SleepOver Punda Maria Gate

Your one-stop gateway to the Kruger National Park! We offer a variety of safaris & tours that promise you an unforgettable experience of the African sights and sounds, with the option to sample local cuisine and include a shopping experience. We pride ourselves on personalised tours, only hosting small groups with a maximum of 10 people per vehicle. For your convenience all tours and transfers can be arranged through our reservations office.

Mangwa Restaurant, located near Punda Maria Gate, is a culinary oasis offering a delightful dining experience in the midst of the African wilderness. The restaurant specialises in African cuisine, serving dishes that are a fusion of traditional flavors and contemporary cooking techniques. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Mangwa Restaurant provides a menu that captures the essence of South African gastronomy. Guests can enjoy their meals in a relaxed, ambient setting that complements the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

The Nyalaland Wilderness Trail is an exhilarating multi-day walking safari that takes adventurers through some of the most remote and pristine areas of Kruger National Park, accessible from the Punda Maria Gate. Led by experienced guides, participants embark on a journey through diverse ecosystems, encountering a wide array of wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The trail offers a unique opportunity to experience the African bush in its purest form, with nights spent in rustic bush camps under the stars.

The Thulamela Archaeological Site, near the Punda Maria Gate, is a significant historical and cultural landmark within the Kruger National Park. This ancient stone-walled site dates back to the late Iron Age, around 500 years ago, and was once the thriving capital of a powerful kingdom. Visitors to Thulamela can explore the remains of this historic settlement, including graves, living areas, and fortifications. Guided tours provide insights into the lives of the people who inhabited this area, their trade networks, and their influence across southern Africa.

The Paradise Flycatcher Camp Walk offers a serene and picturesque hiking experience near the Punda Maria Gate of Kruger National Park. This guided walk takes visitors through lush bushveld and riverine forest, areas renowned for their birdlife, including the elusive and beautiful Paradise Flycatcher. The trail is designed to provide an intimate encounter with the natural environment, allowing hikers to observe wildlife, identify various bird species, and learn about the indigenous flora.

The northern hills near the camp serve as a perfect spot for raptors, especially during the summer when south winds create optimal thermals for these birds to efficiently soar and hunt. This area is home to various eagles, including the Martial, Tawny, African Hawk-Eagle, Bateleur, and Brown Snake-Eagles, alongside seasonal visitors like the Wahlberg's, Steppe, and Lesser Spotted Eagles, and the Yellow-billed Kite, with the Eurasian Hobby making rare appearances. The Punda region also hosts African Harrier-Hawks, Lanner Falcons, and African Goshawks, with the Lappet-faced Vulture being a highlight due to its dense breeding colony in the Umbrella Thorn Acacia trees in the Hlamalala N'washitshumbi flatlands.

Grey-headed Parrots, nearing their southern range limit, can often be seen in the Ebony Jackal-berry trees along the road to Punda Camp, with less than 1,000 birds in the south and concentrated mostly in the Punda and Pafuri areas. The Brown-headed Parrot, now mostly confined to Kruger and considered under threat, has an estimated population of 2,500. Other birds like the African Cuckoo, Eurasian Golden Oriole, White-rumped and Little Swifts, and the Red-breasted Swallow, which breeds locally in summer, may also be spotted near Punda Camp.