Kruger National Park - Punda Maria Camp

Punda Maria, in the extreme north of the Kruger National Park at the foot of the Dimbo Mountain, is a small and simple hutted camp with a restaurant, shops, a filling station and a nature trail. From the camp there are wide views over the Mopane plain. The camp was originally built in 1919 for the forestry authorities but has been modernized.

The sandveld round Punda Maria is an offshoot of the Kalahari basin. To the north of Punda Maria, on the Luvuvhu River, the dry savanna gives place to gallery forests of tropical aspect. This area, less frequented by tourists, will appeal particularly to bird-watchers: there are excellent opportunities for observation on S 99, a circular route (25km/15mi) which begins near the camp. At Klopperfontein, 20km/12.5mi northeast of the camp, are a number of giant baobab trees on the edge of a waterhole. Big game can often be seen here. 23km/14mi beyond this the road comes to the Luvuvhu River (picnic area). There is a bridge from which crocodiles and hippopotamuses can be observed. From here a track runs east along the river to the Pafuri picnic area, with good views of the banks of the river.