Olifants Rest Camp is best known for its spectacular view. Poised high up on the edge of a steep cliff, the camp offers panoramic 180 degree views over the Olifants River far below, and the endless plains beyond. As the name of the camp suggests, elephant are common in the area. Baboon and vervet monkey both inhabit the camp, as do fruit bats and thick-tailed bush babies at night. Lion and leopard are also regularly seen on game drives.
The focal point of the camp is the shop, cafeteria and restaurant, which leads out to a shaded viewpoint. The camp also has a petrol station.
Accommodation is in bungalows or 2 guest houses.
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Directions For Drivers
If you are entering the Park for the first time, the best gate to enter through is the Phalaborwa Gate. If you are driving to the camp from within the Park, please use the 'South African National Parks Visitors Guide to the Kruger National Park' which contains detailed road maps.
From Hazyview: Take the R40 from Hazyview towards Bushbuckridge. Go through Bushbuckridge, Klaserie, Hoedspruit and Mica. Just past Mica, continue on the R40 towards Phalaborwa, and the Phalaborwa Gate will be signposted from here. Once inside the Park, follow the signs to the camp through the Park. Olifants Rest Camp is 83 km away from the gate. Allow about 3 hours for the drive to the camp, however if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time.
From Eastgate Airport/Hoedspruit: Take the R40 towards Phalaborwa, and follow the directions as above.
From the Nelspruit/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport: Follow the airport signs toward the exit. At the T-junction/stop street, turn right onto the R538 and follow the signs to White River. Continue for approximately 10 km, until you reach White River. Continue straight out of White River on the R40 towards Hazyview. After approximately 45 km, you will go down a steep hill towards a T-junction. Turn left at the T-junction towards Hazyview, and follow the directions as above.
From Johannesburg: Option 1 - take the N12 or N4 highway to Witbank/eMalahleni and then follow N4 highway past Middleburg (Toll Plaza), Belfast/eMakhazeni, Machadodorp (Toll Plaza), Waterval Boven and continue towards Nelspruit. On entering Nelspruit, turn left onto the R40 to White River (Witrivier). When you reach White River, follow the R40/Hazyview signs and the directions as above.
Option 2 - take the N1 northwards to Pretoria. Stay on the N1 until Pietersburg, and then take the R71 which leads to Phalaborwa.
From Skukuza/Southern Kruger: The main north/south road through the park is the H1, and this is divided into segments from H1-1 in the far south to H1-9 in the north. From Skukuza, head north on the Tshokwane - Skukuza Rd (H1-2) which will become the Satara - Tshokwane Rd (H1-3) after approx 39km and the Olifants - Satara Rd after approx 92km. Contunue up to the junction with the H8 Olifants camp road which is approx 138km from Skukuza Camp.
Once inside the Park, do not get out of your car until you reach the camp. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: The Kruger National Park prohibits the use of roads within the Park before the gates are open and once the gates are closed, therefore guests need to plan their arrival and departure times carefully. You cannot arrange to leave the Park before the gates are open, and you must ensure that you arrive at the entrance gate with sufficient time to drive through the Park to reach your destination by the time the gate closes, otherwise you may not be permitted to enter.
January/February: Open 05:30, Close 18:30 March: Open 05:30, Close 18:00 April: Open 06:00; Close 18:00 May/June/July: Open 06:00, Close 17:30 August/September: Open 06:00, Close 18:00 October: Open 05:30, Close 18:00 November/December: Open 05:30, Close 18:30
Please note that the maximum speed limit in the Park is 50 km/h for tar roads and 40 km/h for gravel roads.
General Information For Guests
All units are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis. Bedding is supplied.
The 2, 3 or 4 Bed Bungalows are equipped with en-suite ablutions (most with showers, but some with baths) and all units with air conditioning. Some units have kitchenettes while others have communal kitchens.
The Guest Houses (GEG/GNG) have spectacular river views and several lookout decks. They are well-equipped with kitchens (with microwave ovens), multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV televisions are provided.
The camp has a public telephone, a post box, restaurant, cafeteria, shop, laundromat, filling station, communal kitchens, mobile phone reception, and basic first aid assistance. Cutlery and plate hampers are available from Reception. There are no ATM facilities.
Guided morning and river walks, sunrise, sunset and night drives can be arranged - rates available on request.
If you must walk around at night please do not do so without a torch.
There is mobile phone reception.
