Skukuza Golf Club

Skukuza Golf Club is a truly unique opportunity for golfing enthusiasts within one of the world’s greatest conservation establishments. It is not a regular inclusion in our South Africa golf holidays as it is only 9 holes and not a championship course by any means, but it is the only course that lies within the Kruger National Park. The course is perfect for walking off some of those fabulous safari lodge meals and can be played in between the morning and afternoon game drive from lodges in the southern end of the park or in the Sabi Sand Reserve.

Since the course is not fenced-in, uninvited spectators are a common sight. While the graceful and curious giraffe may stop by to examine the arc of your swing, the grazing impalas and warthogs won’t pay you any attention at all! Watch out for crocs and hippos on the 9th, in the aptly named Lake Panic. You have to hit over them on this par-3 hole back to the clubhouse.

This video of African wild dog was filmed during the Covid19 lockdown when the course was closed for 5 weeks. Watch the video here.

In it’s 40 years plus of existence, the course has seen many well-known figures walking the fairways, including former Prime Ministers, Presidents, a variety of political figures, princes and a gallery of South Africa’s best known golfers. It is a must-play experience for anyone in the vicinity and there is almost always a member of staff at your safari lodge who is a member at the club. There will always be a volunteer that will be happy to accompany you for a round of golf at Skukuza!

The course winds around a large central lake which flanks several of the holes, and provides the most challenging hazard on the course. The ground is hard so balls bounce a long way along the fairway and it takes a delicate chip to land your ball succesfully on the greens.

There are no bunkers on the course but plenty of trees which provide an interesting test. There are 2 par 3’s both over water, the final being over the hippo filled lake, back towards the clubhouse. It’s a nervy 150m tee shot to the green with little margin for error – definitely a ‘who dares wins’ moment! Great fun.

The course has 2 tee boxes for each hole so that you can play 18 holes without repetition.

Carts are available and provide welcome shade from the African sun. Caddies are also available for roughly £15 for 9 holes. Whilst they may not be of a high caddying standard, we suggest taking one in addition to a cart. They can find wayward balls and also to guide you around the course.

We loved playing here, anyone but the most serious of golfers, can’t fail to be charmed by this delightful 9 hole course, as they pick their way across the fairway, stepping over mounds of elephant dung! We have never encountered anything larger than antelope but you must be vigilant. (Another reason to take a caddy!)

It is possible to include a round at Skukuza as part of our Luxury Kruger Golf Itinerary.

For more information about golfing holidays in South Africa’s Kruger region, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 to speak to our South Africa golf holidays team.