Punda Maria Camp, Kruger National Park

Afrikaans name: Punda Maria Kamp

Punda Maria Camp - Kruger National Park

Photo © Adobe Stock

Limpopo

I think that it is fair to say that there is no other camp like Punda Maria in Kruger National Park. It has neat rows of white, square huts and lots of large, shady trees. It is also well away from the main areas frequented by most visitors, so it has a quieter, more relaxed feel to it.

The camp began life as a ranger post in 1919. Captain J.J. Coetser established the camp and named it Punda (half of the Swahili word for zebra) and Maria (for his wife). The name was changed, after many years, to Punda Milia which was the full name for Zebra in the Swahili language. In 1979 the name was again up for debate, and it was renamed to its original name of Punda Maria.

The camp and surrounding bush are great places for birding and photography. There are a number of birds to be seen that aren’t found elsewhere in Kruger. The camp is also reasonably close to Pafuri and that is a day drive which shouldn’t be missed.

There are three main game drives that one can take from Punda Maria. One can follow the H13-1 and H1-7 tar roads toward Shingwedzi Camp. Next you could head west from the camp and do the Mahonie Loop (S99 gravel road). Lastly you can head north along the S60 gravel road and then the H1-8 tar road to Pafuri. This is my preference as the area around the Pafuri Picnic site is quite special, especially to birders.

Stayed at Punda Maria? What's it like?

In most cases the following distances are calculated using tar roads and there may be shorter routes

Distance between Punda Maria Camp and Mopani Camp is 130 km.

Distance between Punda Maria Camp and Pafuri Gate is 76 km.

Distance between Punda Maria Camp and Shingwedzi Camp is 75 km.

References and further reading

Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 9

Wild Issue 38 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 50

Wild Issue 43 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 5

Wild Issue 18 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 63

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 122

Wild Issue 4 - Author: - Published: 2008 - Page: 48

Wild Issue 14 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 14

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 129

Kruger Park Map & Guide 2024 - Author: Andy & Lorrain Tinker - Published: 2024 - Page: 41

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 93

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 43

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 196

Kruger Park Guide & Map 2016 - Author: Andy and Lorain Tinker - Published: 2016 - Page: 14

Kruger National Park Map - 2010 - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 2010 - Page: 19

Kruger - Portrait of a National Park - Author: David Paynter with Wilf Nussey - Published: 1986 - Page: 259

go! - Kruger Special Edition - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 120

go! Drive & Camp No 39 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 60

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 149

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 24

go! - Kruger - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 90

go! - Kruger Special Edition - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 36

Getaway - Vol 32 No 12 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 61

Go Birding in the Transvaal - Author: Brendan Ryan and John Isom - Published: 1990 - Page: 74

go! - Issue 129 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 20

go! - Issue 151 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 43

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 306

Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 21

Country Life - Issue 261 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 72

Getaway - Vol 24 No 04 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 42

Getaway - Vol 30 No 06 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 79

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 126

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 658 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 6

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 130

A Pocket Guide to Camps in the Kruger National Park - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 22

For more info on Kruger National Park: SanParks

Top