A 4-Day Kruger National Park Adventure. Exploring Numbi Gate, Scenic Picnic Spots, and Prime Wildlife Viewing
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Around Numbi Gate
Morning: Arrival at Numbi Gate
Enter through Numbi Gate early (gates typically open at 5:30 AM in summer and 6:00 AM in winter).
Collect your map and confirm the day’s routes with the gate staff.
Best route for your first drive:
Take the S3 (Shabeni Loop), a scenic drive with excellent views of granite outcrops and a good chance to spot elephants, zebras, and giraffes.
Lunch: Pretoriuskop Rest Camp
Head to Pretoriuskop, the closest rest camp, for lunch at the camp restaurant or picnic area.
Stretch your legs and explore the camp’s lush gardens.
Afternoon Drive:
Take the H1-1 towards Skukuza, stopping at waterholes like Shitlhave Dam and Transport Dam, known for hippos and predators.
Evening: Return to Pretoriuskop
Stay overnight at Pretoriuskop Rest Camp, which offers various accommodation types. Enjoy an evening game drive (book at the camp reception) or relax by the campfire.
Day 2: Skukuza Area
Morning: Sunrise Drive to Skukuza
Drive along the H1-1, stopping at viewpoints and dams for wildlife sightings.
Detour onto the S65 (Waterhole Road), a quieter route with good chances of spotting leopards and rhinos.
Breakfast: Skukuza Rest Camp
Have breakfast at Skukuza, the park's largest camp, with a riverside restaurant.
Midday: Sabie River Drive
Explore the H4-1 (Skukuza to Lower Sabie), a road rich with wildlife due to its proximity to the Sabie River.
Stop at the Nkulu Picnic Spot for a snack or a picnic lunch.
Afternoon: Return to Skukuza
Take the S30 (Salitje Road) back to Skukuza for a scenic loop.
Overnight: Stay at Skukuza Rest Camp and consider a night drive.
Day 3: Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge
Morning: Early Drive to Lower Sabie
Take the H4-1 road again, but focus on spotting predators like lions and leopards near the river.
Detour onto the S28 for a quieter, game-rich route leading toward Crocodile Bridge.
Breakfast: Lower Sabie
Have breakfast at the Mugg & Bean in Lower Sabie with stunning river views.
Midday: Explore the S28
This road is fantastic for cheetah and rhino sightings. Stop at waterholes like Gezantfombi Dam.
Evening: Crocodile Bridge
Overnight at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, a smaller and peaceful camp near the park’s southern boundary.
Day 4: Final Drive and Exit
Morning: Sunrise Drive Near Crocodile Bridge
Take the S25 (Crocodile River Road), which offers a picturesque drive with frequent sightings of lions, elephants, and antelope.
Stop at viewpoints like Hippo Pools for excellent birdwatching.
Midday: Exit via Numbi Gate
Start heading back toward Numbi Gate, taking scenic detours like the S3 for a final wildlife experience.
Here’s a list of picnic spots in Kruger National Park that align with your planned route near Numbi Gate, Skukuza, Lower Sabie, and Crocodile Bridge. These spots are ideal for breaks, meals, and stretching your legs while enjoying the park's scenery.
Day 1: Near Numbi Gate
Afsaal Picnic Spot
Location: Along the H3, about an hour's drive from Pretoriuskop Rest Camp.
Features:
Shaded seating areas.
Small shop with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
Gas skottels (portable gas grills) available for hire to cook your own meal.
Wildlife: Known for sightings of vervet monkeys, hornbills, and occasional bushbuck.
Day 2: Skukuza Area
Shitlave Dam Viewpoint (Not a formal picnic spot)
Location: On the H1-1, between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza.
Features:
Perfect for a quick stop to observe hippos, birds, and crocodiles.
No facilities, so bring your snacks.
Wildlife: Frequented by elephants and impalas.
Skukuza Picnic Area (Inside Skukuza Camp)
Location: Within Skukuza Rest Camp.
Features:
Riverside tables with a view.
Restaurant and shop nearby for supplies.
Wildlife: Great for birdwatching along the Sabie River.
Day 3: Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge Area
Nkulu Picnic Spot
Location: Between Skukuza and Lower Sabie on the H4-1.
Features:
Beautiful setting under large trees by the Sabie River.
Gas skottels available for hire.
Basic restrooms.
Wildlife: Hippos, crocodiles, and birds are common sightings.
Lower Sabie Picnic Area
Location: Inside Lower Sabie Rest Camp.
Features:
Riverside seating.
Mugg & Bean restaurant for meals or takeout.
Wildlife: Watch for elephants, hippos, and water birds near the river.
Day 4: Near Crocodile Bridge
Crocodile Bridge Picnic Area (Inside the Camp)
Location: Inside Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp.
Features:
A small, peaceful area ideal for breakfast or lunch.
Facilities include tables and gas skottel rentals.
Wildlife: Look for vervet monkeys, impalas, and occasional lions near the bridge.
Hippo Pools Viewpoint (Not a formal picnic spot)
Location: Near Crocodile Bridge on the S25.
Features:
No formal seating but offers breathtaking views of hippos and crocodiles in the water.
Wildlife: Frequent sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds.
Additional Tips for Picnic Spots:
Skottel Braais: Many picnic spots rent gas skottels for cooking. Bring your own utensils, or hire them at certain locations.
Pack Supplies: Carry your own snacks, water, and utensils to save time and ensure flexibility.
Respect Wildlife: Keep food secured and do not feed animals like baboons or monkeys.
General Tips:
Malaria Precautions: Numbi Gate is in a low-risk area, but precautions like mosquito repellent are advisable.
Pack Snacks and Drinks: Rest camps have restaurants, but bringing snacks ensures flexibility.
Binoculars: Useful for spotting birds and distant wildlife.
Fuel: Fill up at camps like Skukuza or Pretoriuskop to avoid running low.
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