6. TSENDZE CAMPSITE

CLOSEST GATE Phalaborwa SITES 34 BEST FEATURES Attention to detail, intimate owl sightings, off-thegrid wildness SPECIAL SIGHTINGS Rare antelope like roan, tsessebe and eland

Everything is beautifully kept here at Tsendze, thanks to the exceptionally attentive camp management. Rodgers and Elina Hobyane have run this camp for over 10 years and come around personally to every site in the evening, checking on the campers – Elina even fetched me to share the sighting of two lovely pearlspotted owlets tucked into the camp’s mopane trees. Rodgers knows where all the resident owls nest and is happy to show you where they sit in the camp. There are two ablution blocks (with larney outside showers), great kitchen stations with washing-up facilities, gas fridges and cookers, and each site has a spotless braai stand (the cleanest I saw in the park). I camped at number 27, beneath a large apple-leaf tree with clear views through the fence. Other great options are number 3, 22 and 26, but all sites are spacious and most sit on the boundary with views across the mopaneveld. Tsendze is off the grid, quiet at night and feels like a true piece of wilderness compared to other bigger Kruger camps. It’s also the only camp where you can request a specific site (all others are first come, first served). DO THIS Visit the sprawling Pioneer Dam at nearby Mopani rest camp (seven kilometres north) and stretch your legs on the 45-minute boundary walk, keeping your eyes peeled for waterbirds, ellies and crocs.