RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Explore Pafuri, in the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park.
Pafuri Tented Camp, Pafuri Walking Safaris and Baobab Hill House are operated in partnership with the Makuleke Community.
JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY AND TRANSFORMATION.
With a strong emphasis on community empowerment, RETURN Africa celebrates Africa by drawing people together in journeys of discovery and transformation. Journey to the scenically beautiful Pafuri, in the remote northern sector of the Kruger National Park.
Safari experiences in Pafuri celebrate the rich ancestral heritage of the Makuleke Contractual Park. Wedged between the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers, this 59,000 acres is an area of deep history and immense biodiversity.
Remarkable geological and natural heritage is discovered through rock formations over 250 million years old, human history dating back to the Stone Age, and landmark archeological sites from early civilisations. Additional to this are natural wonders of immense flood plains, wildlife rich pans, extraordinary trees and forests, together with the apex predators of hyena and crocodiles, large herds of elephants and buffalo, and finally a bird watching paradise.
RETURN Africa is owned and managed by Swedish and South African impact investors who are committed to providing nurturing and inspiring places to work and visit while being responsible custodians of our heritage and environment.
FAST FACTS
RATES
Pafuri Tented Camp:
R 6 750 – R 10 750 per person per night
Pafuri Walking Safaris:
R 3 500 – R 4 550 per person per night
Baobab Hill House:
R 24 000 – R 26 400 per house per night
ACCESS
Pafuri:
Daily flights from Hoedspruit (45 minutes) or Johannesburg Airports (2 hours).
CHILDREN
Pafuri Tented Camp, Baobab Hill House:
All ages welcome
Pafuri Walking Safaris:
16+ years
Walking Safaris requires a minimum age of 16, but Pafuri Tented and Baobab Hill House are perfectly suited for families.
What we love
JEWEL OF KRUGER
Pafuri is an iconic region of geological wonders and diversity, here you discover a wide variety of wildlife species and unique birds together with exceptional landscapes.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Partnered with the Makuleke Community, this lodge believes in economic transformation through community empowerment.
TWIN CENTRE SAFARI
With easy charter access from Hoedspruit, a combination with a safari camp in the Timbavati makes the ideal itinerary with the best wildlife sightings.
GREAT VALUE
Geared towards families and friends seeking great value, adventure and connection.
RETURN Africa
The impact of your stay
The Makuleke Contractual Park or Pafuri Triangle is an area that was forcibly taken from the Makuleke people by the Apartheid South Africa government in 1969. About 1500 Makuleke people were relocated so that their original tribal areas could be integrated into the greater Kruger National Park. In 1998 the Makuleke won the land back in a groundbreaking settlement. However, they chose not to resettle but to engage with the private sector to invest in tourism, thus resulting in the partnership with RETURN Africa.
Every stay contributes through:
PAFURI CAMPS
- Choosing to stay at RETURN Africa Pafuri is choosing to support one of the few ‘luxury’ community based tourism models in South Africa.
- At Pafuri, the Makuleke community earns 10% of gross revenue.
- The R 500 (2022) or R 600 (2023) per person per night Community & Conservation Levy is directly allocated to the 10% fund without any deductions of agent commission. This is invested in full to the community and Makuleke Contractual Park.
- Knowing that over 90% of the staff, including senior managers, at RETURN Africa Pafuri are Makuleke community members. All staff are from South Africa.
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Pafuri Region, Kruger National Park
Pafuri Tented Camp
This comfortable luxury safari accommodation stretches along the Luvuvhu River on raised wooden walkways. The camp has 19 en-suite tents, seven of these are ‘family tents’ perfect for families of four. All the tents offer gorgeous views over the Luvuvhu River. A bush bar, swimming pool and al-fresco dining area offer everyday entertainment, and there’s plenty of space to unwind beneath the branches of the giant trees embracing the camp.
An extraordinary wildlife experience awaits. Large herds of elephant roam the area together with healthy populations of buffalo, antelope, leopard, hyena and more. Due to its fantastic riverside location Pafuri Camp is also the destination of choice for avid birders and guests are regularly treated to sightings of rare species including the elusive Pels Fishing Owl
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages
Pafuri Tented Camp
12 standard tents & 7 family tents
Pafuri Region, Kruger National Park
Pafuri Walking Camps
Pafuri is one of Africa’s most iconic walking destinations. From Lanner Gorge and the Fever Tree forest to the Limpopo flood plain and large water filled pans, this is an area of spectacular discoveries on foot with professional trails guides.
Each of the Walking Camps – Hutwini Camp and Nkula Camp – have 4 tents for a maximum of 8 guests. Both camps are well positioned on the edge of the Luvuvuhu River and hosted by an experienced trails guide and camp staff. A vehicle is available but the focus is to be connected to the wilderness and explore on foot.
The camps have no electricity, wifi or running water. En-suite bathrooms do have a flushing eco loo. They do have solar and oil lamps, batter banks for charging photographic equipment and en-suite bucket showers.
SEASONALITY: Open from 1 April – 31 October annually
CHILDREN: 16+ years (children under 16 are not legally permitted to walk)
Pafuri Walking Safaris
2 camps of 4 tents each
Pafuri Region, Kruger National Park
Baobab Hill House
If it’s privacy you seek, Baobab Hill Bush House is the answer. This cozy homestead perches on a ridge just north of the Luvuvhu river. It is shaded by the branches of great baobabs and shrouded in history – it was once the Pafuri section ranger’s station. Here, privacy and comfort reign: four bedrooms sleep up to eight people, and the open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge provide ample space to spend time together.
The “Out of Africa” veranda is the highlight of the bush house, and you’ll find yourself drawn to it for sundowners and stargazing. If you’d like to explore the surrounding bush be it on foot or in an open safari vehicle, a professional guide and open safari vehicle is included.
Baobab Hill House comes with a cook, housekeeper and camp assistant.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages
Baobab Hill House
4 bedroom exclusive use house
Cape Town
Welgelegen House
Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, with unparalleled views of Lion’s Head, Welgelegen House oozes Cape charm. The elegant space has been converted into 14 en-suite rooms from two Victorian houses, linked by a shady inner courtyard and a plunge pool that provides welcome respite during the heat of the day. It is truly a sanctuary in the city, located just a short walk away from the vibe of Kloof Street, and a few minutes’ drive from the Table Mountain Cableway, Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront.
A highlight of every stay at Welgelegen is interaction with the fabulous team, headed up by General Manager Ayanda Prince.
SEASONALITY: Open all year
CHILDREN: All ages
Welgelegen House
12 double rooms & 2 family rooms
RETURN Africa
FEATURED OFFER
Best of Pafuri - Free Flight Offer
Receive free return flights between Hoedspruit Airport and Pafuri when you stay for 4 nights at Pafuri Tented Camp.
Flight special based on double adult occupancy. Not applicable to children under 18 years.
VALID: Until 31 Mar 2024
RETURN Africa
featured journey
From Cape to Kruger
From Cape Town to Pafuri and Timbavati, the perfect journey across South Africa.
RETURN Africa
location
Getting there
FLY
Arrive into Johannesburg International Airport or Hoedspruit Airport. From Johannesburg, take a quick 45 min transfer to Grand Central Airport for a charter flight with Echo Skies direct to Pafuri.
From Hoedspruit Airport, enjoy a 45 minute charter flight with Absolute Aviation direct to Pafuri.
location
Getting to Pafuri Collection
FLY
HOEDSPRUIT ACCESS – ABSOLUTE AVIATION:
- Daily flights from Hoedspruit Airport effective from January 2022.
- Operated by Absolute Aviation, minimum of 2 guests (Monday & Friday) or 4 guests all other days of the week.
- Departs Hoedspruit at 14:00 | Arrives Pafuri 14:45.
- Departs Pafuri at 11:45 | Arrives Hoedspruit at 12:30.
- Connects with AIRLINK arrivals and departs from/to Johannesburg and Cape Town
JOHANNESBURG ACCESS – ECHO SKIES:
- Daily flight from Grand Central Airport.
- Operated by Echos Skies, minimum of 2 guests.
- Includes road transfer from JHB international Airport to JHB Grand Central Airport (45 mins).
- Departs Grand Central at 10:00 | Arrives Pafuri 11:45.
- Departs Pafuri at 12:30 | Arrives Grand Central at 14:15
location
Getting to Welgelegen House
FLY
The closest airport is Cape Town International Airport.
DRIVE
Upon landing at Cape Town International Airport, it’s a quick 35 minute, traffic dependent, drive through the city to the beautiful guest house.
Availability
Contact
Email:
reservations@returnafrica.com
Tel:
+27 11 646 1391
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Johannesburg.
