@SoekGeselskap Map of Skukuza Rest Kamp and Surrounds located in the KNP

This Skukuza rest camp in the Kruger National Park is the largest rest camp in the Kruger National Park.

BUT , why or where does it get it’s name…

The name "Skukuza" was given to James Stevenson-Hamilton, the first warden of Kruger National Park, by his staff and the local Tsonga people. While often translated as "the one who sweeps," in reference to Stevenson-Hamilton’s efforts to rid the park of poachers and criminals, the name carries deeper connotations. Stevenson-Hamilton was tasked with enforcing conservation laws and protecting wildlife, which included evicting settlers and indigenous communities who lived in the area before Kruger's formal establishment as a national park.

The translation of "Skukuza" as "to sweep" is not only a nod to his efforts to cleanse the land of illegal activities but also reflects a more complex and bittersweet relationship with the local Tsonga people. According to Dr. Henri-Alexandre Junod, an expert in Tsonga history and culture, the name "Skukuza" also symbolizes the Tsonga people's feelings of resentment and loss. Their forced removal from fertile, beautiful lands to make way for the protected reserve caused a deep sense of injustice and alienation.

While Stevenson-Hamilton is celebrated as a conservation hero, from the Tsonga perspective, "Skukuza" embodied both his role as a protector of wildlife and as the agent of disruption to their way of life. This dual interpretation of his nickname offers a nuanced understanding of the tensions between colonial-era conservation efforts and the displacement of indigenous peoples during the early 20th century.

TODAY, Skukuza is the size of a small town, and actually, very busy .
You will find most of the amenities that you have in a traditional town in Skukuza.
Skukuza has basically two restaurants - One, the Cattle Baron and one Restuarant is in a restored train.
You have also an upmarket lodge located right in the Skukuza rest camp.
We are still puzzling out what is the meaning of the different alphabetic letters and numbers assigned to the different chalets .
We have to plan a separate video on this because you can only book for accommodation in the Kruger National Park through the SanParks website - and this is pretty tricky.
In the meantime, have a look at this video and a hot tip is to try and book your accommodation near the river edge, or the perimeter of the fence.
For more information, have a look at the map at the beginning of this video and you’ll see there’s different categories of chalets but if you want to stay near the river, you need to book certain chalets-
The Chalets types are :
LR2ZW
LR2W
The Numbers being chalet number :
88 to 96
These chalets are in the north western part of Skukuza rest camp and it is closest to the pool and the lodge .
You might also want to stay in the Lion guest house.
On the north eastern part of Skukuza rest camp that overlooks the river as well , you want to be staying in the following category of chalets and numbers if you want to have a lovely river view:
Chalets category :
LR2E
GC4V
At this moment I’m not totally sure what all these different shall I categories mean? But I hope to make a video in future will explain the different categories and more detail .

Accommodation for Guests with Mobility Challenges

South African National Parks are
working to provide facilities for guests with mobility challenges, including safari vehicles and sleeping accommodations.
6 of the bungalows (all coded BD2Z by SANParks) are equipped with roll-in showers, and 2 (coded BG2ZE) have baths with hand rails. Units with baths, however, lack kitchenettes. One guest cottage (unit 226) is also equipped with a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and
a roll-in shower. These facilities have been noted as being difficult to use without assistance.

#Skukuza
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#HowDoesSkukuzaLook
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#tsonga
#Stevenson
#Stevenson-Hamilton
#Disabilty
#Disabiltyaccess
#BD2Z
#BG2ZE