The Luvuvhu does not ask permission.
On the 15th of March 2026, the river rose again. A second flood struck the Pafuri floodplain, prompting a further evacuation of the camp and resulting in the undermining of Tent 3 – the fifth tent we have lost across both flood events. It was a sobering moment. To have navigated the first flood, begun rebuilding, and then faced the river again tested the resolve of everyone involved. I want to acknowledge that directly, and to thank our team at Pafuri, Godfrey Baloyi and the wider Pafuri Collection staff, for their composure and commitment in the face of a second extraordinary event.
If you have not yet read Don Pinnock’s account in the Daily Maverick, I would encourage you to do so. His piece, Two rivers, one disaster: the flood that reshaped Pafuri, captures something of the character of this place and the forces at work here in a way that I found both humbling and clarifying. We have also shared some of the raw reality of the destruction on our Instagram feed, and we do not shy away from that.
This is a place that humbles us all.
Where we are now.
Despite the second flood, our direction is clear. We have received formal approval from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for the rebuild, and construction has commenced. This is a significant milestone. It means we are building with full environmental sanction, and with the intention of creating a Pafuri Camp that is not only restored, but more resilient and better considered than before.
Revised opening timelines across the Pafuri Collection.
The revamped Baobab Hill House opened on the 29th of March 2026, welcoming its first guests right on schedule. It is the first tangible sign that the Pafuri Collection is returning, and we are proud of what the team has delivered there.
The 1st of April marks the traditional opening of our walking season, and with the pans full, the floodplain lush, and the bush thick with new growth, we expect it to be one of the most rewarding seasons in recent memory. The landscape is not waiting for us; it is already alive.
The second flood has introduced modest delays to our walking season. Both Hutwini and Nkula Walking Camps are expected to be fully operational in the second half of April 2026. Our reservations team is in contact with guests and partners holding bookings in this window.
Pafuri Camp will open on the 1st of June 2026. During that month, we will be putting the finishing touches to the rebuild, but we will be welcoming guests. The remaining work will be finalised by the 1st of July 2026. We are rebuilding carefully, and we will not rush what needs time.
An invitation.
The 1st of June is not simply a reopening date. It is an invitation to be among the first to experience a renewed Pafuri Camp, the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers settling into a new rhythm, and the RAMSAR wetlands of the Makuleke Contract National Park in a state of extraordinary abundance.
Pafuri is a place shaped by water and time. It is our task to adapt and restore. We thank you, as always, for your patience, your loyalty, and your continued belief in Pafuri, in its wildlife and in the people who call it home.
We invite you to return with us.
PJ Massyn
RETURN Africa Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder
About RETURN Africa
RETURN Africa offers immersive journeys in South Africa, from its flagship Pafuri Collection in the northern Kruger National Park to historic boutique stays in Cape Town. With a philosophy rooted in heritage, community and conservation, RETURN Africa invites travellers to share in the joy of extraordinary places and the people who call them home.
Media Contact
Craig Parvess – RETURN Africa
craig@returnafrica.com
