Things to Do in Kruger National Park

Home to Africa's wild and silky cream liqueur, the Amarula Lapa is a great spot to chill near the Phalaborwa Gate of Kruger National Park. Here you can relax, stretch your legs and of course, enjoy a glass of Amarula Cream on ice and stock up with a few bottles before journeying on. Comfortable seating, a shop and a warm African welcome await you on entering the high thatch-roof building. Rough stone walls and kraal-style area bestow an authentic bushveld feeling. The Amarula Lapa is crucial to the lives of the local inhabitants who provide the Marula fruit for pulp processing in season. During the off-season, Amarula sponsor community-based job creation projects to enhance their income. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30 and Saturday 09:00 – 12:00. A fertile fruit? The fruit of the indigenous Marula tree is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and features in tribal fertility rites. Known in folklore as ‘The Marriage Tree’, tribal marriage ceremonies still take place under the umbrella shaped trees.

A visit to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a moving and worthwhile experience It's also a convenient day excursion if you’re visiting the Orpen Gate side of Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Pilgrim's Rest, Graskop or Sabie. The centre provides a home for abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife and is a respected contributor to wildlife conservation. Animals that you may see are lion, leopard, serval, cheetah, hyena, honey badger, eagles, vultures and various baby animals.How it all beganMoholoholo started from small beginnings in 1990 – with a crowned eagle and a day old zebra. Word got out that the manager was able to care for and release wild animals and birds, and so Moholoholo grew.Sadly, some of the animals are not suitable to be released back into the wild and remain as ‘permanent residents’ at the centre. They give visitors an ‘up close and personal’ experience, highlighting the problems that wildlife are facing. The main focus at Moholoholo is to create awareness in order to preserve our wildlife.Often Moholoholo receive calls to rescue animals such as baby rhino that have been abandoned or leopards that have been injured by cars or caught in snares. The team are also actively involved in collaring and relocating ‘problem animal’ control on farms and tribal areas. Many leopards’ movements have been monitored with these collars.Moholoholo have tagged and released hundreds of vultures brought in due to poisoning or electrocution. Tracking harnesses were fitted to some individuals, astonishing researchers with the range of their movements.Another important function of the centre is breeding. Staff have successfully bred and released crowned eagle, serval and many other endangered animals.Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is self funded and also covers all the relocation costs of 'problem animals'. There is a small fee for guided tours which last about two hours – your visit to the centre helps this awesome project.

Discover the secrets of silk and the extraordinary little creatures that produce it. Experienced guides will take you on a journey through silk’s fascinating history and an interesting behind-the-scenes tour. Currently Bombyx Mori Silk Estate is South Africa’s only commercial silkworm farm. Here you can find out about their organic farming methods and how the cocoons are processed into wonderful products and the life-cycle of the mulberry silkworm. The species farmed at Bombyx Mori is the mulberry silkworm, not the ‘zebra’ worm that most of us kept as pet worms when we were kids! These remarkably industrious insects spin cocoons from a single strand that measures up to one kilometre. A visit to Bombyx Mori wouldn’t be complete without popping into the Ivory Room and Gallery. Here you will find silk-filled duvets, pillows and numerous other silk products to purchase as well as local crafts, selected interior finishes and original artwork.

Home to the famous ‘White Lions’, Timbavati Reserve has long basked in the spotlight. Although no white lions have been seen at Timbavati for years, several white lions are regularly seen in other parts of Kruger National Park and they could easily appear in the Timbavati prides again. Forming part of the Greater Kruger Park, the reserve features 12 luxury tourist lodges and is a convenient five-hour drive from Johannesburg. Kruger National Park lies on the east, Klaserie and Umbabat Private Nature Reserves are to the north and Thornybush Private Nature Reserve is just west. Wildlife roam freely between Timbavati and the 2,000,000-hectare Kruger National Park with no hindrance of fences. Thrilling sightings of lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, giraffe and even shy leopard and cheetah are regular occurences. This is definitely one of Africa’s best!

Tee off on the wild side at Hans Merensky Golf Course near the Phalaborwa Gate of Kruger National Park. The renowned course has a unique bushveld atmosphere and it’s not uncommon for visitors to share their golf experience with resident giraffe, hippo, crocodile and other wildlife! Designed by Bob Grimsdell, the 18-hole par 72 championship golf course has been voted as the best walking course in the country. It also recently received the Diamond Arrow Award for being the highest rated golf course in the Limpopo. Visitors are welcome any day of the week and can tee off between 07:00 and 09:00 or 11:30 and 13:30.

Situated in the centre of Hazyview, the Rendezvous Tourist Centre is a small shopping centre with a convenient mix of amenities ranging from arts and crafts, to restaurants and pubs.

Be fascinated by the mysterious world of reptiles at Perry's Bridge Reptile Park. ‘From inspiration springs conservation’ is the mantra of dedicated workers at the park and their passion is contagious. Knowledgeable guides unlock the secrets of these often misunderstood creatures and reveal their elegance, magnificence, specialisation, and adaptability. Do you ever wonder what the largest serpent in the world is? Or want to find out how and what they eat? Here you will find these answers and a whole lot more intriguing discoveries. Perry's Bridge Reptile Park is home to a variety of venomous snakes, large constrictor lizards, crocodiles, tortoises and frogs in surroundings simulating their natural environments as closely as possible. Check out anacondas, reticulated pythons, deadly black mambas, green mambas, rattlesnakes, boomslang, gaboon adders, cobras, iguanas, ancient leopard tortoises, poison dart frogs, and enormous Nile crocodiles. Small visitors will love Pum Pum, Peaches and Pumpkin, the potbellied pigs; Daisy and Gandalf the goats; Letitia and Lancelot, the peacocks; and an assortment of ducks and geese. Perry's Bridge Reptile Park is open daily 10:00 – 17:00 and offers demonstrations at 11:00 and 15:00. Crocodile feeding is on Sundays at 14:00. Where? Perry's Bridge Tourist Centre, corner of R40 and R536, Hazyview – 14 km from Phabeni and Numbi gates of the Kruger National Park. +27 (0) 13 737 7680.

Designed by Gary Player in 1992, the Kruger Park Lodge Golf Course offers 9 holes (18 tees), Par 72, 6100 m (5152 m ladies) and has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5. The attractive course has numerous water features that regularly attract hippo and abundant birdlife. Impala antelope are able to roam freely. Golfing in this wilderness environment is an unforgettable experience. Golf carts and golf clubs can be hired from the Pro Shop.

The Sabie River golf course near Nelspruit and White River is one of only four 18-hole golf courses Mpumalanga. Water hazards are plentiful so it is wise to bring plenty of balls. Numerous hippos and crocodiles are permanent residents in the course's main dam (next to the 14th and 15th holes). The course is very popular during winter and spring from July to October. Bring your binoculars if you’re a keen birder.

When the summer heat of the Lowveld gets intense, Perry's Bridge Brewery is an awesome spot to visit to quench your thirst. With their own selection of beers on tap as well as a good selection of imports, it is the ideal place to relax with friends. For non-beer drinkers there is a range of wines and also a mouth-watering menu.

Revisit an ancient African kingdom at the mysterious fortress of Thulamela. For a glimpse of an early African civilisation that was an offshoot of Great Zimbabwe, go to see the intriguing ruins of Thulamela on the southern banks of the Luvuvhu River near Pafuri in Kruger National Park. Meaning ‘place of birth’ in the VhaVenda language, the stone citadel is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds in South Africa. Discoveries reveal a thriving mountain kingdom that was occupied by 3 000 people who traded in gold and ivory between 1200 and 1600 AD. The prolific trading community were skilled goldsmiths although they also traded in iron that they extracted and smelted from 200 local mines. Recent excavations have uncovered the burial place of an African king and queen with beautiful gold artefacts. The royal citadel accommodated 1 000 people and surrounding the stone walls are signs of numerous dwellings dotted around the landscape. Guided tours of Thulamela can be arranged at the Punda Maria Gate.

Visit the ruins of a 19th century trading post established by the famous Portuguese trader, Joao Albasini at the new Phabeni Gate, 10 km from Hazyview. For centuries prolific trading activity has taken place in the southeastern region of Africa. Maputo (formerly Lourenco Marques) would have been the starting and end point for many of the old trading routes that crisscrossed the southern continent. Albasini set up a network of trading routes that reached the Lowveld. By 1845, he had established a trading post at Magashula’s Kraal, now known as Albasini Ruins.

This herpetological haven is well worth a stop! Formerly known as Swadini Snake Park, Khamai Reptile Park is home to some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Experienced guides will show you the scariest beasts - black and green mambas, boomslangs and Mozambique Spitting Cobras. If that isn’t enough to get your pulse racing then check out the Nile crocodiles and water lizards or get up close and personal with scorpions, baboon spiders and puff adders. You can also check out an awesome array of reptiles and amphibians from the rest of the planet. Khamai Reptile Park is owned by Donald Strydom, who has appeared as the ‘house expert’ in a number of BBC, Discovery and Animal Planet channels television features. A well-known black mamba handler, he also worked with the BBC to enable the filming of some unique footage of the Nile Monitor Lizard in its natural habitat. Donald and his team also capture and relocate over 300 ‘problem’ snakes in the region. In addition to that, Khamai Reptile Park have an educational programme for locals about the vital role reptiles play in the ecosystem and to dissuade the ‘kill on sight’ approach to the venomous snakes.

The modern Blue Haze Mall is the biggest shopping centre in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, offering 186 shops. Key tenants include SuperSpar, Standard Bank, FNB, Pep Stores, Ackermans, Jet, Ellerines, Boxer, Pick n Pay, Edgars, Woolworths, Mr. Price, Foschini, Clicks, ABSA, Nedbank, Truworthsa and KFC. Need to know? +27 (0) 82 883 3305 edwaleni@mweb.co.za www.twincity.co.za

Duck 'n Dive is a great pub with friendly locals, attentive staff, great service and effective air conditioning. Grab an ice-cold draught with a steak, snails or pizza – reputedly they are the best in the Onderberg! Pizzas are freshly prepared and baked in a wood-burning oven. Poker, pool and dart competitions take place every second Tuesday and Wednesday. The pub has Big Screen TV and Wi-Fi. Open from 11:00 until late. The kitchen closes at 22:00.

Get up close and personal with six magnificent elephants on the banks of the Sabie River. The Elephant Whispers experience allows you to touch, exchange trunk greetings and offer tasty treats to tame and trained elephants varying in ages from nine to twenty six years. Visitors can also enjoy a thrilling elephant ride meandering down shady paths and enjoying the view. Several excursions are available – view http://elephantwhispers.co.za for more details.

Gliding above one of the last natural forested valleys along the Sabie River. Neighboring the Kruger National Park, the aerial cable trail takes visitors on a thrilling ride down into the valley basin. Skyway is the longest cable trail in Africa with a length of 1,2 km and a total of 10 platform stops. The platforms allow visitors an opportunity to check out the views of the forest floor and birdlife. Qualified guides lead groups along the trail. Skyway Trail has been designed and built to South African civil engineering standards and all the equipment has been tried and tested worldwide.

White River Country Estate is a scenic golf course situated on the outskirts of White River and not far from Kruger National Park. The 18-hole course offers a good mental and physical challenge for golfers of all skill levels. With Gary Player behind the design of the course, White River Country Estate is considered a world-class facility. The estate also offers a swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts, and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre is perfect for the whole family to enjoy a day out. The variety of shops range from galleries housing African art to boutique clothing stores. Entertainment is on offer at The Barnyard Theatre, cinema and live music at Magnolia Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 - 16:30 Sunday 09:00 - 16:00 www.casterbridge.co.za

Meet the Elephant Sanctuary’s gentle giants. During the “Trunk in Hand” programme, an experienced guide introduces visitors to the elephants. Guests are able to touch, feel, feed, interact and walk trunk-in-hand with the elephants. After the interaction visitors can opt for a short elephant ride – a privilege historically reserved for kings! It is a truly awesome experience to ride these magnificent animals. This amazing sanctuary provides a halfway house for young African elephants in need of a temporary home. The sanctuary’s vision is to release all their elephants into an environment where they can be more independent when they are mature. The Elephant Sanctuary is conveniently situated 5 km from Hazyview and 10 km from Kruger National Park’s Phobeni Gate. Facilities include elevated wooden walkways, beautifully constructed decks overlooking the river and a curio shop. View www.elephantsanctuary.co.za for bookings and details of various experiences.