Rest camps · Kruger National Park
Rated 4.3/5 by 49 guests.
The small, well-known camp of Orpen is situated in the central region on the western border of the Kruger National Park and it was named in honour of the Orpen family. Its easy access to surrounding grassland vistas, with grazers accompanying the sweet grass and predators trailing never far behind. Alternatively, guests are free to lounge about the pool
We do not take rest camp bookings. Camps are booked directly with SANParks, where current tariffs are published.
The camp
Orpen Camp offers adventure in the form of guided bush walks and safari game drives, all under the supervision of well informed and keen professional field guides. Important to note: Children under the age of six years old are not permitted on the safari game vehicle and children under the age of twelve years old are restricted from guided bushwalks
Timbavati Picnic Site and Ratel Pan Bird Hide (located about 58km outside the camp) allow guests to actively explore the area and take in some of the indigenous wildlife.
Facilities at the camp include: Information at the reception area, public telephones, post box, shop, laundromat, filling station, basic on-site first-aid assistance, cutlery and plate hampers available for hire at reception area at an additional cost, a day visitor picnic area, communal bathroom and kitchen, cellphone reception.
The luxury alternative
We do not take rest camp bookings. What our safari specialists do arrange is the private reserves of the Greater Kruger: private lodges where expert guiding, meals and game drives are included, and nothing is left to the camp kitchen. We look after international travellers and SADC residents alike, and many lodges offer reduced SADC rates.
Luxury lodges of the Greater Kruger · Our guide to the Kruger National Park
Guest reviews
Collected from guests on safari.com between 2013 and 2016 and republished unedited.
Rated 5/5 · Carol Holland · 18 February 2016
We found this camp to be well-maintained, clean with friendly staff. Great for an over-night or short stay. Good location with active water-hole. Shop had everything one requires. Good braai facility and aircon worked perfectly! Would return.
Rated 5/5 · Mike Scott · 3 November 2015
Enjoyed our stay at this friendly quiet camp.
Rated 5/5 · CHRIS DU PLESSIS · 9 October 2015
Super camp. Accommodation the best.
Rated 5/5 · Zieg Erasmus · 24 August 2015
Friendly service on arrival. All world class. Keep it up.
Rated 5/5 · Michael Ray · 5 July 2015
Our first time at Orpen camp and we will return. Had excellent game viewing at their waterhole. Well behaved elephants enchanted us with their grumbling tummies and gentle antics. The water pressure in the showers could do with some improvement, but other than that, well done.
Rated 5/5 · Ansuya Rungasamy · 6 June 2015
Orpen restcamp is a lovely camp that is quiet and well furnished. During our stay the watering hole just beyond the fence attracted elephant and buffalo every night so that was really nice to see. We had a really excellent sunset drive from Orpen; the guide Thomas was very informative. I would definitely stay here again but the only thing I would mention is that for game driving there is one main tar road to Satara and several smaller dirt roads. It is not at a cross roads so you do end up taking the same road daily, as opposed to easily picking different routes every day
Rated 5/5 · Diane Robertson · 4 May 2015
Really a lovely camp site - was opposite the watering hole, which was exactly where we wanted to be booked. Thanks Eugene Denis!
Rated 5/5 · CECILIA STRAUSS · 5 March 2015
Lovely stay - except for hot plate not working! Always a pleasure to visit again...
Rated 5/5 · Marlene Bloem · 18 December 2014
Baie lekker gewees onthou net om slotte saam te vat. Voel regtig of jy alleen daar kamp
Rated 5/5 · barry pieters · 29 September 2014
Orpen was great everything works, and nice people at reception.
Rated 5/5 · Marlene Burger · 17 September 2014
The best stay we had. We loved the smaller camp and the swimming pool. Bungalow comfortable and clean. Friendliest staff in the KNP.
Rated 4/5 · MARCHEL VERHULST · 16 August 2014
Very nice. Its a little rest camp. In the shop bread and eggs were sold out. The coffee shop was nice and cosy.
Rated 5/5 · Elizabeth Talbot · 4 August 2014
We really liked this small camp, so peaceful and comfortable.
Rated 4/5 · PAUL MASON · 9 May 2014
Enjoy this camp very much because of its small size. Friendly Staff and clean rooms.
Rated 4/5 · lenin lubbe · 14 January 2014
We enjoyed ourselves and have a lot of good things to say about the Orpen Camp. It's a pity that some things impacted negatively on us. 1. We had to work out by trial and error where the hot and on or off positions were on the stove. 2.The shower floor was grimy except for a small spot in the middle. 3. While it is necessary to use a monkey proof system of securing the cupboards we feel that a different system could have been used. We hurt our fingers a few times before we solved the problem of unlatching the doors. 4. Our bedroom entrance faced the entrance of the bedroom of the bungalow next door to us. it would have been better if the bedroom entrance faced the camp fence. Your staff were friendly and helpful.
Rated 5/5 · PETER MCGINLEY · 8 January 2014
As with Satara you can feel the pride the staff have in this small camp. Extremely well kept and well run. Our bungalow by the perimeter was the stuff of dreams.
Rated 5/5 · NICKY CHAPMAN · 8 January 2014
Orpen is always neat, staff extremely friendly.
Rated 3/5 · Nicky Dewar · 31 December 2013
Orpen is a very quiet camp which is perfect.Staff are extremely friendly and shop is well stocked. The traffic on that road is extremely busy, people speed quite a bit down that road.
Rated 3/5 · Shirley Dunkley · 30 December 2013
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this camp. It was so restful and relaxing being away from the madding crowds.Staff were exceptionally helpful. Only one complaint: the stove control switch was faulty and therefore one was unaware which temperature one was cooking on.
Rated 5/5 · Pieter Bettings · 28 December 2013
Very nice, well run little camp.Enjoyed the stay, but veeeerrryyy warm.
Rated 4/5 · Greg Bowles · 21 December 2013
Nice place. Personal and clean. Honey badger ate our food (-:
Rated 4/5 · Greg Bowles · 21 December 2013
Nice place. Personal and clean. Honey badger ate our food (-:
Rated 5/5 · Danie van Zyl · 13 December 2013
We found a gem in the Park. A lovely small camp with very good accommodation. The staff were great!!!
Rated 5/5 · Estie van der Watt · 30 November 2013
While it was a struggle to be ready for our walk at 5am, we soon realized it was the best time of day to be in the Kruger. Our guide was punctual and we soon headed out on the open bakkie to where we'd start our walk. We had barely turned off on one of those "forbidden to the public" gravel roads when we spotted a pride of lions barely 50meters to our right. There were 3 lionesses and several cubs and while photographing and watching them, the male lion approached from the left. The lioness and some of the cubs jumped up and ran to welcome the male. The lioness embraced him and the cubs played around him. This made the 4am start to our day all the worth while!Further along the walk, the guide prevented us from stepping on a small cobra, and the guide was informative and friendly.The breakfast on the rocks in the soon to be flooded river bed was a real treat!I would recommend this walk to all who like to seek a bit (or a lot of) adventure!
Rated 5/5 · Estie van der Watt · 30 November 2013
While it was a struggle to be ready for our walk at 5am, we soon realized it was the best time of day to be in the Kruger. Our guide was punctual and we soon headed out on the open bakkie to where we'd start our walk. We had barely turned off on one of those "forbidden to the public" gravel roads when we spotted a pride of lions barely 50meters to our right. There were 3 lionesses and several cubs and while photographing and watching them, the male lion approached from the left. The lioness and some of the cubs jumped up and ran to welcome the male. The lioness embraced him and the cubs played around him. This made the 4am start to our day all the worth while!Further along the walk, the guide prevented us from stepping on a small cobra, and the guide was informative and friendly.The breakfast on the rocks in the soon to be flooded river bed was a real treat!I would recommend this walk to all who like to seek a bit (or a lot of) adventure!
Rated 5/5 · W Molloy · 14 November 2013
will be back
Rated 5/5 · W Molloy · 14 November 2013
will be back
Rated 3/5 · Eddy van der Werff · 24 October 2013
Very good
Rated 3/5 · Eddy van der Werff · 24 October 2013
Very good
Rated 5/5 · Nicky Chapman · 21 October 2013
Staff are very welcoming, camp in general exceptionally well kept. All facilities above exceptional standard. Definitely should be considered the best rest camp for 2012.
Rated 4/5 · Barabara Crosby · 16 October 2013
We loved our stay at Orpen and was so hot we could swim in the pool at the same time as looking at the water hole. The bird life was great. The badger was a pest at night stealing our Romany Cream biscuits and various other food, but all added to the lovely trip.
Rated 4/5 · Paul Martin · 15 October 2013
Our favourite rest camp, best accommodation, friendly staff, absence of restaurant is no loss - actually it's a bonus and keeps Orpen very 'private' for guests at night.
Rated 5/5 · Marion Willis · 26 September 2013
We had an amazing experience, the 3 hour bush walk, night and morning drives were excellent and our guide was exceptional. The accommodation was comfortable and clean, we will definitely be visiting again.
Rated 4/5 · Dave Pritchard · 25 August 2013
Great!
Rated 5/5 · MCCABE · 12 August 2013
Orpen Rest Camp is looking beautiful - we really enjoyed the flood-lit water hole.
Rated 5/5 · MCCABE · 12 August 2013
Orpen Rest Camp is looking beautiful - we really enjoyed the flood-lit water hole.
Rated 3/5 · Laetitia Le Roux · 11 July 2013
We enjoyed our trip thoroughly and everyone we spoke to was just as fortunate as us with their animal sightings. Saw elephant and leopard at the drinking hole from the veranda of the Orpen chalet. The chalets were clean and equipped. The living space of the Orpen chalets face towards each other - the Park should consider adding screens for some privacy.
Rated 3/5 · Ms Yvonne Steenkamp · 26 June 2013
Just what we needed to bed down in for the night. Right priced but rustic, which is nice too. Had a south african homely feel about it
Rated 4/5 · Nicky Chapman · 21 June 2013
Orpen camp is a beautiful camp, the only issue i have with the camp is the Honey badger.. You are unable to sit and enjoy the evening in fear of the honey badger attacking you. He is a nuisance to say the least..
Rated 3/5 · James Ward · 11 June 2013
We had great time in Kruger national park.
Rated 4/5 · M Mcmillan · 10 June 2013
Left our camera on the vehicle and we were exceptionally impressed with the assistance of the staff at reception in particular, SAM, the game driver who recovered it for us and called to advise after we had left the camp. A VERY BIG THANK YOU. YOU ARE A STAR.
Rated 4/5 · Barry Friedman · 8 June 2013
Badger problem makes it uncomfortable as all provisions must be stored inside leaving the room very cluttered, additional inside cupboards are suggested, towels and loo paper of poor quality.
Rated 5/5 · Zelda Matthee · 5 June 2013
Orpen camp was great overall! Will definitely go back.
Rated 4/5 · Gail Hardman · 5 June 2013
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Orpen Rest Camp. Our game drive was excellent seeing elephant, hyena, porcupine, bushbaby and a leopard being chased by a pair of jackal! We traveled to Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge and had awesome game viewing. We found facilities well maintained. We will be back for longer next time!
Rated 4/5 · Gail Hardman · 5 June 2013
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Orpen Rest Camp. Our game drive was excellent seeing elephant, hyena, porcupine, bushbaby and a leopard being chased by a pair of jackal! We traveled to Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge and had awesome game viewing. We found facilities well maintained. We will be back for longer next time!
Rated 5/5 · TIM SPOTSWOOD · 25 May 2013
We also saw Jackal near the campsite. It was a very good stay although we were there only for a night. Staff very helpful and kind.
Rated 3/5 · Des Taylor · 17 May 2013
Lovely bungalows. Could not see the dam as the bush was too thick. Very nice
Rated 3/5 · Oliver Wills · 5 May 2013
The honey badgers are a big issue in the Orpen camp. These animals can be dangerous.
Rated 3/5 · Oliver Wills · 5 May 2013
The honey badgers are a big issue in the Orpen camp. These animals can be dangerous.
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Brochure
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
