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Kruger National Park Inside Kruger Picnic Spots

The 12 Best Picnic Spots in Kruger National Park (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 12 picks

The best picnic spots in Kruger National Park in 2026 are Nkuhlu on the Sabie River, Tshokwane between Skukuza and Satara, Afsaal on the H3, Mlondozi overlooking its dam, the N'wanetsi lookout, Timbavati by its baobab, and Pafuri on the Luvuvhu River for birding. All have toilets and gas braais, and several have shops.

Kruger's picnic sites are where self-drivers stop for a breakfast braai or a stretch between game drives. SANParks provides toilets and gas braais at every site; some have small shops selling snacks, drinks and wood, and most hire out gas skottels (frying pans on stands) that the attendant washes for you afterward. You may get out of your car only at designated sites like these.

All are free to use with your park entry. Skukuza and Letaba day-visitor areas also have swimming pools.

1. Nkuhlu Picnic Site — H4-1, Sabie River, between Skukuza and Lower Sabie

Under giant mahogany trees on the Sabie, with crocodiles in the river and waffles on the menu.

Best for Families

Nkuhlu sits on the banks of the Sabie River on the H4-1 between Skukuza and Lower Sabie, shaded by huge Natal mahogany trees, with crocodiles patrolling the water in front of you. SANParks calls it one of the park's best-kept secrets.

Its shop serves a full snack menu (waffles are the specialty), sells curios, and hires out skottels.

Good to know: Look for the stone cairn that marks the turn-off; it is easy to miss.

Nkuhlu Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. Tshokwane Picnic Site — Midway between Skukuza and Satara

The busy halfway stop between Skukuza and Satara, with food and supplies.

Best for Families

Tshokwane sits midway between Skukuza and Satara, and between Lower Sabie and Satara, so almost everyone driving north stops here. Its concession serves burgers, toasted sandwiches and salads, and sells supplies.

Skottels can be hired for a breakfast braai.

Good to know: Arrive mid-morning after your sunrise drive for a cooked breakfast.

Tshokwane Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. Afsaal Picnic Site — H3, between Skukuza and Malelane

A classic southern stop on the H3 with a small shop.

Best for Families

Afsaal is on the H3 between Skukuza and Malelane Gate, in the game-rich south, with a small shop and braai facilities.

It is the natural breakfast stop after entering at Malelane.

Good to know: Combine with the Voortrekker Road for a southern loop.

Afsaal Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Mlondozi Picnic Site — Off the S29, about 15 km from Lower Sabie

Overlooks Mlondozi Dam, a magnet for game.

Best for Families · Photographers

Mlondozi is off the S29, about 15 km from Lower Sabie, on a rise overlooking Mlondozi Dam, where elephants, buffalo and hippos come to drink.

It is one of the best-viewed picnic sites in the south.

Good to know: Bring binoculars and spend an hour scanning the dam.

Mlondozi Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. N'wanetsi Picnic Site — End of the H6, about 25 km from Satara

A spectacular lookout over the N'wanetsi River near the Lebombo hills.

Best for Couples · Photographers

N'wanetsi is at the end of the H6, about 25 km from Satara, with a spectacular lookout point over the river valley.

The drive there is good for lion on the eastern plains.

Good to know: Climb to the lookout at the end of the road.

N'wanetsi Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Timbavati Picnic Site — S40/S127, Timbavati River

On the Timbavati River beside a huge baobab, near Ratel Pan Hide.

Best for Families

Timbavati picnic site is near the junction of the S40 and S127 on the banks of the Timbavati River, with a large baobab nearby and Ratel Pan Hide close at hand.

It is a good stop on drives between Orpen, Satara and Olifants.

Good to know: Visit Ratel Pan Hide before or after your braai.

Timbavati Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

7. Pafuri Picnic Site — S63, Luvuvhu River, near Crooks' Corner

Kruger's birding hotspot on the Luvuvhu River, a few kilometers from where three countries meet.

Best for Birders

Pafuri picnic site is on the Luvuvhu River on the S63, a few kilometers from Crooks' Corner where South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique meet. SANParks notes that the attendant is a keen birder with a list of over 200 species seen nearby.

Huge riverine trees make it the most beautiful picnic site in the park.

Good to know: Ask the attendant what birds have been seen; it is the best tip in the north.

Pafuri Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

8. Masorini Picnic Site — H9, about 10 km from Phalaborwa Gate

A picnic stop with archaeological ruins and a display.

Best for Families · History buffs

Masorini is about 10 km east of Phalaborwa Gate on the H9, with archaeological ruins and a display.

It is a handy first stop after entering at Phalaborwa.

Good to know: Allow time to explore the ruins and the display.

Masorini Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

9. Makhadzi Picnic Site — Road to Giriyondo, central-north Kruger

On the road to Giriyondo, with an information center on the Transfrontier Park.

Best for Families

Makhadzi is on the road from Malopenyana waterhole to Giriyondo, the border with Mozambique, and has an information center on park history and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

It is quieter than the southern sites.

Good to know: Stop if you are crossing into Mozambique at Giriyondo.

Makhadzi Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

10. Babalala Picnic Site — H1-7, between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria

The midway stop in the far north, about 14 km from Sirheni.

Best for Returning visitors

Babalala is on the H1-7 roughly midway between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria, about 14 km from Sirheni Bushveld Camp.

In the quiet north, it is often the only place to stretch your legs for many kilometers.

Good to know: Fill up on fuel at Shingwedzi or Punda Maria before you set out.

Babalala Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

11. Muzandzeni Picnic Site — S36/S126, about 30 km from Satara

A quiet site on the gravel roads west of Satara.

Best for Returning visitors

Muzandzeni sits near the junction of the S36 and S126, about 30 km from Satara, on gravel roads that see fewer cars than the main routes.

It is a peaceful stop on a Satara loop.

Good to know: Use it on a quiet gravel-road loop from Satara.

Muzandzeni Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

12. Albasini Ruins Picnic Site — Phabeni Gate, start of the S1

A rustic site with a historic display, beside Phabeni Gate.

Best for History buffs

Albasini Ruins picnic site is next to Phabeni Gate at the start of the S1, with a historic display about the 19th-century trading post. It is rudimentary, with no gas braais, and toilets are at the gate.

It is a good first stop if you enter from Hazyview.

Good to know: Use the gate's toilets; there are none at the site.

Albasini Ruins Picnic Site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

Can you braai at Kruger picnic sites?

Yes. SANParks provides gas braais at all picnic sites, and gas skottels can be hired at most of them for a small fee.

Do Kruger picnic sites have shops?

Some do: Skukuza's day area, Afsaal, Nkuhlu and Tshokwane have small shops, and Nkuhlu and Tshokwane serve meals.

Where can you swim in Kruger as a day visitor?

SANParks lists swimming pools at the Skukuza and Letaba day visitor sites.

Can you get out of your car in Kruger?

Only at designated places such as picnic sites, rest camps, hides and marked lookouts. Elsewhere you must stay in your vehicle.

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