The most remote corner of Kruger, Pafuri is noted for its high biodiversity, rare birds, lush fever-tree forests and the abandoned 16th-century stone-walled palace protected in Thulamela Heritage Site
Flanking the Luvuvhu River in the far north of the Kruger Park, the Pafuri region forms two broad areas. The first, running along the forested south bank of the river, is the Pafuri road circuit, a public road best reached from Punda Maria rest camp 50 kilometres to its south and punctuated by the Pafuri Picnic Site in the heart of the forest.
The area is particularly popular with South African birdwatchers, thanks to the presence of rarities such as Pel’s fishing-owl (sometimes seen from the bridge over the river), racket-tailed roller, white-crowned lapwing and triple-banded courser. It is also notable for high concentrations of elephant, buffalo and nyala antelope. Not to be missed is a guided tour to the Thulamela Heritage Site, which protects the substantial hilltop ruins of a Great Zimbabwe-style stone-walled royal village built in the 16th century.