Punda Maria

Punda Maria Campsite Review

This camp provides easy access to this pristine and remote corner of Kruger, as well as landmarks like Crook’s Corner where South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique meet along the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers.

While the camp itself is large, many of the sites feel secluded and private. The area around Punda Maria camp offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Herds of elephants are known to pass by the campsites in the evenings on their way to the magical lit waterhole located nearby. We were lucky enough to see a chase with 3 wild dogs after an impala during our stay. At one side of the camp is a long row of campsites situated directly adjacent to the fence line overlooking the watering hole. These premium sites offer front-row views of the wildlife visiting the waterhole just beyond the fence. The waterhole is a great spot for game viewing day and night. Visitors can observe animals coming for a drink from the comfort of a wooden hide. We were thrilled to witness elephants, impalas, and other wildlife visiting throughout our stay. 

Punda Maria offers basic amenities to make your camping stay comfortable. There are electrical plug points scattered throughout the campgrounds so you can charge devices and run appliances. However, taps for topping up tanks were few and far between. We had to fill up our trailer’s water tank at the fuel station in the camp.
If you’re visiting in summer, take advantage of the modern swimming pool for a refreshing dip. It’s an unexpected luxury in the bush.

The ablution blocks provide toilets, sinks, and hot showers. They are cleaned regularly and well maintained. There’s also a washing area for doing laundry by hand. Supplies are available at the camp shop and restaurant. Stock up on essentials like food, ice, and firewood here if needed.

Punda Maria offers a unique campsite experience in northern Kruger National Park. Its remote location provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, yet the modern amenities like electricity, swimming pool, and shop add creature comforts not found at all camps. The camp makes a great base to explore Pafuri and the convergence of South Africa’s borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The star highlight is the magical waterhole visible from some campsites, attracting plentiful game like elephants and wild dogs. Birders will also delight in sightings from the wooden hide. With clean facilities and accessibility for most vehicles, Punda Maria satisfies with a balance of wilderness and convenience. Campers looking for a comfortable stay in a game-rich area of Kruger will greatly enjoy their time at Punda Maria.

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