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While we were in Tsendze in July we took a drive to Shingwedzi one day, we were pleasantly surprised by the day-visitors picnic area. Everything was spotless, the attendants were friendly,helpful and on the ball. We hired a skottel and made a "lekker" breakfast in a really tranquil part of such a busy camp.

I absolutely LOVE the KRUGER. I visited many camps, but mostly to the South of KNP. Now my husband and I decided to explore the Northern areas as well. We booked in Shingwedzi and Mopani in December for a week.

We have always been very fond of the Pafuri area even though I haven't experienced it in real life. So my question is the following: Is it possible to do a whole day's trip to the Pafuri region from Shingwedzi?
We have two children aged 6 AND 11. I don't know if they will be able to handle the long road for a day trip.

Any suggestions? Where is the best place to have breakfast or lunch on this road trip?

It is certainly do-able, and not too difficult at all. If you make sure you have an early start, you could be at the Pafuri picnic spot before it gets too hot and have a brunch there.

I am not totally certain of the distance, but it should not be much more than 3 hours each way.

I am sure some other forumites who know the area better will also advise you

It's roughly 87 kilometers, so Billy is quite correct with the 3 hours. It's another 10 kilometers (each way) to Crooks corner which is a must if you are there anyway. That is one of the best drives in the whole of Kruger.
You'll have to budget time a bit, but on the way back you'll be on tar all the time so you can make some speed.

In addition to previous feedback, I would advise that you make a day outing (versus a half day outing), leave at gate opening time (04:30), as said, to be there for breakfast and yes, the Crooks Corner Drive is a must and try and include the Nyala Drive along the western portion of the Luvuvhu, indeed super drives.
Normally by 10:00 or 11:00 it will be nice and hot and I would then return via Punda Maria, which is not really a major detour but offers you a nice break at Punda Camp and kids can take a dive into the pool there.
From there via tar road back to Shingwedzi. Enjoy!

JOEP STEVENS

I did the drive in May when gates were opening later and closing earlier than in December and had the time for all the places I wanted to visit. I agree with DuQues and Joep, the Nyala loop (always saw lots of general game there) and the drive to Crooks corner (amazing landscape) are "must drives", I would also recommend to go to Klopperfontain. Was big herds of buffs and several Ellies there and two years ago I missed a lion kill by less than five minutes. Another hot spot is the Luvuvhu bridge where you can also stretch your legs

Its clear that all the advice you have been given is from those with good knowledge of the area.

Take it easy getting there and really search the open areas around the waterholes on the way up...very often exciting things around.
As mentioned Nyala drive and the bridge is a must.

But without a doubt the drive to Crooke's Corner is fantastic...take it slow and make sure you scan every view point along the river very well...there is fantastic birding with Bee-eaters, Storks and Trumpeter Hornbills and many other specials for the KNP.

THe temp will probably be hot and humid - often around 35-40 in december so make sure your drives around Pafuri are done before breakfast if possible.

Getting back to Shingwedzi is tiring in the heat after an action pack morning around the Pafuri area but you can average about 40-45km/h as the heat means usually little activity going on.

A stop at Babalala (translated to sleeping baby I think, which is quite applicable because its hard to stay awake on the way back ) is a must and the Mpongolo Loop is fantastic if youre not too tired!

Keep an eye out for rare antelope on this drive with Tsessebe, Eland and Roan all being exciting posibilities!

We're also Southerners, michievdb.
The North is a different place...
We visited the North in June (you can read all about our experiences in my TR), and we really enjoyed it.
But it is different.
The fact to remember with your question, is that sightings are not as common along the tar road between Shing and Pafuri as they are on the tar road between Lower Sabie and Skukuza.
This translates to you driving there and back faster than you would do the same distance in the South.

We really fell in love with Pafuri.
It is now officially my favourite picnic spot in KNP!
So please do this trip... You'll LOVE it!

NOw i want to know what happened here with the kill? Did you see it happen and what was killed and any pics?? Shingwedzi has probably produced some of our best leopard sightings but dont think ive seen them north of Babalala

OK just for you....

It started off a a nice siting of the leopard in a dip at the side of the road with a very small pool of water.



There was a fallen log across the water suddenly the leopard lept up and ran across the log, got a pic but not a great one as we weren't prepared for the sudden action.


It disappeared out of sight into some bushes behind the waterhole.
So we waited in hope that it might reappear and give us a second chance. After 10 minutes or so, there was a lot of movement in the bushes.... a few minutes later we were rewarded as the leopard reappeared jumped once again onto the log an ran across with what I now know is a Cane rat in it mouth.





Made our day and perhaps even our trip!!

Hey SusieB what a fantastic sighting and so well captured, great pics...thanx for sharing

I had a feeling it was going to be really interesting...so I am glad I enquired

Stunning SusieB!!

And the drier it is the better the Impala lilies seem to look.

adw,

As you can see I was also in the dark about Shingwedzi.At the end we did stay there in November 2011.
-On the negative side;
the veld was burned down all the way to Punda both sides of the road. So sightings was limited.
the fan 's in the huts is not that "HOT", I think that will not be a big problem in September.
- Positive Side
A trip up to Croocks Coner and the Fever tree forest is a definitive must
If you l look for diversity in the wild live, Tsesebe,Eland,Roan..
We work the South with great results.
If you have a look at the trip report by Flying Cheetha , we met at Shingwedzi, it will be very interesting to hear his opinion. Because at that stage he was having a trip and a halve and needs a lot more to top the South.
Well the braai's is still such as good as in the South and the beer I think taste better (the heat)

I think to have something different it is a great choice.Have a great time.

The riverbed at the camp is quite dry , but Kanniedood has lots of water .
The Mopani trees are still brilliantly green , with lots of dense grass inbetween , making animals difficult to see .