Kruger Park self-catering is a popular accommodation choice. The good news for self-caterers is that the national park offers plenty of it!
In fact, relaxing in front of your own BBQ watching the sun go down and listening to the chorus of the bush is one of the major draw cards of self-catering accommodation. Kruger National Park campsites all the way through to guest houses each have an outside braai place (a braai is like a BBQ).
All cottages and guest houses come with a stove and a fridge. Campsites and huts have communal kitchens areas. Safari tents and bungalows are in between – they may or may not have their own kitchens. Places with the most basic kitchens don’t always have a full set of cutlery. Check when you book.
Sometimes the pots and pans that come with your kitchen can be odd sizes, either too large or too small. If you have your own portable cooking pots, it can be worthwhile bringing them.
Most main rest camps have general store type shops where you can buy groceries. They sell a selection of:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Bread
- Milk
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Firewood
- Toiletries
Buy fruit and vegetables in the morning if you can. You will have the best choice then. If you need firewood, make sure you get to a shop in good time before it closes.
Once you’ve finished cooking, especially if you cook outside, put all your equipment and rubbish away so monkeys, baboons or squirrels don’t get hold of it. They can make a real mess if they do and it’s not fun cleaning it up the next morning!
All picnic spots have skottel braais (portable gas BBQs) for hire. Using one can make for a tasty lunch!
While travelling around Kruger National Park, be sure to carry lots of drinks, especially in summer. It gets very hot and you’ll drink a lot.
Enjoy your Kruger National Park self-catering experience 🙂