Punda Maria Rest Camp
Nestled in the northernmost parts of Kruger National Park, Punda Maria Rest Camp is a little rustic camp built on a hillside, surrounded by mopane woodland. The camp has a lot of charm and is a great base for exploring the far north of the park, which is known for its unique birdlife, if choosing to embark on a birding safari. There are fewer visitors that venture up that far north, so every special sighting is basically your own.
Punda Maria Rest Camp Reception Area
Punda Maria Rest Camp has a spacious parking area just infront of the reception area. Shaded by large trees and a stunning baobab, it is already a warming welcome to the camp. The area outside is equipped with picnic tables where you can enjoy a meal from the restaurant and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Once you enter the reception area of Punda Maria Rest Camp, it is by far the cutest reception in the park. Once inside the reception is in the corner and next to it is a small rest camp shop that has everything you need for you stay at the camp. The restaurant is located just inside the reception area and has a few small tables where you can sit back and enjoy a meal or drink.
Accommodation at Punda Maria Rest Camp
There are several choices of accommodation at Punda Maria Rest Camp, including bungalows, tents, two big chalets and for those who like to rough it, camping.
Bungalows at Punda Maria Rest Camp
The bungalows at Punda Maria Rest Camp is the closest to the reception area, and is not easily overlooked. The bungalows are rustic but comfortable, some are eqquiped with its own bathroom and others you will have to use a communal ablution. They do not have their own kitchen or braai area.
Just accross from the bungalows there is a large communal kitchen and braai area, there are plenty of picnic tables and a place to washup up your plates and use the stove tops to prepare your meals.
Chalets at Punda Maria Rest Camp
There are two chalets at Punda Maria Rest Camp, which are larger and more luxurious than the bungalows and perfect for families or groups that don't mind sharing. The chalets have two bedrooms, a living area and a small kitchen, as well as a private veranda at the top and a nice braai area.
Camping at Punda Maria Rest Camp
If you enjoy roughing it, there is a large campsite just south from reception, where most sites are shaded and there are even some sites next to the fence for if you get lucky (I had a kudu munching on some leaves early in the morning). There are power points scattered around the campsite if you need to charge up the batteries (if you need to recharge yourselves just look up at the stars and listen deeply).
The campsite at Punda Maria Rest Camp has access to communal ablution facilities, there are two communal kitchens and then one ablution for having a shower and use the toilet. The communal kitchens are equipped with a sink to wash up plates and a stove top for making meals. Every camp site has a standing braai where you can light up a fire and have a braai in the bush.
Swimming pool at Punda Maria Rest Camp
At Punda Maria Rest Camp just down the stairs from the communal kitchen area, there is a small swimmingpool that is great for cooling down after a long day exploring the northern regions of the park, especially during the hotter months. The pool is surrounded by a fence and there are a few summer huts and picnic tables available if you want to bring snacks and is perfect for families with children. Its always good to consider which is the best time to vist Kruger National Park when thinking about using the swimming pool as it also can get chilly in the dry season.
Punda Maria Rest Camp Wildlife hide
Walking through the campsite you will stumble upon a sizeable wildlife hide that overlooks a waterhole. The hide provides a good view as it is slightly elevated and is just on the fence of the campsite. It holds three benches inside and is a good place to just take in the beauty of the bush, listen to the bird song and appreciate your time in Kruger National Park.
The north of the park is by word of mouth, not always known for its wildlife sightings. But on my visit I did spot a cheetah up north, and had the sighting all to myself. So you never know what you will see when travelling up far north, you can choose wether you want to come all the way up here in ou 14 day Kruger National Park safari.
Birdlife at Punda Maria Rest Camp
The northern side of the park is knows for its unique birdlife, on my visit here I saw a group of crested guineafowl, a bird that is only seen in the northern regions of the park. Of course birding is best during the breeding season when the birds are more active and vocal, but even during the off season you can still see some interesting birds. You will have to travel a bit further north to see the rarer birds.
Doing Laundry at Punda Maria
Located just next to the communal kitchen accross from the bungalows, there is a small laundromat where you can do your laundry (hopefully the machines are operational!). It is in a beautiful setting surrounded by trees and is a great place to do your laundry.
I did not check inside the laundry at the time of my visit, but there should be a couple of machines in there and usually turned on with a R5 coin (the last time I used a Kruger park washing machine).
Fuel at Punda Maria Rest Camp
Travelling such long distances especially to get to the far north of Kruger National Park, it will always be a concern to know will I be able to fuel up at camp. The good news is that Punda Maria Rest Camp has a fuel station where you can fill up your vehicle before heading out on your next trip, especially for those using car hires and are not equipped with a 20l jerry can.
The fuel station is located near the gate so is very conveniently placed. You can get both diesel and petrol, when buying fuel here they do not have signal at the fuel station, so go to reception and buy your fuel then take the receipt down to the station and fill up. Across from the station is a compressor where you can fill up your tyres if needed.
