Situated on top of a hill, towering several hundred feet over the Olifants river, The camp offers a most spectacular panorama of rolling plains, dotted with Buffalo, Giraffe and Antelope amongst others.

Along the river itself, wildlife such as Lion, Crocodiles and Hippopotamus can be viewed, as well as an abundance of birdlife. Learn more about the camp by clicking on any of the items in the menu below;

GENERAL INFO	CLIMATE
MAP	ACCOMMODATION AVAILABILITY
FACILITIES	RESERVATIONS
ACCOMMODATION	TARIFFS
ACTIVITIES	HOW TO GET THERE

Bungalows at Olifants camp with spectacular view across the river and the surrounding bushveld
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General info,...

Visitors to the camp will experience an unforgettable window of Africa. Located near the eastern boundary almost in the middle of the Kruger National Park, the camp probably has the best settings from all the camps in the Park. It is situated on top of a hill, towering several hundred feet over the Olifants river, with lookout terraces along the camp’s perimeter offering visitors stunning views across the river and the bushveld below.

The nearest Kruger National Park entrance to the rest camp is Phalaborwa gate, about 82km away. "Olifant" is the Afrikaans word for Elephant, which are commonly found in the area. With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, The camp is situated close to the transition between thorn-veld and Mopane-veld savannah, offering visitors the enriching experience of game viewing in both eco-zones.


View from the perimeter of Olifants camp
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As far as the vegetation is concerned, The camp is surrounded by mountainous thornveld and mixed woodland. In the camp itself there is a profusion of trees and plants, some of which are scarce elsewhere in the Kruger National Park. It is probably the only accessible place in the Park where a Sesame bush can be seen. The Fever tree, Wild Fig and Euphorbia may be sighted along the river drive.

Because of the two distinct types of vegetation that can be found around Olifants rest camp, it attracts a wide range of wildlife, including Lion, Hyena, Elephant, Leopard, Duiker, Waterbuck, Baboon, Impala, Kudu, Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe and Ostrich, amongst others Home to the Kruger National Park’s original elephant herd, visitors will find a high elephant population in this region.


Giraffes crossing the road
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Like all the camps in the Kruger National Park, This camp has a varied and lively bird population. Red-winged Starlings are particularly prominent. Trumpeter Hornbills and Acacia Pied Barbets are regularly seen in the camp, and when the many Aloe plants are in flower, they act as a magnet for Sunbirds. Two birds to look out for outside the camp, are the White-fronted Plover and White-crowned Lapwing (Plover), both of which can be seen in the Olifants riverbed.

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Map,...


The African Jacana looking after its nest and eggs
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CLICK HERE... to view a map of the Kruger National park showing the location of Olifants rest camp, then click on the map to enlarge.

CLICK HERE... to view a map of the Olifants rest camp showing the lay out of the camp itself, then click on the map to enlarge.

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Facilities,...


Path running from the shaded lookout to the restaurant in the background
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The facilities amenities at the rest camp cater for a wide range of visitors requirements and needs, including a communal TV lounge offering cable television (with limited channels) for guests who enjoy sport or for those wanting to keep up with current affairs.Please note, there are no camping or caravanning facilities at the Camp, These are available at the nearby Balule Camp 11km (7 miles) away.

The information desk at the reception of the camp can give you detailed information about all the facilities available, which include the following;

• Information at Reception
• Public Telephone
• Post Box
• Restaurant
• Cafeteria
• Shop
• Laundromat
• Filling Station (cash and garage cards only)
• Communal Kitchens
• Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
• Basic First Aid Assistance
• Day Visitors Picnic Area in camp with gas "braais" (barbeques) for rent
• DSTV (limited channels) only available in Guest Houses and in TV hall
• Cell phone reception

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Accommodation,...


Bungalow at Olifants camp with stunning view across the river
The accommodation to be found at the camp consists of 2, 3 and 4 bed single-roomed thatched bungalows fitted with en-suite facilities and kitchenettes. All have air-conditioning and some are located on the perimeter of the camp with a wonderful view of the surrounding bushveld and the river below. All units include self-catering facilities and are serviced daily. Bedding, towels and soap are supplied.

The range of accommodation at the rest camp includes the following;

BUNGALOWS

• 105 x 2, 3 or 4-bed units, equipped with en-suite ablutions (most with showers, but some with baths) and all units with air-conditioning. Some units have kitchenettes while others have communal kitchens. Some are located on the perimeter edge with a wonderful vista of the river below. Please state your preferences of kitchen or view when booking.

GUEST COTTAGES

• 2 x 4-bed units (2 single beds in each bedroom), equipped with two bathrooms (one en-suite), air-conditioning, lounge/dining area, large veranda and outside “braai” (barbeque) area. The open air kitchen has a cooker plate and no microwave oven, dining room/lounge and outside “braai” (barbecue) facility, fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. More over you have a choice of with or without riverside view.

Outdoor area of Nshawu guest house at Olifants camp with stunning view
GUEST HOUSES

• Nshawu Guest House: Sleeps 8, with 4 bedrooms (2 single beds in each room)
• Lebombo Guest House: Sleeps 8, with 4 bedrooms (1 queen size bed and 2 single beds in the other rooms)
• These are large luxury units in prime positions, both with spectacular river view and several lookout decks. There are well-equipped kitchens (with microwave ovens), multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV televisions are provided.

Accommodation at the camp caters to a variety of guest requirements and is well suited for those guests that are looking for a self-catering bushveld experience.

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Activities,...


View across the river from the perimeter of the camp, with shaded lookout on the left
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Many people are attracted to the camp not only by the spectacular views, but also by some of the innovative activities that this camp has put together. The only guided mountain bike trails in the Kruger National Park are here at Olifants camp.

Next to guided game drives, walks and backpacking safaris, you can embark on a guided stargazing safari to a remote site on the river bank where a telescope is set up for the evening. Sundowners and refreshments are provided.

All bookings, as well as further details about these activities are available from the reception of the camp. Activities include the following;

• Guided Bush Walks
• Game Drives (in the company of trained field guides)
• Bush Breakfast and Bush Braai (Barbecue). Includes game drive to venue. Confirm availability when booking.
• Olifants Wilderness Trail (pre-booked overnight activity)
• Olifants River Back-Pack Trail
• Mountain Bike Trails
• Astronomy Drive (Stargazing)

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Climate...


View from the shaded lookout area at Olifants camp
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Kruger National Park lies in a summer rainfall area with occasional bursts of quick summer storms (which can be quite heavy) occurring later in the day, cooling the air and settling the dust. The summer months (October to April) are hot and often quite humid. Winters are warm and mild with cool evenings. Visitors going on night drives during the winter period may require warm clothing.

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How to get there,...


Entrance gate to Olifants camp
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BY AIR:

The closest airport to the camp is Gateway Airport at Phalaborwa. Gateway airport is situated approximately 3km from Phalaborwa gate entrance to the Kruger National Park. There are daily scheduled flights between Gateway and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The camp is approximately 86km away from Phalaborwa gate. With the speed limit inside the Park at 50km/hr on the main tar road, allow about 2 hours for the drive to the camp.

BY ROAD VIA PHALABORWA GATE:

Travelling from Johannesburg or Pretoria, take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg), 40km before Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen continue with the R71, heading towards Phalaborwa entrance gate of the Kruger National Park. Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate. Olifants camp is approximately 86km away from Phalaborwa gate, so allow about a further 2 hours for the drive to the camp, however if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time.

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Accommodation availability,...


This Buffalo is watching you
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CLICK HERE to view a monthly calendar with accommodation availability details of Olifants rest camp.

You will then be able to view the Accommodation availability page of the South African National Parks (SANparks) website, for Kruger National Park’s Olifants camp.

• If you click on the accommodation type, you will see the facilities and content of that particular accommodation unit.
• The accommodation code enables you to book a specific type of accommodation, if you provide it with your booking request.
• The figure between the square brackets [ ] is the number of units available at the specific time and date of your visit to the accommodation availability page.
• Please Note that the information is updated and therefore changing real-time on a continuous basis and that requests for reservations are processed on first-come, first-served basis.

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Reservations,...


Zebras
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CLICK HERE to book your reservation for the Olifants rest camp in the Kruger National Park on the official reservations page of the South African National Park's website.

Tariffs,...

CLICK HERE to view the tariffs applicable for the Olifants rest camp on the official tariff page of the South African National Parks (SANparks) website.

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