Kruger Concessions: Makuleke Contractual Park

The Makuleke Contractual Park (also known as The Pafuri Triangle) is the result of a ground-breaking land claim agreement between the Makuleke people and the South African National Parks Board. The Park constitutes the Northernmost section of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The “triangle” is a wedge of land created by the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers at the tri-point Crook’s Corner, which forms a border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique along the Limpopo River. It is a natural choke point for wildlife crossing from North to South and back, and forms a distinct ecological region.

This is a region of amazing diversity and the unique geology has created beautiful and varied topography. The area has both semi-arid vegetation including numerous large baobabs as well as rich riverine forests with large Nyala trees.

While game, including the Big Five, is plentiful, one is most likely to encounter nyala, buffalo and bushbuck in the riverine areas and drier adapted game, including white rhino, in the uplands. The area is famous for its elephant and buffalo herds in winter, which come to drink from the Luvuvhu river. The Park boasts over 350 species of birds, with an impressive list of specials.

General public visitors to the Kruger National Park are only allowed to travel on the main tar road between the Pafuri Bridge over the Luvuvhu River and the Pafuri Gate. Only game drive vehicles belonging to the three concessionaires are allowed to traverse the secondary dirt roads. This greatly enhances the feeling of wilderness and remoteness that the Park offers.