Pocket guide KNP final

POCKET GUIDE TO THE
PLACENAMES OF THE
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

FLOORS VAN DER WATEREN

© Floors van der Wateren

First Edition, First Print: April 2018
Printed by J Taylor Pre-Print Solutions

No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted, reflected electronically or mechanically
by photocopying in any form or by any means without the
prior permission of the author.
If any part of this publication is to be used for training
purposes, pre-agreement must be obtained from the author.

ISBN 978-0-620-79560-9

INDEX

A
Afsaal...................................................................................... 1
Albasini ruins........................................................................... 1
Amatshukeni........................................................................... 2
Ampie se boorgat.................................................................... 2
B
Baanbreker.............................................................................. 2
Babalala................................................................................... 2
Balule....................................................................................... 3
Bangu....................................................................................... 3
Baobab Hill............................................................................... 3
Bateleur.................................................................................... 4
Berg-en-dal............................................................................... 4
Biesiesvlei................................................................................. 5
Birdhide..................................................................................... 6
Biyamiti..................................................................................... 6
Black heron............................................................................... 6
Blinkwater................................................................................. 6
Bobbejaankrans........................................................................ 6
Boesman................................................................................... 7
Boulders.................................................................................... 7
Bowker Kop............................................................................... 7
Boyela....................................................................................... 7
Bububu...................................................................................... 8
Buffeldorings............................................................................ 8
Buig-of-bars.............................................................................. 8
Bume........................................................................................ 9
Byashishi.................................................................................. 9
C
Coetzer..................................................................................... 9
Crocodile River......................................................................... 9

D
De Laporte................................................................................ 10
Dimbo....................................................................................... 10
Doispane Road......................................................................... 11
Dokweni.................................................................................... 11
Duke (waterhole)...................................................................... 11
Dzombo.................................................................................... 12
Dzundzwini............................................................................... 12
E
Eendrag.................................................................................... 13
Elandskuil................................................................................. 13
Engelhard................................................................................. 14
Erfplaas.................................................................................... 15
F
Fairfield.................................................................................... 15
Fayi Loop................................................................................. 15
G
Ganspan.................................................................................. 15
Gayisenga............................................................................... 16
Gezantfombi............................................................................ 16
Girivana................................................................................... 16
Goedgegun............................................................................. 16
Gomondwane.......................................................................... 17
Grootvlei.................................................................................. 17
Grysbok................................................................................... 18
Gudzani................................................................................... 18
Gumbandebvu......................................................................... 18
H
Hartbeesfontein....................................................................... 19
Hatlani..................................................................................... 19
Hillside..................................................................................... 20
Hippo pool............................................................................... 20
Hlahleni................................................................................... 20

Hlamvu.................................................................................... 20
I
Injayamtepe............................................................................. 21
J
Jakkalsbessie Private camp.................................................... 22
James (waterhole)................................................................... 23
Joáo......................................................................................... 23
Jock (waterhole)....................................................................... 23
Jock of the Bushveld................................................................ 24
Jones se dam........................................................................... 25
Josekhulu................................................................................. 25
Jumbo...................................................................................... 25
K
Kaleka...................................................................................... 26
Kanniedood (dam)................................................................... 26
Khandzalive............................................................................. 26
Klein Nshawu........................................................................... 26
Klopperfontein.......................................................................... 27
Krapkuil.................................................................................... 27
Kremetart................................................................................. 27
Kruger Tablets......................................................................... 27
Kumana................................................................................... 28
Kwaggaspan............................................................................ 28
L
Lamont..................................................................................... 28
Langtoon.................................................................................. 29
Leeubron.................................................................................. 29
Leeupan................................................................................... 29
Letaba...................................................................................... 29
Limpopo................................................................................... 30
Lindanda.................................................................................. 30
Longwe.................................................................................... 30
Loskop..................................................................................... 31

Lower Sabie............................................................................. 31
Lubyelubye.............................................................................. 31
Lugmag.................................................................................... 32
Luvuvhu................................................................................... 32
M
Mac’s borehole........................................................................ 32
Mafotini.................................................................................... 32
Magamba................................................................................. 32
Mahlambandlopfu.................................................................... 33
Mahlati..................................................................................... 33
Mahonie................................................................................... 33
Makhadzi................................................................................. 33
Makhohlola.............................................................................. 34
Makongolweni......................................................................... 34
Malelane.................................................................................. 34
Malopenyana........................................................................... 34
Mandadzidzi............................................................................ 34
Mangadyane............................................................................ 35
Mangake.................................................................................. 35
Mantimahle.............................................................................. 35
Manungu.................................................................................. 35
Manzimhlope........................................................................... 35
Maqili....................................................................................... 36
Marheya.................................................................................. 36
Marhumbyeni.......................................................................... 36
Maroela................................................................................... 36
Masala.................................................................................... 36
Mashokwe............................................................................... 37
Masiterata............................................................................... 38
Masorini.................................................................................. 38
Matekevhele........................................................................... 38
Mathekenyane........................................................................ 38
Mathikithi................................................................................ 39

Matjulu.................................................................................... 39
Matlhari................................................................................... 39
Matshitshindzudzi................................................................... 39
Matukwale.............................................................................. 40
Matupa................................................................................... 40
Mavumbye.............................................................................. 40
Mawawi................................................................................... 41
Mazanje.................................................................................. 41
Mazithi.................................................................................... 41
Mestel..................................................................................... 41
Metsimetsi............................................................................... 42
Mhala...................................................................................... 42
Mhisanamond......................................................................... 43
Mhlupeka................................................................................ 44
Middelvei................................................................................. 44
Milalani.................................................................................... 44
Mingerhout.............................................................................. 45
Misumani................................................................................. 45
Mitomeni.................................................................................. 45
Mlaleni..................................................................................... 46
Mlambane................................................................................ 46
Mlondozi.................................................................................. 46
Mondzweni.............................................................................. 46
Mooigesig................................................................................ 47
Mooiplaas................................................................................ 47
Mopani..................................................................................... 47
Mpanamana............................................................................. 47
Mphongolo loop....................................................................... 48
Mpondo dam............................................................................ 48
Mshatu..................................................................................... 48
Muhlambama-dvube................................................................ 48
Munywini.................................................................................. 49
Mutlumuvi................................................................................. 49

Muzandzeni.............................................................................. 49

Mvubu....................................................................................... 50

N
N’wamanzi................................................................................ 50
N’wamatsatsa........................................................................... 50
N’wambu................................................................................... 50
N’wamuriwa.............................................................................. 50
N’wanetsi.................................................................................. 51
N’warihlangari........................................................................... 51
N’waswitshaka.......................................................................... 51
N’waswitsontso......................................................................... 51
N’watimhiri................................................................................ 52
N’watin’wambu.......................................................................... 52
N’watindlopfu............................................................................ 52
N’watinungu.............................................................................. 52

Nandzana................................................................................. 53

Napi.......................................................................................... 53

Newu........................................................................................ 53

Ngobeni.................................................................................... 53

Ngodzi...................................................................................... 54

Ngotso...................................................................................... 54

Ngwenyeni................................................................................ 54

Nhlanganini............................................................................... 54

Nhlanganzwani......................................................................... 54

Nhlanguleni............................................................................... 55

Nhlotini...................................................................................... 55

Nhlowa road.............................................................................. 55

Nkaya........................................................................................ 56

Nkovakulu................................................................................. 56

Nkuhlu....................................................................................... 56

Nkulumbeni............................................................................... 56

Nkumbe..................................................................................... 57

Nsasane.................................................................................... 57

Nsemani.................................................................................... 57
Nsikazi...................................................................................... 57
Ntomeni.................................................................................... 57
Ntshivana.................................................................................. 57
Ntsumaneni............................................................................... 58
Numbi........................................................................................ 58
Nyala land................................................................................. 58
Nyamarhi................................................................................... 59
O
Olifantdrinkgat........................................................................... 59
Olifants...................................................................................... 59
Olifantsbad pan......................................................................... 59
Orpen camp/ gate /dam............................................................ 60
Ou kraal.................................................................................... 61
P
Pafuri........................................................................................ 61
Phabeni.................................................................................... 61
Phalaborwa.............................................................................. 62
Phonda hills............................................................................. 62
Phugwani................................................................................. 62
Piet Grobler.............................................................................. 62
Pretoriuskop............................................................................. 62
Punda Maria............................................................................. 63
R
Rabelais.................................................................................... 63
Randspruit (waterhole).............................................................. 63
Ratelpan.................................................................................... 63
Red rocks.................................................................................. 64
Reën voël.................................................................................. 64
Renosterkoppies....................................................................... 64
Renosterpan............................................................................. 64
Rietpan..................................................................................... 65
Rockvale.................................................................................. 65

Roodewal................................................................................. 65
Rooibosrant.............................................................................. 65
S
Saalbek.................................................................................... 65
Sabie river................................................................................ 66
Salitje river............................................................................... 66
Sand river................................................................................. 66
Satara....................................................................................... 66
Shamiriri................................................................................... 67
Shibavantsengele..................................................................... 67
Shibotwana............................................................................... 67
Shilowa..................................................................................... 68
Shimangwaneni........................................................................ 68
Shimuwini................................................................................. 68
Shingomani.............................................................................. 68
Shingomeni.............................................................................. 68
Shingwedzi............................................................................... 69
Ship mountain.......................................................................... 69
Shiphampanane....................................................................... 69
Shipikana................................................................................. 69
Shipirivirhi................................................................................ 69
Shirimantanga......................................................................... 70
Shisakashanghonzo................................................................ 70
Shisha..................................................................................... 70
Shishangani............................................................................ 70
Shitlhave................................................................................. 71
Shitsakana.............................................................................. 71
Shivulani................................................................................. 71
Shongololo.............................................................................. 71
Silolweni.................................................................................. 72
Silwervis.................................................................................. 72
Sirheni..................................................................................... 73
Sitfungwane............................................................................ 73

Siyalu...................................................................................... 73
Skukuza.................................................................................. 74
Sonop..................................................................................... 75
Stapelkop............................................................................... 75
Stevenson Hamilton............................................................... 75
Stolsnek (waterhole).............................................................. 75
Sunset dam............................................................................ 75
Swartklip................................................................................. 76
Sweni...................................................................................... 76
T
Talamati.................................................................................. 76
Tamboti................................................................................... 76
Thulamila................................................................................ 77
Tihongonyeni.......................................................................... 77
Timbavati................................................................................ 77
Timfenheni loop...................................................................... 77
Tinhongana............................................................................. 78
Tlhalabye................................................................................ 78
Trichardt road......................................................................... 78
Tsendze.................................................................................. 79
Tshanga.................................................................................. 79
Tshokwane.............................................................................. 79
Tsutshe................................................................................... 79
Twisappel................................................................................ 80
U
Uitspan.................................................................................... 80
V
Vervoer dam............................................................................ 80
Vlag koppie.............................................................................. 80
Voetpad................................................................................... 80
Voortrekker.............................................................................. 81
Vudogwa................................................................................. 81
Vurhami................................................................................... 81

Vutomi..................................................................................... 81
W
Welverdiend………………………………………………………. 81
Wik-en-weeg........................................................................... 82
Witpens................................................................................... 82
Witsand................................................................................... 82
Wolhuter (tents)....................................................................... 83
Wolhuter (continued)............................................................... 84
X
Xitangeni................................................................................. 85
Z
Zambhala................................................................................ 85

KNP
Afsaal
Situated between Skukuza and the Malelane Gate. It was
named by Dr U de V. Pienaar in 1985 when the existing road
was built. “Afsaal” is the Afrikaans word for taking the saddle
off a horse after a long trip. In earlier days, visitors to this
area were still on horseback. Since then this place has been
a picnic site.

Albasini ruins
The ruins itself used to be the home of the first European to
stay in the area where the KNP is today. João Albasini was
born in Lisbon in 1813 and died in the Zoutpansberg in
1888.
He was a trader and ivory hunter of great renown to whose
prowess hundreds of elephants and rhino are said to have
fallen.
Albasini arrived in Delagoa Bay in 1831 as a trader.
He moved to Ohrigstad, south of the KNP, and opened a
shop, where he met and married a maiden van Rensburg.
He settled in the KNP along the Sabie river at Makashula`s
Kraal in 1845.
He gathered the remnants of several scattered tribes around
him, equipped them with firearms and trained them to shoot.
This tribe was later known as the Magwamba tribe. It was
not long before he was acknowledged by the tribe as their
chief.

1

Hence his nickname Juwawa, which still lives in the memory
of some of the older tribesmen.

Amatshukeni
A silted up waterhole in the N’waswitsontso River. The
Tsonga word “amatshukeni” (at the ant hills) was given to
the waterhole by ranger J Kloppers in 1958 and refers to the
large termitaries in the vicinity.

Ampie se boorgat
This borehole (boorgat) which was sunk in 1973 was named
after Ampie Esbach, a game ranger who was stationed at
Malelane from 1954 to 1964.

Baanbreker
This Afrikaans word means “pioneer” or “trailblazer”. It was
often used to describe colonel Stevenson-Hamilton, who, as
the first Warden of the KNP, won respect for his effective
regulations as far as conservation of game and plants were
concerned.

Babalala
The Tsonga word means “the name of a person who
Lived here in earlier times”.
Another direct translation of the word in Setswana would
give us the meaning “sleeping on your stomach”.
Interestingly, you will also find babala grass in the KNP,
which is a drought-resistant grass with high yield that

2

reaches a height of up to 3m (Pennisetum typhoides). The
grass is highly insect and disease resistant and the seeds
have traditionally been milled and used by the native tribes
for the preparation of porridge (pap) and the brewing of beer.

Balule
The Tsonga word for the Olifants River. The word means
“river that flows fast and quietly”.

Bangu
The Tsonga word “mbangu” means “the place”.
It could also be a corruption of the Zulu word
“bangabukhani”, which means “sharp as a knife”.
This tributary of the Olifants River was named after a Zulu
resident of this area before the 1900’s.
Other meanings: Bango – (Swahili) meaning “protective
cover”.
Umbango – (Zulu) meaning “tribal feud”

Baobab Hill
Named after the majestic Baobab tree Adansonia digitata.
Tribal legend has it that the gods gave all the animals in
Africa a sapling to plant. The Baobab was given to the
Hyena, who, in his stupidity, planted the tree upside down.
Most probably the best-known tree in Africa as a whole,
even described in historic reports by Livingstone, this tree
can live up to many thousands of years and still flourish. It
has many cultural uses and magical connotations.

3

The pulp of the wood has a very high vitamin C content and
was used in cooking.
Mixed with water it also proves to be a delicious drink.
Animals such as monkeys eat its fruit, and elephants strip its
bark, especially during drier seasons, due to the fact that the
feeding on the tree is very high in fibre, vitamin C and water
content.

The trunk of the tree is hollow and acts as a water storage
tank for harsh conditions.
At Moketsi (not in the KNP) a bar has been built in a tree
trunk with a circumference of 46 metres. The barman boasts
that on his birthday he had 56 people patronising his party,
all of them housed inside the trunk.

Bateleur
Named after one of the largest of the African Eagles, the
Terathopius ecaudatus, seldomly seen, but definitely found
in the KNP. In Afrikaans it is also referred to as “Berghaan”,
or “Lammervanger”. The latter description literally means
“catcher of lambs”, which it has been found doing in sheep
farming communities.

Berg-en-dal
This name was given by Dr U de V. Pienaar in 1983. It is
descriptive of the area in which it is situated. The Afrikaans
name literally means “mountain and valley”.

4

It was previously known as Dalmanutha, after the Biblical
site, meaning “House of widowing”. The Battle of
Dalmanutha was fought here and happened to be the final
trench war between Boer and Brit during the Boer war
(Second Liberation War).

On 26 and 27 August 1900 Louis Botha took the last stance
against the British forces led by Roberts & Buller, who had
assistance from Hamilton, French and Pole-Carew. Botha’s
forces, who were spread out on the other side of the old
Delagoabay railway line, were totally outnumbered, and
even though they defended well, they retreated timeously to
avoid extreme casualty.
(Remnants of this old railway line can still be found in the
KNP. Paul Kruger tightened the last bolt of this line on 2
November 1894.)
Even though the war was far from over, Roberts declared
the Transvaal a British colony. This led to the exhausting
guerrilla style warfare the Boers undertook after realising
that the trench war style was unsuccesful.
An interesting fact is that it was at the time of the Battle of
Dalmanutha that Schalk Burger was named as acting
president and Paul Kruger exiled to Europe.

Biesiesvlei
Once again an Afrikaans word, meaning “marsh overgrown
with sedges” (Cyperus Sp.).“Biesies” have been traditionally
(and are still today) used to weave baskets and ornaments.

5

Birdhide
This construction at Skukuza and Shingwedzi was built in
such a way that it would not interfere with nature, but would
allow birdlovers to have a better vantage point from which to
view birds.

Biyamiti
A large seasonal river and a tributary to the Crocodile River.
The Tsonga word means “where barricades had te be
erected around dwellings”. The word is derived from ku biya
= to make a barricade + miti = huts/dwellings. The river was
very attractive to the first Tsonga settlers who moved in from
the east. They however had to barricade their huts against
aggressive attacks from the local tribes.

Black heron
Named after the rare heron species Egretta ardesiaca. It
prefers dams to rivers and has a strange and wonderful
method of fishing: it spreads its wings over its head to form a
canopy. It is a nomadic bird, totally black in colour, with
yellow feet.

Blinkwater
A descriptive Afrikaans word, meaning “shiny or clear water”.

Bobbejaankrans
The Afrikaans for “the high rock of the baboons”.
A “krans” could also mean “a rockface or high boulder”.

6

Boesman
This tent camp bears the Afrikaans name for a Bushman,
who used to frequent the area for its rich hunting grounds.
Remnants of rockpaintings of early Bushmen are rife in the
KNP; unfortunately most of them are not on tourist routes.
Bushmen have been documented to be the oldest
inhabitants in Africa. The most recent foundings are that, as
far as the genetics of man’s origin is concerned, the
Bushmen, also known as the Khoisan, have the most
generically relateable genes to the rest of the world’s
inhabitants.
Stemming from the statement that man originates from
Africa, we don’t need to look too far to find our ancestors
anymore!

Boulders
This restcamp is situated between large rocky outcrops,
hence the name.

Bowker Kop
Named after a hunting party from the Reef, consisting of
Miles Robert Bowker (he carved his name on one of the
baobab trees here), Alec Bowker and a party of other
hunters.

Boyela
A “spruit”, tributary of Nkulumbeni Spruit. The Tsonga word
is a derivation from murhi wo yila = the tree that is forbidden.
It is not certain to which tree the words refers.

7

Bububu
The spruit is one of the largest tributaries of the Xingwedzi
River. The Tsonga word means “to wake up very early and
abrubtly”.
Isibhubhubhu – (Zulu) describes a hasty or quick action.

Buffeldorings
A borehole, sunk in 1973 and adjacent to Bume Spruit.
The Afrikaans word for Buffalo-thorn. Ziziphus mucronata.
Another descriptive Afrikaans word for this tree is “wag-’n-
bietjie”, which directly translates as “wait-a-little”, due to the
sharp and curved thorns. Once hooked you have to take
your time to release yourself. By moving around, you could
get more entangled, due to the erratic growth of the flexible
and slender branchlets.

Another interesting fact is that the flesh of the tree, raw or
dried, is an important part of the diet of many indigenous
people. The wood is believed to have medicinal
characteristics and the thorns to have magical powers which
ward off evil spirits.
The bark, wood and flowers are also preferred above
other species by most animals, birds and insects who live off
vegetation.

Buig-of-bars
A favourite saying in Afrikaans, basically meaning “come hell
or high water”. Here it could refer to the determination
shown to find water at this specific spot.

8

This borehole, near the Rooibosrant Dam is probably the
strongest borehole in the KNP.

Bume
The spruit is a tributary of the Crocodile River. The word
means “ in a standing position or posture” and is of Swati
origin.

Byashishi
A tributary of the Klein Letaba River. The Tsonga word
byaxixi is a derivative of vuxuxu, which means: “an evening
around the fire.”

Coetzer
A borehole next to the Gupula Spruit near Punda Maria.
Coetzer is the surname of the very first game ranger that
found and named Punda Maria, previously called Punda
Milia. Coetzer called it Punda Milia, because the first animal
he saw when crossing the Northern border into the park,
was a zebra, which is referred to as a “Punda milia” or
“striped donkey” in Swahili. His wife`s name was Maria,
therefore the changing of Milia to Maria.
J.J. Coetzer was from East Africa and joined the KNP in
1919.

Crocodile River
The river on the southern border of the KNP, named after
the masses of Nile crocodiles that were found in the river in
the earlier years.

9

The Sotho tribes called it “Mokwena”, which can be directly
translated as “crocodile”.

De Laporte
C.R. de Laporte was appointed as game ranger to replace
game ranger Duke, who was sent by J. Stevenson-Hamilton
to replace Gray, the honorary game ranger at Lower Sabie.
Gray accepted a post under the Witwatersrand Native
Labour Association, an organisation formed to recruit
Portuguese natives for the Rand mines.

De Laporte also stood in for Harry Wolhuter when he got
mauled by a lion (see Wolhuter).

James Stevenson-Hamilton spoke very highly of De Laporte
in the twenty five years of his employment. De Laporte
managed to become second-in-command to Stevenson-
Hamilton in a short time and retired in 1939 due to both his
and his wife’s ill health.

His African nickname was “M`Kaose”, which means “he that
wears leggings”.

Dimbo
Referring to Dimboni, the name of a Venda who lived there
previously.

10

Doispane Road
In the olden days Doispane was a Ranger`s outpost halfway
between Matimba and Skukuza. A tribesman who returned
from working in the gold mines in Lydenburg used to stay
there. His name was Doispane, the way he pronounced the
nickname “Dustpan”, given to him while he was working in
the mines.

Dokweni
This name is derived from the Tsonga term: “doko-
dokodoko” which can be translated as “to wish for
something”. Being a perennial spring, this naming could
refer to the waiting on the water in arid times.

Duke (waterhole)
An old fellow-campaigner of James Stevenson-Hamilton,
Thomas Duke was of late with the Rimington`s guides. His
parents had immigrated to South Africa from the south of
Ireland.

His father became a successful farmer in the Eastern Cape
up to the native uprising of the 1870s , until his homestead
was burned to the ground. Duke was about twelve at the
time and was beaten and ill-treated, until, during the night,
he was released by one of the family servants who felt pity
for him.

He ran for about twelve miles, barefoot and practically
naked, until he found safety.

11

His parents were treated remarkably well and were sent to
the nearest safe post where they joined up again.

Later Duke joined the Cape Mounted Police and
Rimington`s guides, both in which he quickly rose in rank.
He joined Stevenson-Hamilton in 1902 as ranger at the Park
and was one of the oldest serving, very colourful staff-
members.

Dzombo
This small stream runs between the Tsende, Letaba and
Shingwedzi Rivers. The name Dzombo was given to the only
one of the “Great Seven” elephants shot by poachers. He
was fifty years old at the time and was shot with a Russian
AK47 rifle. The Tsonga word is derived from dzombolo = “to
wait for something that is slow in coming”.

Dzundzwini
This large koppie is situated on the plains south east of
Punda Maria and can easily be seen. It also boasts a
lookout from your vehicle. The Tsonga word means “at the
land belonging to the chief and cultivated by his people”.

The chief of the village at the time was called Matibee, and
in 1836, when Louis Trichardt trekked through this area, he
called it “Matibeetuin” which translates into “Matibee’s
garden”.

12

Eendrag
The previous government under the National Party`s rule
had a motto under their official badge that (since the Union
of South Africa) read, “Eendrag Maak Mag”, which directly
translates into “Unity is strength”.

During tumultous times, not necessarily between races, the
idea of “Together we stand, divided we fall” was very much
of a reality, stemming from the days of the “Great Trek”,
during which, even then, white settlers could not, for the life
of them, stand together.

The only time when “Eendrag” came into being was during
the Anglo-Boer war, when South Africans revolted against
British invasion.

Elandskuil
The biggest antelope in the KNP is the Eland. More
accurately, the Eland is the biggest antelope in Africa.
The word “kuil” is an Afrikaans word that normally refers to a
small waterhole. The insertion of the letter “s” results in the
meaning “the waterhole of the Eland”.

In 1960, the evasive Eland was seen as the rarest of the
wildlife in the KNP. Today, it is still uncertain which is the
rarest of the antelope, but of the animals it would most
certainly be the seldomly seen wolf- specie the
Cape hyena / Brown hyena.

13

The African Eland, Taurotragus oryx, has a wide variety of
family members. Its family hails from varieties in America
(Moose), from the giant Eland in Alaska as well as similar
versions in Russia, Scandinavia and Poland.
The African version can reach a weight of over 750
kilograms and a lifespan of more than 20 years. Despite the
size and weight of the animal, it is still very agile, alert and
graceful, and it will clear a fence of two metres in one
startled bound.

Many places in South Africa have been named after the
Eland, mainly with water connotations, such as Elandskuil
(waterhole), Elandsvlei (marsh), Elandsrivier (river),
Elandsfontein (fountain) and Elandslaagte (depression).
The reason for this would be that the Eland is a thirsty
antelope due to its size and diet. The type of food it prefers
is normally found in well-watered areas, and it only eats
specific types of grass, which is taken in at staggering
quantities.
The quality of vegetation is normally watery and
Brackish, or with a high mineral salt content.

Engelhard
The Engelhard dam was named after an American
millionaire who, after visiting the park, donated the money
for the building of the dam after the Park had seen one of
the driest seasons in 1961.

14

In 1968, construction work was started on the then largest
dam in the Park, financed by Charles Engelhard. The dam
was completed in 1971.

Erfplaas
A borehole at the Xisiwana koppies east of the Phalaborwa
Gate. The borehole was unwittingly donated to the Park’s
Nature Conservation Division by the Park’s Road Division,
for whom the borehole was originally sunk in 1975. The
word is Afrikaans and literally means “inherited farm”.

Fairfield
A borehole situated on the southern banks of the
N’Waswitsontso River. The name refers to “reminiscent of a
beautiful place” and was given to the borehole by Dr U de V
Pienaar when it was sunk in 1976.

Fayi Loop
The Tsonga word refers to a type of long, thin reed
(Phragmitis Sp.) The word is also used as a nickname for a
tall, slim person.
Then there is the Shangaan word “Fayi”, which refers to a
type of grass that grows in the KNP.

Ganspan
Afrikaans for a flat, small lake (pan) which is frequented by
geese. The largest and most frequently seen goose in the
KNP would be the “Kolgans” or Egyptian goose Alopochen
aegyptiacus.

15

Dr U de V Pienaar hoped that this goose would
settle here and named the pan “Ganspan” in 1974.

Gayisenga
The Tsonga word means “the maker of bangles”, of the type
that would be worn around both the arms as well as the
legs. A mine worker who lived there, returned from working
on the mines. His name was Gayisa and he learnt to make
senga, which are bangles made from copper and cowtail
hair.

Gezantfombi
This Swati word translates to “the place where the young
women bath”.

Girivana
A borehole alongside the Nsemani Spruit, northwest of
Satara. The Tsonga word is the name of the chief who lived
here at the turn of the century. He was a very influential man
whose responsibility stretched from Acornhoek eastwards
into Mozambique. The name was given to the borehole
when it was sunk in 1950.

Goedgegun
This borehole was sunk and named in 1973. The Afrikaans
word could have different meanings:

16

Goedgegun = well-allowed
= well-granted
= you are welcome to it
= it serves you right
= you got what you were looking for!

Gomondwane
The word means “Big trail” and it used to be the place where
hunters and traders came past. At Gomondwane there are
still bluegum trees to be seen that were planted close to a
store which used to be a popular and well-known
rendezvous for gold-diggers, hunters and traders.

At the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902) the
storekeeper, Charlie Woodlands, closed shop, put his
emassed fortune of R1000-00 in a rucksack and set out to
seek refuge in Lourenço Marques, together with a notorious
character by the name of Sardelli. Only Sardelli and the
R1000-00 arrived safely in L.M.

Gomondwane is also the old name of the forest in the area.

Grootvlei

An earthern dam in the Hlamvu Spruit, also known as
Hlamvu Dam.
The Afrikaans word means “big marsh”.
Groot = big
Vlei = marsh

17

By the time of naming this place, there must have been a
rather heavy rainstorm to merit the name. A “vlei” is also
normally a flat plain that ends up in a marsh due to the level
of the watertable and the extent of the latest rainfall.

Grysbok
Afrikaans word for Raphicerus melanotis; Raphicerus
sharpei. Sometimes referred to as the Greybuck. This strictly
nocturnal antelope will only be found in pairs or single and is
very hard to sight by day or night. It has a pelt of reddish
brown hair on its back and flanks, peppered with long white
hair all over. Only the rams bear horns that reach between 5
to 10 cm from young adulthood.

Gudzani
Gudzani means “early frost”. This area tends to show signs
of frost much heavier and earlier in winter than in the rest of
the park. The Tsonga word could also be the name of a
person.

Gumbandebvu
A “koppie” forming the corner east of Punda Maria where the
koppies around Punda Maria turn into a northerly direction.
The Venda gumba ndebvu = to shave one’s beard, a custom
whereby only those who shaved their beards were allowed
to climb this “holy” koppie.

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Hartbeesfontein
The name originally referred to Dr Loubser’s farm which was
isolated when encircled by the Orpen’s donated land. The
farm was subsequently incorporated into the KNP in 1950.

“Hartbees” is short for the Afrikaans word “Hartebees”, the
closest English being Hartebeest, Alcelaphus caama.

The Hartebeest can be recognised by its small and narrow
head and tapered form from its shoulders to the rump.
It has small, thick-ringed horns in both sexes and visible
large glandular openings between and under the eyes.

The hartebeest (corruption of the Dutch word “hertebeest”) is
one of the fastest and most agile antelopes, despite its
clumsy look.

A gregarious animal, herding in quantities of 15 to 20 at a
time and only bearing one calf per season.

Afrikaans: Fontein = fountain/ spring.

Hatlani
The name of a former Tsonga inhabitant of the area, living
close to this sandstone koppie.

19

Hillside
One of the recent and understandable names given to a
site. Straightforward English relates to being on the side of a
hill, referring to the location of this borehole, named by Dr U
de V Pienaar in 1980.

Hippo pool
This name was given to one of the more prominent
mediumsized dams where visitors can have great and often
close-up hippo sightings.

Hlahleni (pronounced “Glagleni”)
A tributary of the Olifants river, approximately thirteen
kilometres south-south-east from the Olifants rest camp. The
name means “place where kindling firewood can be found”
and is Shangaan of origin. The similarity to the Zulu word
“umHlahle” should also be taken into consideration, as this
word is the name given to the Mitzeerie tree Bridelia
micrantha, also known as Brown Stinkwood. In Tsonga it
means “at the dry brushwood”.

Hlamvu
A tributary of the Shingwedzi river and situated 31 kilometres
south-south-east of the Shingwedzi rest camp. The
watercourse was named after a local Shangaan tribesman
of the same name and a literal translation from Tsonga
would mean “Bullet”. Inhlamvu – (Zulu) meaning honey
guide bird.

20

Injayamtepe
On the Sabie river road there used to be a memorable site
called Injayamtepe (named after a watercourse Inja
kaMthephe, which is a tributary to the Sabie river,
approximately 5 kilometres west of Skukuza. Unfortunately
this site or river is not listed on the latest maps anymore. It
means “the dog of Mthephe”, the name the Swazi people
gave to Ranger Healy.

Healy sent a Swazi Ranger to fetch a greyhound from
Ranger Wolhuter at Matimba. On the way back to Skukuza,
the dog died of pure exhaustion and the extreme heat of the
day, and was buried there.

What makes it memorable, is that Healy routed out the Black
helpers from the compound at Skukuza and drove them to
weep and lament at the death of the dog!

A fine block of granite was erected on which Healy had the
words neatly carved: “Erected by G. R. Healy in loving
memory of Mary, aged 3 years”, followed by the date.
Some of the older rangers might still be able to remember
and show tourists where the tombstone is.

(Please bear in mind that this is not on a tourist route
anymore, and that it might not be allowed to view it.)

21

In his book ‘South African Eden’ Stevenson-Hamilton
remembers how he often heard tourists, after looking at the
stone, remark on how wrong it was to bring your children to
the Lowveld!

Jakkalsbessie (Private camp)
The Jakkalsbessie, Diospyros mespiliformis, is one of the
finer trees in the park. The direct translation from Afrikaans
would be “Jackal-berry”. The reason for this naming is
unknown, as the jackal has no interest in this tree.

The tree is sometimes also referred to as the “Transvaal
ebony”. The only possible connotation to the jackal could be
the leaves of this tree, which might have looked similar to
the ears of the jackal to the beholder who named it.

The leaves are ear-shaped, leathery and vary from 4- 14cm
in length and are thickly veined. As with many of the
indiginous trees in the KNP, this tree is considered by the
natives to have magical and medicinal powers.
The fruit can grow to up to 2,5cm long, oval to round, is
yellow and smooth when mature, and is completely edible.

Animals eat it and native Africans brew beer from it.
Fruit can also be dried successfully for future consumption.
According to the natives, the leaves have antiseptic power to
heal wounds and infections.

22

James (waterhole)
Next to the old Malelane-Skukuza Road, a borehole was
sunk and once again, named by Dr U de V Pienaar. He
named it after T.L. James, who was stationed as a ranger at
Malelane from 1933 to 1950.

João
The firstname of João Albasini, for more information
regarding this character, see Albasini ruins.

Jock (waterhole)
Full description will be given below.

Jock of the Bushveld

Jock was the most famous dog in the Lowveld, and most
probably one of the most famous in the top ten legendary
dogs of the world.

Jock was the runt of the litter and destined to die by being
drowned in a bucket of water, when Sir Percy Fitzpatrick
saw the intended murder in progress and intervened.

He detailed that a bullterrier bitch gave birth to six puppies,
origin and race of the father unknown.

23

The mother`s name was Jess and she gave birth under the
tree where a man by the name of Soltke prayed, died and
was buried.

Soltke was a man from German origin, could hardly speak
English and was found walking the main transport route.
He was dressed in a suit and tophat with an umbrella to
ward off the sun. Some transport drivers felt sorry for him
and offered him a lift.

On this trip, Soltke saw a bird he wanted for his collection,
and, in his hurried excitement, he fired both barrels of his
shotgun into his leg. They summoned the closest to what
they could get to a doctor, who turned out to be a self-
claimed chemist, “Doctor Munroe”, who was so drunk at the
time he arrived he could not do anything for the praying
German.

A doctor from MacMac arrived by horse and amputated the
leg. The poor Soltke, however, died the next morning from
blood poisoning, and he was buried under the tree where he
did his praying.

Three months later, Jock was born on this very site.
Sir Percy Fitzpatrick wrote a book called Jock of the
Bushveld, which is certainly worth reading. In the nineties a
film was also released by that name. A statue of Jock can be
seen on route H2-2 in the KNP.

24

Jones se dam
The Afrikaans for Jones’ dam. One more surname that can
be added to the list of contributors to the building of
waterholes and dams in aid of conservation. This dam was
named by J.J.Kloppers after a former senior ranger, Colonel
Rowland-Jones, who helped build this dam.

Josekhulu
One could say that this name is of Portuguese-Zulu origin.
José – Josef (P); khulu – big (Z). This was the name of a
Zulu Induna (chief) in the service of Joao Albasini, whom he
referred to as “big Josef” and placed in charge of one of his
cattle posts. This stream is located in the vicinity of
Skipberg, and refers to where the cattle post under big
Josef’s guard was situated. For more information, see
Albasini ruins.

Although this is the correct explanation of the word, it is
interesting to note the connotation to the Zulu word
“amajozikhulu” which means “powerful, broadbladed
stabbing sword”.

Jumbo
Named by ranger Bruce Bryden, this borehole was sunk in
1975, and refers to the name given by the English for
elephant, after having an encounter with a pachyderm whilst
sinking the hole.

25

Kaleka
This koppie bears the name of a Tsonga person. The word
has no particular meaning in this regard, although there are
similarities:
Kalega – (Setswana) meaning failing eyesight
Kalika – (Xhosa) meaning limestone

Kanniedood (dam)
The Afrikaans word for something that cannot die. This
name is given to many of the indiginous plant types found in
South Africa, mainly to the aloe families. Many of these
plants survive even after they have been removed. Two of
the aloe-related type plants directly referred to as the
“Kanniedood”, are the Haworthia- and Gasteria- types.

Some trees of the Commiphora genus are also often
referred. It would take up too much space to name them all,
as there are over 200 species in this genus.

Khandzalive
This koppie, boasting a beacon which marks the highest
point (839m) within the KNP, comes from a Swati word
which means “the founding of a settlement”.

Klein Nshawu
This borehole was named after the nearby Nxawu valley.
Klein- (Afrikaans for small) Nshawu is derived from the
Tsonga word xawu, which means “pleasant tasting meat.”

26

Klopperfontein
Named after Hans Klopper, a hunter who often set up camp
here in the early 1900’s; fontein = fountain/ spring. In the
1920`s, the Eland was still one of the scarcest antelopes in
the park. A well-known big game hunter by the name of
Cecil Barnard brought a considerable herd from Portuguese-
East Africa and re-settled them close to Klopperfontein.
Today, one can easily spot Eland (if your eyes are trained).

Krapkuil
Krapkuil = Afrikaans word, Krap= crab; kuil= waterhole.
Named by Dr Pienaar after the land crab, Potamon warreni,
which he found here. They are common along rocky streams
and ponds, and move along land, away from water during
wet weather. They are both hunters and scavengers and use
their strong sense of smell for these means. Unlike most of
their marine cousins, land crabs have no larval stage, and
the young that hatch are miniature adults who have to fend
for themselves.

Kremetart
Afrikaans for Baobab tree. For more information on this
incredible tree, see Baobab hill.

Kruger Tablets
This koppie is situated next to the main road between
Tshokwane and Skukuza.

27

In 1933, big bronze memorial tablets were fixed to the flat
granite surfaces of this koppie to honour Paul Kruger and
Minister Piet Grobler for their work in the Park.

Kumana
This name was given to a spruit, dam and borehole. Given
that the Setswana name “Kunama” could have been
misspelt, it would mean “travelling downwards / land falls
away suddenly/ sharp depression”.

Kwaggaspan
In 1976, this borehole was sunk and named by Mr Jim
Meiring. This name is Afrikaans for “Quagga pan”, referring
to the extinct Equus quagga, family of the roaming Zebra.
The last record of this animal was in 1850 of a pair that was
shot near Aberdeen. It is likely that they survived a while
longer in remoter areas in the Free State in South Africa.

The last known Quagga died in 1883 in the Amsterdam zoo.
As the Quagga genetics and the common Zebra are very
similar, scientists have been very active in trying to re-
produce the Quagga from Zebra genes.

Lamont
This borehole, north of the Shingwedzi camp, was named by
Dr Pienaar after WH Lamont. Bill Lamont served as a game
ranger from 1942 to 1950.

28

Langtoon
The Afrikaans word “langtoon” strictly means “long toe”. This
affectionate nickname is used to describe the Actophilornis
africanus or African Jacana, which is a very common
resident to the watery areas in the park. They move around
on floating vegetation and their long toes help to distribute
their weight evenly.

Leeubron
A direct translation from Afrikaans would be “source of
lions”. Lions apparently used to come here to raise their
young, as it was fairly safe and abundant with easy prey and
water for sustenance.

Leeupan
“Lion pan” would be the direct translation from Afrikaans and
was named by ranger LB Steyn in 1930. This waterhole
close to Tshokwane has always been a popular drinking and
relaxing site for lions.

Letaba
One of the most beautiful rivers of the Lowveld. The word
“Letaba” has two possible interpretations, “river of sand” and
“the river that rises in the mountains”. These translations are
of Sotho origin.

29

Limpopo
This name was derived from the Ndebele word “ilimphopho”
meaning “the river of the waterfall”. This proves to be true in
the river’s upper course, where such a feature occurs. It was
here where the Ndebele people used to source their water
from, as crocodiles and hippo’s would not be present where
too many rocky outcrops and rushing water occurs.

Lindanda
Lindanda was the Swati nickname for Harry Wolhuter. The
word is derived from “lihiya”, which is a loincloth worn by the
swati people, and which Harry Wolhuter was also fond of
wearing. A monument was erected here, which marks the
area where Wolhuter was attacked by a lion, but managed
to escape by killing it with his hunting knife. For more
information on this extraordinary man, see Wolhuter.

Longwe
This koppie is a high point in the Lebombo mountains and
carries a beacon. The word is of Tsonga origin and is also
used to describe the whole of the Lebombo mountain range.

The “longwe” is a bag made of net, with which the Tsonga
people transport maize or fruit. The physical appearance of
the lumpy Lebombo mountains must have looked similar to
that of a filled “longwe”.

30

Loskop
The name is Afrikaans for “secluded/ loose or separate hill”
and refers to a borehole. The Loskop Dam was also built in
1934 to 1946 as a storage dam in the Olifants river, 50
kilometres north of Middelburg.

Lower Sabie
This rest camp derives its name from the Sabie river. The
word “sabie” means “fear”, and unfortunately the reason for
this name is unknown.

A common African name “uluSaba”, meaning “fearful one”
in referring to floods and crocodiles, could have had an
impact on this version. The Sabie river has the habit of
coming down once every year or two, and being a full
standing river, it could be that the natives stand in awe and
fear once this happens.

It is also claimed that the name “sabie” means “sand river” in
Shangaan, which could also relate to the river coming down
in force only now and then.

Lubyelubye
This spruit is a tributary to the Sabie and was named after
the Tsonga ideophone: “labya”. It means; “ to go through the
water in one’s clothes”

31

Lugmag
The Afrikaans word for “airforce”. The Skukuza runway was
built by the South African Airforce in 1957, and in addition to
that, donated the building of this dam.

Luvuvhu
Named after the river bushwillow Combretum erythrophyllum
called “muvuvhu” in Venda. Earlier travellers referred to this
tree as “red leaf”. The wood of this tree is reputed to be
poisonous.

Mac`s borehole
Named after ranger H McDonald who was stationed at
Crocodile Bridge between 1929 and 1951.

Mafotini
This borehole was named after a human footpath that
crossed nearby. “Mafotini” could be said is Tsonga-English,
as it is a corruption of the English; “my fourteen”. This refers
to the fourteen days’ detention earlier Mozambicans had to
endure as illegal immigrants, before they were allowed to
continue their journey.

Magamba
This name was given to a borehole and is of Tsonga origin
meaning “turtle”.

32

The most commonly seen turtles in the KNP would be the
terrapin cousins, the Marsh terrapin (Pelomedusa subrufa)
and the Serrated hinged terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus). Both
withdraws their necks sideways. They eat anything from
small birds, frogs, carrion, ticks from drinking buffaloes’ legs
and any little scraps that the crocodiles mess while eating.
They will leave drying pans and dig themselves into soil to
await rain.

Mahlambandlopfu
This depression or pan is named after the Tsonga word
which means “where elephants wallow”.

Mahlati
This spruit was named after a Tsonga chief who lived here.
The name has no specific meaning.

Mahonie
The Afrikaans word for “Mahogany”, a large family of trees
Meliaceae, found widespread in South Africa, sub-tropical as
well as tropical. Many of the species are used by tribes for
medicinal and magical purposes.

Makhadzi
This spruit is a tributary to the Letaba and the name is of
Venda origin. It is quite amazing that this very definite Venda
name was used so far from the Venda sphere of influence.
Makhadzi means “Father’s/ Chief’s sister”.

33

Makhohlola
This name was that of a person who stayed here and in
Tsonga means “he that coughs all day”.

Makongolweni
This word means “bare from behind” or “at the (place of)
female genitals”.
The Tsonga men would use this word as descriptive of a
place where the women bathed.

Malelane
There are two possible interpretations of this word, with very
much the same background. The phrases “At the Mlala
palm” and “Out of sight” historically refer to the sub-section
of the Malelane regiment of Swazis who were stationed
along the Crocodile river “out of sight” of the main base “at
the Mlala palms”.

Malopenyana
Named after a black man under James Stevenson-
Hamilton`s employment who went by the name of
Malopene. A Malopenyana is also Tsonga for the baby of
the honey badger, Mellivora capensis.

Mandadzidzi
This borehole is situated on the plain south of
Klopperfontein. The Tsonga word literally means “The
handpalm of the honey badger“. The honey badger‘s feet
are shaped like a miniature human hand, hence the

34

reference to handpalm as opposed to footprint.

Mangadyane
A small sandstone koppie which houses families of bats.
This Tsonga word is a generic name describing all types of
bats. The word is never used in the company of females, as
the wings of bats are used in a magical concoction believed
to elongate the labia minora.

Mangake
This sharp pointed granite koppie has been named after a
Sotho by the same name who lived here. It could be that he
was named after a Xhosa term,
“manga“= astounding and “ke“= now.

Mantimahle
This spruit has been given a Zulu name meaning “beautiful
(clear) water“.

Manungu
This was the name of a Zulu induna (chief) who worked for
João Albasini. He used to look after Albasini’s cattle.

Manzimhlope
A tributary of the Nwatindlopfu river which has its origin
about 15 kilometres west of Tshokwana and means “white
water” in Zulu. Named by a Zulu ranger, Wilson Hlatywayo in
1962. Manzi = water, mhlope = clear.

35

Maqili
Named after a Zulu man who lived here a long time ago.
The name has no specific meaning.

Marheya
This area was frequented by poachers who hunted by
means of trapping. The word comes from “ku rhiya” which
means “to set a trap” and is Tsonga of origin.

Marhumbyeni
This name was derived from the Shangaan word for “place
of deserted kraal-sites”. Unfortunately this area is not
accessible for general tourists.
Another translation comes from the Tsonga “at the entrails”.

Maroela
A caravan park at Orpen gate. Named after the Marula tree
Sclerocarya caffra. Most probably the most famous tree in
Africa. Fruit pulp can be eaten raw, or it can be used to brew
beer from. Juice is claimed to be an aphrodisiac. The
kernels are rich in oil, protein and vitamin C. The oil is
believed to preserve meat. The fruit is immensely popular
with most wild animals. Africans believe it to be a fertility and
magical tree that controls the sex of babies. The wood is soft
and light and is used by Africans to carve especially dishes.

Masala
This koppie north of the Timbavati river carries a Tsonga

36

name which means “fruit of the nsala tree”. The “nsala” tree
is more commonly known as the Green monkey orange tree
Strychnos spinosa. The tree bears fruit with edible pulp,
always well-flavoured and eaten fresh, by both human and
animal. Unfortunately and sadly, the more accepted,
historical version would be of ancient Setswana, shortened
from “masalela” which is a term used for leaving people
behind in the nomadic African way that they would shed the
old and sickly.
It has happened, that at the “masalela” pregnant women
were left behind if none of the men claimed her as being the
mother of his child. Without the support of the group, the
mother would often try to have the child by herself, resulting
in hair-raising depictions of wild animals lurking and waiting
(hyena’s and jackals) on the possibility of a still-born (which
often happened) due to starvation and thirst of the mother.
She would then join up with the tribe as a childless mother
without a husband (should she survive the ordeal), and
further her tribal life as an unwanted outcast.

Mashokwe
A derivative of the Tsonga word “mashoke” which is a direct
translation of the meaning “reckless” or “heedless of
danger”.

37