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Pretoriuskop
Guide to accommodation in the greater Kruger Park area
Pretoriuskop Main Camp
Location in Kruger Park
Kruger National Park
Pretoriuskop Main Camp
Pretoriuskop is situated in the south-western part of the Kruger National Park only 9 km from Numbi Gate. The camp lies in a hilly region with many interesting, picturesque rocky outcrops. Rare antelope species like sable and Liechtenstein’s hartebeest as well as rhino may be sighted in this area as well as the more prolific species such as impala, zebra and wildebeest.
The chance of seeing small herds of Sable, Eland and Liechtenstein’s Hartebeest make Pretoriuskop a special destination. Black and white rhino, buffalo and elephant are all to be seen on the loop roads around the camp. The numerous rocky outcrops should be searched for rock hyrax and klipspringer and oribi and red duiker (these two latter species though difficult to find are more or less restricted to this part of the park). A visit to the Metsel Dam will produce hippopotamus, while a stop at the Shitlhave Dam can produce reedbuck. On the carnivore front, wild dog are frequently recorded in the area and, despite the dense grass, so are cheetah. Spotted Hyena and Leopard should also be searched for.
In the camp itself look for Greencapped Eremomela, Brownheaded Parrot, Cutthroat Finch, Redheaded Weaver and several sunbird species. Black Cuckoo (summer) and Gorgeous Bush Shrike can be heard calling from the dense bush surrounding the camp. The Pretoriuskop region is one of the best areas in the Park to see Pennantwinged Nightjar, Blackbellied Korhaan and Redcollared Widow.
Pretoriuskop is in an area of thick vegetation, tall grass and unpalatable sour veld. Only below the drainage line is there quality sweeter grass for grazers. The most dominant tree is the silver cluster-leaf. In the camp itself there are some fine examples of Natal mahogany, marula and sycamore fig.
Accommodation at Pretoriuskop
Guest Houses
- Pierre Joubert: 16-bed (with 8 beds + bench beds)
- Doherty Bryant: 9-bed (with 3 double beds and 3 single beds)
Both guest houses are fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms (some with showers and baths, others with baths only), kitchen, television, lounge and dining room. Bedrooms are housed in separate units with communal braai (barbeque) and kitchen area.
Family Cottages
6-bed units (3 bedrooms with 1 double bed and 4 single beds) with well equipped kitchens and living rooms. One bedroom has a bathroom en-suite (bath, toilet, and washbasin), and there is a separate toilet, shower and washbasin. The kitchen has a gas stove (with oven), fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.
Bungalows
2, 4 or 6-bed rooms. 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.
Huts
2, 3, 5 or 6-bed rooms with communal ablutions and kitchen. You have a choice of a hut with no fridge or a hut with fridge and air-conditioning.
Campsites
Tent or caravan sites, with power point, communal ablutions and cooking facilities, maximum of 6 persons per site.
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.
Facilities
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephones
- Post Box
- Basic First Aid Assistance
- Inhlatfu Restaurant
Pretoriuskop Restaurant is known as Inhlatfu meaning python or large snake, in Shanghaan, as there is a large snake on the wall. The new restaurant was built in October 2002 and can seat 120 people. Inhlatfu offers guests a Buffet Breakfast, Ala-Carte Lunch a Buffet Dinner and a Quick Service Restaurant. We also cater for "Bush Braai's (Barbecue) & Bush Breakfasts" and have two unique sites. Our sites are totally unfenced and the bush experience at night is out of this world. Night drives take guests out to the Bush Braai (Barbecue) site and regular leopard sightings are often enjoyed.
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Cutlery and Plates Hamper
- Emergency Road Service
- Petrol Station
- Laundromat
- DSTV Only Available in Guest Houses
- Communal Kitchens
- Picnic Facilities
- Swimming Pool
Activities
- Morning, Sunset and Night Drives
- Morning and Day Walks
- Guided Bush Walks and Drives (in the company of trained field guides)
- Camp Walk (Sable Trail)
- Napi Wilderness Trail
- Picnic Sites in Kruger National Park
- Madlabantu 4X4 Adventure Trail:
- Madlabantu (Man-eater) trail begins on the Pretoriuskop - Fayi loops and winds southwards towards, and then along the Nsikazi river. This part of the Kruger National Park has the highest densities of white rhino and large numbers of the other Big 5 species. The trail last for about 42 km and it brings you into close contact with some of the Kruger National Park's most stunning environments and its wildlife. Although not challenging, a four by four vehicle with low range capacity is essential to minimize the chances of mishaps. The trail has dongas or riverbeds to be negotiated, and it can be treacherous in wet season. Ask for more details at reception.
- Wildlife Films
These activities will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings as well as further details for these activities are available from reception.
Extra Information
- Plan your trip – do not try and cover too great a distance. Kruger is a massive tract of land and frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. Slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground.
- Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
- Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
- Do not leave any food unattended, as thieving monkeys and baboons are a constant threat.
- The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar and 40 km/h on gravel.
- Visitors are not permitted to leave their vehicle other than at designated get out points and rest camps.
- Pets are not permitted in a national park.
- Firearms must be declared at the entrance gate and sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
- Open vehicles must obtain the necessary permit.
- Feeding of the animals is strictly prohibited for yours and the animal’s safety and well-being.
- Kruger is a malaria zone. See Malaria Map / Info for further details.
Climate
Kruger Park lies in a summer rainfall area with possible downpours occurring later in the day. The summer months (October to April) are hot. Winter’s are warm and mild, with very cool evenings.
Gate Hours
| Gate Times | Nov-Jan | Feb | Mar & Oct | Apr | May-July | Aug-Sept |
| Park Gates Open | 05:30 | 05:30 | 05:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 |
| Camp Gates Open | 04:30 | 05:30 | 05:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 |
| Park& Camp Gates Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:00 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
