African Wildlife And Environment Issue 73

DESTINATION

the morning especially in summer. There is a resident flock of Crested Guineafowl in the camp. During autumn the Wild Syringas provide dramatic colour in the camp, and to the hilly landscape behind the camp. These sandstone hills are the only locality in the Kruger or the Natal red hare and yellow-spotted rock dassie (or hyrax). The sandveld communities around Punda Maria are derived from sandstone, but near the eastern border the Wambiya sandveld is formed on coastal plain sand from Mozambique. Travelling to this region from Gauteng The easiest route is to take the N1 to Polokwane (Pietersburg). At Makhado (Louis Trichardt) link up with the R524 and follow this route for ±140km. That will take you to the gate. Allow between five to six hours for the trip to the gate. Punda Maria Rest Camp is 10km away from the gate. Allow about 20 minutes for the drive to the camp; however if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself 30 plus minutes. Approximately 561 km from OR Tambo International Airport, Punda Maria is the most accessible entrance to the Pafuri area of the Park.

One of the specials at its southern limit, the Meves Starling

Pafuri Picnic site is one of the top birding sites in the park

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