- BAOBABS AND ELEPHANTS
Pafuri, the land of giants
Colossal baobabs, some believed to be close to 4,000 years old, lurk everywhere in the northern Kruger National Park, some in solitary splendour, others in large groups. The elephants, too, are everywhere, both solitary bulls and enormous breeding herds of cows with their young.
Hauntingly beautiful fever tree forests bathed in golden light, dense riverine forests, flood plains, wetlands and open savannah plains, all bustling with life and activity make this a unique and remarkable wild landscape.
It also offers a fascinating insight into the ancient people who lived 600 to a thousand years ago in this region of Limpopo as you can walk amongst the collapsed walls of the Kruger National Park’s fascinating archaeological site, Thulamela.
- BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
Punda Maria, lush and full of birds
Punda Maria’s vegetation is exceptionally beautiful… rich and lush, and it attracts an abundance of wildlife.
The far north is considered to be the crown jewel of the Kruger National Park’s birding kingdom because of the rich and rare birdlife to be found in its diverse habitats, and the Punda Maria region absolutely teems with rare birds.
- RIVERS AND SCOUNDRELS
The Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers
There is little to beat meandering slowly along the banks of the Kruger National Park’s Luvuvhu River with its lovely trees and with only the chorus of beautiful birds, the call of a fish eagle, the bark of a baboon or the snort of a hippo to break the silence. You also have great sightings of animals, too, and an astonishing number of massive crocodiles rule the river’s murky waters.
On the outskirts of a beautiful fever-tree forest, Crooks Corner marks not only the confluence of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers but also the meeting place of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and in days gone by, allowed scoundrels to escape the long arm of the law!
- PREY AND PREDATORS
Intriguing and exciting wildlife
There are several rare antelope in this area of the Kruger National Park: Sunni, eland, roan, tsessebee and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. The area is also home to massive herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthogs, baboons, and a host of other animals.
And wherever one gets a rich variety of prey animals, their predators – lions, leopards, hyena, cheetah and wild dogs – are ever present.
alone in the bush
The solitude of the bush
This region of the Kruger National Park offers some lovely scenic designated areas where it is safe for us to get out of the vehicle.
They offer us quiet places to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the wild, untouched bushveld while actually standing in it and looking around at eye level. It truly recharges your soul.
- unsurpassed bird life
Punda Maria Camp
Established as a game ranger post in 1919, Punda Maria is a beautiful little camp with a wonderful old-style Kruger National Park safari camp atmosphere. For a small camp, it’s got lots to do!
The Flycatcher trail offers a lovely walk with the chance to see exotic birds and elusive animals. An in-camp hide overlooks a waterhole that is often used by elephants and buffalo and is fabulous for night game-watching. A bird bath in the camp grounds is visited by gorgeous birds.
Punda Maria offers camping, a unique setup of small bungalows with shared barbeque facilities, as well as luxury tents, two family cottages and the newly renovated Russell Guest Cottage. It also has a restaurant, a swimming pool and a well-stocked shop.
Why we love it
We love the Kruger National Park’s far north for its wild, beautiful, and remote nature, its animals and gigantic baobabs, and its vast and spectacular landscapes.
The tourist numbers are low, which means the chances of bumping into other vehicles whilst out on safari are pretty slim and gives us the time to immerse ourselves all aspects of the bush… the sights… the sounds… the scents of the bushveld.
