Surrounded by mopane bushveld, Sirheni bushveld camp lies about 54 km south of Punda Maria rest camp and only a few km west of the Babalala picnic spot in the KrugerNational Park.

Named after a nearby elephant graveyard site, the word "Sirheni" in the local Tsonga language means "cemetery".

he camp nestles in a beautiful location on the banks of the Mphongolo river next to a dam.

Enjoy game viewing right from your doorstep at the camp, with the animals coming to the river for a drink just outside the fence.

Learn more about this remarkable bushveld camp

Huge Baobab tree - Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
copyright © South African tourism
General info,...

As the northernmost bushveld camp in the Kruger National Park, Sirheni camp with its leafy canopy of huge Jackalberry, Leadwood, Tamboti, and Knob Thorn trees, forms an oasis amidst the surrounding mopane bushveld, giving it a cool and relaxing feel. As one moves east towards the main tar road, the vegetation becomes mopane shrub land and grassland which is good for grazing species.


Buffalo encounter on a game drive
copyright © South African tourism
A wide variety of game is attracted to the dam, ensuring great game viewing opportunities. The 15 cottages and the two bird and game viewing hides in the camp are overlooking the dam. All of them perfectly situated for viewing a multitude of bird species and an endless parade of animals coming to the dam to feed and to relieve their thirst. Visitors have been awakened to the sounds of lion and hyena, as there are often kills at the dam.


The rare Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest
Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
Photograph by Kim Wolhuter
The camp is renowned for the rare antelope species in the region, such as the almost extinct Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest antelope which has been reintroduced in the region. You might just become one of the lucky few who have spotted it. Other rare species to be found in the area are the Roan, Sable, Tsessebe, Eland and Reedbuck antelopes. All reported sightings of rare antelope are recorded on a poster at reception.


Leopard in a tree
Photograph by Arno Meintjes
It is said that the camp has a resident leopard that is seen on a regular basis, often coming down to drink at the dam. Elephant and Buffalo are common, both often grazing on the camp’s fence-line at night, alongside Hippopotamus. Lion, leopard and Spotted Hyena have been seen, while in the grasslands between Babalala and the northern link to the Mphongolo Loop, Cheetah, Wild Dog, African Wild Cat and several others may be seen.


Soaring African Fish Eagle in flight
Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
Photograph Arno Meintjes
Situated on the banks of a dam on the Mhongolo river, the camp offers excellent bird watching opportunities, especially from the two bird and game viewing hides overlooking the dam. Another advantage is a 10km stretch of road the for exclusive use of residents, allowing bird lovers to pursue their passion without much disturbance.


Secretary bird - Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
Photograph by Arno Meintjes
The camp itself is has an abundant variety of bird-life. Species such as Trushes, Robin-Chats, Parrots, Orioles and Weavers are particularly prominent. Pygmy Goose, Painted Snipe, Rufous Bellied Heron, Dwarf Bittern and Whiskered Tern are some of the water birds that have been seen at the dam. The stunning bird watchers paradise in the Pafuri region is only 70km away to the north.

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Map,...



Carmine Bee-eaters
Photograph by Arno Meintjes
Go to SANParks.org to view a map of the Kruger National Park showing the location of Sirheni bushveld camp, then click on the map to enlarge.

Go to SANParks.org to view a map of the camp showing the lay out of the camp itself, then click on the map to enlarge.

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Facilities,...


Relaxing around the camp fire
Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
copyright © South African tourism
The usual Bushveld camp facilities are available, which includes information and reception, public telephones, basic first aid assistance, mini shop (no foodstuffs) and a boma. Each cottage has its own barbecue facilities. The bushveld camp is within easy reach of the Shingwedzi rest camp, where guests can make use of a larger range of amenities if needed.

The information desk at the reception of the camp can give you detailed information about all the facilities available, which include the following;

• Information at Reception
• Public Telephone
• Mini Shop at Reception stocks basic items such as firewood, ice and Telkom phone cards. There are no foodstuffs such as meat available.
• Communal Freezer
• No electricity (plug points) available for appliances in units
• Each accommodation unit has it’s own “braai” (barbecue) facilities
• No cell phone reception
• A boma (communal "braai" (barbeque) facility at the perimeter of the fence overlooking the dam.

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Accommodation,...


One of the cottages at Sirheni camp
Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
copyright © SANparks
Accommodation at the camp consists 5 cottages and 10 guest cottages, which can accommodate a maximum of 80 guests. They are all self-catering and fully equipped with modern facilities. The cottages are spread out in a long, well spaced line along the banks of the dam on the Mphongolo River. Game viewing is brought right to your doorstep. Without even leaving your veranda, you’ll be able to watch animals feeding and drink right outside the fence.

The accommodation of the camp comprises the following;

COTTAGES

5 x 4-bed units, (2 single beds) equipped with separate shower, WC and basin, lounge with two bench beds, a fully equipped kitchen and an outside roofed veranda.

View of the camp from across the dam
Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
copyright © SANparks
GUEST COTTAGES

9 x 6 sleeper units. These units consist of 2 bedrooms (one bedroom with a double bed and en-suite bathroom, and one bedroom with 2 single beds) and 2 sleeper couches in the lounge. There is a separate bathroom with shower. Units have a fully equipped kitchen and have ceiling fans.

1 x 6 sleeper unit that consists of 4 single beds and 2 sleeper couches. This unit has 2 bedrooms and a (limited channel) DSTV system, separate bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen and ceiling fans. The accommodation in the camp caters to a variety of guest requirements and is well suited for those guests that are looking for a self-catering bushveld experience.

All lodging units are serviced daily and supplied with bedding, towels and soap.

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Activities,...


View from a cottage veranda at Sirheni camp
Start your day at Sirheni bushveld camp on the veranda of your cottage close to the river and enjoy a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, watching the animals feeding and drinking on the river bank just outsidethe fence. Explore the bush on a game drive or on a guided bushwalk accompanied by well trained and armed game rangers. Track Rhino, Elephant and Lion on foot, learn and observe fascinating facts about the African bush.

All bookings, as well as further details for these activities are available from reception. Activities offered at the camp include the following;

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Climate,...


Mature male Baboon - Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
Photograph by Arno Meintjes
Kruger Park lies in a summer rainfall area with occasional bursts of quick summer storms (which can be quite heavy) occurring later in the day, cooling the air and settling the dust. The summer months (October to April) are hot and often quite humid. Winters are warm and mild with cool evenings. Visitors going on night drives during the winter period may require warm clothing.

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How to get there,...


Zebra with oxpecker on its back
Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa
Photograph by Arno Meintjes
BY AIR:

The airport closest to the camp is Gateway Airport, which is situated approximately 3km from Phalaborwa Gate. There are daily scheduled flights between Gateway and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

From Phalaborwa gate to the camp is 167km by road. At a speed limit of 50km/hr on the main roads inside the Kruger National Park, it will take you 3 to 4 hours to reach Sirheni camp. However if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time!

BY ROAD VIA PHALABORWA GATE:

Travelling from Johannesburg or Pretoria, take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg), 40km before Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen continue with the R71 towards Phalaborwa and the gate.

Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate. Sirheni Bushveld Camp is 167km away from the gate. Allow about 3 to 4 hours for the drive to the camp. However, if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time!

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Accommodation availability,...


Rhino encounter on a game drive
copyright © South African tourism
Go to SANParks.org to view a monthly calendar with accommodation availability details of the camp.

• If you click on the accommodation type, you will see the facilities and content of that particular accommodation unit.
• The accommodation code enables you to book a specific type of accommodation, if you provide it with your booking request.
• The figure between the square brackets [ ] is the number of units available at the specific time and date of your visit to the accommodation availability page.
• Please Note that the information is updated and therefore changing real-time on a continuous basis and that requests for reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Reservations,...


The rare Sable antelope
copyright © South African tourism
Go to SANParks.org to book your reservation for the Sirheni bushveld camp in the Kruger National Park on the official reservations page of the South African National Park's website.

Tariffs,...

Go to SANParks.org to view the tariffs applicable for the Sirheni bushveld camp on the official tariff page of the South African National Parks (SANparks) website.






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Sirheni bushveld camp