Balule Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Balule Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Description

Deep in the heart of the Kruger National Park, in the most exquisite topography, lies a small satellite camp. Named 'Balule' after the Tsonga word for the Olifants River, this camp is one of the best places for guests to experience nature first hand. Situated more or less in the centre of the Park, just south of Olifants Camp, Balule lies close to the mighty Olifants River. With only the most basic of facilities and no electricity, a low fence is the only barrier that separates you from the wilderness, resulting in a true back to basics experience. It is this unique wilderness feel of the camp that makes it a firm favourite with backpackers, the caravanning community and other visitors who want to get away from it all.

Vital Information

Warnings

Please ensure that your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many exciting and unusual creatures but without knowledge some of them could be dangerous:

• Bats, Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions, Malaria Zone

If you must walk around at night please DO NOT DO SO WITHOUT A TORCH.

Remember: by feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become aggressive!

Climate

Kruger is in a summer rainfall area. Such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours. The summer months (October to April) are hot and often balmy. Winters are warm and mild, although visitors going on night-drives will require warm clothing.

Day visitors

Day visitors are not permitted in Balule. However, Olifants has a designated picnic area for day visitors. It is located behind the camp’s reception offices. Clear signage in the camp will direct you. Gas cooking facilities are available for rent.

Accommodation

Campsites

• 15 x tent or caravan sites, without power points. Communal ablutions and cooking facilities. Maximum of 6 people per site.

Huts

• 6 x rustic 3-bed huts with communal ablution facilities. The huts have no windows - only vents. There are no cooking utensils, crockery or cutlery, but a communal kitchen with scullery and gas stoves is available. Limited space is available in a communal freezer.

Balule camp is managed form Satara camp and has no Reception area. Guests are required to report to Satara or Olifants camps for check-in. Accommodation at Balule camp is ideal for backpacking, camping and caravanning communities looking for a self-catering bushveld experience.

Attractions

There are no activities available from Balule, however...

Guided Walks

Daily early morning and afternoon guided walks are available from most camps. Up to eight guests are taken to interesting places in the surrounding wilderness areas adjacent to most of the camps. The walk itself is relaxed and experienced and armed guides use their knowledge of the bush to explain natural wonders.

Trained field guides with backup rifles take groups of up to 8 people out into the bush for a few hours. Track rhino, elephant and lion on foot and learn and observe fascinating facts about the African bush. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes or boots, clothing applicable to the prevailing weather conditions and bring their own cameras and/or binoculars. No children under 13 allowed. Accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp. Form more information, contact the camp reception.

Game Drives

Sunset drives

This activity leaves before the sun sets and gets back once the sky is dark. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive.

Night Drives

Take part in the nocturnal activities of Kruger's secretive creatures. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive. The sunset drive departs at 17:00 and lasts at least 3 hours.

Morning drives

Leave at around 04.30 in summer and 05.30 in winter. Clients are to confirm with Reception the previous night when they book in to their accommodation. As per day walks, accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp, as walks/drives leave before the gates open officially. The drive’s duration is 3-4 hours.

5 Things to Seek

1. Hippopotamus
2. Elephant
3. Pel's Fishing Owl
4. Hyena
5. Goliath Heron

Facilities

There is no electricity in the camp, however, lanterns are provided

• A communal kitchen with scullery and gas stoves
• Communal freezer
• There are no shop or restaurant facilities available

Facilities

• There is no electricity in the camp, however, lanterns are provided.
• There is a communal kitchen with scullery and gas stoves, and a communal freezer.
• One ablution block is provided.
• There are no shop or restaurant facilities available.
• No reception office at camp.

Wheelchair Access

At Addo's main camp there are 2 chalets and 2 cottages adapted for use by people with physical impairment.

The chalets have ablutions that offer a choice between bath and roll-in shower with fold-down seat for transfer. However these units have particularly steep access paths where frailer persons may require assistance.

The cottages are new (March 2003) and have no gradient issue and are very comfortable inside. It only has a roll-in shower and no bath. The 2 guest cottages, while without specific adaptations to ablutions (grab-rails and elbow taps), have access ramps and may be an option.

There are access ramps and paths into reception, the shop, the public toilets and down to the viewing site overlooking the floodlit waterhole. However the highlight of the Addo Rest Camp is the PPC Discovery Trail which was built by the parks Honorary Rangers .  

It is a trail designed for all people, regardless of physical and sensory impairments, the opportunity to explore the succulent thicket habitat characteristic of Addo. Wheelchair users may park at the trail's start. The trail has a boardwalk surface enabling easy movement for wheelchair users and other mobility impaired people. There is a guide rope for length of the trail, to assist the visually impaired.

There are several information boards over the length of the trail explaining various aspects of the Addo Ecosystem. There are also a few resting points with benches where people can relax and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the thicket vegetation. Two spacious unisex toilets compliment the trail.

There is also an accessible toilet at the reception/shop/restaurant complex and there are ramps to the waterhole lookout and the SASOL Red Bishop bird-hide (also built by the honorary rangers).

There is additional accessible accommodation at Mathyolweni Camp near Colchester . 2 of the cottages are suitable for people with mobility difficulties, with ablutions with roll-in showers and grab rails. Accommodation elsewhere in the park is either at privately run concession sites (some of these may be fully or partially accessible), or in rustic camps where no adaptations have been made.

Directions