Travellers looking to recharge their batteries can rejoice! Afsaal Picnic Site, one of Kruger’s most popular rest stops, is boasting a fresh new look, with further improvements in store. By Nell Hofmeyr
Over the years Afsaal has gained a reputation, in the true spirit of its name, as a go-to place to “break the journey”. Its location at the junction of the H3 and H2-2 roads between Malelane Gate and Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park makes it an ideal spot to refresh before the next leg of game viewing.
The site offers light takeaway meals, outdoor seating, toilet facilities, gas skottels for hire and a small curio shop. Visitors come from far and wide to cook up a fresh breakfast under the shady trees, get their caffeine fix or buy some essentials before moving on.
New and improved
The makeover, which kicked off in late 2018, aims to “shake off the dust” so that future visits will be extra memorable, say Tindlovu Management Services.
Renovations will roll out in three phases spanning most of 2019. Phase one, the creation of the Tindlovu Express, is already complete. This little takeaway station opened for business in mid-December and provides freshly prepared eats, like pies and sandwiches, for those who need a meal in a hurry.
A highlight is the coffee menu, which offers up a delicious brew of every variety, from standard americanos and cappuccinos to iced coffee and caramel lattes. Jo-Anne White of Tindlovu promises it to be “an unbeatable coffee experience”.
Along with the express station, the curio shop now includes some new and special items for purchase.
Future upgrades
Visitors can expect to see phase two wrap up soon. A children’s play area, treehouse and a restaurant modelled on Tindlovu’s flagship branch in Nelspruit are the major new attractions to be introduced.
Phase three, to be completed later in the year, will see the opening of a bush spa offering a full range of holistic treatments. What better place to restore the mind, body and soul than in this magical corner of the wild?
If you’re all about rustic charm and simple pleasures, rest assured that Afsaal’s core features will remain intact despite the overhaul. Outdoor braais with the family and chance encounters with nearby wildlife are still what make this spot a top addition to your route.
Also read: Kruger’s best rest stops for views
Wild has followed up with management to get answers to Wild Card members’ concerns about commercialisation. Read more about the reasons behind the upgrade to Afsaal.
*Please note that further comments on this blog have been removed.
Sorry to hear about proposed developments at Afsaal. Further over commercialisation of facilities. Some people fo lke to get away from all the frills of civilisation. Can’t we keep the bush as bush? A Spa and a restuarant? Let’s get real!
I’m also on your side here Leon.
I completely agree with you Leon. The over commercialisation of an incredible place will be its ruin and turn it into another mall with bush.
Salim
Each to their own, if you dont like it, dont stop there. So glad it has been upgraded, it gets alot of use as very popular.
Agree totally with you Leon.
They should instead be renovating the ablutions, which were a total disgrace when I was last therein late 2017.
The shop could also do with a minor update.
The remainder is OK and can stay as it is.
Jo
I have been going to Kruger all my life, and that is a long time!! I suffer from serious withdrawal symptoms when I cannot get
to the bush.
I have however, made a commitment to myself, to no longer support the parks, because of the insane development.
Spend the money on anti poaching, stop with the mod cons that belong in the city, and I will gladly return. My heart cries
out for the animals. Wild and free? I think not. My name is Jenny Stein
Spot on Leon – Agree.
I tend to agree with Leon.
What’s happening? One of our favourite places to have breakfast. NOT ANYMORE!!!! Want to eat in the bush not in a MALL. Wake up people you are changing the Kruger into a commercial nightmare.
Totally agree!!! There will be far fewer “chance encounters with nearby wildlife” with all this development! Such a shame, so sad!!
I also agree with Leon. I enjoyed Afsaal’s pap and wors breakfasts as well as the rest of the Kruger’s shops and restaurants before it were commercialized.
STEM SAAM NET SO SIMPEL AS DIE HOTEL IN SKUKUZA.
NOU SAL DAAR SOGGENS SEKER 40 SAFARI TRORRIES WEES
I AGREE WITH ALL THE REMARKS AGAINST THIS NEW MODERN TREND..
WHY NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ALL SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS THAT SUPPORTED THE KRUGER SINCE CHILDHOOD.
Have to agree with all of the above
What a shame, you are destroying the bushveld experience, which is why overseas tourists visit Kruger. It is a unique experience which they cannot enjoy anywhere else in the world and San Parks are commercialising the park all in the name of profits.
Please stop the over-commercialisation of the Kruger! No more restaurants, spas, curio shopping facilities, etc. outside the main camps, please! Is this a National Park or a zoo?
Ek wou eers begin deur te sê daar is nie navorsing gedoen nie maar dit sou totaal verkeerd wees want dit is nie nodig om navorsing te doen nie, die wildtuin behoort aan die diere en is veronderstel om in hulle eie habitat te bly en vir ons om hulle en die natuur te besigtig en dit te geniet en leer. Die hotelle, restaurante, konferensie fasiliteit en spa’s hoort buite die hekke vir die persone wat kamstig ‘n breek wil neem. Daar word nou ongelukkig vir die verkeerde redes omskep en dit gaan baie duur te staan kom want selfs die buite landers wil die wilde Afrika kom beleef en hulle geld praat hard vandag. Ek wonder net of dit nog 20 jaar gaan neem dat dir in beheer dit gaan besef. TE LAAT!!
Pity we have to commercialise everything. You go to Kruger to see nature at tis best. Go to Sandton for your spa.Please no more commercialisation. Upgrade existing facilities instead
Don’t even need to upgrade the facilities. Just maintain them properly.
Dennis hits the nail on its head. Maintain existing infrastructures properly thereby you safe money for new expensive development and you leave Kruger as it is. I guess Euro paying visitors cannot do without their spoilt facilities from home, reason to “upgrade”.
Have they changed the “opening and closing times” of the toilet facilities?
Last time I was there (last year), the toilet facilities opened at 7am and closed at 4pm, even in summer, when the camp gates open at 4:30am and close at 6:30 pm !!!!!
Maybe the Spa will have another use “out of hours” for “holistic” relief !
Oh well, no more stops at Afsaal for us. A pity but such is life with people who don’t get it.
I agree with all the comments made, come on guys, get real, the bush must remain the bush.
Before it’s too late, please re-consider the decision as the proposed changes are not in sync with a RESERVE – reserving nature. The proposed changes are definitely not improvements. As some respondents have said, rather keep existing facilities top-notch, clean, and well-maintained. A kid’s play area is a crazy idea – rather encourage parents to teach their children how to be quiet and receptive in the bush (especially)!
SADLY THIS IS ALL ABOUT MONEY!
We love Afsal for what it is – a beautiful place in the bush. Save Kruger from commercialism, lets work together to keep the bush the bush so our children can experience it in all its glory
So sorry to hear. Every time things change at afsaal, you are suppose to have an improved experience, but get less for more.
Agree with all of the above, just maintain existing facilities so that we can enjoy the bush experience we escape from the city to go and enjoy at the Kruger. Rather upgrade staff at Afsaal, whom we found extremely rude and shocking this past December …
We totally agree with the comments! We come all the way from the Cape to enjoy the peace, quiet and simplicity of the bush. We DON’T need this sort of development. If people want Spas, curio shops etc, let them go to the big cities. Kruger is the place – or used to be – to get away from it all, not to find it.
I have to agree with ALL the above comments, we all love to go to Afsaal to have a skottel breakfast. Kids play area – not on, the kids should be taught about the bush and envirnment not run amok in a play area, and as for a Spa – no, no. Really these are supplied by other resorts not in Kruger, PLEASE don’t ruin the park. Making the place far too commercialized.
agree with all the other comments – NO children`s play area and definitely NO SPA – ridiculous, and not in character with the tranquility of the bush and Kruger! shelve these plans and just provide better service and clean facilities. Parents must look after their children so that they are not a nuisance to other visitors, especially in the bush! SPAs are fine at high end private lodges but not KNP
I took part in a couple of surveys from Sanparks the last couple of years. As I am sure many people have. No where did I say that I want spa’s or fancy restaurants. I made it clear that I want to be as close to the bush as possible. Afsaal is remote and one would expect some provision made for refreshments and it had enough of that. Now they’ve lost the plot. So we will give Afsaal a miss next time we are in the Kruger. At least there is still Timbavati where one is not hindered by commercialism…
Part of the experience is preparing one’s own food. So restaurants are for the last evening or when one is driving to a different camp for the day for lunch. All that should be done is maintain what is there.
So Satara will still be the best option in the South along with Olifants.
Agree FULLY with all the comments above. Thankfully the northern part of Kruger is still KRUGER! Afsaal will not see us ever again. We want a nature reserve where people, who respect nature, can enjoy the wildlife, get away from the hustle and bustle etc. and NOT a shopping mall that caters for fast foods, noisy children and SPA seekers… Maintain the existing facilities in Kruger so that we can enjoy the BUSH.
Our family have been regular visitors to Kruger NP for more than 35 years enjoying the simple ambiance that prevailed. Unfortunately the commercialization more recently, which brings the additional ‘bush taxis’ has had a very negative impact on our sense of freedom and exposure to wildlife.
Commercialize the camps by all means ….. if this is what the internationals require but please leave the rest for the locals to enjoy.
Over the past 5 years we have tended to enjoy our bush experiences in Botswana which has maintained only basic amenities. Fantastic viewing and close to nature. Expensive, yes, but well worth the spend.
Its a shame, why not M Donalds, Kentucky fried chicken and Pizzahut also in the Park.
Make race tracks for buggy’s etc.
That might be a good idea. Then the toilet facilitys Will be Okay !
Pleas weekup People, better go back to the old times with buffet diners and breakfast buffets.
Whis you wisdom in your dissions!!!
I agree with all comments for a big NO NO to upgrade Afsaal Picnic Spot. Our friends and relatives from Europe visit the Kruger Park for the real bush experience and not for a spa!! What a stupid idea. And I agree fully that parents have to teach their children about wild animals, sounds and trees and not to scream in the play area.
Visitors are there for the wild experience!
This is concerning news for the MANY people who enjoy the KNP as it is meant to be – a place of respite and healing from all the usual human trappings. Makes me want to weep. I also have concerns about the increased water usage, increased plastic / polystyrene / litter etc and increased noise pollution that such commercialisation brings. So it’s a definite BOO from me!
Leave it as it is, keep all the commercial shit in the towns and cities.
Ben geschrokken van de plannen.Krugerpark is uniek . Afsaal(de naam) lijkt voor mij een plek waar je even tot rust komt en dan en dan weer verder reist.niet waar je uit de kleren gaat en een luxe spa bezoekt.MASORINI is de eerst stop vanaf Phalaborwa,totaal vervallen.Skukuza moet zijn (haar) naam weer eer aandoen.”De besem erdoor”nu lijkt het wel Waterfront in Capetown.
Krugerpark is van een plaats om uit te rusten en van de natuur te genieten,een zakelijk bedrijf geworden. Heel Jammer!
Heb toch mijn hart verpand aan het Krugerpark.
Another Tindlovu ? Get real. Since I first came to Kruger eateries have gone South, fast food everywhere, and since a year or so even the fairly decent Mugg & Bean all get converted , strike that, seriously DOWNGRADED into Tindlovus. Afsaal was not a fun place to get to when you are the last of 50 or so cars, granted, and you had to wait in line for ages (we never did but came prepared to picknick awe from the crowds). I perfectly agree with all the previous commentaries who claim their BUSH back.
Last year we took part in a survey that asked for our ideas and comments on the past and further direction of SAN Parks. I can’t believe THIS is what came out of the survey …
Does SanParks management seriously believe Spa-goers will come to Afsaal for their treatments ? why would they not simply stay in their luxury lodges on the fringes of the park ?
Give me a break.
Kruger was never intended to be a resort for old fogies and sharp girls to longe around in heated pools sipping drinks and have their facials. It is a wild life nature reserve where you go to see the animals and experience the peace of the veld. Spa’s and hotels and all that jazz are the complete opposite of what Kruger is about. The people who supported and implement this nonsense have no idea, they should be fired and sent to Robben Island to put up their hotels and spa’s there for the visitors to relax in. Luckily Afsaal is not fenced in and an elephant or two might just visit it and snoop around in the fancy places and return the “improvements” to their natural state.
I request that the comments made above be conveyed to the decision makers. I also request that the response of the decision makers be published in the next Wild magazine. It is time that the decision makers start realizing that their duty is with conservation and not commercialization/money making. Bring back “CUSTOS NATURAE” and make it evident.
Agree with all above….please stop this commercialisation!!
I am agree with all the comment.
It can make you cry. What will be left of the real bush for future generations? One does not go to the bush for a spa. If by any chance any surveys were done with overseas visitors, although I have my doubts, the person assessing these would hopefully be someone of sufficient insight, wisdom and experience in the bush to veto such an idea.
Let’s approach government to have the current management replaced with people who understand what a reserve is all about,
and who are not flying around over Kruger with helicopters to see where they can plunk another hotel or spa.
Horrendous, just now we also get a millennium wheel in the middle of Afsaal to spot the animals!
I request that the above posts be brought to the SANParks decision makers attention.
I also request that their response be placed in the next edition of the Wild magazine. I also suggest that more emphasis be placed on conservation and much less on commercialization and money making. Bring back “CUSTOS NATURAE” and make it it visible to everyone.
I DO AGREE THAT KRUGER MUST BE KEPT WILD WITH AS LITTLE INTERFERENCE AS POSSIBLE FROM PEOPLE. IT IS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO STOP FOR DRINKS OR SNACKS ETC BUT PLEASE KEEP THE KRUGER AS NEAR TO NATURE AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE BEEN VISITING FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND LOVE EVERY MINUTE. OUR GRANDCHILDREN ALSO LOVE THE KRUGER BETTER THAN ANY OTHER PLACE YOU CAN NAME. LET US LEAVE OUR WILDLIFE IN PEACE. KEEPING EVERYTHING CLEAN AND IN ORDER IS ALL WE ASK.
SanParks Management authority is slowly but surely destroying the character, environment and tranquility of our last wildlife sanctuary. They seem to have forgotten that it is a sanctuary for wild animals – not humans. Kruger has already lost much of its unique feel of wilderness and isolation as result of a plethora of commercial endeavors. The latter seem to have very little respect for nature conservation, park rules and regulations and even less respect for those that care deeply. It is only greed and destruction that is evident.
I wonder what the recommendations of the Environmental Impact Assessment were and by whom it was conducted? The amount of water necessary for a Spa and the specific chemical and microbial water contamination associated with a Spa will be horrendous. Then there is the direct and indirect environmental contamination by chemicals and toxic rubble and the invasion of growing numbers of humans and their vehicles.
I do not know a single conservationist, naturalist or wildlife enthusiast that feel the need for the services of a Spa at Afsaal of all places! A Spa has no place in the Park!
What a disaster. I agree with all the comments above. Kruger has become a holiday destination. The powers that be will continue to build and build until there’s nowhere for the animals to go. Then they will be hunted to extinction…” How dare there be animals where we humans want to play ” and that will be the end of our beautiful Kruger . It’s not too far down the line. It breaks our hearts every time we go there so we don’t go there any more. Tourists speeding, getting out of their cars, shouting and screaming in the camps. No Kruger is not for us any more I’m afraid, it’s just too commercialized.
We wont be going back to Afsaal. We want a bush experience not a city one. That is why we go to the park to get away from it.
Ons stem saam met bg. kommentaar. Afsaal moet net ‘n basiese oorstaan plekkie word vir litte rek , ‘n draai loop en ‘n basiese ietsie te ete (alhoewel die laaste winkeltjie veel te wense oorgelaat het). Ons soek nie ‘n ‘mall’ daar nie en nog minder ‘n hotel in die Wildtuin.
Skukuza is alreeds ‘n kosmopolitaanse nes en die pad daarvandaan na Laer Sabie ‘n Eloffstraat in de kleine.
Word wakker!!!! En los Afsaal tog uit.
Is anybody listening to these comments. If so what do you say. Kruger is about animals, peace and quiet. It’s bad enough having hundreds of safari tourers(we call them dung beetles) blocking a good sighting. As has been suggested, spend the money on improving the present facilities please.
I fully agree at the the dismay expressed by all. I am one of your “Foreign” visitors who have been coming to Kruger since the early 90’s, and it is a total miss-read by the SanParks to think we come for anything other than to be totally immersed in as pure as possible bush experience. If I wanted Spa’s and play-areas I would go to Sun City!
Bringing up to date some of the older huts and facilities would be a far better investment for the long term. From a visitor perspective where I cannot bring much in the way of provision whilst in the park (unlike when we lived in Pretoria), the restaurant facilities are welcome to supplement our braai sessions but shouldn’t be at the detriment of the bush experience.
Yes for the renovations but a definite and big NO for the spa etc. Spa outside the park!
One can make Sandton in Kruger, but not Kruger in Sandton.
I agree with all of the above comments but resent the implications that “improvements” are for the Euro paying guests! I am a frequent visitor from England and also want the bush to be the bush as I believe do most of my compatriots. The thin end of the wedge was the commercialisation of the restaurants and it has gone downhill from there.
We absolutely don’t support a Spa or a children’s play area. The upgrade on the coffee offering we do support.
I would suggest get rid of the chipped and rusted tin mugs and plates.
Some may like the “rooste koek” but it is obvious overseas visitors don’t and neither do we. We would prefer a simple toasted sandwich. The menu could also have a review in general.
Yes I agree the staff have attitude, are not customer orientated and certainly don’t appear interested in giving good service.
Simply does not compare with the old style the Afsal offered.
Totally agree. The bush experience is being ruined in the quest for money. Get back to nature.
How sad, the spa and kid’s playground, because they are precisely what we want to get away from.
I agree with the general feeling that Afsaal should be left unchanged. It is a lovely spot, and we never pass it without calling in. We used to buy food and coffee there, but it has become so expensive and poor value for money that we now take our own. The monkeys will enjoy the tree house and will intimidate the children. The spa will be under-utilised, as it’s not the right place for a spa. I think the same applies to the proposed restaurant and the children’s play area, which should be in a camp, not in a stopover place.
Please do not continue with phase 2 and 3. The damage already done to Afsaal is enough. People stop there for a quick bite or to use the ablution facilities, and then leave again. A spa treatment would take you away from your actual reason for being in the Kruger, and that is to see the animals. Please keep the bush wild!!
Absoluut Tragies. Sal Afsaal verseker ‘n mis gee en los vir die wat nie kom om die bos te geniet nie. Julle mors julle geld. Ek kan julle nou al waarborg oor minder as twee jaar gaan al hierdie Spa goed toe wees. Stick to the basics! Simple facilities with good houskeeping. Cost effective minimum impact on the surrounding areas. That is all we want.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Agree with all of the above.Rather maintain a basic picnic stopover properly,which is what we all want – a basic clean stopover.Please!!!
I agree with Leon and most of the other people who have posted comments. Yes, there are certain facilities that need upgrading sometimes like ablution facilities BUT the park is becoming far too commercialised. The new “lodge” in Skukuza is a real eyesore and there is no need for children’s play areas or a spa either. My son was 4 months old when he first went to the park and my daughter was 3 months. They are now 19 and 15 years old – we go every year and in all those years they have never need a play area. Was really disappointed when I went to the pool at the beginning of January only to find that it’s now surrounded by buildings. People go to Kruger to be in the bush.
Agree with all of the above.Please keep the “basic” bush experience.Rtaher concentrate on maintenance and cleanliness.
It is simply an amazing experience to be able to take a breather from your morning’s game viewing drive and prepare your favourite breakfast/brunch – in the bush! The most memorable picnic sites, and the ones we enjoy visiting the most, are the more “primitive” ones that are off the beaten track. This is where you really become one with nature.
Can we therefore please have more Muzandzeni’s, Nhlanguleni’s and Makhadzi’s and less Afsaal’s and Tshokwane’s in the Kruger Park !!!.
So Sad. Afsaal was a wonderful unspoilt place. I remember the little scops owl that used to roost there for many years. No chance of that now.
I agree – stop the development at Afsaal and with Lesley on the “lodge” and spa at Skukuza. Use money for anti poaching
Please, please, please don’t do this. We have been going to Kruger for 50+ years (grandchild from 2 years of age) and have never ever felt the need for a children’s play area or a spa. The lodges that border Kruger already have those type of facilities, please do NOT bring it into our Best Place On Earth, we need our yearly break to Kruger to recharge and help us cope with the stressful life outside the park, just as we need fresh clean air to breathe. Our souls and spirits need this break to get back to our roots, to just connect again to our inner beings in true nature as it was meant to be and just to get in sync again with our small space in the universe that we call earth – this will totally ruin that and is pollution of the worst kind!!!!
SANPARKS, Get Serious Please. you’re being ridiculous in your over-development of this sacred place.
why would you want a SPA at Afsaal? Animals don’t need manicures and pedicures!!!!!!!!
GET REAL and LEAVE the PARK AS IT SHOULD BE – NATURAL!!!!!
I totally agree with most comments. We visited ZA 20 times since 1995 and Kruger 14 times. In two weeks we go to Kruger for the 15th time and we prefer the north by far: more silent, less tourists. And yes commercialisation spreads around everywhere. And when I say everywhere I mean everywhere. We have been several times in Iceland and even there tourism is exploding. In Norway, Scotland the same. Amsterdam where I was borne it tourism, is a disaster. Every year we think where are places to go to where it is still quiet and every year we think this is our last year in ZA/Kruger. But stil … Every year we go again.
But one day it is enough: the whole world will be organised as disneyworld, a pretpark. There is no way back i am afraid. Most people want it this way and all the people who react to the chances of Afsaal are a minority who still can read more than an app.
Sorry.
Surely the planned “upgrading of Afsaal” is an early April Fool’s joke.