Crocodile Bridge Complex, Kruger National Park

Formerly the headquarters of the old Sabi Reserve and one of Kruger National Park’s first four ranger posts, Crocodile Bridge is now a small gate camp 10 kilometres from Komatipoort. The camp is situated on the bank of the Crocodile River overlooking the old railway bridge – from whence it gets its name. This historic bridge was severely damaged during the devastating floods in 2000.

Although the camp overlooks the river, the far bank is outside the reserve and the farming activities may distract from any feeling of wilderness. As a transit camp, however, it takes some beating and its peaceful nature and plentiful wildlife nearby means you can squeeze in one last morning of game-viewing before heading home. When the ever-popular Lower Sabie camp is full, Crocodile Bridge makes a comfortable alternative.

Accommodation at Crocodile Bridge

Chalets
Small three-bed units all with fridge/freezer and fully equipped kitchenette form a circle around a large grassy core dotted with false marula and other large trees.

Safari tents
Two-bed units are equipped with a fridge/freezer, but make use of communal kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Camping and caravanning
A relatively small, but pleasant caravan and camping site is located in the middle of the camp. Sites are not allocated. There is a small communal kitchen with twoplate hobs, as well as washing facilities and instant hot-water dispensers.

Wildlife around Crocodile Bridge

The camp
Scavenging baboons and vervet monkeys are regular visitors, so keep an eye on your food. Spotted hyenas also prowl the fence at night.

The surroundings
The Crocodile River area is densely populated with game because of its sweet grass plains dotted with marula trees and knobthorn acacias. These attract a variety of both grazers and browsers, which are inevitably followed by an entourage of predators. It is also good country for cheetah, which use the open plains to their advantage (particularly along the S28 and S137). Wild dogs are commonly seen, as well as rarer buck species such as reedbuck and nyala.

The Big Five
Both black and white rhino are common, while elephant and lion are regularly seen along the S25 west (Crocodile River Road). This is one of the best areas in the Kruger to see elephant herds. Buffalo can be difficult to find and you may need to head a little further north to see them.

Birds
The camp gardens have many flowering aloes in winter, which attract a host of sunbirds, starlings, weavers and bulbuls. Some of the park’s rarer birds can be seen in the Crocodile Bridge area: keep a look out for purple-banded sunbird, yellow-rumped tinkerbird and black-bellied starling (which only occur in the very south of the park).

Don’t miss!

The Hippo Pool (follow the S25 and then the S27 detour south) is a highlight. An armed ranger takes you to the water’s edge about 3 km further, allowing you close-up sightings of hippos wallowing in a small pool on the Crocodile River. But do not get out of your car if not accompanied by a guard. Goliath heron, green-backed heron and little egret fish along the water’s edge and, if you are lucky, you may see African finfoot. Orange-breasted bushshrike, white-browed (Heuglin’s) robin-chat and African (blue-billed) firefinch frequent the riverine bush. There used to be rock art on a nearby overhang, but it was unfortunately obliterated in the 2000 floods.

Activities offered at Crocodile Bridge

Morning and sunset/night drives may be booked at reception.

Best drives around Crocodile Bridge

A number of good routes radiate from Crocodile Bridge and even though this small camp is on the very southern border of the Kruger National Park, the game-viewing is generally outstanding.

Crocodile River Road

To reach the Crocodile River Road take the S25 about 2 km out of camp, which passes through mixed thornveld as it loosely tracks the course of the Crocodile River (the short S27 detour south takes you to the
hippo pool). The road continues along through attractive countryside offering fantastic game-viewing as wildlife congregates along the Crocodile River. It is worth driving the full length of the road to its intersection with the S114, where it is best to turn and retrace your steps. Elephant are all but guaranteed along this route, while white rhino, lion, giraffe, waterbuck, kudu and hyena are common. Look out for wild dogs as these are often seen in the early morning.

Nthandanyathi Loop

This comprises the semicircular route created by the S130, S137 and S28. From the camp, take the H4-2 north towards Lower Sabie. The road passes through good game-viewing territory and offers good opportunities to see white rhino, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and large concentrations of impala. Lion and leopard are also seen regularly here, while it is also
renowned as a prime spot for wild dog. It is worth following the H4-2 all the way north to the S130 turn-off and then heading past Duke Water Hole on the S137, which often attracts interesting game including cheetah. Return via the Nthandanyathi Bird Hide and the road to Nhlanganzwane Dam (S28 Nhlowa Road) is prime white rhino territory (although the dam became poisoned and is closed).

The H5 (Randspruit Road), also off the H4-2, is not a particularly busy area of the park and yet it offers surprisingly good sightings. Hot spots in the area include the Mpondo Dam (on the S102 turn-off south), which often attracts a large amount of game and water birds. It is not really worth heading much further than the S102, and it may in fact be a good idea if you venture back along the attractive S26 (Bume Road). Another area worth investigating is the Gayisenga Water Hole, which often returns interesting sightings and is regularly visited by lions. On the road north towards Lower Sabie, culverts are sometimes used as hyena dens and you may even see young pups playing at the side of the road.

This is an extract from the Kruger Park Guide by Cameron Ewart-Smith and Sunbird Publishers. This is an extract from the Kruger guide. Want the whole guidebook? Buy the Getaway Guide to Kruger National Park here.