Mopani Main Camp
Mopani is situated 50 km North of Letaba Rest Camp, on the eastern bank of the Pioneer Dam, in the heart of Mopani Veld. It is 74 km from Phalaborwa Gate. There is a huge gnarled old baobab tree in the heart of the camp.
The dense mopane veld around Mopani camp has an unfair reputation for being a poor game area. In truth there is actually very little that cannot be seen in this habitat. In fact a person can simply sit tight at the lookout point in camp, or at the nearby balcony of the ladies bar, and be treated to a constant stream of animals such as hippo, waterbuck, impala, warthog, elephant, buffalo and for the lucky ones, even lion. The Tropic of Capricorn loop and the Nshawu pans are an excellent area to see game as there are some open plains that host species such as blue wildebeest, burchell’s zebra, buffalo and the rarer tsessebe. Black-backed jackal and caracal are some of the smaller more unusual species to look out for.
The camp overlooks the Pioneer Dam where a plethora of water birds are to be seen. Storks, egrets, kingfishers and African Fish Eagles are ever present while Redwinged Pratincole, African Spoonbill, Blackwinged Stilt and Whitewinged Tern are some of the more uncommon species to watch for. Mosque and Wiretailed Swallow breed in camp (the former should be looked for at the camp's huge Baobab Tree). Mocking Chats should be looked for from the ladies bar. At the nearby Nshawu Pans look for Kittlitz's Plover, Chestnutbacked Finchlark and Redwinged Pratincole.
Accommodation at Mopani
Luxury Guest House
- Xanatseni: 8 beds
(1 room with double bed, 3 twin-bed rooms, one of which is wheelchair friendly), large lounge/dining room and kitchen, outside covered bar and veranda area with view of the dam. Sleeping cottages are loose standing from lounge/dining area. There are also communal barbeque (barbeque) facilities.
Guest Cottages
6 beds (three twin-bedded rooms, one with bathroom en-suite), two bathrooms, kitchen, lounge/dining area, large veranda and outside barbeque.
Cottages
4 beds (one twin-bedded room, 2 sleeper couches in lounge), two bathrooms, veranda with kitchenette and outside barbeque.
Bungalows
4 beds (one twin-bedded room, 2 bunk beds in alcove), one bathroom, veranda with kitchenette and outside barbeque (barbeque).
Sleepover Hide
- Shipandani: (6 beds) at the Tsende River near camp.
For more information contact Mopani Reception.
Day visitors
Mopani has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can barbeque (barbeque) and picnic. This area is past the filling station to the right as one enters the camp gate. There are also picnic facilities with tended skottels at Mooiplaas (7 km by road south of the camp).
Facilities
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephones
- Post Box
- Basic First Aid Assistance
- Imvubu Restaurant
- Ladies Bar
- Cafeteria/ Coffee Shop
- Shop
- Emergency Road Service
- Petrol Station
- Laundromat
- DSTV Only Available in Guest Houses
- Conference Facilities
- Picnic Facilities
- Swimming Pool
Activities
- Morning, Sunset and Night Drives
- Morning and Day Walks
- Guided Bush Walks and Drives (in the company of trained field guides)
- Picnic Sites in Kruger National Park
- Nature Trail around Camp
- Pioneer Dam Bird Hide
- Wildlife Film Shows
These activities will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings as well as further details for these activities are available from reception.
Extra Information
- Plan your trip – do not try and cover too great a distance. Kruger is a massive tract of land and frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. Slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground.
- Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
- Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
- Do not leave any food unattended, as thieving monkeys and baboons are a constant threat.
- The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar and 40 km/h on gravel.
- Visitors are not permitted to leave their vehicle other than at designated get out points and rest camps.
- Pets are not permitted in a national park.
- Firearms must be declared at the entrance gate and sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
- Open vehicles must obtain the necessary permit.
- Feeding of the animals is strictly prohibited for yours and the animal’s safety and well-being.
- Kruger is a malaria zone. See Malaria Map / Info for further details.
Climate
Kruger Park lies in a summer rainfall area with possible downpours occuring later in the day. The summer months (October to April) are hot. Winter’s are warm and mild, with very cool evenings.
Gate Hours
| Gate Times | Nov-Jan | Feb | Mar & Oct | Apr | May-July | Aug-Sept |
| Park Gates Open | 05:30 | 05:30 | 05:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 |
| Camp Gates Open | 04:30 | 05:30 | 05:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 |
| Park& Camp Gates Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:00 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
