Kruger National Park: Fuel shortage at Punda Maria Rest Camp - nearest alternatives listed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced on 22 July 2025 that the petrol station at Punda Maria Rest Camp, the northernmost full rest camp in Kruger National Park, is currently experiencing a shortage of unleaded fuel due to a faulty pump. Travellers planning to refuel at the camp are advised to seek alternative fuel stops until the issue is resolved.

Situated approximately 8km from the Punda Maria Gate, this remote rest camp in the northern Sandveld region offers a peaceful, bird-rich environment and a variety of accommodation options. Visitors can choose from 50 campsites, 18 basic bungalows, 4 upgraded three-bed units, 7 fully equipped safari tents, 2 spacious family cottages, and the four-bed Russell Guest Cottage - all featuring braai facilities. Onsite amenities include the Mangwa Restaurant, petrol station, a shop, swimming pool, laundromat, ATM, first aid services, a public phone, and a popular bird hide and waterhole for excellent wildlife sightings.

Nearest petrol stations:

• Inside Kruger National Park
• Mopani Rest Camp (~45km southwest): Fully operational petrol and diesel station
• Letaba Rest Camp (~100km southwest along the H15): Also offers petrol and diesel
• Outside Kruger National Park
• Sasol Thohoyandou (Cnr. Main Road & Punda Maria Road in Thohoyandou; ~6km from Punda Maria Gate): Closest commercial petrol station outside the park

Visitors are encouraged to refuel before arriving or to plan detours to one of the listed alternatives.

 

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: No ULP fuel currently available at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp! [update]

update (04 May 2024): The management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that unleaded fuel is available again at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp!

The management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that there is currently no ULP fuel (unleaded petrol) available at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp. Travellers are advised to fill up their vehicles with unleaded fuel outside the National Park in the town of Askham, which is located about 200 km north of Upington at the junction of the R31 and the R360 roads, or at Nossob Rest Camp or Mata Mata Rest Camps inside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Twee Rivieren is largest rest camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and its administrative headquarters. The camp is situated on the banks of the dry Nossob riverbed. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Besides the new Interpretation Centre, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity and cell phone reception in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Kruger National Park: Problems with diesel pump at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp! [update]

update (15 March 2024): SANParks has announced that the diesel pumps have been repaired and are accessible again.

According to South African National Parks (SANParks), problems with the diesel pump are currently experienced at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp in Kruger National Park. SANParks advises visitors to the Rest Camp to fill up at alternative stations until further notice. The closest petrol station inside Kruger National Park is located at Lower Sabie Rest Camp, which is situated approximately 36 kilometers northwest of Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp. The closest petrol station outside Kruger National Park is located in the town of Komatipoort, approximately 8 kilometers from Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp.
The Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp is located  in the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park, on the northern bank of the Crocodile River. It is situated near the Crocodile Bridge Gate.

Kruger National Park: Fuel station taken out by lightning strike!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the filling station at Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger National Park has burnt down after it was struck by lightning on 13 November 2021. The fire was contained by the Kruger National Park's firefighting team. No injuries were reported but the filling station was completely gutted. According to a social media update by Kruger National Park's spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, guests can refuel their vehicles either at Skukuza Rest Camp or Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp until further notice. We'll keep you posted!

LIGHTNING TAKES OUT LOWER SABIE FUEL STATION : KRUGER PARK. RSA pic.twitter.com/UV9yQmKH1v

— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) November 13, 2021

Zimbabwe: Zuva Petroleum to accept foreign currency at eight DFI fuel stations!

Zimbabwean energy company Zuva Petroleum has announced that eight of its 72 retail service stations in Zimbabwe will be accepting foreign currency payments. Customers can pay for their fuel in foreign currency (US$) at the following fuel stations across the country: Lorraine, Groombridge, Pendennis, Valley (all in Harare), Macs Garage (Bulawayo), Oasis (Beitbridge), Palmerstone (Mutare) and Zambezi (Victoria Falls). All eight locations are DFI (direkt fuel imports) service stations, which means these sites are likely to have guaranteed fuel supplies.

We are excited to announce 8 Zuva DFI Service Stations that will be accepting foreign currency payments across the country as follows
Harare: Lorraine, Groombridge, Pendennis, & Valley
Bulawayo: Macs Garage
Beitbridge: Oasis
Mutare: Palmerstone
Victoria Falls: Zambezi pic.twitter.com/6DHG0YM6J4

— Zuva Petroleum (@zuva_petroleum) February 18, 2020

Kruger National Park: Shortage of unleaded fuel in Shingwedzi Rest Camp!

South African National Parks (SANParks) just informed travellers visiting Kruger National Park that Shingwedzi Rest Camp is set to experience a shortage unleaded fuel. This is due to construction work at the filling station in the Rest Camp, that will take place from 09 November 2018 until 16 November 2018. Shingwedzi Rest Camp is situated in the northern part of Kruger National Park and set on the banks of the Shingwedzi River.


Leaded fuel, unleaded fuel and diesel are usually available at all major camps in Kruger National Park. All fuel stations accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage cards, any VISA/MasterCard cards or cash as a form of payment.

South Africa: Motorists can pay for fuel by credit card

Petrol stations in South Africa are compelled to accept cards, such as credit and debit cards, for fuel payments, the department of energy said on Thursday. The new regulations take effect on Friday (today!) and are expected to reduce the number of robberies that take place at petrol stations.
Another motivating factor behind the new regulations is the 2010 World Cup and the influx of foreigners coming to the country who do not want to carry cash around all the time. [src.]

Just keep in mind that not all not all petrol stations were immediately equipped to handle card payments.

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