LeBlanc

Skukuza rest camp in the Kruger National Park is the largest rest camp in the park and hosts the administrative headquarters of the park. Due to the size of the rest camp and the large number of tourists it can accommodate, the camp has been upgraded to offer tourists nearly all the conveniences of a home away from home.

Play Golf at Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger National Park

Built in 1972, but only recently opened to the public, Skukuza golf course offers golfers a unique golfing experience. Situated on the edge of Skukuza rest camp, the unfenced 9-hole, 18-tee course offers golfers a chance to play a round of golf while various animals are spectators. It is a common sight to find warthog, impala, baboons and hippo on the fairways and greens. Golfers must sign an indemnity form before embarking onto the golf course.

The golf course is open to the public Sunday to Friday and due to its popularity, golfers should book well in advance at the club via telephone: +27 (0)13 735 5543 or fax: +27 (0)13 735 5543. Staff members utilize the course on Saturdays and no member of the public is allowed.

Restaurants at Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park

The Selati Station Grill house attracts thousands of tourists each year with the variety of dishes on offer and the ambiance of the restaurant. The restaurant is home to the Selati Express, the original train that took visitors on game drives through the reserve during the 1920's.

With dishes on offer like the mini mussel pot, Balule black mushrooms, mielie and biltong salad, Mozambique styled king prawns and a variety of salads and desserts, it is easy to see why the restaurant is so popular with tourists. The original train carriage hosts a full bar and provides additional ambiance to the dining experience.

At the Wooden Banana restaurant and take away, tourists may order from the breakfast and lunch menu through the day and choose whether to dine under the thatched canopies or in the privacy of their cars or accommodation. Tourists electing to eat under the thatch should keep to the outer edges of the thatched roof as fruit bats rest under the thatch during the day.

Skukuza Indigenous Nursery in Kruger National Park

Approximately four kilometers from Skukuza Rest Camp on the main road between Paul Kruger Gate and Skukuza, a signpost signals the turnoff to the Skukuza Indigenous Nursery. The nursery, managed by SAN Parks Scientific Services Department, features a Wetlands Boardwalk that leads visitors through a rehabilitated wetland area.

The Wetlands Boardwalk starts at the car park and ends at the nursery. Along the route and throughout the nursery, information on the approximately 185 plant species occurring in the Kruger National Park is displayed. This information includes the height, growth cycle and possible medicinal use of each plant. With knowledgeable staff that is always willing to assist visitors, choosing the correct plant for any area becomes easy.

Other Facilities at Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park

Besides guided game drives and bush walks, Skukuza Rest Camp offers tourists the opportunity to stay overnight on the Metsi Metsi Wilderness Trail. The Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library contains interesting information on the history of the Kruger National Park and is worth a visit.

Other important facilities at Skukuza include a bank, medical doctor, deli with internet cafe, conference facilities, garage with workshop, post office and car rental agency. As with all the camps in the Kruger National Park, Skukuza Rest Camp is well worth a visit, but tourists should ensure that accommodation is reserved well in advance

Right here’s a quick tip on collar width and collar fitting. This is because I see lots of dogs out walking whose collars are way too thin for their neck or badly fitted so they could easily pull out.

Bad collars

Now whoever thought choke chains were a good idea? Or thin rope collars, or thin leather rope collars? These are terrible for anything larger than a toy sized dog. And by toy I mean about 12lbs or less.

The reason they are terrible is that they put too much force on the dog’s neck in a small space. When the dog pulls, it can easily damage its windpipe and neck muscles with these collars. If the dog yanks at the collar quickly the force can actually pull the bones in the dog’s neck out of place. For example if it’s seen a cat, set off at top speed then got to the end of the flexi lead…..(Flexi leads are also not a good idea for dogs that are fast runners for the same reason.)

Good collars

So your dog collar should be the width of at least two of the dog’s vertebrae. Vertebrae are the bones in the spine which extend into your dog’s neck. For dogs over about 20 kilos (44 lbs) an inch wide collar is preferred. For dogs over 30 kilos see if you can find 1.5 inches. Or even more for the giant breeds. Padded collars are also useful for larger breeds.

If that means having a collar made to order, why not? It could be one of the best investments in your dog’s health you ever make.

That’s why greyhound collars are wide – because the greyhound is a large dog with a long neck. The special leather ’fishtail’ shaped collar is entirely functional, not fashionable!

Fitting the collar

Remember a badly fitted collar is almost as bad as no collar at all. Dogs regularly slip free and then are into the road causing accidents, or off causing nuisances with other dogs or livestock.

You should be able to comfortably get 2 fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. Any more and the collar is too loose. If you have to force your two fingers underneath the collar is too tight.

Hope this has made sure you’ve got your good collars on securely.