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 available in South Africa.
Kruger Park Travel
Pretoriuskop
Overview
Pretoriuskop takes its name from the nearby kopje where Willem Pretorius, a Voortrekker and member of Carl Trichardt’s 1848 expedition to Delagoa Bay, is buried. Shabeni Hill, a granite dome, is located near the camp and serves as a beacon in the area.
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.
Why would you want to visit Pretoriuskop?
Spending a few days in the Pretoriuskop camp provides a true African experience like few others and is definitely something to add to your safari vacation.
Being the oldest camp in KNP and the first to open for visitors, it has a rich history. The first park ranger, Harry Wolhuter’s hut, which dates back to 1930, is one of the few original huts built in the Park to provide tourist accommodation. Although no longer used, it has been restored to its original form.
Groups of Voortrekker investigated the possible routes through the Lowveld to Delagoa Bay between 1836 and 1860, in an effort to establish a trade route. Pretoriuskop lies near one of these trade routes.
João Albasini, a Portuguese pioneer, was the first white trader and elephant hunter to settle in the Lowveld, and he established various trading posts along the routes between Mozambique and the inland mines and centres of the ivory trade. Albasini buried Pretorius at the base of Pretoriuskop. The Albisini’s homestead can be visited.
Jock of the Bushveld is one of the most famous characters of the transport rider days, and was immortalized by his owner, Sir Percy FitzPatrick, who wrote a book about his travels with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Jock’s birthplace is marked along the Voortrekker Road leading to Pretoriuskop.
Going out on an open vehicle safari is the preferred way to see animals around Pretoriuskop. The camp offers great bird-watching opportunities, as it provides a walking route along the inner perimeter 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.
Where is Pretoriuskop located?
Pretoriuskop is located in the south-western part of the KNP, 9 km from the Numbi entrance gate and 60 km from the Paul Kruger entrance gate. The GPS coordinates for the camp are S 25 10′ 20″ E 31 16′ 9″.
How to get to Pretoriuskop
Travelling time from Johannesburg to the closest entrance gate at Pretoriuskop by car is at least four to five hours.
Take the N4 to Nelspruit and then the R40 to White River. Pass through White River and take the R538, that would lead you to the Numbi entrance gate. It is about a 20-minute drive to the camp from the gate.
You can also travel by air to KNP, and the closest airport to Pretoriuskop is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), which is situated between Nelspruit and White River. KMIA is about 15 km from White River and about 50 km from Numbi Gate.
There are daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg between KMIA and OR Tambo International Airport. 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.
- Pretoriuskop’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 Pretoriuskop.
The camp offers a variety of activities to ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings and further details for these activities are available from reception.
Going on early morning bush walks offers a great opportunity to view game at close range. Or you could opt to go on a safari game drives which is offered at dawn, sunset, or at night.
There are various historical places and attractions to visit in the area, such as the Voortrekker Road, the birthplace of Jock of the Bushveld, and the Albasini Ruins.
The area also boast the Napi Trail that explores the woodland bushveld. Game viewing is excellent in the area, especially rhino.
The following is on offer:
- Guided Bush Walks
- Game Drives with trained field guides
- Bush Breakfast and Bush Braai (Barbecue)
- Napi Wilderness Trail that has to be pre-booked and is an overnight activity
- Madlabantu 4×4 Adventure Trail if the weather permits
- Sable Trail camp walk
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 private groups.
What to watch out for when staying at Pretoriuskop
Staying at Pretoriuskop is an exciting experience, and guests will experience the flora and fauna that this area offers.
The Big 5 has been spotted on numerous occasions in this area. Black and white rhinos, buffalo, and elephants can be seen on the loop roads around the camp. Lion, leopard, and cheetah roam the plains, and there is also a resident pack of wild dogs in the area.
The many koppies in the area can be scanned for rock hyrax, klipspringer, oribi, and red duiker. Oribi and red duiker are restricted to this part of the park and are difficult to find. Visitors also have the chance of seeing small herds of sable, eland, reedbuck, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest.
As in other camps, birds are abundant in and around the camp. Be on the lookout for Green-capped eremomela, Brown-headed parrot, Cutthroat finch, Redheaded weaver, and several Sunbird species. It is also the best area to spot the Pennant-winged nightjar, Blackbellied korhaan, and Redcollared widow.
The vegetation around Pretoriuskop is thick with tall grass and an unpleasant sour veld. Only below the drainage line is there sweeter grass where you will find the grazers. In the camp, you will find Natal mahogany, marula, and sycamore fig trees, but the most dominant tree is the silver cluster-leaf.
Two dams, Mestel and Shitlhave, are in close vicinity of the camp, which 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.
What type of accommodation does Pretoriuskop offer, and what amenities/facilities are available at the camp?
Pretoriuskop 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.
The following accommodation types are available:
Campsites
Camping is the most affordable and rustic style of accommodation that Kruger offers. The camp offers 45 tent or caravan sites for a maximum of 6 people, with or without a power point. Campers make use of communal ablutions and cooking facilities. The facilities have 24-hour boiling water, electric hotplates, and sinks.
Huts
These units are the cheapest accommodation if you do not want to camp. On offer are 30 units with 2, 3, 5, or 6-beds equipped with a ceiling fan. A further 46 units with 2, 3, 5, or 6 beds with an air-conditioner and a fridge are also available. There are no cooking utensils, crockery, or cutlery, but a communal kitchen with scullery and electric hotplates is available. Guests make use of the communal ablution facilities.
Bungalows
The camp has 52 bungalows that sleep 2, 4, or 6 people. The units have an air-conditioner and a bathroom with either a shower or a bath. You have a choice of having your own kitchenette or using the communal kitchen. Some units have both hotplates and sinks. Some come with a perimeter view. For hire is few fully equipped utensil boxes that include cutlery, crockery, glasses, and a frying pan.
Family Cottages
There are 4 air-conditioned cottages with 6 beds in each, in 3 bedrooms with 1 double bed and 4 single beds. One bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with bath, basin, and toilet, and the other has a shower. The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, fridge/freezer, sink, cooking utensils, cutlery, and crockery. It also has a living room.
The camp offers 1 air-conditioned unit that sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms with 1 double bed and 4 single beds. The rest of the unit is the same as those mentioned above.
Guest Houses
These are 2 large luxury units positioned in prime spots. Both have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Some have showers and other baths only. They come with fully equipped kitchens that include microwave ovens. There is a living area and a TV with limited DSTV channels.
The Pierre Joubert Guesthouse sleeps 16, in 4 bedrooms. All the rooms have 2 single beds plus 2 bench beds in each room.
The Doherty Bryant Guesthouse sleeps 9, in 3 bedrooms. All rooms have a double bed and 1 single bed.
The camp also has wheelchair friendly accommodation with a roll-in shower and adequate space in the bathroom for wheelchair manoeuvring.
All accommodation comes with linen, towels, and braai facilities.
Facilities
The following facilities are available:
- Information at Reception
- Public Telephone
- Post Box
- Restaurant
- 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 in the camp
- DSTV only in Guest Houses
- Cell phone reception
- No ATM facility available
What do you need to know and bring for a safe and comfortable stay at Pretoriuskop?
Plan properly for your stay at Pretoriuskop to make it a relaxed trip and stay. Bookings need to be done well in advance from 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.
Pretoriuskop 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.
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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 Pretoriuskop
The best time of the year to make your trip to Pretoriuskop 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, Pretoriuskop does come with swimming pool where overnight visitors can cool down in.
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
Pretoriuskop is located in the southern region of Kruger National Park, near the Malelane Gate.
Accommodation includes bungalows, safari tents, and camping sites with varying levels of comfort.
Yes, the camp has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Yes, a shop is available for essentials, souvenirs, and basic supplies.
Yes, the camp has a fuel station for visitors entering or leaving the park.
Yes, guided morning and evening game drives are available from the camp.
Yes, the camp is family-friendly, but children must be supervised at all times.
Yes, the camp has a swimming pool for guests to use.
Wi-Fi is limited and not guaranteed in all areas; it is mainly available at the reception.
Yes, there are braai (barbecue) facilities at certain accommodations and designated picnic areas.
Pretoriuskop is approximately 40 km from Lower Sabie and 60 km from Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp.
Guests may see elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, and many antelope species near the camp.
Yes, guided bush walks are available with trained rangers for an immersive wildlife experience.
Yes, Pretoriuskop is open throughout the year, though some facilities may close for maintenance.
Yes, the camp has some wheelchair-accessible accommodations, bathrooms, and paths, but it’s best to confirm specific needs when booking.
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