Where can you have a picnic in the Kruger National Park?

Planning a day visit to the Kruger National Park, as part of a pre-planned Kruger Park safari or a self-drive? Instead of eating in a restaurant, why not pack a picnic basket?

Scattered around the Kruger National Park, there are several picnic spots for guests to enjoy.  Many of these are en-route to the next rest camp while others in the actual camps themselves.  The picnic spots all have Gas “Skottels” (mobile frying pans on stands) that you can hire for a nominal fee and you don’t have to bother cleaning them after use as there are picnic spot attendants that will wash up for you. 

Some of the picnic areas that are not in a camp also have shops that sell basic picnic requirements as well as refreshments.

Let’s have a closer look region by region.

Marula Region

The Marula Region is situated between the Crocodile and the Sabie Rivers in the south of the Kruger National Park. 

• At Skukuza Camp, just down-stream from the main camp, there is a picnic area as well as a swimming pool and small shop.
• Afsaal is a popular picnic area under trees that also has a small shop. Afsaal can be found between Skukuza and Malelane on the H3 road.
• Nkuhlu is situated on the banks of the Sabie River on the H4-1 between Lower Sabie and Skukuza. This picnic area also has its own small shop.
• Albasini Ruins picnic area is a very basic picnic spot. It is situated next to the Phabeni Gate at the beginning of the S1 road.  Toilet facilities are at the Phabeni Gate and it has gas available.  This picnic spot hosts a historic display.

Nkayeni Region

The Nkayeni Region is sort of in the middle of the Kruger National Park between the Sabie and the Olifants Rivers.

• Mlondozi Picnic spot overlooks the Mlondozi Dam. This delightful picnic spot is about 15 km from Lower Sabie on the S29. 
• Nhlanguleni is a midway picnic spot when travelling from Skukuza to Orpen. Situated on the S36, this is a delightful place to stretch your legs on the long road between the two camps.
• Tshokwane, on the H1-3, is a large picnic spot that can be located whether you are travelling between Lower Sabie and Satara or Skukuza and Satara. This is a busy picnic spot where you can also purchase a wide variety of food such as burgers, toasted sandwiches and even a salad.  The shop here also offers refreshments. 
• Muzandzeni Picnic spot is close to the junction of the S36 and S126 roads about 30 km from Satara.
• N’wanetsi is a picnic spot with a view. Situated at the end of the H6 it is about 25km from Satara. 
• Timbavati is situated on the banks of the Timbavati River. This picnic spot is near the junction of the S127 and S40.  There is a beautiful baobab tree close to the picnic area.

Nxanatseni Region

This region is in the north of the Kruger National Park and found between the Olifants and the Limpopo Rivers.

• Masorini Picnic spot is about 10 km from Phalaborwa Gate on the H9. After your picnic here you can take a walk around the archaeological ruins and displays at the picnic spot. 
• Mooiplaas can be found just south of Mopani Rest Camp on the H1-6. Here you can take a look over the river from a platform.  Apart from gas braai facilities, here you may also make a fire to braai your meat.
• Babalala is halfway between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria on the H1-7.
• Makhadzi Picnic Spot is found on the road that comes from the Malopenyana waterhole. At this picnic spot you will find an information centre on some park history.
• Pafuri Picnic site is on the Levuvhu River on the S63 just a few kilometres from Crooks Corner, the meeting place of three countries. This picnic spot is a firm favourite with the birding community.