Skukuza Golf Club in South Africa's Kruger National Park calls itself "the wildest course in the world." <strong>Scroll through the gallery to see more.</strong>
Skukuza Golf Club in South Africa's Kruger National Park calls itself "the wildest course in the world." Scroll through the gallery to see more.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
The nine-hole course has no fences, offering unrestricted entry to elephants and the vast array of species native to the country's oldest national park.
The nine-hole course has no fences, offering unrestricted entry to elephants and the vast array of species native to the country's oldest national park.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
That includes several carnivorous predators. Lions regularly take up residency on tee boxes and greens, with hyenas waiting in the wings to scavenge scraps from a pride's kills.
That includes several carnivorous predators. Lions regularly take up residency on tee boxes and greens, with hyenas waiting in the wings to scavenge scraps from a pride's kills.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
To help ensure player safety, Skukuza staff -- led by greenskeeper Jean Rossouw -- drive out ahead of first tee off to flag any animal presence, and continue to patrol throughout the day.
To help ensure player safety, Skukuza staff -- led by greenskeeper Jean Rossouw -- drive out ahead of first tee off to flag any animal presence, and continue to patrol throughout the day.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
Animals are never forced to move, and the course will close off certain holes -- or even the entire course -- if staff believe there is a risk to player safety.
Animals are never forced to move, and the course will close off certain holes -- or even the entire course -- if staff believe there is a risk to player safety.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
The signature par-three ninth hole sees golfers shoot over Lake Panic, favored hunting spot of resident Nile crocodiles.
The signature par-three ninth hole sees golfers shoot over Lake Panic, favored hunting spot of resident Nile crocodiles.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
The crocodiles share the lake with a healthy hippo population. With skin highly sensitive to the sun, hippos rarely venture onto the course during the day, but fights between bulls can often spill over onto land.
The crocodiles share the lake with a healthy hippo population. With skin highly sensitive to the sun, hippos rarely venture onto the course during the day, but fights between bulls can often spill over onto land.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
Despite being among the smaller species around the course, it is Nyala -- an antelope native to South Africa -- and other hooved animals that cause Rossouw and his team the most greenkeeping headaches.
Despite being among the smaller species around the course, it is Nyala -- an antelope native to South Africa -- and other hooved animals that cause Rossouw and his team the most greenkeeping headaches.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
African buffalo are a particular challenge to manage. Capable of amassing in herds hundreds-strong, their propensity for charging golf carts ensures their presence is well felt at Skukuza.
African buffalo are a particular challenge to manage. Capable of amassing in herds hundreds-strong, their propensity for charging golf carts ensures their presence is well felt at Skukuza.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
A giraffe takes a leisurely stroll across a fairway.
A giraffe takes a leisurely stroll across a fairway.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
Rossouw has a soft spot for African wild dogs. "They're one of the endangered wildlife species that we've got in Africa at the moment," he told CNN. "So when we do get them on the course it's quite special."
Rossouw has a soft spot for African wild dogs. "They're one of the endangered wildlife species that we've got in Africa at the moment," he told CNN. "So when we do get them on the course it's quite special."
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
A pride of lions wanders a fairway under the setting sun.
A pride of lions wanders a fairway under the setting sun.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club
Seven years into the role, Rossouw is more than satisfied. "It's a special place to work," he adds.
Seven years into the role, Rossouw is more than satisfied. "It's a special place to work," he adds.
Indalo Wiltshire Skukuza Golf Club