Skukuza is the administrative headquarters and the main camp of the Kruger National Park, situated on the southern bank of the Sabie River in the Mpumalanga Province. It is the largest, most popular and accessible camp in the Park and one of the best for game viewing.
The name ‘Skukuza’ translated means ‘to sweep’ or ‘new broom’ and was given by the local Tsonga people as a nickname for James Stevenson-Hamilton, who was perceived to sweep the land clean of poachers and other criminals operating in the area. Stevenson-Hamilton served as the Park’s first warden from 1902 to 1946. He was a good friend of the Tsonga people, fluent in their language and very familiar with their culture. He was taught animal hunting and tracking skills by them.
Skukuza has a number of historical sites including three museums and a library as well as a camp centre consisting of shops and restaurants. Besides the camp basics, Skukuza also has two swimming pools, a golf course, minor motor repair facilities, a police station, a post office and even a bank. From the main reception a visitor can organize game drives, bush braais and guided walks in the Park. Nearby the camp is a nursery where plants native to the region can be viewed and purchased. These are mostly suited to a similarly hot climate.
The camp itself overlooks the Sabie River where elephants sometimes congregate. The stretch right opposite Skukuza is the home to a number of hippos. The trees along the river are home to many very loud chacma baboons, while the piercing calls of greater galagos are heard at dawn and dusk. Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bats are easily seen under the verges of some of the thatched roofs. Some of these have been fitted with radio transmitters to study their feeding patterns.
- Kruger
- Sabie
- Wildlife
- Game viewing
Skukuza was a large, densely populated Tsonga chiefdom under the authority of Chief Ngomane. The Tsonga people of Skukuza were brilliant big game hunters, hunting South Africa's big five as well as smaller animals. They also used the Sabie River for fishing. The land where the Skukuza camp is situated was chief Ngomane's palace (eHubyeni) which he used to conduct tribal meetings.
When the government decided to establish a national park during the late 1800s and early 1900s, Skukuza was identified as a potential site. Firstly because of its natural beauty, the mighty Sabie River flowing nearby and because of its abundance of South Africa's Big Five animals; buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino which were present in large numbers compared to other sites. The government moved the Tsonga people to villages around Bushbuckridge and Hazyview, where there were large concentrations of Shangaan people.
