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Joep can you please tell us where the original SAPS building is? I am also curious to know if the Baobab trees that you spoke about earlier is still around?

I saw old photographs of a shop in Skukuza, was it where the current shop and restaurant complex is.

I always thought the Library is a modern buidling - when was it erected?

This is all so interesting!!
Looking forward to learning more

Dear BrendaK,

Thanks for your interest and also Elzet, vgstephens, TheunsH and others.

The current SAPS building is where the original SAP office was and when you visit it you can clearly still see the old part, as there have obviously been some additions. It is not adjoining the camp boundary fence and can best be visited from the road to the staff village from which you take first turn right (same road as the Conservation Management complex and as you turn off, it is right in front of you.

Regarding the baobabs they are indeed still there and within the footprint designated for the hotel and I have this requested that they receive special prominence in the total layout of the footprint. They are in the south-western corner of the camp close to the back (south) fence amongst staff houses. They are close to the technical office of the camp and it would possibly be best to ask directions when in camp.

The shop is currently where previously the post office was and the shop was then where the current cafeteria is (next to the large marula tree). However, that complex was built relatively recently (last 50 years) and the first shop was probably located where currently the linen room was.

Regarding the library, if my memory serves me right that was opened in about 1960 or 1961, so indeed not very old, but regrettably there are very few of the very old buildings left.

This is why I have requested people to send old photos as they really convey so much about the history of camps.

Thanks for the interest from all.

JOEP

According to an article in "Custos" of March 1972 by Helen Prinsloo, the librarian, the Stevenson-Hamilton library was inaugurated on 14 October 1961.
Thank you for bringing all these old buildings to our attention again!

Joep, indeed, a huge thank you. (Just spent the past two hours perusing the 1971/2 Custos edition to find more interesting info, but alas, it more or less covers what you have supplied).

With appreciation.

Dear All,

Let me update my list (in order of age) and include a few structures outside the camp and Papenfus Tower:

1.Sabi Bridge (completed in 1910)
2.Campbell hut museum (and nearby 209, which was modernised a few times since)
3.The original SAPS building
4.Struben Guest Cottage (designed by Hilda Stevenson-Hamilton and donated by Frank EB Struben) completed in 1937
5.Papenfus Clock Tower after board member Herbert Boshoff Papenfus (1865 -1937) erected sometime after his death.
6.Stevenson-Hamilton Library (14/10/1961)

Kind regards.

JOEP

Hi Joep and all
Please inlighten me, I thought the most southern Boabab is the one between Tshoks and Satara? But I'm reading about boababs at Malelane camp and at Skukuza. (I know this is off topic and mods please feel free to remove )

Many thanks

Dear Bennievis & All,

The ones in camps mentioned are all planted since these became ranger stations or camps while the one between Tshokwane & Satara is natural.

Kind regards.

JOEP

Thank you Joep !

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Does anyone know where the Casa Mia Hut/Guest House is?

Dear BrendaK,

The camp underwent quite a significant upgrade in 1988 when the reception was moved to where the current cafeteria is. There was a few rows of old huts (including CasaMia) where the current carpark just above the fighting kudu statue is. These were all demolished for that upgrade. Thanks for your interest.

Kind regards.

JOEP

Thank you Mr Joep Stevens for sharing very interesting historical information. Do you perhaps know what the hidden history is, if any, behind the Lion Hut?

Dear Grantmissy,

Thanks for the enquiry about Lion Cottage. It was built in 1969 and donated by Lady Bridget Oppenheimer. After the 7 February 2000 floods severly damaged much of Skukuza's riverview cottages as well as ABSA and Monis Guest Houses, Lion was rebuilt in a new design (like the other riverview chalets) on the same footprint as the original Lion Cottage. I remember it to be a quaint little unit, much liked by the guests.

KInd regards.

JOEP

All this information is great! A heritage group is looking at trying to bring some of this to 'life' for visitors. I have posted in another thread that we are looking for information on the dog graves at the moment. But I know the Library/Museum is also being revamped, so any information is really appreciated.