Letaba is one of the largest and most pleasant camps in the Park, overlooking the Letaba River and densely covered with a highly attractive range of tall trees and palms. The name means 'river of sand', and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent.
Recommended accommodation is in bungalows sleeping up to 3, cottages sleeping up to 6, or the 2 guest houses which can sleep up to 8 and 9 respectively.
The restaurant has a magnificent view over the river, and the well-stocked shop has a good selection of food, curios and clothes. Other facilities include a petrol station and a cafeteria.
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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. Letaba Rest Camp is 51 km away from the gate. Allow about 2 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 Bushbuckridge, 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.
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.
From Camps Elsewhere In the Park: Most camps in the park can be easily accessed from the main H1 road that runs north/south through the park. This road is labelled in sections starting with H1-1 in the far south near Skukuza and ending with H1-9 in the far north at Pafuri. The Letaba access road (S94) is where section H1-4 meets section H1-5, and will be on the left if you are travelling North to South, or on the right if you are travelling south to north. The camp is located 0.5 km down this road.
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
The Safari Tents include a fridge, standing fan, inside tent and small veranda. Communal ablutions and communal kitchens are available.
The Bungalows are round walled, single room African style units with thatched roofs and 2 or 3 beds per unit, and are equipped with en-suite ablutions (most with showers, but some with baths). All units have air conditioning, some have fans. Kitchenettes vary - some have hotplates and sinks; some have only sinks, while some have neither. Cutlery and crockery can be provided and hired from reception.
The Guest Cottages are equipped with 2 bathrooms (one en-suite), air conditioning (only in the bedrooms), lounge/dining area (with ceiling fan), large veranda and outside braai. The open plan kitchen has a 4 plate gas stove with oven, fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery and 6-seater dining room/lounge.
The Guest Houses have well-equipped kitchens (with microwave ovens) and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV televisions are provided.
All units are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis. Bedding is supplied.
Facilities at the camp include a public telephone, post box, restaurant, cafeteria, ATM facility, shop, laundromat, filling station, communal kitchens and bathrooms, a swimming pool, basic on-site first-aid assistance, and mobile phone reception. Cutlery and plate hampers are available at reception. PLEASE NOTE: Only petrol cards (garage cards) and cash are accepted at the Letaba filling station. You are advised to carry extra cash or have a filled up tank as it can become a difficult journey without enough cash or filled up tanks. There are usually problems with the ATM facility at Letaba.
Guided morning/afternoon walks, sunrise, sunset and night game drives can be arranged from the camp at an additional cost - rates on request.
