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The ruins of a trading post of famous Portuguese trader João Albasini lie just inside of Phabeni gate. His trading post was once the connection between the Afrikaans-speaking Boers of the South African Republic (a.k.a. the Transvaal Republic) and the Portuguese colony in modern-day Mozambique. The site also has some picnic tables, but without a shop or any way to cook food. Toilet facilities are at the Phabeni gate.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Probably the most famous bird hide in Kruger, the Lake Panic bird hide is on the western end of Lake Panic, a manmade lake on Mafuyana Creek. Common sightings include hippos, crocodiles, terrapins, pied kingfishers, great heron and African fish eagle. It's common to see dozens of species just in a half hour at the hide.
Skukuza Golf Course offers a 9-hole golf course along the banks of Lake Panic and the Mafunyana river. The course is open to the public and to the wild, and is often called "the wildest golf course in the world."
(Treatment menu) AM spa offers a spa facility inside of the Skukuza rest camp with a variety of options. The AM spa an Skukuza is the only spa in any of the SANParks camps. However, some of the private camps also offer spa facilities or similar services in your room. Bookings can be made by phone, email or via their website.
This small library and museum holds a treasure trove of Kruger Park history. A nice breather in the heat of the day, the museum tells of the history of the area and contains anthropological and archaeological artefacts. The library contains the written history of the park.
The Stevenson-Hamilton memorial plaque sits near the top of Shirimantanga hill in the Rhenosterkoppies (rhino hills) section of the park. A small memorial to the man nicknamed Skukuza, who was warden of the Sabi Nature Reserve (which later became Kruger National Park) from 1902-1946, the area is also a good excuse to stretch your legs as it's one of the few locations where you're allowed to leave your car. Be warned, however, that the area is not guarded and leopards are quite active around, so it is crucial to take caution before leaving your car. If you do, however, and walk a short distance from the parking area, you will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the park.
Despite being in one of the most accessible areas of the park, Gardenia hide is still generally relatively quiet. Elephants are especially common in this region of the park, but bushbuck, honeybadger, kudu, giraffe, lion, yellow-billed hornbill, grey go-away birds and Natal spurfowl are also frequent sightings. Water level varies quite drastically, so it's best to check with someone at a gate or at camp about current levels.