Skukuza Rest Camp

Flora and Fauna

Mammals

Sighting the "Big Five” has become something of a quest for many people when on safari, and the Kruger National Park has more than its fair share of these, with an estimated 1,500 lion, 12,000 elephant, 2,500 buffalo, 1,000 leopards and 5,000 rhino (black and white).

It should certainly not be a pre-requisite of a safari to see these or even a priority, as there are plenty of other fascinating animals and birds in the African bush.

All of the Big 5 can readily be seen in the vicinity of Skukuza. Wild Dog are another thing to look for. In the camp itself there is a population of warthog. Vervet Monkey also inhabit the camp and can wreck havoc if visitors leave unguarded possessions. At night genet, thick-tailed bush baby and fruit bat are resident in camp. The latter hang under the eaves of the shop. The river front of the camp is a great place to look for hippopotamus and buffalo, especially in early morning. See Kruger/Fauna/Mammals for full park mammal checklists.

Vegetation

While the camp itself is riverine, with wonderful large trees such as sycamore fig, jackalberry and Natal mahogany, the surrounding ecozone comprises of thorn thicket on granite/gneiss soils. Knob thorn and sickle bush are prominent.

(More information on park vegetation)

(For more birding information and park bird checklist, go to Information for Birders)