6 Favourite Picnic Spots in the Kruger

A quick guide to our 6 favourite Picnic Spots in the Kruger National Park.

1. N’wanetsi

N’wanetsi is located 25km east from Satara at the end of the H6 in the centre of the Kruger National Park. The reason why we love going to this spot is because it’s perfectly located for a halfway stop if you take a morning drive on the H6 and loop back on the S100 to Satara or the other way around. We’ve seen some of our best wildlife sightings on this route, from lions eating a giraffe carcass to a beautiful leopard marking its territory only 1km from the picnic spot.

N’wanetsi is a small and peaceful spot catering for those looking to prepare a full breakfast, or for those just wanting to stretch their legs. Not to be missed is the magnificent lookout point, walk up the hill and take in the jaw-dropping view of the park and the N’wanetsi River below. N’wanetsi is also located near the Sweni hide on the S37 just 2.4km from the H6. N’wanetsi is also the ideal picnic spot for day visitors entering the park through the Orpen Gate.

We recommend that you visit N’wanetsi picnic spot when you are staying overnight at any of the following camps:

• Satara
• Orpen
• Olifants
• Tamboti Tented Camp
• Maroela Satellite Camp
• Talamati Bushveld Camp
• Roodewal Bush Lodge
• Balule Satellite Camp

2. Nkuhlu

Nkuhlu Picnic Spot is situated on one of the most popular roads in the Kruger, the H4-1 between Skukuza and Lower Sabie. This road follows the course of the Sabie River and Nkuhlu is the only stopover between the two camps. We love this picnic spot because it overlooks the Sabie River and the lush greenery offers loads of shade and a forest-like ambience.

Nkuhlu has a small convenience store where you can get everything you need for a picnic. Watch out for the pesky monkeys, they are out to steal your food and can become aggressive when frightened.

Nkuhlu is an ideal picnic spot when you are staying overnight at any of the following camps:

• Skukuza
• Lower Sabie
• Crocodile Bridge

 

3. Mooiplaas

Hidden amongst the thick Mopanies lies Mooiplaas, located next to Tsendze Rustic Camp near the Mopani Rest Camp in the northern Kruger. Mooiplaas offers a lookout over the Tsendze River which makes it very likely to spot some hippos and elephants. Remember to bring along your binoculars as this is a great spot to do some bird watching while breakfast is being prepared. Take note that the ablutions here are not wheelchair friendly but the rest of the site is.

Mooiplaas is an ideal picnic spot when you are staying overnight at any of the following camps or hide:

• Mopanie
• Tsendze Rustic Camp
• Letbaba
• Boulders Bush Lodge
• Shimuwini Bushveld Camp
• Shipandani Overnight Hide

 

4. Tshokwane

Tshokwane is the only stopover (place where you may exit your vehicle) between the long stretch H1-3 between Skukuza and Satara, making it one of the biggest and busiest picnic spots in the park. It is also a favourite spot for safari tour operators to bring their guests, so be prepared for some crowds at times. We’ve put the bustling Tshokwane on our list because the delicious Kudu Rolls they sell are out of this world.

Tshokwane has a shop and cafeteria that offers a variety of meals from toasted sandwiches to burgers. The shop is well-stocked and you can buy coffee, ice creams, and even eggs and bacon.

We highly recommend you try the famous Kudu Rolls for breakfast or lunch.

Tshokwane is an ideal picnic spot or stopover when traveling from the north to south of the park or the other way round. We also suggest you visit Tshokwane when staying at any of the following camps:

• Skukuza
• Satara
• Lower Sabie
• Talamati Bushveld Camp

5. Babalala

Babalala is located in the northern Kruger between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria Camps. A stand out feature of the site is that the middle of the picnic spot is built around a beautiful Natal Mahogany Tree. This is a peaceful picnic spot where animals can be seen quenching their thirst from the water point next to Babalala.

You can visit Babalala when staying over at any of these camps:

• Shingwedzi
• Sirheni Bushveld Camp
• Punda Maria
• Bateleur Bushveld Camp

 

6. Timbavati

Located on the banks of the Timbavati River you will find one of the best picnic spots in the park and the tree in the centre of the picnic spot provides ample shade. Look out for the large baobab tree on your way there and make a stop at the Ratel Pan Hide nearby.

You can easily visit Timbavati Picnic Spot when staying at any of the following camps:

• Satara
• Orpen
• Olifants
• Tamboti Tented Camp
• Maroela Satellite Camp
• Talamati Bushveld Camp
• Roodewal Bush Lodge
• Balule Satellite Camp

 

Braai skottels (mobile frying pans on stands) are available to hire at a nominal fee from all the picnic spot listed above.

The next picnic spots that we want to go and visit are Pafuri near the Pafuri Border Gate, Makhadzi north of Letaba Rest Camp and Afsaal (Afsaal is under new management and we have been getting positive feedback since they took over).

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