The Outpost

a gorgeous location with diverse activities

The Outpost is located in the Northern Sector of Kruger National Park in the northeast of South Africa.

The property is owned and operated by Rare Earth, a really nice medium sized operator with interesting properties across South Africa.

Set on an elevated hillside, this cool lodge is centred on an modern building, with stark lounge and dining areas, leading out to decks above the river, with a swimming pool.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at The Outpost is in 12 beautiful suites, each with an indoor bathroom and private verandah above the river.

Activities

The Outpost provides access to the following activities, not all of which are necessarily included in the room rate …

• Vehicle safari
• Walking safari
• Mountain hiking
• Bush meals
• Palaeontological sites
• Visits to Makulele villages
• Night vehicle safari

The Kruger North area experiences massively lower visitor numbers than other parts of the national park, making it blissfully quiet as well as scenically varied. We try to include it in trips as often as possible, it is such a natural extension to safari in the south, adding up to a more varied and rewarding overall experience.
The usual stay duration is 3-4 nights.

Seasonality

The best time to visit Kruger is generally considered to be the May-Oct dry season, but (surprisingly) the reserve remains popular year round.
Safari in the Kruger area is much more seasonal than most people would lead you to believe. Trip planning is complicated by the fact that the seasons here are almost diametrically opposite to those down in Cape Town (with which the area is most commonly combined in trips).

Dry winter : Jun/Sep

This period is characterised by a cool dry winter which is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing, although day length is relatively short and nights can get very cold. Unfortunately it does coincide with a more conventional cool wet winter in Cape Town.

Hot transition : Oct/Nov

This is the start of the hot wet summer. Wildlife viewing is usually very strong, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high in advance of the first rains, which usually arrive mid November to cool things down. This coincides with a usually pleasant spring season in Cape Town. October therefore represents an interesting compromise month.

Wet summer : Dec/Mar

This period is characterised by a hot wet summer, which is generally considered to be the most challenging time for wildlife viewing, although sightings should remain reliable in the premium areas. Day length is nice and long, but temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high and rain can be a major issue. However these potentially adverse conditions happen to coincide with a hot dry summer in Cape Town.

Cool transition : Apr/May

This is a period of transition between the hot wet summer and the cool dry winter, with wildlife viewing continuing to improve as the foliage dies back. Day length, temperatures and humidities are all in the middle of their ranges. The period coincides with autumn/fall in Cape Town, making this perhaps the strongest time of year for the combination.

a fabulous private concession area