Pafuri Camp

The camp has 20 tents, six of which are family tents sleeping four people. Each tent is on a raised platform two metres off the ground and joined by elevated walkways. This allows wildlife to move undisturbed to and from the river, and also catches the breeze moving through the tree canopy overhead. The bathroom is en suite with both indoor and outdoor showers for those who would like to bathe under the stars!

The diverse and extensive Makuleke Concession is best explored and experienced over several days through a variety of activities, ranging from game drives in open vehicles to walks and trails of varying duration with a qualified tracker and guide.

Day and night game drives allow access to the furthest reaches of this private concession separate from the public areas of the Kruger and of course the opportunity to view larger mammals such as elephant, buffalo and lion at close proximity.

The best way to experience the riverine forests along the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers and the more rugged kopjes and their hidden springs and gorges is on foot. Walking in this remote and pristine area provides a more intimate experience and is the ideal option for birdwatchers after specials such as Pel’s Fishing-Owl, or for anyone seeking solitude and peace.

Guided activities on offer are:

• Morning game drives of around 4 hours in duration.
• Afternoon game drives (including a night drive) of 3-4 hours in duration.
• Morning walks of anywhere between 1 and 4 hours in duration.
• Makuleke Village outings including traditional meal, dancing and sangoma visit.
• Outings to Thulamela: a 500-year-old rock-walled civilisation.
• Children’s activities with guides, chefs and other lodge staff.

In 1969, the Nationalist Government forcibly removed the Makuleke people from their ancestral lands around Pafuri. In 1998, the Makuleke won their land back, and recognising its unique conservation value resolved to retain it within the Kruger National Park. In 2003, they partnered with Wilderness Safaris in building and managing Pafuri Camp within the concession – a prime example of community-based conservation.

Central to the success of the venture has been tangible economic benefits for the Makuleke community who live outside the Kruger Park. Accordingly 8% of revenue generated by the camp is paid directly to the community body in which ownership of the land vests. This income is used for communal improvements and benefits the entire community. In addition, more than 100 Makuleke were employed during construction, with a further eight employed as game guards in the anti-poaching unit and nearly 50 others in the running of Pafuri Camp.

Spreading the benefits more widely, Safari & Adventure Co. in partnership with a German NGO and the South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), has begun a small loan scheme that amongst other projects funds a small community centre and B&B, as well as the Makuleke Hydroponics Tunnel Farming Project that produces quality fresh vegetables for Pafuri and a number of other lodges in the area.

Conservation

In 2005, six white rhino, eight blue wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra and impala were moved from the central district of the Kruger National Park and taken north to the Makuleke Concession. This was the first phase of the Makuleke Large Mammal Reintroduction Project, the overall aim being to establish a breeding nucleus of white rhino and other species in the Makuleke region of the Kruger National Park.

Children in the Wilderness

Children in the Wilderness runs yearly programmes at Pafuri for the local Makuleke school children. This is particularly significant, as this gives the children a chance to see the very land from which their grandparents were evicted so many years ago. They are able to appreciate its wealth of beauty and diversity and to learn from and be inspired by those members of their villages who have become knowledgeable guides and staff at Pafuri Camp.

Pafuri Camp is an excellent choice for Kruger. Not only does the camp offer fantastic accommodation and first rate guiding but the location is also great. Located on the river it’s possible to see a wide variety of wildlife from the camp itself.

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