Before you go

Your trip to Skukuza.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Skukuza – Mpumalanga Destination Kruger National Park about 100 km from Mbombela

How to get there

Aeroporto de Skukuza (SZK) Skukuza · 3 km
Aeroporto Internacional Kruger Mpumalanga (MQP) Mbombela · 95 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Skukuza Airport (SZK), which receives domestic flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town, the camp is about 3 km away. By car you enter through the Paul Kruger gate, 12 km away, or the Phabeni gate, about 40 km. From Hazyview it’s roughly an hour and a half, including the road inside the park.

How many days

Two or three days with two nights at the camp are enough for the southern safaris. Sleeping inside the park allows you to leave when the gates open and to join the guided night safari.

When to go

From May to September, in the dry season, animals tend to concentrate at the Sabie River. In summer it rains in the afternoons, the grass grows tall and the young are born.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Yes, for self-drive safaris; there are car rentals at Skukuza Airport. Without a car, you can take the guided safaris that depart from the camp.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Skukuza

Morning
Guided safari
Take the morning guided safari, which departs the camp before sunrise.
Afternoon
Lake Panic
Drive to the Lake Panic hide and watch the birds and hippos at the dam.
Late afternoon
Sabie River road
Drive along the road that follows the Sabie River and return to the camp before the gate closes.
Evening
Night safari
Take the guided night safari, with spotlights, in search of nocturnal animals.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Skukuza inside the Kruger?

Yes. It is the park's largest camp, on the banks of the Sabie River, 12 km from the Paul Kruger gate.

Does Skukuza have an airport?

Yes, Skukuza Airport (SZK), about 3 km from the camp, with domestic flights.

Do you need to book Skukuza camp?

Yes, in advance, especially during South African school holidays and public holidays.

What to do in Skukuza?

Morning, evening and night guided safaris, the Lake Panic bird hide, the Stevenson-Hamilton library and self-drive safaris.

Back to Skukuza