
Tshokwane Picnic Site
An unfenced picnic site in Kruger National Park where wildlife, like elephants, roam freely. Offers affordable 'bush chow' and a unique safari stopove...

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds

Tshokwane Picnic Site
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An unfenced picnic site in Kruger National Park where wildlife, like elephants, roam freely. Offers affordable 'bush chow' and a unique safari stopover.
"Awesome spot with great 'bush chow' and close encounters with wildlife!"

🐒 Beware of Monkeys!
Monkeys are very active and hungry here. Secure your food and belongings to avoid unwanted visitors. :monkey_face:
🚗 Unfenced Wildlife
Elephants and other animals roam freely. Stay in your car, keep windows up, and maintain a safe distance. :elephant:

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Close Wildlife Sightings
Picnic Area
Experience the thrill of elephants and other animals passing through the unfenced picnic site. Keep your distance and marvel at nature.

Buffalo Meat Pies
Cafe
A local favorite! Don't miss the delicious buffalo meat pies and other 'bush chow' at the cafe.

Relaxing Under the Trees
Picnic Area
Enjoy a peaceful break under the shade of trees or the open-air lapa. Watch birds and soak in the Kruger atmosphere.
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Planning Your Visit
Unfenced Wildlife Encounters
Food & Facilities
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🐒 Beware of Monkeys!
Monkeys are very active and hungry here. Secure your food and belongings to avoid unwanted visitors. :monkey_face:
🚗 Unfenced Wildlife
Elephants and other animals roam freely. Stay in your car, keep windows up, and maintain a safe distance. :elephant:
🥧 Taste the Buffalo Pie
A must-try! Grab a delicious buffalo meat pie from the cafe for an authentic Kruger taste. :pie:
☕ Coffee Queue Woes
Be prepared for potential queues at the cafe, especially if rangers are getting free coffee. :coffee:
Tips
from all over the internet
🐒 Beware of Monkeys!
Monkeys are very active and hungry here. Secure your food and belongings to avoid unwanted visitors. :monkey_face:
🚗 Unfenced Wildlife
Elephants and other animals roam freely. Stay in your car, keep windows up, and maintain a safe distance. :elephant:
🥧 Taste the Buffalo Pie
A must-try! Grab a delicious buffalo meat pie from the cafe for an authentic Kruger taste. :pie:
☕ Coffee Queue Woes
Be prepared for potential queues at the cafe, especially if rangers are getting free coffee. :coffee:
🗺️ Paper Maps are Key
Signal can be spotty. Having a paper map is a lifesaver for navigation in Kruger. :world_map:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tshokwane Picnic Site is a beloved stop in Kruger, praised for its unique unfenced wildlife encounters and affordable, tasty 'bush chow,' especially the buffalo pies. While the cafe and shop offer convenience, some visitors note limited variety and potential queues. The natural setting under trees provides a relaxing break, though vigilance is required due to roaming animals.
"What an awesome spot with some great "bush chow". Very well priced and good variety. Lovely open air lapa and spots under trees.
Mind the monkeys...always hungry 😆"
Ferdsy
"Landed here on the way down from satara to South, for breakfast, really good and coffee was welcomed as well. Lovely picnic site and Bushbuck are awesome. Little shop as well. Toilet was flooded and is set a bit back from the main area, don't get eaten. 👍😁👌🦒🦌"
Dylan Brandes
"Hi fellow campers, when I am in the area, I always stop over at this picnic spot to have there Buffalo meat pies and the Milktart. Just to sit under the veranda and watch the birds and relax. I always leave with an extra pie for the next day. Yummy. I usually park near the big tree in the center, when I looked at other photos of it , someone posted that it fell over...luckily not on a car or camper.
Well here we are back at Tshokwane August 2025 and again we got some Buffalo meat pies and a Lemon Tart. About 500m before the picnic spot ( from Satara)we came across 3 Lions, 1 Male and 2 Females..the one Lioness just finished off a Warthog..and then made her way across the road right infront of us..Awesome site."
Ricky Wall
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Tshokwane Picnic Site is located in the central-southern part of Kruger National Park. It's accessible by car via the main park roads. Many visitors stop here when traveling between camps like Satara and the southern rest camps.
Public transport options directly to Tshokwane are very limited. It's primarily designed for visitors with their own vehicles or those on organized safaris.
The most common route from Satara to Tshokwane is via the S36 road. This route is known for excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including potential leopard sightings near Tshokwane.
While Kruger has many roads, Tshokwane is a well-marked main stop. However, signal can be poor, so having a paper map is highly recommended to avoid getting lost.
For a unique, seasonal experience, consider Tshokwane River Camp, an upscale tented camp offering an immersive nature stay from July to September.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tshokwane Picnic Site is within Kruger National Park, so you will need a valid Kruger National Park conservation fee to enter the park. The picnic site itself does not have a separate entry fee.
Tshokwane operates during Kruger National Park's general gate hours. These typically vary by season, so it's best to check the official SANParks website for the most current times.
Tshokwane is a public picnic site and does not typically require advance booking for day visitors. However, the seasonal Tshokwane River Camp does require reservations.
The main restriction is that it's an unfenced area, so visitors must be aware of and respect the presence of wild animals. Always follow park rules and ranger advice.
Conservation fees for Kruger National Park vary for South African citizens, residents, and international visitors. Check the SANParks website for the latest pricing.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can enjoy a picnic, grab a meal at the cafe, shop for snacks, use the ablutions, and most importantly, observe wildlife that may wander through the unfenced area.
It's an unfenced site, so wildlife like elephants can be present. Always stay in your vehicle, keep windows up, and maintain a safe distance. Never feed animals.
Ablution facilities are available. Some reviews mention they are clean, though one noted a flooded toilet set back from the main area.
Yes, you can rent gas stoves for cooking. It's unclear if pots are provided, but there is a store and cafe available.
You might encounter elephants, buffalo, bushbuck, and various bird species. Keep an eye out for predators like lions or leopards in the surrounding areas.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Tshokwane offers a cafe with 'bush chow' and a small shop. Popular items include buffalo meat pies and milk tarts. The variety in the shop is limited to snacks and sodas.
Reviews suggest that the prices in the cafe are quite low, making it an affordable stop for a meal or snack.
While prices are low, the quality is generally considered good, with specific mentions of tasty buffalo pies and milk tarts.
Absolutely! Tshokwane is a picnic site, so bringing your own food and drinks is a great option, especially if you want more variety or have specific dietary needs.
Many visitors rave about the buffalo meat pies and milk tarts. These are often highlighted as must-try items.
📸 📸 Photography
The main draw is photographing wildlife that wanders through the unfenced site, like elephants. The surrounding bush and birdlife also offer great shots.
Yes, especially if you're lucky enough to capture close encounters with animals like elephants or leopards in their natural habitat.
Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography, often referred to as the 'golden hours'. Wildlife is also typically more active during these times.
The S36 road leading to Tshokwane is known for wildlife sightings, including leopards. The picnic site itself offers opportunities for candid shots of animals interacting with the environment.
A telephoto lens is highly recommended for capturing wildlife from a safe distance. A wide-angle lens can be useful for landscape shots of the Kruger bushveld.
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Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Wildlife Encounters at Tshokwane
The surrounding roads, like the S36 leading to Tshokwane, are also prime wildlife viewing corridors. Visitors have reported sightings of leopards and other predators in this vicinity. The best times for wildlife activity are typically early morning and late afternoon, offering both better viewing opportunities and beautiful light for photography. Remember that while Tshokwane offers a chance for close encounters, it's crucial to prioritize safety and respect for the wild inhabitants of Kruger National Park.
Culinary Delights and Practicalities
For those who prefer to self-cater, Tshokwane is a picnic site, so bringing your own food and drinks is a popular and practical choice. You can also rent gas stoves for cooking. While the cafe offers a unique taste of Kruger, packing a picnic allows for more flexibility and choice. The site also provides ablution facilities, which are generally reported as clean, though it's always wise to check their condition upon arrival.
The Tshokwane River Camp Experience
This camp offers a different perspective on Tshokwane, moving beyond a simple stopover to a destination in itself. It's an opportunity to experience the Kruger landscape more deeply, with the sounds and sights of the bush right at your doorstep. Booking in advance is essential for this seasonal camp, as it caters to a limited number of guests looking for a special safari adventure.






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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit