the camp ablution facilities.
Berg en Dal Camp offers open-vehicle game drives and bush walks led by a team of professional rangers who know the area well and understand animal behavior.Location: South-western corner of the Kruger National Park What makes it special: Unique surrounding landscape & Family-friendly An inside look: Berg-en-Dal is the only camp in the Kruger to sit in a rugged mountain environment and is loved by families who are looking for an affordable safari experience. The family cottages are fully-equipped and can accommodate as many as 6 people in one unit. No luxury lodge in the park can provide this kind of flexibility!The area around the camp is well-known for its frequent leopard sightings and wild dogs who love to drink from the Matjulu spruit. White rhino, giraffe and elephant also enjoy this area of the Kruger, making for some incredible game viewing not far from the camp.
Mopani offers a short walking trail that runs along the fence, which, in turn, runs along the Pioneer Dam - a vital source of water for various animals and bird species.Location: 74 kilometers from the Phalaborwa Gate, Northern Kruger ParkWhat makes it special: Unique atmosphere & spectacular dam viewsAn inside look: Mopani Restcamp nestles on the banks of the Pioneer Dam and features an old baobab tree at the centre of the camp. The camp’s location means that guests are afforded a rich game viewing experience without even leaving the camp, along with spectacular waterbird viewing and a unique game viewing hide that offers sleep-over experiences. Mopani Restcamp is equipped with good facilities and various accommodation options including a guest house, three-bedroom family cottages, luxury double bedroom cottages and one-bedroom bungalows.If you've enjoyed reading about our Top 5 SANParks Camps and wish to plan a trip to the Kruger National Park or Garden Route National Park, you can rest assured that neither of the above SANParks Camps will disappoint. We do however recommend that you speak to one of our African experts who will help you select a camp that is best suited to your travel needs.
