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You'll spot hippos at any major river or dam in the park.
So the Olifants River should be the place to scan. Especially from the viewpoint just off the H1-4 pass the Olifants turnoff coming from Letaba

Elephants are everywhere, so I'll be stumped if you don't see any! More than often this time of the year you'll also spot these giants along the Olifants River coming down for a drink or a swim.

I have seen herds crossing the Olifants River from the viewpoint in the camp on numerous occasions. The Letaba area will also be a good place to look for them.

One late afternoon after crossing the river from
Balule we worked our way up to Olifantscamp
(one of my favourite routes) and saw this landrover
parked alongside the river. What were they looking at
We parked at a corner, not to far from them. Our own
private space

Were watching two beautifull Waterbucks and a lot of zebra.
Took our time watching them and saw the landrover
moving along again.
We slowly drove towards the place where this
vehicle had been standing for the last 20 minutes...

We were just in time to see at least 30 ellies (with young ones)
in midstream and climbing upon the embankment on the
opposite site Still have a few far away shots to prove it.

But, what were we dumb, ignorant and just plain stupid
Propably missed the whole scene of coming down to the river,
entering and walking/swimming across.

In in all it was one off the best encounter with Ellies i have had in my life

It must be something to see. Because Olifants does not have camp sites we have only ever stayed over there once in the cottages so I have not seen ellies crossing there. I have seen ellies swimming - diving right under the water - at Lower Sabie though.

@ WTM - have you noted who has to lead them through the the water

We saw the same thing one evening from the lookout in camp. It was awesome! A huge herd with babies, actually holding trunk to tail . The adults were so sweet with the smaller ones, helping them to get across safely. One of my fondest memories in the park actually.

seen it a couple of times as we stayed often at Olifants...sometimes when the water gets really deep u only see the trunks...even of the really big ellies.....

lovely sighting....

We just returned from our annual pilgrimage of a week at Swadini in the Blyderiver Canyon.
As per normal, we took a day out to visit Kruger.
We entered via Orpen gate and headed up the route next to the Timbavati River.
We decided to go look at Balule and Olifants, which I have heard much about on this forum.
Balule was lovely, but Olifants took my breath away.

As you walk down to the observation deck, your eyes get bigger and bigger.
Man, this place is awesome.
If I were staying there, I would be routed to the campsite.
I would wake up and stay at that deck from dawn to dusk. Day in day out.
Now I see what you folks are talking about.

I love those pictures you get where there are two exact pictures, however, there are 10 or so slight changes you need to spot.
Well, Olifants is similar but in a different way. I
It was a case of sitting and looking at what could be found.
Hippos, over there, Crocs over here.
One there with a baby.
What about the water buck in the reeds to the left and all those impala over on the right.
Also, constantly scanning the underbrush on the far side looking for any predator, or hoping to see a Leopard crossing the riverbed in the distance on the right.
What about the birds the highlight being the European bee eater (I think it was).
Colours you cannot believe if someone were to tell you.

Please excuse my enthusiasm.
I simply fell in love with the place.
On the way out where you turn left to head to Satara, there is another outlook place where you have a similar commanding view of the river.
Well, again I could head there with my cooler box and camp master chairs and set up possie for the day.

Bottom line, I am already scheming in my head when I will get there. Hopefully the forumites can help. I am a camper, which Olifants does not cater for, apart from Balule.

Question: - do any other camps in the area have much the same view.
On the map, Letaba also has a river running past it, but is it like Lower Sabie river or like Olifants.
We were not allowed into Balule, so we could not see the view.
Does it also overlook the river like Olifants?

Thanks for your help.

Last time we spent the night at Olifants, we took a walk at night to the view point in front of the food court. It was the most peaceful experience, there is a great spotlight that shines, although you cant view too much, it creates this really nice ambience, so with a bit of amarula, night time noises and a gentle breeze, we were in heaven.

Does anyone know which 5 bungalows in Olifants are the ones that are in the category "Units with best view of Olifants River" (BBD2V)?

Olifants is one of, if not my favourite main camp.

I love the view, the relaxed atmosphere (never seen ques at the gate in the morning) and the game viewing is good too, the camp is also really well managed.

Katja, I think the units are numbers 8,9,10,11,12 I am not sure if it is 8-12 or 9-13 but definitely 9-12. I always used to request one of these, but now that they have a separate booking code it is confirmed from the start. Hein Grobler, the outstanding camp manager, told us that these units would be refurbished before being re-classified.

I absolutely love dawn at that camp, the colours in the east, the light beginning to reflect on the water and the call of the resident Fish Eagles that nest in a large Fever Tree down below...heaven. The sunsets are magnificent too.

Thanks for these pix, Jumbo! I've been trying to remember whether the rondavel I want to request was #9 or #13, and your pix confirm that #9 is a great choice!

Anyone else got pix from #13?

I don’t have a photo of #13. It also has a stunning view. Just one thing that “bothers” us about #13 – the braai is behind the unit.
#9 is amazing. If you sit on your veranda, nobody can see you and you cannot see the other units – you feel as though you are alone and you have a 180-degree view!
Trust me, this is the best one.
Will look through my photos (have hordes taken at #9 during several visits) – will post some under the Olifants thread.

^I suppose that means that #9 is in the "units with best river view" category? (BBD2V)
I have booked a bungalow in that category for my stay in May.

That is correct Katja. The BBD2V units are 9 to 13.

Will hold thumbs Arks. Just put in your request well in advance – Olifants accept requests long before the time. Give them at least two options - say you prefer #9 but if already requested, you will be happy if they can give you #13

Taken from the stoep in Nov 1984. Bet that tree is lots bigger now


View from the stoep:

Hi arks,

When you asked this on Tuesday Bosnimf was staying in Olifants so i asked her to take a pic of no 13 for you

Here is the view:



According to her a very nice hut, great view and also sort of secluded which she liked.