Overview:
Seronera Crocodile Farm is a working Nile crocodile farm on the R40 in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, home to approximately 30,000 crocodiles. The farm has been operational for over 30 years and is registered with CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Regulated farming operations like Seronera have contributed directly to the Nile crocodile being removed from the CITES endangered species list.
This guided tour departs from Tembo Guest Lodge and transfers you to the farm, approximately 10 to 15 minutes by road. Over the course of 1 to 1.5 hours, an experienced guide walks you through the farm’s enclosures, hatchery, and education center. You will see Nile crocodiles at every stage of life, from newly hatched juveniles to massive adults measuring over 4.5 meters (15 feet) in length, all safely viewed from secure enclosures and walkways.
The farm is set in a beautifully treed environment with abundant birdlife, making it a pleasant outdoor experience beyond the crocodiles themselves. It is one of the most popular entries on our things to do in Hazyview guide for guests based in the Greater Kruger area.
Seronera Crocodile Farm Tour from Tembo Guest Lodge — Hazyview, Greater Kruger
Tour Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours at the farm (2 hours total including transfers) |
| Price | From R1,500 per person (includes R300 Seronera entrance fee + transfers) |
| Departure | Tembo Guest Lodge, Hazyview |
| Tour time | 09:30 (flexible by arrangement) |
| Booking | By appointment only. Minimum 2 guests |
| Maximum group size | 9 guests per tour |
| Malaria | No. Hazyview town center is low-risk |
| Year-round | Yes. Operates in all weather conditions |
What You See and Do
Hatchery Visit
The tour begins at the hatchery, where you observe baby crocodiles in the early stages of life. Your guide explains the incubation process, hatching behavior, and the surprisingly vocal communication between hatchlings and their mothers. Guests have the opportunity to hold baby crocodiles under direct supervision.
Enclosure Walk
Walk through the farm’s enclosures viewing crocodiles grouped by age and size. Your guide explains:
- Nile crocodile anatomy: jaw strength (the most powerful bite force of any living animal), armored skin, sensory pits along the jaw
- Growth stages: hatchling (25 to 30 cm) through to breeding adults (3.5 to 5 meters)
- Behavior and social hierarchy: territorial displays, basking patterns, hunting strategies
- The difference between Nile crocodiles and other crocodilian species
Feeding Demonstration (seasonal)
On certain days, the tour includes a live feeding demonstration from a safe viewing platform. Feeding times depend on the season and the farm’s operational schedule. Confirm when booking whether your visit will include a feeding session. Summer months (October to March) are when crocodiles are most active and feeding is most frequent.
Conservation Presentation
Your guide explains how regulated crocodile farming operates under CITES, the role farms like Seronera play in wild population recovery, and the broader conservation challenges facing Nile crocodiles across Africa, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal hunting.
Education Center and Museum
The tour concludes at the on-site education center with exhibits on crocodile ecology, the farming industry, and the species’ 200-million-year evolutionary history. Displays include skulls, eggs, skin samples, and information panels.
Gift Shop
After the tour, browse the on-site gift shop for crocodile-themed souvenirs, including handcrafted items made from crocodile skin, t-shirts, and other memorabilia. Purchases support the farm’s ongoing operations.
Tour Itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Pickup | Collected from Tembo Guest Lodge and transferred to Seronera Crocodile Farm (~10 to 15 min drive along the R40) |
| Arrival | Welcome and introduction from your guide |
| First 20 min | Hatchery visit and baby crocodile interaction |
| Next 30 min | Guided walk through enclosures: juvenile pens, sub-adult pools, and adult breeding enclosures. Feeding demonstration (if scheduled) |
| Next 15 min | Conservation presentation and education center |
| Final 10 min | Gift shop browsing |
| Return | Transfer back to Tembo Guest Lodge |
Total time away from lodge: approximately 2 hours including transfers.
Pricing
| Seronera Entrance Fee | Africa Moja Tour Rate (incl. transfers) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | R300 per person | R1,500 per person |
| Children (6 to 12) | R150 per person | R750 per person |
| Children under 6 | Free | R200 per person (transfer only) |
Practical Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Portion 56 of Farm Sandford 291, Hazyview (on the R40) |
| Distance from Tembo Guest Lodge | ~10 to 15 minutes by road |
| Tour times | Standard tour at 09:30. Flexible by prior arrangement |
| Advance booking | Required. Tours are by appointment only. Contact Tembo Guest Lodge to book. |
| What to wear | Comfortable closed walking shoes (essential on a working farm). Light, weather-appropriate clothing. Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for outdoor sections |
| Photography | Cameras and phones welcome. Follow your guide’s instructions and maintain a safe distance from enclosures |
| Wheelchair access | Not wheelchair friendly. The farm has uneven terrain and gravel pathways |
| Weather | Tours operate rain or shine. Crocodiles are more active and visible during warmer months (October to March) |
About Nile Crocodiles: What Makes This Tour Interesting
Many visitors arriving in the Greater Kruger region will see Nile crocodiles from a distance during their Kruger safari from Tembo, basking on riverbanks or submerged in dams along the Sabie, Olifants, and Crocodile Rivers. The Seronera tour provides the context that makes those safari sightings more meaningful.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), the second-largest living reptile after the saltwater crocodile |
| Size | Adults reach 3.5 to 5 meters (11 to 16 feet). Largest recorded specimens exceeded 6 meters |
| Weight | Adult males typically 225 to 750 kg |
| Bite force | Approximately 22,000 newtons, the strongest bite force of any living animal |
| Lifespan | 70 to 100 years in the wild |
| Range | Sub-Saharan Africa. Found in rivers, lakes, marshlands, and estuaries |
| Diet | Fish, birds, zebra, wildebeest, antelope, and anything that approaches the water’s edge |
| Evolutionary age | Crocodilians have existed for approximately 200 million years, predating dinosaurs |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN). Populations recovered significantly due to regulated farming and hunting bans |
| In Kruger | Nile crocodiles are commonly seen along the Sabie, Olifants, and Crocodile Rivers |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Crocodile Activity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Oct to Mar) | Most active. Feeding more frequently. Nesting season (Nov to Dec). Hatchlings emerge (Jan to Mar) | Hot (25 to 35°C). Afternoon thunderstorms possible. Best for seeing active crocodiles and hatchlings |
| Winter (Apr to Sep) | Less active. Crocodiles bask in the sun for longer periods. Slower metabolism, less feeding | Cool mornings (8 to 15°C), warm midday (20 to 26°C). Dry, clear skies. Good for photography |
Summer visits see more activity, but the tour is worthwhile year-round. If your visit coincides with January to March, you may see freshly hatched juveniles in the nursery.
Combine with Other Hazyview Activities
The Seronera Crocodile Farm tour takes approximately 2 hours including transfers, making it easy to combine with other activities on the same day. For the full list of what is available from the lodge, see our things to do in Hazyview guide.
| Combination | Morning | Afternoon | Total Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari + Crocs | Early morning half-day morning Kruger safari (return by ~12:00) | Seronera Crocodile Farm (arranged for 14:00) | Full day: Big Five safari + crocodile experience |
| Crocs + Elephants | Seronera Crocodile Farm (09:30) | Elephant Whispers (12:00 or 16:00 session) | Half day: two unique animal encounters |
| Crocs + Panorama Route | Full-day Panorama Route Tour | Seronera Crocodile Farm (arranged for late afternoon) | Full day: scenic + wildlife |
| Crocs + Cultural | Seronera Crocodile Farm (09:30) | Shangana Cultural Village (afternoon) | Half day: wildlife + Tsonga culture |
Who Is This Tour For?
Families The farm is educational and engaging for children. Kids can hold baby crocodiles, see feeding demonstrations, and learn about reptile biology in a hands-on setting. Children under 6 enter free. The short duration (2 hours total) works well for families with young children who need a break between safari days. See our family accommodation at Tembo Guest Lodge.
Couples and Adult Travelers A unique, low-key activity between Kruger game drives. The conservation and farming industry perspective adds depth to the safari experience. The gift shop offers distinctive souvenirs (crocodile leather goods) not found elsewhere.
Photography Enthusiasts Close-up access to crocodiles at every life stage. Adult crocodiles basking with jaws open, hatchlings in the nursery, and the textured skin patterns all provide strong photographic subjects. Natural light in the outdoor enclosures is best in the morning (09:30 start).
Wildlife and Nature Enthusiasts For visitors interested in understanding the full ecosystem of the Greater Kruger region beyond the Big Five. The farm’s birdlife (attracted by the water and trees) adds an unexpected bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Seronera Crocodile Farm tour cost? Seronera’s entrance fee is R300 per adult, R150 for children aged 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. The tour rate includes return transfers from Tembo Guest Lodge. Contact us for the bundled price.
How far is Seronera Crocodile Farm from Tembo Guest Lodge? Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by road along the R40.
Do I need to book in advance? Yes. Seronera operates tours by appointment only. Book at least 48 hours ahead by contacting Tembo Guest Lodge.
How long does the tour take? The guided tour at the farm lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. Including transfers from Tembo Guest Lodge, expect approximately 2 hours total.
Is it safe? Yes. All crocodiles are in secure enclosures. Viewing is from safe walkways and platforms. Baby crocodile handling is supervised by experienced farm staff. Follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
Is the tour suitable for children? Yes. Children of all ages are welcome. Children under 6 enter free. The hatchery visit and baby crocodile handling are popular with younger visitors. Children must be supervised by an adult throughout.
Is the farm wheelchair accessible? No. The farm has uneven terrain and gravel pathways that are not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility devices.
Can I see a feeding demonstration? Feeding demonstrations are scheduled on certain days and depend on the season and the farm’s operational schedule. Confirm when booking. Feeding sessions are more frequent during summer months (October to March) when crocodiles are most active.
Can I hold a crocodile? Yes. Guests can hold baby crocodiles under direct supervision from farm staff. Adult crocodiles are viewed from secure enclosures only.
What happens if it rains? Tours operate in all weather conditions. Bring a light rain jacket during summer months. Crocodiles are active rain or shine.
Can I combine this with a Kruger safari on the same day? Yes. The tour takes approximately 2 hours total, making it easy to pair with a morning or afternoon Kruger safari from Tembo. The 09:30 session works well before an afternoon game drive, or the time can be adjusted to follow a morning safari.
Is this a working crocodile farm? Yes. Seronera is a commercial, CITES-registered Nile crocodile farm that has operated for over 30 years. The tour provides insight into both the conservation and commercial aspects of crocodile farming in South Africa.
