Balule Rest Camp is one of the smallest camps in Kruger National Park. It’s a rustic site which means there’s no electricity! You can only stay here if you’re camping, caravanning or staying in huts as there’s no other type of accommodation available here.
The rest camp is on the southern bank of the Olifants River. While you relax in the evening you might catch the sound of hippos in the water or see a bird of prey, like the speckled brown Pel’s fishing owl, fly past on it’s way to the river.
If you stay here, you get the feeling that you’re really isolated in the middle of the bush as the rest camp is not open to day visitors and there are practically no facilities apart from:
- BBQ places
- Shared kitchen
- Ablution block
We really recommend staying here if you can. It’s a very special experience camping in a small, quiet place with the feeling of being in the wild. Keep an eye out too for the two resident hyenas that circle the camp in the evening! Take your torch with you and go for a walk along the boundary fence. You might just see their eyes shining back at you!
There are no shops or restaurants at the rest camp, so make sure you have all your provisions with you before going there. Although there are some gas lanterns at the camp, remember to bring:
- Torches
- Firewood
- Matches
The lack of general lighting gives campers a fantastic view of the stars in the evening.
To stay at the camp, you’ll need to check in at Satara or Olifants rest camps. Olifants, the closer of the two, is 11km (6.8 miles) to the north.
If you want to go on a game walk or game drive from this rest camp, you’ll need to check at Satara or Olifants rest camps to make arrangements.