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I actually love Crook's Corner!
the little winding road to get there through thick and lush vegetation is just incredible.
We mostly go in Feb so its all very green and verdant then.
Constant bird calls, we saw our first Tropical Boubous, a pair and they were singing a duet.
Also seen Trumpeter Hornbills and plenty of raptors, Bee-eaters.
Usually plenty of Nyala, monkeys and then at the lookout spot we have always seen big groups of Crocs and pods of Hippo especially where the Luvuvhu joins into the Limpopo river.

Fortunately never seen any of the things you have seen Johan!

Hello all,

We will be traveling to the northern part of KNP for the 1st time in November. We will be entering through Punda Maria gate and spending 3 nights at Shingwedzi before making our way south. I would like to take a trip to Crooks Corner and am seeking advice about doing so......

We will probably be entering the Park between 1000 and 1100 hours on our first day. Would it be best to drive from the gate up to Crooks corner and then make our way back down to Shingwedzi, or to take a day trip up to Crooks Corner during one of our days at Shingwedzi?????

Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

Thanks,

Daron

Part of me wanted to say, to save petrol ,do it when you come in at Punda, but it will then be a rush to get to Crooks and back to Shing and check in etc.

I think I would leave Shing nice and early one morning, stop at Babalala for breakfast (look out for Roan, Tssesebe, and Elan) Then on to Crooks and Pafuri Picnic spot. (Don't forget to ask Frank to show you his birds), Then make your way back to Shing before the gates close.

Tedredrum, I agree with Crested Val.
Do not rush a trip to Crookes Corner.
Give yourself time to slowly drive alongside the Luvuvhu River and to enjoy the atmosphere of Pafuri.
Pop in at Klopperfontein along the way.

Yep.

I'm not that fond of CC itself, but enjoy the drive there. It must be said that the road on the Makuleke side is much more spectacular, even though it doesn't offer any river views. Come to think of it, that'ss actually an advantage, as it means you have to walk down to the view points, some of which are stunning. My favorite is the confluence of the Luvuvhu and Nwambi stream.

CC is at its best when the Limpopo is not flowing, and the Luvuvhu just trickles around the corner forming a series of pools hard up against the southern Limpopo bank. These pools are chock-a-block with crocs and also attract lots of waders and other birds. The view is better from the Makuleke side.

Johan

Thanks everyone for the responses. That's why I asked the forum....... you always get good advice.

Daron

......................and have a look out for Lemon-Breasted Canary at the T-junction of the S63 and where you turn left for Crooks Corner -

The Pafuri and Crooks Corner is a special area of the Park that is not to be missed (or rushed).

Tedredrum, i agree with WildImage.

It is like a little Eden

Go and see Frank the "Birdman" at the picnic site

From Punda gate to Pafuri is about 50 km , so you may have time to go there on first day , and still reach Shing by closing time - that is 90 km .
Which means that you can actually visit Crook's twice during your stay . From Shing you can leisurely travel to Pafuri picnic spot to have brekkies , then to Crook's corner , also do Nyala loop , back to Babalala , down Mphongolo to Shingwedzi - all in one day .
Enjoy

Luvuvhu river.

The drive from Shingwedzi to Babalala to Pafuri to Crook's Corner is always rewarding. Shingwedzi is a favourite camp of ours and we often do the trip more than once during a visit.

Pafuri should by early November be a birders paradise, drive into the forest, switch off your car and just listen . . . .

We have very often experienced the trip there and back completely different from one another.

Less sightings on the way up and then the grand parade on the way down.

Just enjoy your visit.

Not sure what you mean by good, but water levels fluctuate substantially. The Luvuvhu can rise surprisingly quickly after heavy rain, and drop just as fast. During severe droughts it has been known to run dry, leaving only the odd pool.

The water level can also be influenced by releasing water from dams upstream outside the park. I believe there are certain rules for this, but I've also heard that the Pafuri ranger on occasion has pulled some strings to get extra water released.

The bottom line is that the Luvuvhu is to all intents and purposes perennial, except during extremE droughts.

Picture below taken from Luvuvhu bridge looking east (downstream) after heavy rain earlier this year. I don't carry a camera, and usually forget that my smartphone has one, so I only took this picture on my way back to Pafuri Camp, by which time the river had dropped over a meter compared to when I drove out.



Johan

Just to put things into perspective, here are some more.

Once again taken from the bridge, looking downstream at sunrise in February 2006



and in the other direction, shortly after sunrise



And, for good measure, the Luvuvhu at Mangala. Prettiest spot in the entire park, in my opinion.



Johan