Phalaborwa

Phalaborwa is a small mining town located in the northeast of South Africa in the province of Limpopo. The only reason for visiting Phalaborwa is because it serves as one of the entry points to the Kruger National Park which is a must-see when visiting South Africa. You can enter Kruger National Park on your own if you rent a car or as part of organized...

Phalaborwa is a small mining town located in the northeast of South Africa in the province of Limpopo. The only reason for visiting Phalaborwa is because it serves as one of the entry points to the Kruger National Park which is a must-see when visiting South Africa. You can enter Kruger National Park on your own if you rent a car or as part of organized safaris. Most organizers advertise themselves as being child-friendly, however it is advisable to make inquiries beforehand in order to avoid disappointment. The safaris vary in length and experience, some being mere day trips into the park, others offering multiple night camping experience in the wild.

Phalaborwa can be reached by airplane from Johannesburg or by long-haul busses coming from a variety of locations. Some busses are advertised as luxury coaches, however compared to European standards this is a gross overstatement. Even though with most bus companies children under the age of 2 travel for free I would not recommend long-haul busses when traveling with your little ones. If you are planning on entering Kruger Park on your own it is a feasible option to rent a car e.g. in Johannesburg and drive your way up north.

Phalaborwa does not have a public transport system, nor does it have taxies or Ubers, so unless you rent a car you are reliant on the pickup / drop off service of your hotel. It is safe to go for a stroll in the town centre, but keep in mind that oftentimes there are no separate walkways and many roads are bumpy dirt roads, making them unideal for a walk with your stroller.

Sights in Phalaborwa include the Gate of Phalaborwa at the entrance to the Kruger National Park and the Amarula factory. The Hans Merensky Golf Resort offers an interesting experience for young and old with animals like giraffes, hippos, baboons, monkeys and springboks, to name but a few, roaming the gold course and other parts of the estate. The golf resort is child-friendly with a pool and some play facilities on the grounds, its rooms equipped with changing tables. Another child-friendly, less expensive, accommodation is the Lalamo Guesthouse relatively close to the entrance to the Kruger Park.

Phalaborwa has 2 shopping malls where you can stock up on everything you’ll need for your excursion into the national park. There are some restaurants in town, however not all of them are equipped with baby chairs, nor do all of them have meals for children on their menu.

It is important to keep in mind that the Kruger National Park is a malaria area, so make sure to consult a medical professional about prophylaxes prior to your trip.