Pretorius Kop, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Pretorius Kop, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Description

“Your home away from home”

When the world was still young, some 3 500 million years ago, molten rock forced its way through the earth's crust and solidified to form the spectacular granite outcrops where Pretoriuskop Rest Camp is now nestled. The impressive granite dome known as “Shabeni Hill” is not far from the camp, which is found in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. It is immediately apparent to any visitor that Pretoriuskop is unique as brilliant red trees adorn the camp, pre-dating the decision to make exclusive use of indigenous plants in laying out rest camp gardens. Nostalgia prompted an exception to the rule for Pretoriuskop, the Kruger National Park's oldest rest camp, and exotic flowering plants were allowed to stay, enhancing the strong sense of the past that is so pervasive.

Accommodation

Huts

• 30 x rustic 2, 3, 5 or 6-bed units with ceiling fan and communal ablution facilities. There are no cooking utensils, crockery or cutlery, but a communal kitchen with scullery and electric hotplates is available.
• 46 x rustic 2, 3, 5 or 6-bed units with communal ablution facilities. There are no cooking utensils, crockery or cutlery, but a communal kitchen with scullery and electric hotplates is available. Equipped with fridge and air-conditioning.

Bungalows

• 52 x 2, 4 or 6-bed units. Units are equipped with ablutions (most with showers, but some with baths) and air-conditioning. Some have both hotplates and sinks. You have a choice of kitchenette or communal kitchen, as well as with or without perimeter view. A limited number of fully equipped utensil boxes (cutlery, crockery, glasses and frying pan) are available for hire. (Confirm when booking if you would like a choice of double or single bed).

Family Cottages

• 4 x 6-bed units (3 bedrooms with 1 double bed and 4 single beds) with well equipped kitchens, air-conditioning and living rooms. One bedroom has a bathroom en-suite (bath, toilet and washbasin) and there is a separate toilet, shower and washbasin for communal use. The kitchen has a gas stove (with oven), fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.
• 1 x 4-bed units (2 bedrooms with 1 double bed and 4 single beds) well equipped with air-conditioning, kitchen and living room. One bedroom has a bathroom en-suite (bath, toilet and washbasin) and there is a separate toilet, shower and washbasin for communal use. The kitchen has an electric hotplate, fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.

Guest Houses

• These are large luxury units in prime positions inside the camp. There are well-equipped kitchens (with microwave ovens) and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms (some with showers and baths, others with baths only). Bedrooms are housed in separate units from the main living area. TVs with limited DSTV channels are provided.

• Pierre Joubert: Sleeps 16, with 4 bedrooms (2 single beds plus 2 bench beds in each room)

• Doherty Bryant: Sleeps 9, with 3 bedrooms (1 double bed and 1 single bed in each room).

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

Pretoriuskop has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (Barbecue) and picnic. This area is immediately on the left of the camp’s entrance gate. Afsaal picnic site is 33 km away along the Voortrekker road to Malelane.

Attractions

• Napi Wilderness Trail (pre-booked overnight activity)
• Madlabantu 4x4 Adventure Trail (weather sensitive activity)
• Sable Trail camp walk

Kruger: 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.

Kruger 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.

Kruger: Bush Braais and Bush Breakfasts

This unforgettable experience is not to be missed. A game drive leads you to an open area filled with burning lanterns and fires where, whilst listening to the sounds of the bushveld and the distant animals calling, the food is grilled on open fires. A variety of game meat and sausage is on offer, together with delicious vegetables and a variety of salads. Freshly prepared deserts and coffee or tea complete a wonderful evening. A cash bar facility is also available.

To get you started on the type of bush braai you would like - there is the Standard Bush Braai and the Ad-hoc Bush Braai:

• Standard Bush Braai
  • Departs in the afternoon with a game drive to the bush braai site (for a maximum of an hour).
  • Will arrive at the site where the meal will be in the process of preparation (planned not to exeed about 90 minutes with a maximum of 2 hours).
  • Guests will be briefed on safety, toilet routine and how to conduct themselves.
  • During the whole event at the site, the guide would be host and in control of guests while leading discussions and answering questions.
  • Return game drive will coincide with some night game viewing (about 30 minutes).
• Ad-hoc Bush Braai
  • This is a bush braai that is provided on request.
  • Additional resources need to be obtained, e.g. guides, vehicles and rifles.
  • Booking is for one group who then negotiate terms (price and programme).
  • The costing and pricing of Ad Hoc Bush Braais would need to be well planned and should be done in consultation with the manager, activities. Crucial elements would include transport costs for possibly hiring additional vehicles or bringing them from other locations and hiring of additional staff.

Facilities

Facilities

• Information at Reception
• Public Telephone
• Post Box
• Restaurant
• Cafeteria
• Shop
• Laundromat
• Filling Station
• Communal Kitchens
• Communal Ablutions
• Swimming Pool
• Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
• Basic First Aid Assistance
• Day Visitors Picnic Area in camp
• DSTV (limited channels) only available in Guest Houses
• Cellphone reception

Directions