Punda Maria Rest Camp

[Bosveldson]

Thank you for the links Elsa and the info. Hope you enjoy your stay in March and remember to let me know.

[Grit1962]

Hi Bosveldson

Punda Maria is always a good decision, it is such a unique camp.

Elsa already wrote about booking of the tents. When we were there last time in November 2018, if I remember well, the pool closed at 9.00 pm.

Concerning the restaurant: we were there twice and it was both times excellent. It was/is a Tindlovu restaurant. You best book a table in advance as they only have 5 or 6 tables inside. There is also a nice terrasse where you can sit outside but it also filled up quickly for dinner.

The little shop (Winkel) is well stocked and you get all that you need, it is of course not as big as the shops in the larger camps but more than sufficient.

And the very best in the camp is the waterhole. We sat there for hours. It you want to see more you can have a look at my trip report "Kruger from South to North and back - 11 camps in 2 months" viewtopic.php?f=27&t=113210 Punda Maria starts at page 5.

We will also be back to Punda in November

Enjoy your stay.

[Barb15584]

We were also at Punda Maria in November and wholeheartedly agree with Grit1962 regarding the restaurant. We had three meals there, the food was excellent and what made it for us was the service which was first rate.

[Wilfre]

Good day,
As we are pensioner-campers we only make use of chalets once a year when visiting Ngwenya Lodge. We have decided to treat us for three nights in a BG2 unit. Would anybody please be so kind as let me know which of one units 1 to 18 would you recommend?

Regards

[Melaka]

We spent two nights in 5 in February this year. Although it's on the 'main' road the traffic is negligible so not a problem. Compared to bungalows in other camps it's quite small. I suspect that is due to it being converted ranger quarters rather than built as a tourist facility. There's a fridge and a kettle but no other catering facilities, which are elsewhere. That didn't worry us as we ate in the restaurant at breakfast and in the evening and took sandwiches from the shop for lunch. It's a pleasant, friendly, camp with much less bustle than the larger ones. You can watch the world go by from the stoep or walk down the the hide.

[PNF]

Hi Wilfre
Also being a pensioner-camper it is not often that I stay in chalets but a couple of years ago did stay in a BG2 at Punda as accompanying friends who are not campers! We had nos: 9 and 10. These are both corner units separated by an access path to the upper units. As Melaka said - these units are small but well laid out considering the space limitations. Your table and chairs are situated outside the room but are still under the roof. The units that we had are across the road from the braai area which was well patronised whilst we were there. We did not notice any noise coming from that area and there was minimum traffic noise during the day. Parking is parallel to your unit which means that the corner units do have a slightly longer space than those in the centre of a row - something that is needed if you are towing a trailer!
Enjoy your stay!

[Elsa]

Agree with the above comments, we stayed in #2 in March this year and found them very comfortable, even despite saying no utensils they did have basic ones, like coffee cups/mugs, a small tea pot, some cereal bowls and even some basic cutlery.

[Elsa]

Honeybee, This is the completed swimming pool at Punda Maria and it looks absolutely stunning.
so do enjoy your time in such a special camp and having a dip as well.

Pic from Loren Bronkhorst.

[honeybee79]

Oh yipppppeeee!!!!! Thank you for the update!!!!!
Hooooray!!!!

[Shidzidzii]

Can anyone currently or recently camping at Punda Maria report on the camp and ablutions . Going later this winter .

[EDgearbox]

We were there the last week of April. Ablutions is old but clean. There is most certainly lack of maintenace.

Sent from my SM-J810F using Tapatalk

[anders]

Can anyone report news about the restaurant? Are they open ore closed? Can't find them anymore on the Tindlovu site. And the pool is closed to maintenance again?

[Elsa]

Warm welcome to the forum anders.

The restaurant is open, not Tindlovu run now, so sorry I don't have the menu but sure it will be good.
maybe someone who has been there just lately can let us know.

The pool is currently closed for maintenance but expected to reopen in approx 2 weeks time.

[konagirl]

@anders apologies that this reply is probably too late for you! But for others interested, Mpila Leisure have taken over the restaurant operations at Punda Maria, and at Shingwedzi and Mopani. The menu is very similar to Tindlovu and the food was very good, nicely presented and very good / friendly service when we were there at the beginning of November 2021. The menu can be viewed here: https://www.mpilaleisure.co.za/

[Waterbuck]

Hi all - not really sure where to post this...
From what I've been reading the Pennant-winged Nightjars really only display from the last week in October to the first week in December, when you have a good chance of seeing one on a sunset drive from Punda Maria. I have tried some email addresses for the camp to ask if there is a reasosnanble chance of still seeing one in the second half of December, as there are a few records of sightings right into January. I'll only arrive in SA around 20 December and it will be so nice to get direct feedback from the drivers/guides around the chances of seeing one in the second half of December....since I will need to risk limb and live to sneak away from Christmas proceedings. Any advice?