Orpen Main Camp

Orpen Main Rest Camp is situated in the central region on the western border of the Kruger National Park. It is a small main camp and serves as an entrance gate to the central region. The scattered trees and wide-open plains covered by sweet grass attract many browsers; this in turn attracts the eye-catching cheetah, lion and leopard.

A large variety of game may be sighted at the waterhole just outside the camp. The Rabelais Dam is 7 km from the rest camp.

Well known for its diversity of habitat and wildlife, Orpen offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience close encounters with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard in a natural environment. Wild dog, cheetah, zebra and giraffe are also indigenous to this area, a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast.

Accommodation at Orpen

Guest Cottages

Orpen has three 6-bed units. Units have two bedrooms with 3 beds each. One bedroom has a bathroom en-suite (bath, toilet, and washbasin), and there is a separate toilet, shower and wash basin. All units have fully equipped kitchenettes (fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery) and a lounge can be found on the veranda.

Huts

2-bed rooms with communal ablutions and kitchen
3-bed rooms with communal ablutions and kitchen

Day visitors

Orpen has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can barbeque (barbeque) and picnic. There are also picnic sites at Muzandzeni and Nhlanguleni southwest of the camp, and at Timbavati northeast of the camp, along the river of the same name. There is a shop*, which caters for Tamboti and Marula visitors.

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Facilities

Information at Reception
Public Telephones
Post Box
Shop
Basic First Aid Assistance
Cutlery and Plates Hamper
Petrol Station
Laundromat
Communal Kitchens
Picnic Facilities
Public Swimming Pool
Please note there is no restaurant.

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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
Bundu Trail Site
Ratel Pan Bird Hide

These activities will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings as well as further details for these activities are available from reception.

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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