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There are a number of stores in Nelspruit where you can stock up before entering the park.
There is a Woolworths foods - their fresh fruit and veggies are probably the best.
There is also a pick 'n Pay ( local supermarket) in the Riverside mall where you can get everything as well
Hazyview, a small town just near Phabeni and Kruger gates also has supermarkets that stock most things so you shouldn't have a problem.
The drive from Nelspruit to Hazyview will take about 45min-1 hour, then you can choose which gate to enter at.
Phabeni to Skukuza will take about 2 hours depending on how much you see.
This gate is very close to Hazyview.
Kruger gate is about half an hours drive from Hazyview. Kruger gate to Skukuza will only take about 20 min to half hour max, again depending on what you see.
The choice of gate will then obviously depend on how much time you have available before camp gate closing time

Skukuza also has the biggest and probably best stocked shop as well Haven't found much that we've been unable to get at Skuks, although their prices of spirits are quite high

Letaba, Shing and Satara also have decent shops where you can get most things.

Have a great trip

Skukuza is the best stocked shop in the park but think English corner shop circa 1970s for the level of and variety of stock.
Are you flying into Nelspruit or KMIA?
If KMIA then I think your best bet would be to try a supermarket in White River or Hazyview before entering the park, if possible.
I think going into Nelspruit itself would be out of your way, happy to be corrected by the locals though.

You can get basics such as canned peas, corn, tomatoes, sugar, tea, coffee, cereals, biscuits, rice and pasta.
Fresh food can be hit or miss - last time some potatoes were a bit soft and the bread was hard.
Haven't tried the meat yet.
You should be able to get milk and maybe yoghurt.

You should also be able to get basic toiletries - shampoo, deodorant etc. and some over the counter medicines such as pain killers but if there is anything you really need then take it with you.
There are no chemists in the park for prescriptions.

Everything in the park will cost more than outside but you will find it more than reasonable compared to UK prices.

Landing at KMIA you can do your groceries shopping in White River, there is a very clean and well stocked Pick 'n Pay centre.
The butchery at Pick 'n Pay is also very nice and clean and also stock the basic meat, chicken etc.
At the same centre there is a Liquor Store as well so you can buy you drinks,etc at the same centre.
I see that you collect your vehicle in Nelspruit?
Well on the R40 back to White River is the Spar Crossings Shopping Centre where you can also buy what ever you need also with a liquor store.
And as foxy says, be careful and watch your speed especially between Hazyview and Kruger Gate and also have a lookout for the cows and goats!!!

Landing at the KMIA, the closest to stock up will be in White River.
We have a decent Pick ' Pay where you can buy all the necessary ie; food,milk, tin food, butter etc in the Main Road and you will be passing it on your way to the Numbi Road.
I would suggest that you buy your meat here and not in the park itself.
At this specific centre is also a liquor store where you can buy drinks, cool drink, ice if you need some.

Hi Michael.
I agree with Droopy. Our town is on the way to Numbi gate and have everything you need. If you have special requests you can just ask and we'll see if we can sort it out for you.
If you move up north you can allways come out at Phabeni gate and visit the mall in Hazyview before leaving the south. Or you can go to Phalaborwa once there.
Everything you need you'll get in the park but at a price. The towns (Hazyview & Phalaborwa) are real close to the park but you have to decide for yourself.
Have a great trip.

Personally, I would choose to shop outside the park, there is a far greater selection there.
Either the Pick 'n pay or Spar in Hazyview.
In fact they are in the same mall so if one doesn't have what you want, try the other.
I have found fresh veggies can be difficult to come by in the park shops on occasion, so perhaps get some tins for bad days (eg 3 bean salad is available in a tin, beetroot salad, baby potatoes etc)
The Freezer section of the fridges is of average size, so if you bought your meat outside the park, you could keep the 1st 2 days meat in your fridge and put the rest in the freezer.
I don't know if either of the above mentioned supermarkets have the facility to vacuum pack the meat, but if they do ,it is a good option as the meat will keep fresh for much longer- I always have my meat vacuum packed at my local butcher when I go to the park.
Vacuum packed meat keeps longer in the fridge and freezes without freezer burn.

Do these shops open on Sundays?

If not it looks like the camp shops for me!

The Spar will almost certainly be open and the pick N pay till at least 2pm

Hi Downunder & Alf King.
The shops mentioned will be open on Saturdays & Sundays except Outdoor Warehouse for Sundays.
And there is places in White River which vacuumpac the meat.

I think Hoedspruit would be the nearest shopping to Orpen Gate, but it will be quite a distance.

You should stock up at much as possible before you enter the Park - especially non-perishables and then maybe replenish perishables in the shop at Satara.

We find, once in the Park, we don't want to leave it for any reason!

If you get your meat vacuum-packed before entering the Park and put it in the freezer/fridge at Satara, it should keep OK.

Others can be more specific about distance from Orpen to Hoedspruit. I can't remember any shops between Orpen and Hoedspruit.

Two options.

When following the main road (N4) from the airport and you approach Malelane you will find a set of traffic lights.
This is your first entry point in to Malelane and where you will again be re-entering the N4 to go to KNP Malelane gate.

Now at this traffic light you have two options:

1. On your right, just of the N4 is the local "Pick-n-Pay" supermarket.
It is clearly visible.
This is the smaller supermarket but will give you all the basics and more.
So just turn right and directly left in to the parking area.

2. Spar. This is the bigger supermarket and offers an excellent variety of everything.
Turn left at the traffic lights, and keep on going for approx. 500 meters.
After crossing another set of traffic lights, you will clearly see the parking area and a large shopping complex on your left hand side.

After shopping you will return to the N4 and continue on your journey, leaving Malelane behind you.
After a few kilometers at the top of a steady but gentle rise you will see the turn of to KNP Malelane gate.

Just to add to Imberbe's post - don't worry about getting lost in Malelane! It is a very small place with only 2 sets of traffic lights on the N4.

The Pick and Pay is usually slightly cheaper, but the Spar does have a bigger choice. There is a Wimpy restaurant right next to the Pick and Pay if you need a snack stop too - and a coffee shop next to the Spar.

First of all I'd like to make a compliment for the impressive information power of this forum.
Reading the various threads really helps me planning my 10 day visit to South Africa/Kruger during 2-10 November!
Although a lot of my questions have therefore been answered by the excellent questions (and answers) proposed before me, I still have an issue that remains unsolved.
I read that you can easily get your meat outside the park frozen and vacuumed.
During transport I should be able to keep it cold in a cooling bag or something like that?
However, within the camps (Lower Sabie/Satara/Letaba) I will stay in a tent with no cooling facilities or whatsoever.
Are there any publicly available freezers in which I can store my stuff?
If not, what do you advice me to do?
Just buy my meat at the camp shops or stock my cooling bag/box with fresh ice daily?

Are you camping in your own tent????
If so a cooler box and Ice (readily available at the camp shops) and then best to buy some of the food on a day to day basis.
If you living in SA invest in a small fridge/cooler but if from over seas its more difficult I am sure other mites have more experience here.
We have a cooler box and a very small fridge that works off mains electricity or the ciggy lighter in the car.
We have never had problems even in February