Game Drives from Skukuza to Satara


At Skukuza Camp
Paul Kruger Gate
Phabeni Gate
Phabeni to Skukuza
Rhino Koppies Route
Sabie Sands Loop
Skukuza to Lower Sabie
Skukuza to Satara
Tshokwane and Surrounds
Tshokwane to Lower Sabie
Tshokwane to Satara
Skukuza to Tshokwane (H1-2)
The road from Skukuza to Tshokwane (H1-2) climbs out of the thorn thickets of the Sabie River system into woodlands of bushwillows, terminalia and wild teak. Gradually, these woodlands give way to the more open savanna of the central grasslands where large herds of grazing animals and their predators are to be found.There are several good water holes on this road - the first being the cluster of Manzimanhle, Elephant's Drinking Hole and N'watindlopfu some 15km from Skukuza. Elephants may have favoured this area for thousands of years as there is a striking panel of ancient San rock art in a nearby granite hill that depicts four elephants. This is significant in that, of the 109 rock art shelters found in Kruger and studied by ranger Don English, only three depict elephants.The painting was discovered in 1987 by Ranger Sam Fourie and Kruger information officer Gert Erasmus. Fourie was subsequently trampled to death by an elephant a few years later in the Stolsnek area near the base camp of the Wolhuter hiking trail. Kruger elephant expert Ian Whyte has made a convincing case that elephants were not in abundance in Kruger before the proclamation of the Park and that human intervention is one of the direct causes of elephant over-population.Recommended Safari Lodges

This area has one of the highest populations of white rhino in Kruger so there is a good chance of seeing these animals during a walk. Hikers on walks in the concession have reported seeing elephant, giraffe, zebra and other big game during their outings, including lion. Two armed guards and a guide accompany each hiking party, which is limited to a maximum of eight people.
The upmarket Rhino Post Safari Lodge has eight luxury thatched chalets, each with a private deck overlooking the thick Mutlumuvi River bush. When the lodge was being built in 2000, workers reported that a leopard regularly strolled to the edge of the building site and watched the construction with interest. It has hung about the camp ever since.
The real gem at Rhino Post, however, is the Sleepout Deck where there are wooden platforms in the trees near the Shiteveteve spring, a regular game drinking spot. Guests sleep out under the stars, guarded by two rangers who will also do the cooking.