Kruger National Park: Swimming pool updates from Satara & Olifants Rest Camps!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the swimming pool at Satara Rest Camp in Kruger National Park will be closed for maintenance from 16 September 2025. The pool is expected to reopen on 16 November 2025. During this period, guests are advised to plan accordingly and consider alternative activities within the park.
In contrast, the swimming pool at Olifants Rest Camp has recently completed its maintenance and is now fully operational again.

About Satara Rest Camp
Satara Rest Camp is one of the busiest and most popular camps in Kruger National Park, situated in the central region of the park. The camp is renowned for its excellent game viewing opportunities, especially for predators like lions and cheetahs, due to the open savannah terrain. Accommodations range from bungalows to campsites, catering to various preferences and budgets. The camp also offers amenities such as a shop, restaurant, and guided safari tours.

About Olifants Rest Camp
Olifants Rest Camp is perched atop a hill, providing guests with breathtaking panoramic views of the Olifants River below. The camp's elevated position makes it a prime spot for wildlife viewing, particularly elephants and other riverine species. Accommodations include bungalows and a guest house, all designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. In addition to the swimming pool, guests can enjoy a restaurant, shop, and guided safari experiences.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Kruger National Park: Swimming pool at the Shimuwini Bushveld Camp is temporarily closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the swimming pool at the Shimuwini Bushveld Camp in Kruger National Park is temporarily closed. According to SANParks, this is due to maintenance work "necessary to enhance your future Kruger experience".
Shimuwini Bushveld Camp is located in the northern region of Kruger National Park, along the banks of the Letaba River. The self-catering bushveld camp is the most modern of the bushveld camps in the National Park, , being completely rebuilt after the floods in 2000. Only residents and no day visitoirs are allowed in the camp and on the access roads to Shimuwini Bushveld Camp. Phalaborwa Gate, about 50 km (31 miles) away, is the closest and most convenient access point to the Camp.

Kruger National Park: Swimming pools at Shingwedzi Rest Camp & Letaba Rest Camp temporarily closed! [update]

update (20 February 2020): The swimming pool at Shingwedzi Rest Camp has been re-opened!

update (29 January 2020): The swimming pool at Shingwedzi Rest Camp is still closed!

update (13 January 2020): The swimming pool at Letaba Rest Camp has been re-opened!

update (08 January 2020): SANParks expects the swimming pool at Letaba Rest Camp to re-open at the end of January 2020. At the Rest Camp, guests may use the day visitors pool, they must just take along with unit key, or camping permit and will not be charged for entry.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the swimming pools at Shingwedzi Rest Camp and at Letaba Rest Camp, both located in Kruger National Park, have been temporarily closed until further notice due to maintenance work. Shingwedzi Rest Camp lies in the northern part of the Kruger National Park in the heart of mopane country, while Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park.

There are swimming pools at the following camps in Kruger National Park: Berg-en-Dal, Letaba, Lower Sabie, Mopani, Olifants, Orpen, Pretoriuskop, Punda Maria, Satara, Shingwedzi and Skukuza (2 pools). These pools are for camp residents only. There are additional pools for day visitors at the Skukuza and Letaba day visitor areas.