Pafuri Camp

Pafuri Camp lies on a gentle bend on the northern bank of the Luvuvhu River. The Luvuvhu draws many different animals to its waters, from elephant, buffalo and nyala to wading birds and fish eagles. Guests can view these creatures and many more from the comfort of their rooms.

Each of the 20 luxury tents is built on a raised platform two metres off the ground. The tents are joined by elevated walkways allowing wildlife to move undisturbed to and from the river. The bathroom is en suite with both indoor and outdoor showers for those who would like to bathe under the stars.
The main deck has ample room to sit and watch the daily passage of wildlife to and from the river, and the swimming pool is perfect for cooling off in the heat of the day. The dining and lounge areas are open to the river view, and a lower-level terrace is perfect for watching sunrise with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, or sipping sundowners as the sky darkens and the crickets begin to sing.     

Pafuri Camp is situated in the private 24 000 hectare Makuleke Concession the largest private concession in the Kruger Park. The concession is located at the extreme north of the Kruger National Park. The Pafuri triangle as it is known is created by the intersection of two great rivers the ancient and dying Limpopo and the young and powerful Luvuvhu River. The latter is actively carving its way through the sandstone of the escarpment, in the process creating the impressive Lanner Gorge. Their confluence, known as Crooks Corner, forms the meeting point of three countries South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.  

The Concession is home to large herds of buffalo, as well as hippo, white rhino, lion, leopard and high seasonal concentrations of elephant. The Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers host the highest density of nyala in the Kruger Park as well as species such as eland, Sharpe’s grysbok and yellow-spotted rock dassie, which are difficult to find further south in the Park. A drive along the floodplain and riverine fringe of either of the two large rivers usually produces good general game in the form of nyala, impala, greater kudu, zebra, chacma baboon, waterbuck, warthog and bushbuck. It also offers a great opportunity to view one of the many predators taking advantage of the high density of prey species along the rivers.  

The area has long been regarded as something of a Mecca for southern African birdwatchers. Some species are found nowhere else in South Africa and the serious birder will revel in being able to find Böhm’s Spinetail, Racket-tailed Roller, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Three-banded Courser, Arnott’s Chat, Black-throated Wattle-Eye, Pel’s Fishing-Owl and many more. Further to this, the area has a remarkable array of diverse habitats ranging from riverine forests, baobab dotted kopjes, majestic floodplains, gorges, perennial springs to fever tree forests and so much more.

The aura of human history is particularly prevalent at Pafuri, with cultural landmarks such as the ancient Thulamela civilisation, Early Stone Age sites and the more recent signs of Makuleke habitation. Crooks’ Corner at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers is redolent of long-ago hunters and colourful characters who searched for adventure, as well as the smoking fires and dwellings of the Makuleke villages. It is this unique aspect as well as a combination of phenomenal diversity and spectacular scenery that makes this area unlike any other in Kruger.