River viewing in Marloth Park
Kruger starts on the far bank of the Crocodile River. You can watch it for free from Marloth's side, at the lookouts along the road that follows the river.
The Crocodile River is Marloth Park's northern edge, and the far bank is Kruger. Watch from the public lookouts on Seekoei Street, the road that follows the river. Two Trees and the Krans lookout are good ones to start with. Go early in the morning or in the last couple of hours before sunset, take binoculars and stay on the road side of the fence.
Public lookouts on Seekoei Street
These lookouts are on the river side of Seekoei Street. Use the house numbers across the road to find them.
- Two Trees, opposite number 3245 on the corner of Berghaan Street.
- Jackalberry parking area, opposite number 3236.
- Karen's bench, opposite number 3324.
- Hairpin Bend, opposite number 3342.
- Krans lookout, opposite number 1820.
- Bee-Eater bird hide, next to the Henk van Rooyen caravan park and opposite 519 Crocodile Street.
Three loop roads start from Seekoei Street, and locals call them the river roads. Buffel loop starts at number 4447, Soenie loop at 3615 and Twin Tree loop at 3351. If you'd like to watch with a drink, Henk van Rooyen Park on the riverbank has a restaurant that looks over Kruger.
Lookouts change now and then. If one has gone or moved, let us know.
What you might see across the river
Animals on the Kruger side come down to the river to drink. Elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra and antelope are the usual sightings, and now and then there are lions on the far bank. Some of it will be a long way off, so take binoculars.
If you see a rhino, please don't post it or say where it was. Poachers target rhino, so nobody here shares those sightings.
Best times to watch
Animals come to the river in the cooler parts of the day. The first two hours after sunrise and the last two before sunset are best, and the light is better for photos then too. In the dry winter months the bush is thin and more animals come down to drink. In summer the bush is thick and green, so you'll see less from the bank.
Midday in summer is hot and quiet on both sides of the river. Spend it at the pool and come back at four.
Private property and the fence
Many of the stands along the river are private homes. Use the public lookouts and park off the road without blocking anyone's gate. Don't walk onto a stand for a better view.
The fence along the river is the boundary between Marloth Park and Kruger. Don't climb it, lean over it or throw anything across it, and never try to get to the water. Crocodiles and hippos are both dangerous on the bank. Keep your voice down at the lookouts.
Seekoei Street is a public road, and animals cross it at all hours. Drive slowly, and after dark drive instead of walking. Our Marloth Park rules page has the rest.
Sunset drives along the river
If you'd rather be driven, sunset drives through Marloth Park follow the river and stop at a lookout as the sun goes down. One local operator's sunset drive runs 14:30-18:30. See game drives from Marloth Park for operators.
