SANParks.org Forums

more pics to come...

That looks better than the last one!

Do they still need to switch on the generator to provide electricity for the computers?
That was hilarious.
The lady had to go outside first to do this and we had to wait while the computer got started before she could process our entrance.

Hi Forumites

Check out the media release issued at the time of the opening: Pafuri Gate

I trust that you have noticed that all the gates are designed and built with the "new look". Compare Pafuri to the new Phabeni Entrance Gate and the upgrading of the Punda Maria Entrance Gate.

What does everyone think of this "new look"?

I look forward to your comments.

Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

Honestly, The Phabeni gate does not give me a Kruger feeling. It is more of a Kenya or Lesotho'ish even look and feel. Doesn't really fit in with the immediate environment for me.

But it is beautifull though. Really nice.

The Pafuri gate is very nice too. A bit of Zim look and feel though. But it fits in very nicely with the environment. Excellent redesign there IMHO.

KPN Spokesman
Entered through the new Pabeni gate
Looks very inviting and blends in with the surroundings
Has a Africa feeling
And on a personal note:
Staff were excelent

Departed throught Punda Maria
Same as with Pabeni.
We were requested to open the car for inspection
In a very friendly and correct manner

KNPS - I loved going in through Parfuri.
It was much less hassle than Paul Kruger 2 years previously (and yes I know there is a slight difference in traffic ).
It was just so informal - a wonderful start to the holiday.
The guard behind the desk was wonderful and put up very well with me having left everything I needed back in the car and making 2 or 3 journey back (blonde moment).
We even got our car washed down.
And the air conditioning was very welcome after arriving in an African summer from a North European winter

Looking at the above photos, I am reminded of my first entrance to the park via Pafuri Gate.
It was during the late 70's.
I was still in the Civil Force (army) and "member" of an anti-aircraft unit.
It was during the transition years of Zimbabwe - then known as Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and bishop Abel Mozurewa was the head of state.
Our unit had to do a proper survey of the northern border in order to draw up anti-aircraft defense plans for strategic targets.
Some of the targets would be air strips in that part of South Africa.
Two of the identified air strips were in the Kruger National Park.
The one was just north of the Levuvhu River, very near to where the bridge crosses the river on the H1-8/H1-9 (between the river and the road).

We entered Pafuri Gate early morning.
Those days it was just an ordinary gate with a watchman on duty.
I think very few visitors entered Kruger via Pafuri those days.

We had a short briefing session by one of the senior officers before we were sent in groups of 4 - 5 into various directions.
We had our rifles with us and were issued with live ammunition.
We were told that we will probably come upon some game, "but please guys, it is not a hunting safari".
I remember seeing baboons, warthog and impala during our foot patrol.
We were also warned that there is dangerous animals like lion and elephant.
During question time (before we dispersed in different groups) one of the rookies asked the officer "but what if we walk into some lions?"
The words of the officer was: "Do anything, climb into a tree, hide yourself, shout at the top of your voice - but please guys, do not shoot the @(*&%# thing".
Fortunately that was not necessary as none of us met up with real dangerous animals.

It will be with some nostalgic memories to my army days when I enter Pafuri Gate on 12 May this year.
And I won't mind to see some "dangerous animals" between the gate and the bridge this time.

If the cell phone coverage is still the same as a few years ago there are few places where you can get coverage in the entire Makuleke zone. The easiest place to acess is just a few meters on the Pafuri gate side of the turnoff to the Outback Lodge. The signal is picked up through the valley by the Mine call tower at Massini.

Does Pafuri Gate have a nice pin board

Hi Mark
I don't think Pafuri Gate has a pin board... but Punda Maria (closes camp to the gate) has one.

Hi MaroelaMan!
I would echo your compliment, on entering at the Pafuri gate two years ago we were met by the friendliest chaps I've ever met in the park.
They couldn't do enough for us, washing the car windscreen, giving us water etc.
It was a fabulous way to start our holiday and only surpassed by happening upon two fighting nyala a few minutes in - what a holiday.

Nope, Pafuri gate does not have a pinboard / sightings board

I wonder what the reason for that might be