Directory
The Baobab Restaurant This eatery overlooks the Glencoe tree and specialises in pancakes. Try a cinnamon and sugar (R25), venison (R60) or banana-and-caramel (R50) treat. 082-332-7887
Zvakanaka Farm Just outside Louis Trichardt, Zvakanaka has secluded cottages and a campsite. We stayed in Madala’s Cottage, which has an outside bath, pool and indoor fireplace. Birds are abundant and the hosts are lovely. Camp for R150 pp; cottages cost R425 pp. 084-400-4595, zka.co.za
Pafuri Section, Kruger National Park There are some impressive baobabs between the Pafuri Gate and the Luvuvhu River. Park entry is R93 pp; there’s a shop, restaurant and petrol station at Punda Maria Rest Camp, 76km from the gate.
Campsites from R243 pp (max six) and bungalows from R370 pp. sanparks.org
Pafuri River Camp Lantern-lit tents on stilts create a classic safari-camp feel under the trees, just 10 minutes drive from Pafuri Gate. Guests can enjoy a catered braai every evening in the lapa, which has a pool and bar. Camping is R175 pp and self-catering tents cost R570 pp sharing. 082-785-0305, pafuri.co.za
Tshipise, A Forever Resort Built in the 1930s around the hot spring, it has 95 chalets, 370 campsites, a butchery, shop, restaurant and hot-spring pools.
Chalets with a patio and braai area from R1 800 (sleeps four), camping is R170 a site plus R70 pp. 015-539-0634, forevertshipise.co.za
Musina Nature Reserve You’ll need a high-clearance 4x4 for the notoriously bad 22km road. Clumps of baobabs appear throughout the reserve, which borders the Sand River and has plains game such as giraffe and wildebeest. Entrance is R35 a vehicle, R25 for adults, R20 for children. 015-534-3235
Mapungubwe National Park Apart from its famous archaeological site and wildlife, Mapungubwe is also home to baobabs, although many have been badly damaged by elephants. ‘It’s part of nature, we leave it,’ a ranger told me.
Park entry is R55 pp; campsites from R303 (for six people) and cottages from R345 pp. sanparks.org, 015-534-7923
Mashatu Lodge Crossborder Mashatu Game Reserve is often called the predator capital of Botswana, and our experience there suggests it’s a fair claim. The lodge rooms are large and luxurious, the food is top notch and the guides are excellent. R8 525 pp full board. 031-761-3440 mashatu.com,
ABOUT THE CAR
Land Rover’s latest Discovery 5 took all terrain challenges in its stride and was a pleasure to drive on highways. The preprogrammable drivetrain allows off-road novices to set optimum driving with a simple turn of a controller in the centre console. landrover.co.za