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We have covered the Kruger three times now from Pafuri Gate to the south. Each time in 20 days, which does not leave much time for sitting for a long time at one place.
We know the camps and the roads almost by heart, but we felt on many occasions that we would like to stay longer at certain beautiful spots that we identified on our trips (52 in total).
We decided to try and spend a full day at each of them and record and photograph the arrivals and departures of animals at these spots.
We want to add that information to a book that we are writing about Kruger and the different points of interest on the different routes.
What we want to hear from the forum faithfuls are which places they find the most rewarding to spend longer times at. Which are your best places to stop and just watch? Why do you like it and what did you see there? Photographs will naturally be appreciated.
Apart from helping us, we think it will be very interesting for every Kruger lover to hear which places are the best places to sit for an hour or so.

I would like to be the first to suggest sunset dam.
I think that its amazing there. theres alway an abundance of birdlife and i've found that it's visited quite frequently by all sorts of animals.And people, let us not forget that the legendary "Battle of Kruger" took place at this very dam.

Eh... That was at Transport dam....

I find N'wanetsi dam quite a good place to stay at for animals, but the best place is of course Pafuri picnic spot.

Highwater bridge near Letaba towards Mopani
Highwater bridge near Shingwedzi

Pafuri picnic spot is tops

lol. sorry DQ. momentary memory lapse there.lol. I meant transport dam.

Rooibosrandt dam near Bateleur camp and the river loop on the S63

Thanks people!
What a response! In almost no time. This is a very active Foum indeed.

Back to the answers, I see nobody mentioned one of the hides?
I agree with Pafuri Picnic Site (and the area between Thulamila and Crooks Corner as well).
Sunset Dam I never pass. Always something going on there and also near Lower Sabie when one need "facilities".
I will add the Rooibosrand Dam and the river loop on the S63 to my list - thanks.
Thanks Bert. I will add the two Bridges as well.
N'wanetsi dam is already listed as well as Pafuri PS.
A good response so far. We need many more though. Thanks.

I would say that on my last trip, my favorite spot to sit was klopperfontein dam especially in the early morning as the sun rises behind you and the photos that could be possible are ones i dream about.

Lots to sit and watch, little grebe, black crate, african jacana and a very big buffalo herd!

Klopperfontein Dam is a very good spot, but after being surprised by about ten elephants there, we rather stop at Klopperfontein Drift and take pictures from there. That whole stretch between the Dam and the Drift is prime elephant country. We always spend some time there on the way to Pafuri PS and Crooks Corner. We also received reports of lions roaming there, but did not see them yet.
I will soon add some pictures we took there, as well as next to the Luvhuvu River. Will get it ready first.

Nsemani Dam and Girivana waterhole. Sweni hide. The hide at Talamati. Olifants camp viewpoint. Olifants low level bridge. Letaba river from the Restaurant.

One of my favourite spots is the Biyamiti weir. I can sit there for ages waiting to see what comes out of the reeds/grass to drink water. It's also such a great spot for photographs as you are at eye level with everything!! Here are some pics

Great pictures BF

For me i could sit for hours on the benches at pafuri picnic spot, always something to watch and so peacefull. There is a little loop a few km'sfrom talamati completely covered by large trees where the sun filters through and plenty birds can be seen. But there are so many places where i could just sit and be taken in by the surroundings. This thread does not help for the kruger blues

Any place in Kruger would do for me tonight, but where I would like to be is next to the Sabie river in Lower Sabie on a bench listening to all the night sounds!

Definitely Sweni hide when it is quiet. Sat there on a few occasions for up to 3 hours without visiting. Even 'parked' there with a comfy camping chair. Then just enjoyed the quietness of the moment... The soft wind wispering through the leaves. A troop of baboons calling in the distance. Stunning bird sounds. Another sip from your dop to relax the muscles Maybe a few impala chasing each other on the opposite riverbank. A few snorts of the hippos. Too much to name Obviously would pack up when we hear the sound of a car. Even my ruthless cousin liked it A LOT





Tshanga is also another favorite of mine. Quiet with a nice view...



Or the hide in Punda camp, when most campers have left to search for lions... Good memories of this place.



How can one forget the viewpoint along the s139 Byamiti road.... quiet and such a peacefull place.



Or one of the most beautiful places in the south, a confluence of rivers along the s108 loop.... (try to find that one ) Even there it's quiet.



How can one refuse the wooden chairs in front of the LETABA restaurant...as the sun is waiving good bye...?



Or who wants to miss the view over the Pioneer dam from Bungalow 49 in Mopaans



But evoking the most melodramatic, most special quiet moments in my (short?) life, it is with a grateful heart I look back to the moments I enjoyed on this bridge. Just to stand there, realizing how privileged we are to witness this. A soft babble from a late group of guinea-fowls. Incoming hadidas from the east. A lone ellie lurking from the golden river. A soft sigh by myself as this has to be heaven on earth. Heaven on the Shingwedzi bridge, when softly sharing the beautiful moments with those with who came along with me. Peace. SIGGGGGHH.... Oh how I miss this place right now......



I'm sorry, I could bore you with many more! Great topic though, I could go on for hours