Bateleur Bush Camp

Bateleur Bush Camp is the most remote of Kruger’s five bushveld camps, located in the far north between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria in a landscape of mopane woodland and ancient baobab trees. Named after the bateleur eagle — one of Africa’s most striking raptors — the camp attracts visitors who actively seek the road less travelled.

The camp overlooks a seasonal river, and its remote location means game drives encounter almost no other vehicles. The far north of Kruger has a distinctly different character from the busy south — the landscape is wilder, the vegetation sparser, and the wildlife includes species rarely seen further south, including nyala, tsessebe, and eland.

Seven self-catering cottages are equipped with air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, and braai areas. The communal area has a small boma. There is no pool, shop, or restaurant — Bateleur is for guests who want nothing between them and the wilderness.

The camp is named for a reason — the birding in this region is exceptional, with bateleur eagles frequently seen soaring over the mopane canopy alongside martial eagles, brown snake eagles, and tawny eagles.

Accessible via Phalaborwa Gate (140 km, 3+ hours) or from Shingwedzi (approximately 1.5 hours). Plan for a full day of driving with wildlife stops. Stock up on supplies before heading north.