The Outpost lies in a vast and remote private 26,500 hectares wilderness area within the Kruger National Park. The area is well known for its abundant wildlife including less common species not evident in the southern and central regions of the Kruger Park. Apart from large herds of elephant and buffalo, the mountainous terrain is attractive to leopard and the region has resident prides of lion. Guests will also be able to see over 350 recorded bird species. The region also includes some of the largest and oldest baobab tree specimens.
Guests will be taken on game drives in the early morning and again in the late afternoon which may extend into the early evening. Game drives are conducted by qualified and experienced guides in open 4x4 safari vehicles. The drives are not restricted to public roads in Kruger National Park and mostly make use of tracks formerly reserved for the use of Park officials.
Guests who would like to experience the bush on foot may do so after breakfast as an alternative to a game drive. These walks are exhilarating and informative... the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with the wonders of nature, and a great way to stretch your legs and breath the fresh bush air.
The Outpost accommodates 24 guests in 12 stand-alone open plan en-suite Luxury Suites resting on a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River. The suites are connected to each other and the central lodge area by a 500m Zimbabwean teak walkway.
The contemporary suites have been cleverly designed, making full use of space, concrete and steel with state-of the art retractable screens offering 180-degrees of uninterrupted views of the Luvuvhu River Valley. The open feel of the room extends into a comfortable lounge and an award-winning bathroom (which can be screened off for privacy) with a stone bath and open shower boasting views extending as far as Mozambique. The outdoor terrace with daybed offers full views of the surrounding bushveld, and is the perfect spot to while away the time soaking in this natural wonder.
Directions For Drivers
From Johannesburg (approx 650 km / 6.5 hours): Take the M1 North to Pretoria via Centurion. Drive straight along this highway and follow the Pietersburg/N1 North signs. The M1 North eventually becomes the N1 North.
When close to Pietersburg/Polokwane, follow the N1 North signs towards Louis Trichardt/Makhado. Follow the N1 North, past the turn-off to Louis Trichardt and proceed towards Musina. Proceed along the N1 and approximately 57 km after the turn-off to Louis Trichardt (when you have just passed through the Baobab Toll Gate), you’ll find the R525 turn-off to Tshipise and Pafuri to your right.
Take this turn-off to your right and proceed along the R525, straight on past the turn-off to Tshipise. Please be careful of potential potholes or stray animals like cattle, wild donkeys and goats on this road. Enter the Kruger National Park through the Pafuri Gate. Please tell the gate guard that you are staying at The Outpost and he will reduce your entry fee into the Kruger Park.
From this gate travel until you see the sign for The Outpost (approx 6.6 km). The sign is built from rocks and is on the left-hand side of the road. Turn right at the sign and follow the dirt road for another 4 km until you reach The Outpost.
Do not get out of your car until you reach the camp. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE : The Kruger National Park prohibits the use of roads within the Park before the gates are open and once the gates are closed, therefore guests need to plan their arrival and departure times carefully. You cannot arrange to leave the Park before the gates are open, and you must ensure that you arrive at the entrance gate with sufficient time to drive through the Park to reach your destination by the time the gate closes, otherwise you may not be permitted to enter.
January/February: Open 05:30, Close 18:30
March: Open 05:30, Close 18:00
April: Open 06:00; Close 18:00
May to July: Open 06:00, Close 17:30
August/September: Open 06:00, Close 18:00
October: Open 05:30, Close 18:00
November/December: Open 05:30, Close 18:30
Please note that the maximum speed limit in the Park is 50 km/h for tar roads and 40 km/h for gravel roads.
You should allow about 30 minutes to drive through the Park to reach the lodge.
PLEASE NOTE: The service station at Tshipise is the last service station along the route, so please check your fuel as it is still approximately 120 km to The Outpost from this point. There is no fuel pump at Pafuri Gate, so please ensure you have enough fuel for your journey back to Tshipise, or south through the Kruger National Park after your stay at The Outpost. The last cellphone reception is at Tshipise, so if you need to make a call, this is the point to do so.
Via Kruger National Park from Skukuza: From Skukuza, drive north to Letaba Camp, and then continue onto Shingwedzi and even further towards the Pufuri Gate (the most northern gate of the Kruger National Park).
Once you have crossed the bridge over the Luvuvhu River, in the far north of the park, drive for approximately 18 km and look out for the Outpost sign (which is on the right hand side of the road, and built out of stones). At the sign, turn left and travel on a dirt road for about 4 km before you reach the camp.
Please take note that although the route is shorter via the Kruger National Park, the driving time is much longer due to the imposed speed limits within the Park. Skukuza is situated a total of 380 km from Pafuri.
We would advise you to leave Skukuza as early as possible. Have breakfast at Satara and lunch at either Mopani or Shingwedzi Camps, depending on the time.
General Information For Guests
Each rooms has a balcony/deck, a lounge area, an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower and outside shower too, a hair dryer, a mini bar, mosquito netting, a safe, and tea/coffee making facilities.
The main lodge has a dining room, swimming pool, a bar and wine cellar, lounge with fireplace, library, and a curio shop.
Activities available at The Outpost include 2 game drives daily (morning and afternoon), walking safaris/bush walks (pre-booking essential) and birding safaris. Walks and birding safaris are done by request and subject to availability.
Should you wish to set your own pace on your safari, you can prebook a private vehicle. Should you wish to also do walking when out with your private vehicle, you will need to pre-arrange this so that the camp has the correct guide available for you. Please contact your Travel Butlers consultant prior to travel to arrange either/both of these options.
Village tours and to the Makuleke Community and history tours of Crooks Corner are also available (additional cost).
In room massage treatments are available on request.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the central area.
A laundry service is available.
Room service is available.
Credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are NOT accepted.
Please note that all guests entering the Kruger National Park must produce a valid form of identification (passports for international visitors) at their entry gate with their accommodation reservation vouchers.
If you are arriving/departing via FedAir, the lodge is a 15 minute drive away from the airstrip.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on bush walks. The final decision on whether a guest can join a guided bush walk remains with the guide and lodge manager.
