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Mooiplaas!!!

Pafuri and Afsaal

For me it has to be Babalala, just for the memories, way back when the water was heated over a log fire and always tasted smoky, condensed milk in you tea, complete with leaves, my father cooking breakfast on our twin primus stoves (smelly) in two battered frying pans. If you wanted to braai the coals were taken from the fire with a big shovel, and joy of joys we were allowed to explore the site (within reason), or a picnic with a slice of date loaf or banana bread with that smoky tea (my mother's sandwiches were best avoided), so we ate cake.

For me it has to be Tshanga because of the relative peacefulness and the beauty of it's surroundings.
Then Musanzeni because of the same reasons.

Nkulu (spelling?) cos of the buffalo pies! and of course the river (saw a hippo the last time i was there)

Muzandzeni is a unique spot in the Kruger

After a long stint in the car, ariving at Pafuri and setting up lunch under the full dark green canopy with the birdlife in a frenzy.....the coolness is great in the humid heavy heat...

TIMBAVATI Picnic Spot - no doubt After travelling the lovely Timbavati Road, all along the river on you left, a bush breakfast at Timb PS is very special

Leanawel, I cant agree more , We visit Timbavati PS end Nov 2010 the first time and the reasons why we loved it?
It was spotless clean.
The personnel run the braais with a full house of guest as if they where playing checkers.
And then all the pensioners have a stop there for no reason and what is better than a good conversation.

We still believe a very good route to take is from Balule , the S39 down to Timbavati PS for Brunch. During the trip in Nov 2010 we had lots of good sightings this way.
Funny story On the third day we do the same trip the wind was blowing that day so strong that there was nobody even at the picnic spot . On the way there we nearly saw anything and our spirits was very low .After a windy pit stop without brunch and the normal conversations we left.
Around the Kremetart and at the t- junction S39 and the S 127 we met a pride of about 12 lions in the middel of the road. We do not know exacately how many lions because we were to surprice to count

Mooiplaas for us!!! It was our first time that far north, fantastic to cook breakfast under the thatch. In the very early morning standing at the look out point you feel like you are the only people in the park, will be back in July 2012 :

I love Pafuri picnic site, its so lovely and peaceful and the attendant Frank is so helpful and also a fantastic birder keen to impart his knowledge.

My other favourite is Makhadzi on the H15 close to the Giriyonda Border Gate an absolute hidden gem.

Otherwise I also like Mlondozi although it can be a bit busy in high season and over weekends.

Skukuza Day visitors picnic site is another one that is remarkably good despite being in such a busy area and the individual sites are quite separate and private.

Pafuri with Frank and the birds tops the list with Babalala where we've been the first and only visitors countless times second. We always go looking for spoor at Babalala. Best so far the leopard spoor in December. Makhadzi is a must do as well. We've always been the only people there! We've never been there with anybody else but the keeper. If I HAVE to choose in the South it will be Molondozi. Not a fan of the South though.

Muzandzeni and Nhlanguleni. Most of the times very quiet with you being the only visitor. Muzandzeni is also situated in a good game viewing area.

Hi,

I agree with Stoffel. Muzandzeni and Nhlanguleni Picnic Spots are my two favourites.

Samantha

My favourites in this order, Nhlanguleni - Muzanzeni - Timbavati,regret that i have not been to the picnic sites in the north,probably my choices will change then.