The camp is located between two ecozones, which allows for an enriching game-viewing experience. South of the river is the transition zone between thornveld and the mopane belt. The camp itself is in the rugged veld on basalt soil. Prominent trees in the area are the Lowveld cluster-leaf, Raisin Bush, and Mopane.
Kruger Park Travel
Olifants Rest Camp
Overview
Olifants has been described as the window of Africa, as the camp is located on the top of a hill that towers several hundred metres over the Olifants River, near the river’s confluence with the Letaba River. Relaxing on the lookout platform in the camp, allows you to view the river far below, similar to what a soaring eagle would see as it hunts from the skies.
In the camp perimeter, trees and plants are abundant, including some not found elsewhere in the park. A variety of aloe species can be seen, as well as a Sesame Bush. Olifants is probably the only accessible place in the park where this bush can be seen. Come springtime, the yellow flowers of the Sjambok Pod and the red flowers of the Weeping Boerboon attract many birds and insects to their colourful display.
Staying in any of the camps in the KNP is a top experience, and 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 to choose from, and it also has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (barbecue) and picnic.
Booking accommodation can be done online via the SANParks website, by telephone, fax, e-mail, or in person at a KNP bookings office.
Where is Olifants located?
Olifants is located on the eastern border in the middle of the KNP, about 83 km from the Phalaborwa entrance gate. The GPS coordinates for the camp are S 24 0′ 20″ E 31 44′ 25″.
How to get to Olifants
Travelling time from Johannesburg to the closest entrance gate at Phalaborwa by car is at least six to seven hours.
Take the N1 toll road to Polokwane, and about 40 km before Polokwane, turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. Drive through Tzaneen heading towards Phalaborwa and then the gate. Olifants Rest Camp is 83 km away from the gate, and you need at least 3 hours to drive to the camp. If possible, give yourself more time as this is a prime game viewing area.
Gateway Airport in Phalaborwa is the closest airport to Olifants. The airport is situated about 3 km from the Phalaborwa entrance gate. There are daily scheduled flights between Gateway and the OR Tambo International Airport.
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.
Olifants’ 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 Olifants
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.
Besides the usual game drives and bush walks that are on offer right through KNP, Olifants also offers mountain bike trails, which is a new and interesting way to experience the veld and the wildlife.
Game viewing and sightseeing are also possible directly from the shaded lookout platform in the camp. Guests have spotted hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, various antelopes, zebra, and wildebeest at the river and have been privileged to see the occasional lion kill.
Some of the wildlife found on a trip to Olifants include lion, hyena, elephant, leopard, duiker, waterbuck, baboon, impala, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, and ostrich.
Morning or evening bush braais can be enjoyed while you experience the nightlife the park has to offer. There is nothing more rewarding than the warmth of a campfire while listening to the night sounds on a safari in KNP.
The following activities are on offer:
- Guided bush walks
- Game drives with trained field guides
- Bush Breakfast and Bush Braai
- Olifants Wilderness Trail, which is a pre-booked overnight activity
- Olifants River backpack trail
- Mountain bike trails
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.
What to watch out for when staying at Olifants
Staying at Olifants is truly an exciting experience, and guests will experience the flora and fauna that this area offers.
Because Olifants Camp is situated in a transitional zone where two distinct types of vegetation can be found, the area offers a wide range of wildlife. North, the Mopane trees provide cover for Zebra, Impala, Kudu, and Elephant, while in the south, you will find buffalo, giraffe, and kudu.
Along the Olifants River, there is an abundance of wildlife such as lion, leopard, crocodiles, hippopotamus, waterbuck, and many more. There are also many bird species, such as owls, storks, egrets, and eagles.
Participating in guided game walks in this area is the perfect way to get up close to many of the animal species and to learn about the bush.
What type of accommodation does Olifants offer, and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Olifants 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.
Almost all accommodation at Olifants offers a panoramic view of the surrounding bushveld, which allows you to spot wildlife from your veranda or a nearby viewing platform.
At Olifants, the following accommodation types are available:
Bungalows
The 105 bungalows give you quite a variety to choose from. There are 2, 3, or 4-bed air-conditioned units, all equipped with en-suite bathrooms with either a shower or a bath. Some of the units have a kitchenette, while others make use of the communal kitchen. Not all have a view of the river below.
Two of the bungalows are 4-bed units in two bedrooms, equipped with two bathrooms, of which one is en-suite. They have a lounge and dining area, a large veranda, and outside braai facilities. The open plan kitchen has a cooker plate, fridge/freezer, sink, cooking utensils, crockery, and cutlery. It has air-conditioning and a choice of a riverside view or not.
Guest Houses
There are two large luxury air-conditioned units in prime positions, with a river view and several lookout decks. Both have an equipped kitchen with a microwave oven, multiple bedrooms, and bathrooms. There is a lounge/dining room area, veranda, and braai facilities.
Limited DSTV televisions are provided.
Nshawu guest house sleeps 8, in 4 bedrooms, all with single beds. Lebombo guest house sleeps 8, with 4 bedrooms, of which one has a queen-size bed with single beds in the other rooms.
All accommodation types provide linen, towels, and a braai facility.
At Olifants, there is a conference venue seating 20 delegates, equipped with standard conference equipment, such as an overhead projector, video, slide projector, whiteboard, and flip charts. Business delegates will enjoy this lodging in KNP with the conference facilities combined with safari opportunities.
Facilities
The following facilities are available:
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephone
- Post Box
- Restaurant
- Conference Facilities
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Swimming pool
- Laundromat
- Filling Station
- Communal Kitchens
- Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
- Basic First Aid Assistance
- Day Visitors Picnic Area in camp with gas braais (barbeques) for rent
- DSTV (limited channels) is only available in Guest Houses and in the TV hall
- Cellphone reception
- No ATM facility
What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at the Olifants?
Plan properly for your stay at Olifants 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.
Olifants does not offer any bed and breakfast facilities, and guests must bring their own food and drinks. Meals can be bought at the restaurant, and the shop provides most items that will be needed daily.
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 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 Olifants
The best time of the year to make your trip to Olifants in the KNP is either early spring or late autumn. Kruger is a summer rainfall area, and such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours.
The hot summer months from October to April can make any safari tour unpleasant. Fortunately, Olifants does come with a swimming pool where overnight visitors can cool down. 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 are 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
Olifants Rest Camp is centrally positioned in Kruger National Park, perched high above the Olifants River, offering some of the park’s most dramatic viewpoints.
Its elevated location provides sweeping river views and excellent opportunities to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birds directly from the camp.
Yes, it’s ideal for first-time visitors who want a peaceful camp with scenic views and easy access to wildlife-rich areas.
The camp offers bungalows, family cottages, and guest houses, many with private balconies overlooking the river.
Yes, several units face the Olifants River, making them highly sought-after for sunrise and sunset viewing.
While the camp has paved paths and accessible facilities, not all accommodation units are wheelchair friendly, so booking ahead is recommended.
Guests commonly see elephants, buffalo, giraffe, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species near the river.
Absolutely. The camp overlooks a riverine ecosystem that attracts fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and many other bird species.
Yes, the camp offers guided game drives and bush walks led by experienced rangers.
Yes, the camp has a restaurant with river views and a shop selling groceries, souvenirs, and basic supplies.
No, Olifants does not have a fuel station. Visitors should refuel at nearby camps such as Letaba or Satara.
Yes, day visitors are allowed, but access may be limited during busy periods to prioritize overnight guests.
Yes, the camp is fully fenced, allowing guests to walk safely within the camp boundaries.
The dry winter months offer excellent game viewing, while summer brings lush scenery and outstanding birdlife.
Yes, it’s family-friendly, though parents should note that the high viewpoints and cliffs require close supervision of young children.
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