Location: South Africa » Limpopo » Kruger National Park » Kruger National ParkKruger National Park - Mopani Rest CampMopani Rest Camp in Kruger National ParkDescription“An experience you’ll never forget” On the banks of the Pioneer Dam in the Kruger National Park, lies it’s best kept secret. Named after the mopane veld that surrounds the camp, Mopani Rest Camp nestles amongst the Mopani tree covered koppies. A signature feature is the huge gnarled old baobab tree in the heart of the camp. The vegetation inside the camp is left as found in the wild, adding to the unique atmosphere of the camp. Accommodation Bungalows • 43 x 4-bed units (2 single beds and 2 bunk beds in alcove), fully equipped with one bathroom, veranda with kitchenette and outside braai (barbecue). • 2 x 4-bed units, accessible to wheelchairs, (2 single beds and 2 bunk beds in alcove), fully equipped with one bathroom, veranda with kitchenette and outside braai (barbecue). Cottages • 12 x 4 bed units (1 room with 2 single beds and 2 sleeper couches in the lounge), fully equipped with two bathrooms (one en-suite), veranda with kitchenette and outside braai. Guest Cottages • 45 x 6 bed units (3 bedrooms with 2 single beds in each), fully equipped with two bathrooms (one en-suite) kitchen, lounge/dining area, large veranda and outside braai. Guest House • This is a large luxury unit in prime position with a view of the dam. It is well-equipped with kitchen (with microwave oven), multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV television is provided. Sleeping cottages are loose standing from the lounge/dining area. There are also braai (barbecue) facilities. Xanatseni: Sleeps 8, with 4 bedrooms, (1 room with a double bed, with 2 single beds each in the other rooms). One of the bedrooms is accessible to people in wheelchairs. 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 Mopani has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (barbecue) and picnic. This area is past the filling station to the right as one enters the camp gate. There are also picnic facilities with tended skottels at Mooiplaas (7 km by road south of the camp). Attractions•In camp trail walk • Shipandane sleep-over Bird Hide (located 3 km outside the camp) • Tropic of Capricorn: (located 12 km north of the camp) • Pioneer Dam Bird Hide (located 4 km outside the camp) • Wildlife films (shown daily at reception during office hours) 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.
  
Accolades | :Tourism Council of SA Star Grading |
TGCSA Star Grading FacilitiesFacilities • Information at Reception • Public Telephone (Phone cards on sale at Reception, Airtime available in the Shop) • Post Box • Restaurant • Ladies Bar • Cafeteria • Shop • Laundromat • Filling Station • Swimming Pool • Basic First Aid Assistance • Day Visitors Picnic Area in camp • DSTV (limited channels) only available in Guest House • TV in the Bar (DSTV with limited channels) • Car wash • Cellphone reception
DirectionsBy Air:
The closest airport to Mopani is Gateway Airport situated in Phalaborwa. Gateway is situated approximately 3 km from Phalaborwa Gate. There are daily scheduled flights between Gateway and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
By Road: Phalaborwa Gate
Take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg). 40 km before Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen, head towards Phalaborwa and the gate. Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate. Mopani camp is approximately 74 km away from the gate. Allow about 3 hours for the drive to the camp, however if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time! |