Letaba Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Letaba Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Description

The idyllic 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. The name means “river of sand”, and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a firm favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent.

“No strangers, only friends that haven’t met”

The idyllic 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. The name means “river of sand”, and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a firm favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent.

Accommodation

Huts

• 5 x rustic 3-bed units with communal ablution facilities. There are no cooking utensils, crockery or cutlery, but a communal kitchen (located at the old picnic spot) with sink and electric stoves is available. Also equipped with fridge, fan and air conditioner. Moreover you have a choice of perimeter or river view units. Please confirm when booking.

Safari Tents

• 10 x 2-bed and 10 x 4-bed permanent furnished canvas tents on stilts, including a fridge, standing fan inside tent and small veranda. Communal ablutions and communal kitchens available.

Bungalows

• 86 x round–walled, single–room African style units with thatched roofs, 2 or 3 beds per unit, equipped with en–suite ablutions (most with showers, but some with baths). All units have air–conditioning, some have fans. Kitchenettes vary: some have hotplates and sinks; some have only sinks, while some have neither. Cutlery and crockery can be provided and hired from reception. More over you have a choice of with or without perimeter or riverside view. Please confirm when booking.

Guest Cottages

• 10 x 6-bed units (2 single beds in each bedroom), equipped with two bathrooms (one en-suite), air-conditioning (only in the bedrooms), lounge/dining area (with ceiling fan), large veranda and outside braai. The open plan kitchen has a four plate gas stove with oven, fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery and 6-seater dining room/lounge.

Guest Houses

• These are large luxury units in prime positions inside the camp, with riverside view. There are well-equipped kitchens (with microwave ovens) and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV televisions are provided.

Melville: Sleeps 9, with 3 bedrooms (2 single beds in each room) and an additional single bed on the enclosed veranda.
Fish Eagle: Sleeps 8, with 4 bedrooms (2 single beds in each room) and has an exclusive bird hide

Vital Information

Warnings

Please ensure that your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many exciting and unusual creatures but without knowledge some of them could be dangerous:

• Bats, Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions, Malaria Zone

If you must walk around at night please DO NOT DO SO WITHOUT A TORCH.

Remember: by feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become aggressive!

Climate

Kruger is in a summer rainfall area. Such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours. The summer months (October to April) are hot and often balmy. Winters are warm and mild, although visitors going on night-drives will require warm clothing.

Day visitors

Letaba has a designated picnic area set aside for day visitors between the Elephant Hall and E-circle. A small service fee must be paid at reception to gain access to this facility. Hand the till slip to the attendant on duty.

Filling Stations

Only petrol cards (garage cards) and cash are accepted at the Letaba filling station. You are advised to carry extra cash or have a filled up tank as it can become a difficult journey without enough cash or filled up tanks. There are usually problems with the FNB atm at Letaba.

Attractions

• Letaba Elephant Hall
• TV Lounge
• Riverside camp walk
• Masorini Ruins (located about 38 km west of the camp)
• Matambeni Bird Hide (located about 10 km north of the camp)
• Kids Educational Programme (Seasonal)
• Olifants Wilderness Trail (pre-booked overnight activity)
• Mananga 4 x 4 Adventure Trail (weather sensitive activity – book at Phalaborwa Gate)
• Wildlife films (except Sundays)

Kruger: Guided Walks

Daily early morning and afternoon guided walks are available from most camps. Up to eight guests are taken to interesting places in the surrounding wilderness areas adjacent to most of the camps. The walk itself is relaxed and experienced and armed guides use their knowledge of the bush to explain natural wonders.

Trained field guides with backup rifles take groups of up to 8 people out into the bush for a few hours. Track rhino, elephant and lion on foot and learn and observe fascinating facts about the African bush. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes or boots, clothing applicable to the prevailing weather conditions and bring their own cameras and/or binoculars. No children under 13 allowed. Accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp. Form more information, contact the camp reception.

Sunset drives

This activity leaves before the sun sets and gets back once the sky is dark. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive.

Night Drives

Take part in the nocturnal activities of Kruger's secretive creatures. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive. The sunset drive departs at 17:00 and lasts at least 3 hours.

Morning drives

Leave at around 04.30 in summer and 05.30 in winter. Clients are to confirm with Reception the previous night when they book in to their accommodation. As per day walks, accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp, as walks/drives leave before the gates open officially. The drive’s duration is 3-4 hours.

Kruger: Bush Braais and Bush Breakfasts

This unforgettable experience is not to be missed. A game drive leads you to an open area filled with burning lanterns and fires where, whilst listening to the sounds of the bushveld and the distant animals calling, the food is grilled on open fires. A variety of game meat and sausage is on offer, together with delicious vegetables and a variety of salads. Freshly prepared deserts and coffee or tea complete a wonderful evening. A cash bar facility is also available.

To get you started on the type of bush braai you would like - there is the Standard Bush Braai and the Ad-hoc Bush Braai:

• Standard Bush Braai
  • Departs in the afternoon with a game drive to the bush braai site (for a maximum of an hour).
  • Will arrive at the site where the meal will be in the process of preparation (planned not to exeed about 90 minutes with a maximum of 2 hours).
  • Guests will be briefed on safety, toilet routine and how to conduct themselves.
  • During the whole event at the site, the guide would be host and in control of guests while leading discussions and answering questions.
  • Return game drive will coincide with some night game viewing (about 30 minutes).
• Ad-hoc Bush Braai
  • This is a bush braai that is provided on request.
  • Additional resources need to be obtained, e.g. guides, vehicles and rifles.
  • Booking is for one group who then negotiate terms (price and programme).
  • The costing and pricing of Ad Hoc Bush Braais would need to be well planned and should be done in consultation with the manager, activities. Crucial elements would include transport costs for possibly hiring additional vehicles or bringing them from other locations and hiring of additional staff.

Facilities

• Information at Reception
• Public Telephone
• Post Box
• Restaurant
• Cafeteria
• Shop
• Laundromat (in camp)
• Filling Station
• Communal Kitchens
• Communal Ablutions
• Swimming Pool
• Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
• Basic First Aid Assistance
• Day Visitors Picnic Area on perimeter of camp with own swimming pool
• DSTV (limited channels) only available in Guest Houses
• Cellphone reception

Directions