SANParks

Berg-en-Dal is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit with a view of softly undulating hills to the east.

On the northern and southern sides dry riverbeds and a dam border the camp. There are large trees along the streams and dry riverbeds. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp. Berg-en-Dal is also the only camp set in a rugged mountain environment.

The idyllic Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means “river of sand”, and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a firm favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent.

Also known as “Main Camp” it is the hub of the Park. This is where the majority of activities take place and where most of the accommodation offerings are located, and also where visitors will find The Park’s Shop and Cattle Baron Grill and Bistro.

A unique feature is the waterhole lookout point, floodlit at night, within the camp as well as the underground hide, allowing close encounters with wildlife at the waterhole. The evenings are punctuated with the calls of lion, spotted hyena and jackal while francolin and bokmakierie herald each dawn. Accommodation units are situated within easy walking distance of each other and of facilities such as the swimming pool, restaurant and shop.

Matyholweni, which means “in the bush” in isiXhosa is located near the coastal town of Colchester at the Sundays River Mouth.

A mere 3km off the N2 highway, Matyholweni is easily accessible and is the quickest gateway into the Park from Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth).

The Colchester/Matyholweni area of the Park has recently been consolidated and developed. The area is home to wildlife such as kudu, bushbuck, caracal, bushpig and warthog as well as smaller mammal species and birds. During 2009, the introduction of larger wildlife species such as Burchell’s zebra, red hartebeest and buffalo commenced. Elephant, lion and ostrich will be introduced in the future and eventually, the area will be joined with the main game area to allow natural movement of wildlife.

Vegetation in the area consists mainly of Albany Thicket. Areas of grassland are remnants of cleared pastures before the land was incorporated into the Park.

The Wolhuter Wilderness Trail is the first of the wilderness trails developed in the Kruger National Park and is situated roughly between Berg-en-Dal, Ship mountain and Afsaal picnic site. The area comprises of large granite rocks, deep valleys and wide, flat landscape which all make walking this trail beautifully scenic.  It was named after one of the first rangers that were appointed in the establishment of the Sabie Game Reserve in those days – 1902. Harry Wolhuter later in his career killed a lion single handedly with his hunting knife while out on patrol on horseback.

Plantlife is very diverse especially in the higher lying areas – this area is also classified as a botanical reserve within the Kruger National Park. The birdlife during summertime is a bird lovers dream as all the summer migrants return.

The Wolhuter Wilderness area is renowned for white rhino, and black rhino can also be found. Elephant and buffalo are regularly seen as well as sable, mountain and common reedbuck. Other more common species include zebra, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, blue wildebeest and warthog.

Culturally, Wolhuter Trail was a very active area in days gone by and a lot of relics of the past can be seen everywhere. Evidence of Bushmen and stone and iron age people can be found on the higher lying areas and rocky outcrops.