Once a ranger post established by the Kruger National Park’s first warden, James Stevenson-Hamilton, in 1928, the newly upgraded Tshokwane Trading Post & Picnic Site is the stopover for park visitors. The spick and span picnic spot boasts tasty bush meals, stoep-style seating and tables under a huge sausage tree and that must-have cup of Tshokwane coffee.
Now managed by Tourvest Destination Retail, Tshokwane is a welcoming spot where families, couples and friends can take a break from the Kruger Park’s eventful roads whilst enjoying breakfast or lunch in the bush.
Natalie Ingram, brand manager for Tshokwane Trading Post & Picnic Site, says the revamped Tshokwane is like no other stop-off point in Kruger. “It’s not a fast-serving food outlet. Most of the menu is made fresh on site every day. Guests need to gear down when arriving at Tshokwane. We prepare food lovingly on the open fire.”
What’s on the menu?
“The best coffee served in Kruger: a special Tshokwane blend made by The Green Bean Coffee Roastery. Freshly made treats like carrot cake, milk tart and muffins – these are baked every morning. Visitors can enjoy watching their food being cooked on a smouldering fire in the new bush braai kitchen situated at the heart of the picnic site. Nothing about the new Tshokwane can be witnessed anywhere else. You have to visit us to experience it for yourself,” says Natalie.
-
- Here you will find a range of unique and quirky souvenirs to remember your Tshokwane adventure.
-
- Proudly South African treats for the road… Pictures by Gillian Leigh Soames
-
- Not to be missed: Pap and wors with tomato relish.
-
- The stoep atmosphere is the ideal setting for soaking up Kruger’s sights and sounds.
-
- Quaint décor gives the new picnic spot a laidback feel.
Did you know?
The site was named after a local Shangaan chief, Chokwane.
The vintage décor will appeal to visitors longing to recapture simpler times. “In the fast-paced and commercial world we live in, people yearn for a slower pace and a place that celebrates the years gone by. There is no better place to create this than at Tshokwane Picnic Site. The synergy of the concept and location is perfect,” says Natalie.
-
- Pictures courtesy of SANParks
Exclusive Wild Card member offer!
Buy a bag of Tshokwane Blend Green Bean Coffee and get a unique Moer Koffie for FREE. This exclusive offer is only valid for the first 50 Wild Card members that can produce their Wild Card at Tshokwane Trading Post’s purchase point. Green Bean Coffee is proudly roasting Rainforest Alliance Certified™ single origin coffee beans.
How to get there
Tshokwane Trading Post and Picnic Site is situated between Satara and Skukuza Rest Camps – some 50km from Satara and about 40km from Skukuza on the H1-3.
For more information, email Natalie Ingram.
Most wonderful place on Earth!
Take me to the bush any day any time.
KAN NET LEKKER WEES – soos in die res van die park. Hoop julle kry reen.
Hi Natalie, Tshokwane is beautiful and what has been done there is awesome, but could we please make a suggestion. Could there be someone to help the poor cashier over lunchtime rush? We were there last week and over the lunch period there were bus loads of people who obviously do not know that standing in line is the way first come first served works, so the pushing and shoving was not pleasant. We even gave up trying to buy anything. The gentleman working behind the counter was taking orders, making the coffee and taking the money all at once. How sorry we felt for him. Please do not take this as a criticism, but a suggestion. Thank you and many blessings for you in this venture of yours.
Well done. Its looking good.
For the past 12 years, at least, Tshokwane has been our favourite place in the KP. We have kept in touch with Gift and Monica and Pumela and send them photos taken with them every year. We spend three weeks at Satara and our “breakfast” drive to Thsokwane is done every few days. When we were there in August 2016 the alterations were well under way and we look forward to enjoying them in August next year. Please bring back the lovely salad rolls we so enjoyed.
Please tell me that the toilet block has been upgraded by now. We were there recently and although the picnic facilities are good, the toilets were leaking, blocked and in a generally dreadful state.
Looks brilliant. Long overdue to upgrade some of these tea room/picnic sites.
Now please do the same at the one between Skukuza and Lower Sabie. Service there
was pathetic and the staff uninterested. Might have to sort the monkeys out first though?
Otherwise, we love these little oases in the bush. Just keep up the standards!
I always used to buy a delicious sausage roll there. Cannot wait to see the newly renovated Tshokwane. Congratulations , the pictures look great.
We too were in Kruger2 wks ago and agree that the upgrade was overdue andca GREATIMPROVEMENT! But the toilet facilities leave a lot to be desired dirty washbasins,urinal flushing systems not working and in complete contrast to the restaurant /picnic area.
Thanks for resolving the monkey problem.How does one wash eating utensils without plugs to allow the badins to hold water,surely there must be a means of preventing thieves from steaiing them?
Lovely spot. But they need to sort out the monkeys and the baboons.
Baie dankie vir pragtige foto’s. Was al by meeste van die parke en ons harte trek sommer punt om gou weer
daar uit te kom. Die bruin hiena met jagluiperd se agterkwart in bek is regtig raar. Die natuur bly vir ons
kosbaar en wil almal bedank wat help met die bewaring daarvan. Dankie dat ons daarin kan deel.