SA: Kruger National Park – Punda Maria Camp

The name of the rest camp was given in 1919 by the first ranger to be posted to the area, Captain JJ Coetser. He mistakenly named his post Punda Maria in the belief that this was the Swahili name for Zebra, the first big game he saw on arrival. The correct Swahili name is actually 'punda milia' (meaning Striped Donkey). When the error was pointed out to him, he chose to retain the name, in honour of his wife, Maria, who bore him 12 children. Many years later, Park officials corrected the name, and for a while, the rest camp was known as Punda Milia, but in 1981 it was changed back to the original 'Punda Maria'. When Captain Coetser was posted to Punda Maria Camp, his main aim was to curb ivory poaching. In the early 1900s, this region was the haunt of smugglers, poachers and hunters who based themselves in an assortment of derelict shacks at Crooks Corner, where the borders of South Africa, Mozambique (formerly Portuguese East Africa) and Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) met at the confluence of the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu rivers. Fugitives from the law could just slip across one of the borders and take refuge in foreign territory when the authorities came searching for them. The hunters at Crooks Corner realized that they could supplement their income from ivory by recruiting labour for the Witwatersrand mines, and illegal trade in labour began. The government eventually put a stop to this and Wenela was given sole authority to recruit labour. The Wenela recruiting station now stands as a sombre reminder on the S63 loop near Pafuri.

🙂 Resident Great Bush Babies

This is a small, quiet and remote camp in the North of the park – lovely swimming pool and good food on offer.

Camp Layout:

Punda Maria Rest Camp has lush vegetation which attracts a wide variety of rare bird species and wildlife.

  • The area is rich in both prehistoric and modern historic archeology
  • Range of Kruger National Park accommodation options available
  • Unsurpassed bird watching opportunities
  • Basic amenities such as a fuel station, laundromat and a shop

Punda Maria Camp lies in an area of fascinating history and unsurpassed bird watching. It also recognised as the best region inside the Park for Kruger National Park safari accommodation in which to spot the often shy Nyala Antelope.

Punda Maria boasts 7 luxury safari tents and a swimming pool. Punda Maria Gate has received a new building, reception area and ablution blocks; providing trouble-free Kruger National Park lodging.

Further down the hill are two terraces of pretty, whitewashed bungalows, divided into 18 two-bedded units and 4 three-bedded units. Each unit is air-conditioned and comes with a toilet, washbasin, built-in cupboards and a fridge. The three-bedded units have the added advantages of showers and fully equipped kitchens. A family bungalow is also available.

The bungalow tiers slope down towards a shared ablution, kitchen and barbecue facilities. There are 50 camp or caravan sites available. Holiday visitors to Punda Maria Rest Camp do not so much come for the game as for the camp’s rich historical heritage since the vegetation supports fewer big game species than elsewhere in the Kruger Park.

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