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Mopani & Tsendze rest camps

Accommodation type: Bungalows, Cottages, Camping at Tsendze

Location: North-Central Kruger National Park

Nearest Kruger gate: Phalaborwa Gate (77km)

Nearest town: Phalaborwa (79km)

Food: Self-catering (restaurant and shop on-site)

Budget: $-$$

Perfect for… Finding rare Kruger species

About Mopani & Tsendze rest camps

Mopani rest camp is the newest of Kruger's main camps and sits high above the Pioneer Dam.  As the name suggests, it is found in the large expanse of mopane shrubveld terrain between the Olifants and Shingwedzi rivers; this habitat doesn't always offer great densities of wildlife but is home to large elephant herds and outstanding birdlife.  The Nshawu plains to the east of Mopani represent the best areas in the Kruger to find cheetah, roan and tsessebe.

 

The nearby Shipandani Overnight Hide is excellent during the day and can be booked for a night's accommodation and a serious adventure!  Note that it is usually booked many months in advance given the popularity of this activity.  

 

The camp itself has nice bungalows and an excellent restaurant with incredible views over the Pioneer Dam.  The shop is large and there is occasional WiFi access via the conference centre, although we would not suggest you rely on it.  

 

The camp also has a swimming pool and a nice walking route around the edge of the fencing and quite close to the water's edge.

 

See further down this profile for information on the satellite Tsendze Campsite.

Facilities & services

  • Gas station

  • Swimming pool

  • Restaurant

  • Shop

  • Laundromat

  • Morning game drives available

  • Night game drives available

  • Guided bush walks available

  • Bush breakfast available

  • Bush braai available

  • WiFi at conference centre (paid)

Types of accommodation

Mopani hosts a good number of bungalows and cottages that are great for couples or family groups, but there is no camping ground here, with campers encouraged to consider the satellite Tsendze Campsite situated a few kilometres to the south (see the next section for more information on this camp).

 

Bungalows

43 x 4-bed units (2 single beds and 2 bunk beds in alcove), fully equipped with one bathroom, veranda with kitchenette and outside braai (barbecue).

(Unit codes BD4, BD4V)

 

2 x 4-bed units, accessible to wheelchairs, (2 single beds and 2 bunk beds in alcove), fully equipped with one bathroom, veranda with kitchenette and outside braai (barbecue).

(Unit code BD4Z)

 

Cottages

12 x 4 bed units (1 room with 2 single beds and 2 sleeper couches in the lounge), fully equipped with two bathrooms (one en-suite), veranda with kitchenette and outside braai.

(Unit code FB4)

 

Guest Cottages

45 x 6 bed units (3 bedrooms with 2 single beds in each), fully equipped with two bathrooms (one en-suite) kitchen, lounge/dining area, large veranda and outside braai.

(Unit code FF6)

 

Xanatseni Guest House

This is a large luxury unit in a prime position with a view of the dam. It is well equipped with a kitchen (with microwave oven), multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV television is provided. There are also braai (barbecue) facilities. Sleeps 8, with 4 bedrooms, (1 room with a double bed, with 2 single beds each in the other rooms). One of the bedrooms is accessible for people in wheelchairs.

Satellite camp site: Tsendze

Tsendze campsite is a small rustic camping ground a few kilometres to the south of the main Mopani camp.  It has no electricity and overlooks the Tsendze River for a tranquil and remote lodging experience.  Check-in is via the reception at Mopani.

Location

Mopani rest camp is located in the north of central Kruger National Park.  The closest park entrance gate is Phalaborwa Gate (77km), while the nearest town is Phalaborwa (79km).

 

The nearest airport is also at Phalaborwa (79km) although this does not have many flights, while Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (165km) is also accessible.  OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is 590km / 7-hours driving from Mopani rest camp.

Check availability & pricing

We’d love to help you book your accommodation at Mopani, Tsendze or any of Kruger's rest camps and make your dream Kruger experience come to life! 

 

We’ve made it really simple for you too…  Just fill in the form and our booking partner will get back to you!

All enquiries for SANParks accommodation within Kruger National Park are handled by the wonderful team at our excellent and carefully selected partner Safari.com.  They will be able to check availability, help you build an itinerary and get your reservation confirmed.

Booking your accommodation through the KrugerExplorer App means we earn a small commission and is greatly appreciated, but please rest assured that it won’t make your booking more expensive.  Instead, it actually helps us give you access to the best prices and offers we can find, as well as helping to support the KrugerExplorer App and our social media activities!

 

Their team can also help with booking SANParks accommodation at any other National Park within South Africa too – just let them know!

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