National Parks are not just about wildlife and scenery, but also about telling the history of the people who lived in and around the parks.
Phabeni Gate is one of the most popular entrances into Kruger National Park. About 500 m from the gate is the Phabeni Picnic Site and Interpretive Display, which is where the ruins of the trade store of frontiersman Joao Albasini are located. It is also close to the kraal of the colourful Chief Magashula, while many of the Park’s longest-serving rangers hail from a nearby village.
Attractions and Access Adaptations
- The site is on flat, firm ground so movement around the site is easily achieved.
- The ruins are behind protective barriers and off-limits, but can be viewed at close quarters.
- The displays have been painstakingly researched by academics and SANParks Honorary Rangers, and tell tales of trade routes, evictions, lion attacks and so much more.
- The layout of the new interpretive display has shallow ramps at all access points with display boards at ideal viewing height.
- There are no toilets at the site, but the nearby entrance gate has accessible ablutions for both ladies and gentlemen’s.
How to get there
Phabeni Gate is one of the closest gates to Gauteng and is best accessed along the N4 exiting at Nelspruit. Take the R40 through White River and on to Hazyview. Turn east towards the Park on the R526. Phabeni is 14,4 km from Hazyview.
Designated UA accommodation units are kept on reserve for those who need them and can only be booked directly with SANParks on special request. Unlike other units they cannot be booked in advance on-line until the reserve period has expired. Visitors to 
parks pay a daily conservation fee to make use of park facilities and enjoy the natural heritage, but buying a Wild Card means one doesn’t pay that fee.
More Information (including rates) about Phabeni, Kruger National Park, or the other 18 national parks, can be found on the SANParks website: www.sanparks.org.
