Mopani Rest Camp

Mopani trees: the Pioneer Dam area of the Kruger Park is instantly recognisable for its large population of these attractive plants, as well as the primary rest camp in the area, which borrows its name and aesthetics from them. Mopani camp, its thatched accommodation and stone-finished buildings almost an extension of the bushveld around it, combines its excellent viewing position relative to the dam and the high probability of animals seeking out water sources during the winter months, to provide second-to-none game viewing opportunities to its guests.

Accommodation at this charming rest camp is provided, firstly, in a series of four bed-bungalows, with bathrooms and kitchenettes, two of which are wheelchair friendly. There are four-bed and six-bed cottages, with bathrooms, verandas, and outside braais (barbecues). Finally, a luxury guesthouse, in prime position over the dam, is complete with kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms, braai facilities, and limited channel-access DSTV televisions. Xanatseni guesthouse accommodates eight guests and has one wheelchair friendly room.

Excursions into the park take the form of either guided bush-walks or game drives, supervised and conducted at all times by trained, informative guides. Guests are reminded that children younger than six are not permitted on game drives, while children under the age of twelve are barred from game walks. The Shipandane sleep-over and Pioneer Dam Bird-Hides, as well as the tropic of Capricorn, and wildlife film screenings are further activities provided at the camp. Facilities include a restaurant, ladies bar, shops, laundromat, auditorium and conference facilities, as well as a swimming pool.

Guests on the lookout from one of the camp’s numerous vantage points can spot waterbuck, hippos, warthogs, elephants, impala, buffalo and lion, while the open plains around the area provide ample spotting for blue wildebeest, tsessebe, caracal and Black-Backed Jackal.