It is perched high above the impressive Olifants river with views that are breathtakingly “out of Africa”. The modern lookout platforms allow visitors to observe the river many hundred feet below. The camp has a reputation for being the best place to go in Kruger when you don’t want to do a lot of driving but still want to see the park’s wildlife. All you need is a good pair of binoculars and a zoom camera!
Because Olifants (the Afrikaans word for “elephant”) is situated in a transitional zone in central-northern Kruger, 2 distinct types of vegetation can be found, offering a wide range of game. To the north, the low lying Mopane shrub provides cover for Plains Zebra, Impala, Greater Kudu and African Elephant. To the south, rolling plains are dotted with big trees in the surrounding savannah, good habitat for African Buffalo and Giraffe.
Along the Olifants river itself, wildlife such as Lion, Nile Crocodiles and Hippopotamus can be viewed, as well as an abundance of birdlife such as Martial Eagle, owls, storks and many others.
The campgrounds are well foliaged and there are some lofty trees, and is, therefore, a great place to spot the Grey-rumped Swallow, Brown-throated Martin and Common Dwarf Mongoose.
The camp also has a swimming pool reserved for overnight guests, and in the heat of the day, this is a welcome spot indeed! Olifants is also a good camp from which to do a night drive, and on one of these exciting excursions, visitors could see Cape Porcupine, Serval, South African Large-spotted Genet or even a Pel’s Fishing Owl.
There are two luxury guesthouses in the Oliphant’s Rest Camp, as well as two, three and four-roomed bungalows complete with en suite facilities. There are also two huts available that are wheelchair friendly and a 20-delegate conference room.
The camp is one of the few in Kruger that offers guided tours down to the river, walking trails in the wilderness region (the Oliphant’s River Backpacking Trail) and mountain biking trails with armed guards. Everything you need in one camp – that is Olifants!
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