Camp Shonga

Camp Shonga is a small intimate bush retreat set in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains and offers spectacular views of the African Bushveld. The main area of the lodge consists of a charming lounge area including a library as well as indoor and outdoor dining areas. The ethos behind Camp Shonga is to ensure all guides are trained and experienced in order to share their vast knowledge.

The lodge can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 individual tents. These tents are luxuriously equipped with en-suite bathrooms boasting a stunning ball and claw bath, an outdoor shower, free-standing fans, a fireplace and a private game-viewing deck fitted with recliner chairs. Wander up to the main lodge and relax in the open lounge area, or dine and sip drinks on the spacious wooden deck as the general game meander past. The main area also includes a splash pool which is perfect for unwinding between safari activities.

The Kruger Park is a popular destination for many safari-goers, and is home to the widest diversity of wildlife in South Africa.

Relaxation and rejuvenation is what Camp Shonga is all about. Enjoy post-dinner dances that take place around the regularly-stoked boma fireplace whilst early morning are reserved for traversing the landscape in pursuit of the Big 5. After a busy day sink into the comfort of your chalet and private viewing deck.

About the Southern Region of the Kruger National Park

Bounded by the Crocodile River in the south and the Sabie River in the north, the southern region is also host to the jagged ridge of the Lebombo Mountains along the border with Mozambique, and the highest point in the park, Khandzalive, in the southwestern corner - almost in counterpoint to Pretoriuskop that lies in the west of the southern region of the Kruger National Park.

The valleys are home to trees rarely found in other parts of the Kruger park, such as the Cape chestnut, coral tree and lavender fever-berry; and granite lies beneath most of the region, producing distinctive smoothed koppies at irregular intervals, which are typically surrounded by rock figs and form ideal locations for rock dassies or hyrax, baboon and klipspringer, not to mention the odd leopard.

This is the region where you’re almost sure of seeing a white rhino as most of them occur here, particularly around Pretoriuskop, Mbyamiti River and south of Lower Sabie. On the whole, there is more game purported to exist in the southern part of the park, so if you don’t make it to the northern reaches of the Kruger National Park, you won’t miss out. This part of the Kruger Park is to some extent shrouded in history.

Around Pretoriuskop, known for its profusion of trees, is Ship Mountain, its hull-shape the site of an old wagon trail that crosses a stream marking the birthplace of Jock of the Bushveld. The combretum woodlands, also part of this region, attract reasonable herds of kudu, impala, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, white rhino and elephant, and the scarcity of lion in this part of the park, makes way for the cheetah and wild dog.