Orpen

Destination

Kruger National Park

Orpen Rest Camp is situated centrally on the western border of the Kruger National Park. Orpen a small camp that derived its name from the surname of the donor of the land, Eileen Orpen. The scattered trees and wide-open plains covered by sweet grass attract many browsers. This in turn, attracts the eye-catching cheetah, leopard and lion. Well known for its diversity of habitat and wildlife, Orpen offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience close encounters with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard in a natural environment. Wild dog, cheetah, zebra and giraffe are also indigenous to this area, a paradise for the wildlife enthusiast. Orpen Camp offers game drives, game walks, and night drives. From time to time wildlife videos are also shown. Orpen Camp did not exist in the early days of Kruger National Park Nor did Orpen gate, which today is one of the principal access points to the central part of the Park. Between 1926 and 1954, the entrance to this part of the Park was at Rabelais, the name of the original farm. A small, white rondawel (hut) indicates the place where the gate once stood, and is now a museum dedicated to JH Orpen and his wife Eileen.

Area Attractions

Accommodation - Orpen Camp Orpen Camp has budget huts, bungalows and semi-luxury family cottages. The kitchen at Orpen's Kruger National Park holiday lodging has a two-plate electric stove (without oven), refrigerator / freezer, and sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. The kitchen is located on an open verandah and the cottage is lit by electrical power. The budget huts come in combinations of Kruger Park accommodation and lodging either 2 or 3 beds and have communal ablution facilities, a washbasin and a verandah, but no air-conditioning, fan or refrigerator. Cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery are not provided. Lanterns light these huts, as there is no electricity available. Orpen's Kruger National Park holiday accommodation does include; a first-aid centre and a fuel station providing petrol and diesel. A grocery shop can also be found inside the camp. Game - Orpen Lion Black-backed Jackal Blue Wildebeest White-backed Vulture Lesser Black-winged Plover