The area around the Satara Rest Camp is known for regular sightings of Africa’s Big 5. At night, the roar of lions on the prowl and elephants moving around in the bush are clearly audible inside the rest camp. Apart from this, Satara offers the tourist a myriad of activities to enjoy while staying in the comfortable accommodation at Satara Rest Camp.
Guided Bush Walks and Game Drives at Satara Rest Camp, Kruger Park
Satara rest camp offers guided walks in the surrounding veld accompanied by armed and experienced game rangers. These walks in the early morning or late afternoon are a favorite with tourists as the game rangers share their wealth of knowledge with the hikers.
Hiking groups do not exceed eight persons and no children under the age of thirteen years are allowed. Hikers must wear comfortable shoes, not dress in bright colors, carry sufficient water, and take a hat as well as binoculars and cameras.
Game drives take place in the early mornings, late afternoon and at night. The game rangers are knowledgeable and provide tourists with a running commentary on all the game found during the drives. These drives are along the routes normally open to tourists during gate opening times, but the sunset drive continue until approximately an hour after the gates close while the night drive is during the evening hours when the chance of finding nocturnal predators on the prowl are excellent. The night drive often delivers several different species of owls and civets that are only active after dark. Children under the age of six years may not partake in game drives for their own safety.
Tourists may reserve a guided vehicle for the whole day. The routes traveled by the guides include roads usually inaccessible to normal visitors of the Kruger Park. Due to the popularity of these drives, reservations for the day drive must be made well in advance at Kruger National Park, P O Box 50, Skukuza 1350 or Tel: +27 (0)13-735-4998 or (0)13-735-4030.
Sweni and Ratelpan Bird Hides Around Satara Rest Camp
The Sweni bird hide is approximately thirty kilometers from Satara along the tarred H6 road to Nwanetsi Dam and picnic place and is a popular stop for birders and game viewers alike. Besides the prolific bird life, the scenery from the bird hide is spectacular and well worth a visit.
The Ratelpan bird hide is situated approximately thirty five kilometers to the north of Satara. Tourists must take the H1-4 towards Letaba and Olifants rest camps and turn left on the S127 and right on the S39. This bird hide is notorious for the lion pride frequenting the area and several sightings of lion, buffalo and other big game have been reported from the Ratelpan bird hide.