Chief Ngomane's people lived near Skukuza until 1905, when the Transvaal Government relocated them to Tenbosch south of the park, where they were displaced again in 1945.

[citation needed] The resident peoples of the area hunted animals with bows and arrows as well as snares, and eventually rifles obtained from the white men.

Before relocations, Tsonga people occupied the region east of Hazyview, where the majority of private game reserves in Mpumalanga are situated today.

After the Kruger National Park was declared in 1926, the presence of the Selati Railway, which connected Komatipoort to Tzaneen, was considered a potential disruption for the animals.

Besides the camp basics, Skukuza also has 2 swimming pools, a golf course, library, minor motor repairs, police station, post office and even a bank.

South African National Parks (SANParks) acquired 4 helicopters, which are based at Skukuza, in order to assist with anti rhino poaching and other wildlife operations from the sky.

[14] The shop sells a variety of supplies, including groceries, prepackaged meals, snacks such as nuts and biltong, ice cream, and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

In the central area of the camp overlooking the Sabie River is a well-appointed Cattle Baron restaurant, one of three in South Africa's National parks.

[38] The Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library and Museum at Skukuza houses a selection of ecological and history-related books, as well as paintings, documents and artifacts related to the history of Kruger National Park and the area.

[52][53][54] Skukuza hosts occasional cricket matches against teams from the surrounding area of Mpumalanga and other South African national parks as fundraisers.

[41] Several of the graves tell stories about the dogs, such as Tessa, who fostered three lion cubs and eventually was killed by a black mamba while rescuing a human.

[64][65] A private medical practice, Kruger Park Doctors, is run by Dr. Nardus Visser to serve residents and visitors at Skukuza and surrounding areas.

Trained field guides will take groups of up to 8 adults into the bush for several hours, where they will track large game on foot.

[81][82] This incident was used in the 9 March 2011 episode of the Animal Planet TV Series I'm Alive, where Lorist was played by actor Feikamoh Massaquoi.

[88] Participants must be at least 12 years of age, and availability is limited, as the bush braai can only take place if at least 6 visitors sign up, but cannot accommodate more than 12.

The trees along the river are home to chacma baboons and vervet monkeys, and the calls of greater galagos are heard at dawn and dusk.

[96] Birds are also quite common at Lake Panic, including pied kingfishers, giant heron and the occasional African fish eagle.

[97][98] Viewing at Lake Panic has been called "birding the easy way" due to the ease with which one can see dozens of species within a relatively short period of time.

These sites typically provide braais or skottels (gas fire devices with griddles as well as wok style attachments) and toilet facilities, but some also sell hot food from their kitchens.

Its original purpose as a ranger's post was to give overnight shelter, as it was a day's ride on horseback from what is now Skukuza in one of the areas of the park most densely populated by big game and lions.

[110] 13 km south of Skukuza in the Rhenosterkop region of the park is the Stevenson-Hamilton memorial, on a rock formation called Shrimantanga.

The large camping terrain has sites for caravans, motor homes, and tents; campers share the ablutions, cooking, and washing up facilities.

All who stay at Skukuza are entitled to make use of the onsite facilities such as use of the swimming pools and participate in select events such as watching free movies at the outdoor cinema.

[122] South African National Parks are working to provide facilities for guests with mobility challenges, including safari vehicles and sleeping accommodations.

Living quarters for employees at camps in Kruger National Park are confined to staff villages, of which Skukuza is by far the largest.

Due to the remote nature of Skukuza, residents generally make frequent trips to Nelspruit or Hazyview for shopping.

[125] The staff village also hosts the Skukuza Science Leadership Initiative, a research station owned by the Organization for Tropical Studies.

There is a fairly dense population of big cats near Skukuza, which is part of the draw for tourists but also makes the area more dangerous.

[135] Skukuza, like all other major camps, has a rapidly increasing population of 'locals', who disregard the rules and regulation[136] and in so doing, invade the privacy of the guests.

Over the weekends staff members engage themselves in all sorts of unruly and disturbing behaviour, including drinking and playing loud music until the early hours of the morning.