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Olifants Rest Camp

Guests that visit Olifants will be exposed to an unforgettable window of Africa.

The camp is situated a top a hill which towers several hundred feet over the Olifants river. Views from the lookout platforms allow one to see the river below, just as a soaring eagle would survey it, as it hunts from the skies.

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Activities

See the Park’s Activities for a comprehensive list.

Facilities

  • Information at Reception
  • Public Telephone
  • Post Box
  • Restaurant
  • Conference Venue
  • Cafeteria
  • Shop
  • No ATM facility available
  • Laundromat
  • Filling Station
  • Communal Kitchens
  • Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
  • Basic First Aid Assistance
  • Day Visitors Picnic Area in camp with gas braais (barbeques) for rent
  • DSTV (limited channels) only available in Guest Houses and in TV hall
  • Cellphone reception

See the Park’s Facilities for a comprehensive list.

Day Visitors

Olifants has a designated picnic area for day visitors. It is located behind the camp’s reception offices. Clear signage in the camp will direct you. Gas cooking facilities are available for rent.

Travel Information

Routes and times are from central Gauteng.

By Air

The closest airport to Olifants is Gateway Airport situated in Phalaborwa. Gateway is situated approximately 3km from Phalaborwa Gate. There are daily scheduled flights between Gateway and OR Tambo International Airport inJohannesburg.

By Road: Phalaborwa Gate

Take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg). 40km before Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen, head towards Phalaborwa and the gate. Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate. Olifants Rest Camp is 83km away from the gate. Allow about 3 hours for the drive to the camp, however if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time!

Flora & Fauna

See the Fauna & Flora pages of the Park for more information.

Mammals

The Olifants area plays host to most of the Kruger National Park’s classic larger game. As the name of the camp suggests, elephant are common in the area. Baboon and vervet monkey both inhabit the camp, as do fruit bats and thick-tailed bush babies at night. Lion and leopard are regularly seen on game drives. Cape clawless otter has been seen from the Olifants lookout point on the gravel road to Letaba.

Vegetation

Olifants is situated in rugged veld on rhyolite / basalt soil. Lowveld cluster-leaf, raisin bush and mopane are all prominent in the area. Just south of the river is the transition zone between thornveld and the mopane belt. In the camp itself there is a plethora of trees and plants, some of which are scarce elsewhere in the Kruger National Park.

A variety of aloe species are a real highlight. Next to the filling station there is a sesame bush. This is probably the only accessible place in the Kruger National Park where it can be seen. In early spring the sjambok pod (yellow flowers) and weeping boerboon (red flowers) are both in bloom so the veld is a contrast of colour. Also look out for tree euphorbia.

5 Things To Seek

  1. Elephant
  2. Lion
  3. Hippopotamus
  4. Nile Crocodile
  5. Martial Eagle

Contact

  • Telephone: +27 (0)13 735 6606/7
  • Fax: +27 (0)13 735 6609
  • Mobile: 082 888 6563

See Camp Contacts for more information.

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