In the Letaba District, there are three rivers bearing the same name: the Great Letaba, the Middle Letaba, and the Small Letaba. They become the Letaba River, which joins the Olifants River in the KNP on its way to the Indian Ocean.
Kruger Park Travel
Letaba Rest Camp (Closed Until Further Notice)
Letaba Rest Camp is one of the main rest camps of Kruger National Park (KNP), located in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa. The camp is situated midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the KNP on a bend of the Letaba River.
Overview
It is one of the oldest and largest camps in the park. Letaba means river of sand, and the area is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant. Its strategic position makes it an ideal stopover for anyone travelling the length of the KNP.
Staying in any of the camps of the KNP is an adventure 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. The picnic area is on the perimeter of the camp with its own swimming pool.
Why would you want to visit Letaba?
Spending a few days in this Letaba rest camp provides a true African experience like few others and is definitely a destination to add to your safari vacation. Being close to three major dams provides for excellent wildlife and birdlife viewing. This has been one of the more popular camps in the KNP, and its character depends on the tall shady Sycamore, Natal Mahogany, Sycamore Fig, Apple Leaf, Mahogany, and Sausage trees.
Many tame bushbuck wander on the lush lawns in the camp. During winter, the gardens in the camp burst into full colour with the many Aloe species and Impala lilies in full bloom. Both attract a variety of birds not only during winter but all year round. The Goldfields Environmental Education Centre is also located within the camp, which includes the popular Letaba Elephant Hall, where you can learn everything about the original Magnificent 7.
Parts of KNP were inhabited in prehistoric times by various groups of people. An example of the way they lived during the late Stone Age can be found at the Masorini Hill, which is 39 km from this camp. It also indicates that the BaPhalaborwa tribe inhabited the area in the early 19th century. Archaeological excavations have revealed not only hut floors and stone walls, but grinding stones, pot shards, glass beads, iron-melting furnaces, and smithies, among others.
Going out on an open vehicle safari is the preferred way to see animals, but the best way to spot animals here is in front of the restaurant complex that looks out on the sandy riverbed. The camp offers great bird watching opportunities as it provides a walking route on the inside perimeters of the camp. 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.
How to get to Letaba
Travelling time from Johannesburg by car to the Phalaborwa entrance gate takes at least six to seven hours. You take the N1 toll road in the direction of Polokwane, and approximately 40 km before Polokwane, turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. From Tzaneen, you head towards Phalaborwa and the gate. You need at least two hours to drive the 51 km from the entrance gate to the rest camp. The closest other rest camps are Mopani, 47 km to the north, and Olifants, 32 km to the south.
You can also travel by air, and the closest airport to Phalaborwa is Gateway Airport situated in Phalaborwa, about 3 km from Phalaborwa Gate. There are daily scheduled flights between Gateway and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. 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.
Letaba’s gates open and close at the same time 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 Letaba. There are many activities on offer at the camp that will ensure an exciting bush adventure.
All bookings and further details for these activities are available from reception. Letaba rest camp and the surrounding area are a birders' paradise. The three dams, Mingerhout, Engelhardt, and Nhlanganini does not only attract birds but also animals, making exciting game spotting when on a safari.
On the northern banks of the Engelhardt dam, you will find the Matambeni hide, which is a good vantage point to sit and watch the birds and animals. Even the Giant Eagle Owl is regularly seen along the river.
Activities to participate in from the camp are:
- Guided Bush Walks in the morning and afternoon
- Game Drives with trained field guides in the morning and evening, Bush Breakfast and Bush Braai (Barbecue)
- Letaba Elephant Hall
- TV Lounge
- Riverside camp walk
- Masorini Ruins
- Matambeni Bird Hide
- Kids Educational Programme
- Olifants Wilderness Trail, which is a pre-booked overnight activity
- Mananga 4 x 4 Adventure Trail Wildlife films from Monday to Saturday
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 Letaba
Staying at Letaba is an exciting experience, and guests will be able to explore the flora and fauna that this area offers.
Most of the KNP’s larger mammals can be seen in the Letaba area except for the rhino who tend to prefer the terrain more to the south of the park. Elephant is in abundance, as are buffalo and waterbuck. In the camp itself, visitors can watch the tree squirrels, fruit bats, and vervet monkeys, which can be quite a pest.
Being close to various dams means you should probably see animals of all kinds, from elephants, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, and big cats, wild dog and hyena, to antelope and smaller mammals of all kinds.
The vegetation around Letaba is mopane shrubland, and the river area is well foliated. Trees and shrubs in the area include sycamore fig, impala lily, common coral tree, lala palm, and leadwood.
What type of accommodation does Letaba offer, and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Letaba 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 before 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 Letaba, the following accommodation types is available:
Campites
Camping is the most affordable and rustic style of accommodation that Kruger offers. Letaba has 60 tent or caravan sites, all with power points for a maximum of 6 people. Guests use the communal ablutions and cooking facilities that have 24-hour boiling water, electric hotplates, and washing-up facilities.
Huts
The camp has 5 rustic 3-bed units with no cooking utensils, crockery, or cutlery. It comes equipped with a fridge, fan, and air conditioner. Guests make use of the communal kitchen and ablutions. You have a choice of a perimeter or river view. Safari Tents The camp has 10 safari tents with 2 beds and 10 with 4 beds. These are permanent furnished canvas tents on stilts that include a fridge, fan, and small veranda. Guests use the communal ablutions and kitchens.
Bungalows
The camp boasts 86 round–walled, African-style units with thatched roofs, and 2 or 3 beds per unit. It comes equipped with an en–suite bathroom. All units have air conditioning or fans. Some have a kitchenette with either a sink or a hot plate, or both, or neither. You also have a choice with or without a perimeter or riverside view.
Guest Cottages
The 10 units have six single beds with two bathrooms (one en-suite) and air-conditioning. The open plan kitchen has a gas stove, fridge/freezer, sink, cooking utensils, crockery, and cutlery. It has a lounge/dining area and a veranda with braai facilities.
Guest Houses
These are all luxury units with a riverside view. All the kitchens are equipped with everything you need, including a microwave oven. Each has multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited DSTV televisions are provided.
Melville: Has 3 bedrooms and sleeps 9. It has an additional single bed on the enclosed veranda. Fish Eagle: Has 4 bedrooms and sleeps 8. In addition, it has an exclusive bird hide. All the accommodation is provided with linen and towels except for those camping who have to bring everything they need along.
Facilities
Facilities at Letaba include:
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephone
- Post Box
- Restaurant
- Conference Facilities
- A slimline ATM facility
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Laundromat
- Filling Station
- Communal Kitchens
- Communal Ablutions
- Swimming Pool
- Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
- Basic First Aid Assistance
- Day Visitors Picnic Area on the perimeter of the camp with its own swimming pool
- DSTV only in the Guest Houses, Cellphone reception
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