Afsaal Tea Room in Kruger National Park is a very popular stop for people staying outside the Kruger National Park wanting to do day trips into Kruger. It is situated in the centre of the Southern Section of Kruger and is an ideal break for people travelling from Malelane Gate, Crocodile Bridge Gate, Kruger Gate or Phabeni Gate. It is favored by many Tour Guides taking tourists into Kruger. From Afsaal Picnic Spot there are many routes to travel to view game. Here is a collection of photographs taken during November 2009. Click on the image to enlarge and read the description.

This picnic spot is situated between Skukuza and Lower Sabie Restcamps. This is also an ideal place to stop and take a rest. The picnic spot even sells curios and art. Please do not feed the Monkeys or Baboons as they become dangerous and end up being shot. A Spot fine of R1,500 will be issued to people found guilty of feeding animals. Breakfast and light lunches are served. Alternatively you can rent a gas braaier and cook your own breakfast. Be on the lookout for Baboons who bravely will rob you of your food. This is nerve wracking when you have a small child with you. Just be aware. Kruger is a wilderness area.

R300 per night special for a house that can sleep up to 6 people.

Lower Sabie Shop and Restaurant is also a popular place to stop and have a breakfast, coffee or a couple of drinks on the verandah overlooking the Sabie river from which you are allmost allways guaranteed to see Hippo , Nile Crocodile and Elephant. Sometimes one is lucky enough to see Elephant Swimming in the Sabie river. There seems to be a semi permanent exhibition at the Shop and Restaurant depicting poaching in Kruger and General information. There is also a little Internet Station. The Breakfast from the Caffeteria is substantialy cheaper than the breakfast at the Restaurant. At least one have choices.

Situated 12km from the town of Komatipoort Crocodile Bridge is one of the Southern Entrance gates to Kruger. One has to phone ahead in the rainy season to check whether the Low water bridge accross the Crocodile River is accessible else one has to make use of Malelane Gate which is 55km away. Currently construction to new entrance gates is under construction. Holders of Wild Cards will be able to swipe and go. Maybe to maek provision for the influx of visitors expected during the 2010 World Cup? There is a filling Station and a small shop where one can also order breakfast and light lunches. Crocodile Bridge Camp offers night drives and vistors outside Kruger can particpate.

Close to Skukuza lies Paul Kruger Entrance gate which is accessed via Hazyview on the R536. A familiar site at the entrance gate is the statue of Paul Kruger. Telephone number of the gate is 013 - 7355107.

Phabeni is a relatively new entrance gate, the most common entrance gate for visitors from Hazyview. As with most entrance gates in the south traffic can get quite backed up over long weekends and public holidays. Nowadays day visitors can book ahead once again. Phabeni will also soon boast new speed entrance for Wild Card Holders. The Albasini Ruins, a place of historical interest, lies just outside the gate. Telephone number for the gate 013 - 7355890. Phabeni Gate can be accessed via the R536 Hazyview.

Here is a few pictures of people living next to Kruger making a living selling Curios. Some more formal than others.

For Day Vistors close to Skukuza the Skukuza Day Visitors Area with Picnic Facilities and a nice swimming pool is a must, especially during warm summer months. THere is also a little shop where refreshments are sold. Unfortunately for South African who love to braai you can not braai with wood. The picnic area is inside a camped bush area and the risk of veld fires would just be to big. One can hire gas braaiers.

Nwanedzi Picnic Spot is an ideal stopover for the day visitor to Kruger who enters the Park trough Orpen Gate. Not only has it got a beautiful view but it also is situated on the other side of some of the best game viewing areas in Kruger.

Phalaborwa has become a lot busier now that people can enter Mozambique trough the Kruger National Park. Phalaborwa Gate has become popular for people wishing to enter Mozambique trough the Girondo Border post. It is a modern entrance gate where Wild Card holders can drive trough and swipe their cards-when the system is online.