The Kruger National Park
Skukuza Rest Camp
Skukuza Rest Camp is the largest camp within the Park, and is located in the southern region on the banks of the Sabie River. As the largest camp in the Park it is also the only camp that offers an ATM (although you will be able to pay with your debit or credit card at the other camps). The list of conveniences at Skukuza also includes: a Laundromat, first aid centre, cafeteria and shop, two restaurants, public telephone, post office and bank, 9 hole golf course, a garage with workshop, emergency road services with petrol station and car wash, along with three new swimming pools.
The accommodation at Skukuza is similar to that at Satara and consists of either two or three bed bungalows, each equipped with an en suite bathroom (with either a shower or bath) and either air conditioning or ceiling fans. Some bungalows come with a kitchenette consisting of hotplates and/or sinks, and cutlery and crockery can be hired from reception. Please remember that our trips through the Kruger include breakfast and dinner whilst at Satara and Skukuza Rest Camps so very little, if any, cooking will be required on your part.
Animals and activities
All of the Big 5 animals can be found in the area surrounding Skukuza, and there is also a wide array of additional rare and fascinating animals to be found. Wild dog have been spotted in the area, and inside the camp itself there is a good chance of seeing warthog. At night there is a good chance of sighting the resident genet, thick tailed bush babies and fruit bats within the camp boundaries as well.
Along the river front visitors may be lucky enough to see hippopotamus and even buffalo wallowing in the water during the wet season.
The five species of animal/bird that are particularly noted to be in the Skukuza area are:
Vegetation surrounding the camp predominantly consists of riverine trees and shrubs due to the close proximity to the Sabie River, so jackalberry, Natal mahogany and sycamore fig are easy to spot. Sickle bush and knob thorn trees are also abundant.
With respect to birds Skukuza is a haven for bird spotting enthusiasts. As the camp is on the bed of the Sabie River pinfoot, woodland and half-collared kingfishers are often seen, and lesser masked and village (or spotted backed) weavers are prominent during the summer months. Early morning walks may yield a good spot of a little sparrowhalk, whilst riverine walks around the camp may result in sightings of the collared sunbird, the red backed mannikin, the bronze manikin, purple crested turaco (recently known as the purple crested lourie) and the orange breasted, grey headed and gorgeous bush strikes may be heard calling from close by. Paradise, black, dusky, spotted, grey tit (fantailed), ashy (bluegrey) and pale (pallid) flycatchers may also be seen.
