The Kruger National Park is the most visited game park in South Africa because of its incredible concentration of wildlife, wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and a subtropical climate that make safaris possible all year round.
Rest camps are a popular choice for travellers seeking an authentic and rustic experience in the heart of the bushveld. With seventeen rest camps to choose from in the Kruger, travellers have the freedom to choose an accommodation style that best suits them, as well as have the option of preparing their own meals or dining in a restaurant. Travellers can also choose to self-drive in the park or book as little or as many guided safari activities that they want.
It is for this reason that rest camps are often the first choice for many. But it isn’t always easy securing reservations at popular camps such as Skukuza which is a favourite for those long weekends, school holidays, and the festive season.
Skukuza Rest Camp is the biggest in the Kruger, with great facilities such as a grocery shop, an ATM, internet cafe, restaurant, library, gas station, and conference venue. The accommodation options are also extensive with a choice of campsites, safari tents, guest houses, bungalows, and cottages.
The camp is a great place from which to pursue the famous Big Five and offers an incredible selection of activities, including guided game drives and bush walks, wilderness trails, and golfing on a 9-hole golf course.
The Easter weekend along with the July and December school holidays are when the camps are busiest in the Kruger, with Skukuza Rest Camp generally booking out completely. The months of August and September are the most favourable for game viewing due to the drier climate. Animals tend to congregate around the waterholes and with a less dense bush, one doesn’t have to work as hard to spot animals.
With reservations opening up eleven months in advance, travellers should plan their holidays well in advance to avoid disappointment. We recommended that travellers wanting to stay at camps like Skukuza during the peak times should send in their requests even before bookings officially open.
