A new treasure unveiled in Kruger; the Pafuri Border Camp | de Wets Wild
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72 thoughts on “A new treasure unveiled in Kruger; the Pafuri Border Camp”
lizamroux January 9, 2019 at 6:29 am
I so, so badly want to experience this place. This is a great article.
de Wets Wild Post author January 9, 2019 at 10:08 am
Glad to know you found our post about Pafuri Border Camp, Liza! It is a great place steeped in history and having the roads along the Luvuvhu River to yourself for the first and last hours of the day, before the guests from Punda Maria arrive and after they’ve had to head back, is very, very special!
Charl August 15, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Had the wonderful privilege to live there in Pafuri for 13 years. From 1987 to 1997 I was the station commander at the Pafuri Police station, and then from 1997 to October 2000 I was the manager of the TEBA complex. My home was the old doctor’s residence. Enough memories to last me a lifetime. I visited the camp again in 2015 shortly before it was re-opened to the public.
It remains a very special place, but the extend to which the gardens at TEBA were destroyed by drought and the few years it stood empty, as well the removal of dozens of trees and plants by the Parks Board, absolutely broke my heart. Go there and enjoy the area, but I wish I could show you what it was like before.
de Wets Wild Post author August 16, 2016 at 3:27 am
Thank you for sharing your fascinating perspectives, Charl, and welcome here. What a wonderful time that must have been in your life, living so close to nature in a special place like Pafuri. I’m sure you must have seen and experienced so many interesting things!
travelingmarla April 4, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Wow guys, those photos really have me motivated. I’m going to go to this camp before we leave.
de Wets Wild Post author April 5, 2016 at 4:01 am
We’re glad to know that, Marla! Pafuri would be a very fitting way to end your time in South Africa. When are you leaving?
blueribbonfair April 2, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Just to see those birds is a reason to visit for me.
de Wets Wild Post author April 3, 2016 at 6:19 am
Absolutely true! People travel from far and wide to experience Pafuri’s astounding birdlife.
Jude March 1, 2016 at 12:37 pm
A real smorgasbord of interesting pics!
de Wets Wild Post author March 2, 2016 at 3:32 am
All thanks to Pafuri’s stunning diversity, Jude!
janettoms February 28, 2016 at 10:55 am
de Wets Wild Post author February 29, 2016 at 3:30 am
Thank you very much, Janet, and welcome!
restlessjo October 27, 2015 at 8:52 pm
That sunset (sunrise?) steals it for me 🙂 🙂
de Wets Wild Post author October 28, 2015 at 3:19 am
If the sunrise or sunset at Pafuri is the last thing I see on this earth, I’ll leave a happy man!
restlessjo October 28, 2015 at 9:26 am
Hold that thought! What a wonderful place to be 🙂
Namz October 26, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Wow…a new camp! Looks awesome….your pictures are great as always. Hopefully will visit sometime.
de Wets Wild Post author October 27, 2015 at 3:51 am
You have to try and visit Pafuri Namz, such a difference to the South of Kruger!
Erasmus Cornelia Magdalena October 25, 2015 at 11:59 pm
Ons was gelukkig om vier keer daar te bly toe dit nog onder Teba se bestuur was. Ons gunsteling area in Krugerpark. Dit was soos ‘n plaaswerf en ons het almal soos ou vriende gevoel. Die einde van ‘n era. Nuwe seisoen en noodwendig na effense opknapping heelwat duurder! Sien uit om weer te besoek. O ja, daardie spinnekop was toe nie daar nie! Seker saam nuwe bedeling/oorname gekom! Voël- en diere lewe fantasies, bome lieflik en wel drie maal leeus gesien……
de Wets Wild Post author October 26, 2015 at 2:57 am
Baie dankie vir die saam gesels! Wat n voorreg om te kan se dat jy hierdie wonderlike plek al in daardie “historiese” tyd kon ervaar en ek glo met jul volgende besoek sal jul net so n fantastiese klomp nuwe herinneringe bymekaar maak!
compostingwords October 25, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Your blog makes me want to go to South Africa! So, so beautiful!
de Wets Wild Post author October 26, 2015 at 2:52 am
Thanks very much Cyndi! I’m so happy to know that we’ve succeeded in showcasing our country’s beautiful wild places, of which Kruger’s Pafuri is a crowning jewel.
scrapydo2.wordpress.com October 25, 2015 at 7:10 am
Eers dankie vir n pragtige stuk oor die kamp en omgewing. Ek is so bly daar is n kaart by sodat ek presies kan sien waar dit is! Die voëllewe is besonders. Ek het bietjie laat in my lewe eers werklik begin belangstel in fotografie, sou nogal die voëls wou afneem met spesiale lens! Nogeens Uitstaande fotos en bolg
de Wets Wild Post author October 25, 2015 at 7:12 am
Baie dankie Ineke! Pafuri is n spesiale plek, ek is seker dit sou ook jou skryfwerk inspireer!
UnderAnAfricanSun October 25, 2015 at 6:45 am
This looks fantastic. I have made 3 attempts to get to Crook’s Corner and all 3 were failed due to weather conditions and closed roads. I have been as far as the picnic site and it is so beautiful up there, will still keep trying to go 🙂
de Wets Wild Post author October 25, 2015 at 6:56 am
The wait will be well worth it when you do make it to Crook’s Corner, Kelly!
iAMsafari.com October 25, 2015 at 2:56 am
Crocs, ach, I’d run for that spider!
de Wets Wild Post author October 25, 2015 at 3:33 am
Run to or run away, Maurice? 😉
iAMsafari.com October 25, 2015 at 11:39 am
Away Dries, as fast as I can…
de Wets Wild Post author October 26, 2015 at 2:46 am
I’ve seen photos of scarier critters on your blog!
iAMsafari.com October 27, 2015 at 4:12 pm
But no spiders – I refuse 🙂
montucky October 24, 2015 at 11:16 pm
What a fantastic assortment of wildlife, and the photos are terrific!
de Wets Wild Post author October 25, 2015 at 3:32 am
Thanks a lot Montucky, glad to know you enjoyed visiting Pafuri with us!
Photography Journal Blog October 24, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Lovely, I always do like looking through your photos.
de Wets Wild Post author October 25, 2015 at 3:31 am
Thank you very much PJB, always nice to hear from you!
snowsomewhere October 24, 2015 at 10:25 am
Kruger Park is definitely on my to-do list. Hopefully one day…. Great pictures!!!
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:15 pm
We’ll hold thumbs with you! Thanks for the kind comment.
greenmackenzie October 24, 2015 at 10:13 am
Wonderful looking place, and what incredible animal and bird diversity you caught with the camera💕
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Glad to know you liked your visit to Pafuri with us, Seonaid 😉
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 10:08 am
Wat ‘n plek!! Nou is ek sommer dik bek!! Hies sit ek in nat, grys Ierland en wens ek was daar!! Weereens ‘n fantastiese stuk!! Die voëls aleen is genoeg om ‘n mens te trek. Ek wens!!
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Jou moes sien hoe dikbek ons was toe dit tyd was om daar op te pak AJ 😉
Sal ongetwyfeld enige tyd teruggaan.
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Jou dikbek kan altyd reg ge dokter word met ‘n besoek… myne? Ek wonder??
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Dis baie waar ja. Weet nie hoe jy dit uithou in daai grouheid nie…
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 1:20 pm
Ek weet ook nie!! Miskien moet ek terug kom en jou persoonlike huishulp en drywer word!! 😈 Ek braai baie lekker!! Mmmmmm… ‘n ou koedoe vleisie op die kole. Nou’s ek eers dikbek!! 😮
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Ons sal jou met ope arms verwelkom AJ!
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm
OK… nou hoe’s die pay?? Mens kannie van sonskyn en liefde lewe nie!! 😉
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Nee wat, na die Rand so gegly het teen die Euro die laaste maand of wat gaan die pay jou maar teleurstel. Liefde en sonskyn is meer werd as die Rand op die oomblik…
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Tyd om die lotto te speel!! Nee wag… tyd om die regte nommers te kry!! 😉
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Ek’t n gevoel vanaand is die aand… 😀
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 1:42 pm
OK… speel een lyntjie vir ons ook!! 3, 14, 22, 24, 31, 47 — nou daar’s ‘n wenner!! 😉
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Jy moes vroeer gepraat het dat ek vir jou kon gaan speel toe ek netnou Checkers toe was!
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Storie van my lewe… altyd te laat of in die verkeerde plek op die verkeerde oomblik!! Hahaha!! Ek hoop julle nommers wekk!! Ek hou duimvas. Stuur vir my 6 nommers tussen 1 en 47… ons sien hoe hulle hier vaar! 😉
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Volgende keer as ek by n lotto masjien is, speel ek defnitief jou nommers vir jou AJ! En dan stuur ek myne vir jou 😉
aj vosse October 24, 2015 at 2:13 pm
So gesê… so gedaan!! Lekker naweek vir julle. 😉
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 2:18 pm
En vir julle! Skreeu hard genoeg vir die Bokke vanmiddag 😉
marilizedewet October 24, 2015 at 9:43 am
perdebytjie October 24, 2015 at 8:52 am
Wonderlik,Dries!Pafuripiekniekplek is een van ons gunstelinge en Crooks Corner bring herinneringe van interessante ervarings wat ons daar gehad het.Hierdie gaan seker so gewild wees,dat mens gaan sukkel om plek te kry!
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Ons is ook oortuig daarvan dat hierdie kampie baie gewild gaan wees Dina. Dis klein en rustig en ver weg van alles!
craftcrazygran October 24, 2015 at 8:22 am
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:08 pm
You won’t be disappointed if you include Pafuri in your next visit to Kruger, Charlene! And thanks very much for sharing our post with your friends!
craftcrazygran October 25, 2015 at 11:00 am
Thank you and so worth it
safarig October 24, 2015 at 6:39 am
Well written – enticing enough to make anyone want to book straight away! Can you share a bit about traveling from Gauteng with kids – for those not so familiar with the far northern parts of KNP? How would you recommend one breaks up the trip?
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 7:18 am
If you’re heading straight to Pafuri, I’d suggest you get an early start – by the time the kids wake up in the car you can be half-way there already. For a 1 night stop on the way, you could always consider one of the game farms and lodges in the Soutpansberg near Louis Trichardt, or Forever’s Tshipise resort (which is only 100km from Pafuri Gate).
To us, the more advisable option would be to include Pafuri in a longer visit to the Park and stay at either Punda Maria, Sirheni or Shingwedzi before heading to Pafuri. We drove up from Mopani on this visit, and found it a little too distant to enjoy long stops at sightings or at the various camps and picnic spots along the way. Luckily Joubert’s quite accustomed to long roadtrips by now and there’s fewer “How far still?” questions coming from the backseat these days 😉 . On the flip side, when you’re covering that much ground in Kruger you’re bound to come across something interesting – we’ll share some photos from the drive up in next week’s blogpost.
Boeta: RumblingOcean, Photofun blogs October 24, 2015 at 5:34 am
Lovely. Looks just great. Punda Maria was the closest I ever got to there.
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 5:40 am
Reason to return Boeta, Pafuri’s waiting for you to come and explore!
Ladybuggz October 24, 2015 at 7:38 am
I saw that nasty Big Black Spider! That’s enough to keep me away! Beautiful place though! 🙂
de Wets Wild Post author October 24, 2015 at 1:05 pm
He was very polite and well behaved, Teresa, didn’t try to come indoors even once!
Ladybuggz October 25, 2015 at 3:10 am