Punda Maria Rest Camp

Punda Maria lies in the far north of the Kruger National Park, eight kilometres from Punda Maria Gate, in the botanically rich sandveld region. No single tree dominates here, and visitors can search out white syringa, mixed bushwillow, silver cluster-leaf, baobab, pod mahogany and weeping wattle. The sandy, well-drained soil feeds several natural springs, and the plant communities are among the most complex in the park.

Game can be sparse, but kudu, nyala, buffalo and Sharpe's grysbok thrive here, with wild dog, elephant and lion frequently recorded. The Mahonie Loop is the best place in Kruger to find the diminutive suni antelope, while vervet monkey, baboon, hippo and Nile crocodile are common. A bird hide overlooks a waterhole on the camping fence.

The camp has a restaurant, cafeteria, shop, filling station, communal kitchens and laundromat, and offers guided walks and game drives. Its tucked-away northern setting gives Punda Maria a quiet, distinctive character unlike the busier southern camps.