This vegetation around Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp is flat and scattered with Marula trees. Game viewing is good in this area, and it is well-known for its concentration of a couple of prides of lion, herds of impala, zebra, and wildebeest, and troops of baboons. It is also home to a larger percentage of KNP’s total rhino population.
Kruger Park Travel
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Overview
The camp overlooks kilometres of farmland on the other side of the Crocodile River. The Crocodile Bridge entrance gate is situated next to the camp. It is only 13km from the town of Komatipoort, and 12km from the Mozambique Border.
Staying in any of the camps of the KNP is a top experience where you can be guaranteed to see the Big 5. It is one of the more affordable safari vacations that you can book in South Africa.
The camp offers a variety of accommodation options, and it also has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (barbecue) and picnic. Since it is also an entrance gate to the KNP, it is an ideal spot for breakfast for arriving visitors and farewell meals for those departing.
Why would you want to visit Crocodile Bridge?
Spending a few days in the Crocodile Bridge camp provides a true African experience like few others and is definitely something to add to your safari vacation.
Animals to look out for specifically in this area is kudu, giraffe, spotted hyena, and cheetah.
The southern part of the KNP has a history dating back centuries. One of the attractions and sightseeing activities in this specific area includes the San or Bushmen paintings, which can be seen on an overhanging sandstone rock near the Hippo pool. It is the only trace of the San People who once lived and hunted in this area.
Going out on an open vehicle safari is the preferred way to see animals, but the best way to spot animals in Crocodile Bridge is to sit at the electrified fence overlooking the Crocodile River. The camp also offers great bird-watching opportunities. You will get a general offering of fauna and flora, and be close to animals that you might catch a glimpse of on the other side of the electrified fence.
Where is Crocodile Bridge located?
Crocodile Bridge is located in the south-eastern corner of the KNP, about 13 km from the town of Komatipoort. The GPS coordinates for the camp are S 25 21′ 30″ E 31 53′ 32″.
How to get to Crocodile Bridge
Travelling time from Johannesburg to the Crocodile Bridge entrance gate, which is right at the Crocodile Bridge rest camp, by car is at least five to six hours.
Take the N4 to Nelspruit and head on to Malelane and then to Komatipoort. Komatipoort is about 110 km from Nelspruit. You turn left onto the R571 just after Komatipoort and head on to the gate.
Visitors who would prefer to go in at the Malelane Gate need to travel about 56 km on a gravel road parallel to the Crocodile River to get to Crocodile Bridge rest camp. The closest rest camp to Crocodile Bridge is Lower Sabie, which is 31 km to the north.
You can also travel by air, and the closest airport to Crocodile Bridge is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), which is situated between Nelspruit and White River. Nelspruit is about 25 km from KMIA and about 120 km from the Crocodile Bridge entrance gate.
There are daily scheduled flights between KMIA and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Flights from Cape Town and Durban International Airports are also available, but less frequently.
A map of KNP can be bought at the entrance gates or any of the camps in the park.
Be aware of the gate times for entering and departing from the park. It is as follows:
Entrance gates:
- January, February, November, and December – gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:30.
- March and October – gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:00.
- April, August, and September – gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.
- May, June, and July – gates open at 06:00 and close at 17:30.
Crocodile Bridge’s gates open and close at the same times as the entrance gates, except for January, November, and December when the camp gates open as early as 04:30.
What to do while staying at Crocodile Bridge
There are many activities on offer at the camp that will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings, and further details for these activities are available from reception. Any of the activities can only be booked in conjunction with confirmed accommodation bookings.
Guided walks with a resident bird specialist are available for bird enthusiasts. Some special birds to look for in this area are the pink-throated twinspot and the black-bellied starlings. In the camp itself, many birds can be spotted while simply sitting at your bungalow or tent, such as the orange-breasted bush shrike, brown-headed parrot, and many small ground-feeding seedeaters such as canaries, waxbills, fire finches, manikins, and widow finches.
Morning or night game drives, tours, or day trips are available where you can learn and observe the wildlife of KNP. The morning drives go out at 04:30 in summer and at 05:30 in winter for about 3 to 4 hours.
Various open vehicle safari operators are available to book a trip with. They offer affordable yet exclusive safari trips for singles, couples, families with children, or small groups. You can also book a private trip.
What to watch out for when staying at Crocodile Bridge
Staying at Crocodile Bridge is an exciting experience, and guests will experience the flora and fauna that this area offers.
Crocodile Bridge is in a great game viewing area and is an ideal venue to pursue the Big 5. The endangered white and black rhino is also often seen in the area.
Several mammal species, like the zebra, wildebeest, impala, warthog, and giraffe area usually spotted within a few hundred meters from the camp gate. Big cats, like lions, cheetahs, and leopard are regularly sighted in the area. As with most other camps in KNP, hyenas patrol the camp fence every night.
Being close to the Crocodile River means you should probably see animals of all kinds, from elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, and big cats, wild dog and hyena, to antelope and smaller mammals of all kinds.
The camp is situated in knob thorn, round-leaf teak, and marula tree savannah on basalt soils. Because the grass in this area is sweet, it attracts huge herds of grazing species. On the western side of the camp, you will find a delagoa thorn thicket on ecca shale soil. The magic guarri is also found in this area. East lies the Lebombo mountain range, where the vegetation differs again, hosting other animal species.
What type of accommodation does Crocodile Bridge offer, and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Crocodile Bridge provides a variety of accommodation types for singles, couples, and families with children.
Accommodation availability changes from day to day, and all inquiries about general availability are subject to change without notice. Last-minute reservations in less than 31 days prior to the arrival date are payable within 24 hours after receiving a confirmed provisional reservation via e-mail.
Your accommodation is only guaranteed once you receive a provisional reservation confirmation, and to secure your reservation, full pre-payment is required a.s.a.p.
At Crocodile Bridge, the accommodation caters to a variety of guest requirements and is well-suited for those who are looking for a self-catering bushveld experience. The following accommodation types are available:
Campsites
Camping is the most affordable and rustic style of accommodation that Kruger offers.
The camp offers 18 tent or caravan sites, with a power point and your own barbecue facility. A maximum of 6 people are allowed per site. Guests use the communal ablutions and cooking facilities, which provide 24-hour boiling water, washing up facilities, and electric hotplates.
The camping facilities will suit the budget of the budget-conscious traveller. All facilities are wheelchair friendly.
Safari Tents
The camp offers 8 permanent furnished canvas tents for 2 people. These units are the cheapest accommodation if you do not want to camp. One of the tents is also wheelchair accessible. The tents are equipped with a fridge, a standing fan, and a veranda with braai facilities. Guests make use of the communal ablutions and kitchens.
Bungalows
The camp offers 20 bungalows with 2 or 3 single beds and air conditioning. Some of the units have en-suite bathrooms with a shower, basin, and toilet. Some also have a small kitchenette with a sink, a hotplate, and a fridge. Two of the units are wheelchair friendly that can be reached via a small ramp.
Some of the units need to utilize the communal ablutions and kitchens. You also have a choice between a unit with or without a riverside view. Linen and towels are provided in the safari tents and the bungalows.
The main building where you can find the shop can also be reached via a paved pathway or hard ground to make it accessible for wheelchairs.
At Crocodile Bridge, the following facilities are available:
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephone
- Post Box
- Shop, with small take-away food section
- Laundromat
- Filling Station
- Communal Kitchens
- Communal Ablutions
- Cutlery and Plates Hampers (enquire at Reception)
- Basic First Aid Assistance
- Basic Day Visitor Picnic Area in the camp
- Cellphone Reception
- Guided Bush Walks
- Game Drives by trained field guides
- Lebombo Eco-Trail, which needs to be pre-booked and is an overnight activity
- No ATM facility
What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at the Crocodile Bridge?
Plan properly for your stay at Crocodile Bridge to make it a relaxed trip and stay. Bookings need to be done well in advance of your planned date of arrival. KNP is a popular game reserve, and accommodation is not readily available, especially in the holiday season and during the winter months.
Crocodile Bridge does not offer any bed and breakfast facilities and guests must bring their own food and drinks. Take-away meals can be bought at the shop as well as most items that will be needed on a daily basis.
Most parts of the KNP are situated well within a malaria area. This is much more than just an unpleasant illness, but it can be fatal if left untreated. Since it is being spread by mosquitoes, the best way to avoid getting sick is to prevent the mosquitos to bite you.
You can avoid mosquito bites if you take the necessary steps, such as wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening, and using a reputable kind of insect repellent.
The best way to totally avoid a malaria scare is to get the necessary preventative medication prescribed by your doctor before journeying into the African bush.
Although it is basically impossible for larger, more dangerous animals to enter the camp, it is best to always be alert. Nocturnal animals like the civet, porcupines, and others are frequent visitors. Ensure your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many unusual and dangerous creatures, such as bats, spiders, snakes, scorpions, to mention but a few, and without knowledge some of them could be dangerous.
If you must walk around at night, please do not do so without a torch. Although there are streetlights, it is not very bright and are only along the footpaths.
❌Under no circumstances are you allowed to feed the animals. By feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become lazy and do not seek food themselves, which can cause them to starve. Some also become aggressive.❌
When to visit Crocodile Bridge
The best time of the year to make your trip to Crocodile Bridge in the KNP is either early spring or late autumn. Kruger lies in a summer rainfall area, and such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours, especially in the afternoons.
The hot summer months from October to April can make any safari tour unpleasant. The winters are warm and mild during the day and can sometimes be quite cold at night. If you are planning a trip to KNP in the winter that includes a night-drive, be sure to pack warm clothing that includes a warm jacket, beanie, scarf, and gloves.
Even animals sometimes shy away from the heat. During the summer months they tend to look for shade during the hottest time of the day and is not always easy to spot, especially since the bush is very dense.
During the winter months, wildlife tend to stay in the vicinity of water sources and can often be seen at the watering holes, rivers, and dams. The bush is also less dense, and animals are spotted more easily than during the summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is situated in the southern part of Kruger National Park, near the Crocodile River and close to the Malelane Gate.
The camp offers bungalows, safari tents, and campsites with facilities for tents and caravans.
Yes, it is suitable for families with children, offering safe environments and child-friendly activities.
Yes, there is a restaurant, a small shop for basic supplies, and a braai (barbecue) area.
Yes, guided morning and evening game drives are available through the camp.
Yes, Crocodile Bridge is open throughout the year, but it’s recommended to book in advance during peak seasons.
Some accommodations and public areas are wheelchair accessible, but it’s best to confirm in advance.
Visitors often see elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope species.
No, swimming is not permitted due to crocodiles and hippos in the river.
Yes, the camp is an excellent base for self-drive safaris with marked roads and trails.
The bungalows have electricity, but Wi-Fi is limited. Mobile signals vary in the area.
Yes, most accommodations and campsites have braai areas for guests to use.
Day visitors are allowed in the park, but overnight facilities are for registered guests only.
Absolutely! The camp is near the river, attracting many bird species, making it great for bird enthusiasts.
The dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals gather near water sources and vegetation is less dense.
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