SANParks.org Forums

We spent ten nights in Tsendze from the 27th of December - had no 6 and really enjoyed it.
However, I was a bit disappointed.
With the descriptions of the camp in mind, I expected more shade and more privacy.
On the day we arrived, the temperature was about 42 and it climbed steadily until Friday afternoon to 46,8. Many of the sites have little or no shade in the middle of the day - need I say more?
The only site with real privacy is no 3, but again, if you like to spend time in camp, shade is a problem.
No 6 is in my opinion the best site, providing (and this was really a big issue for us) no 5 is not occupied.
We faced the fence, with shade almost the whole day - ideal - but with people on no 5 you have absolutely no privacy.
Fortunately we had neighbours for only five nights.
Some of the stands are really small and close together, but all in all it still was a wonderful ten days.
The camp was almost fully booked every night, but it was very peaceful and quiet.
The open air showers are awesome - wish every camp in Kruger could have some.
The two camp attendants, Roger and Evelina, are something special.
We had many visitors at the fence - impala, waterbuck, bushbuck and elephants.
The birdlife is prolific.
I would definitely visit Tsendze again.
To go out of season would be absolute bliss I think.

So Naomi C you say number 6 is the best?
I want to go during August.
This seems like a great spot.
Hope it isn't too crowded, then again it is out of season so it should be great.
thanks for all the info......

Are you allowed to take a 4x4 trailer or is this camp strictly for tents. Regards

Hi adw, it's open to everything camping(tents, caravans, 4x4 trailers). Cheers

Can someone please inform if there is a communal freezer at Tsendze .
naomi c advised that site 6 was the best for shade , maybe not so private . Does site 6 border on Mooiplaas ( noise consideration )
Can any one give me contact details of Busi at Mopani in order to send me a camp layout plan in order to choose best site for trip 11-17 March .

Hi Andrewschaf
There are two communal freezers at Tsendze, one for each kitchen.
As I have mentioned in my previous post, it is not really a freezer - more like a fridge, because it is being opened so often.
No 6 is definitely the best site and it does not face onto Mooiplaas.
None of the sites is really private, except maybe no 3.
Tsendze really is worth a visit and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Map:


Contact Mopani
Tel: +27 (0)13 735 6535/6
Fax: +27 (0)13 735 6547

Mobile: 082 802 1113

Andrewschaf
Of the two sites no 3 is closest to the entrance - if I remember correctly you can see the entrance road from this site.
Also remember there is virtually no shade here.
No 6 faces away from the access road and is quite a distance from the gate.
Looking forward to your trip report.

Andrewschaf
If I remember correctly no 26 is on the side of the camp facing Mooiplaas on the opposite side of the entrance gate.
There are some nice big trees on that side, but I would still prefer no 6.
I will draw a sketch on memory and fax it to you - I unfortunately do not have any idea how to post it on the Forum.

Really excited Have confirmed our booking at Tsendze and Sable Dam Hide for end March / April and have managed to secure site no. 6 (which seems to be the most popular).

Would appreciate anyone getting back to me on the following:

-is there boiling water available in the kitchen 24 hours a day. (Have phoned Mopani and been told no - and yes ).
-indications are that no. 6 is a shaded stand. Can anyone confirm.
-why is it that forum reports no. 6 as not private - is it not possible to position your tent to secure more privacy?
-what size and shape is no. 6?
-sorry to ask this one, but is there cell phone coverage at the camp?
-does no. 6 face the fence (and Mooiplaas)?
-what should we expect to see in the area?

To those of you that have already been to Tsendze, please let me have any ideas / suggestions you may have.

Would also appreciate any suggestions for our night in the hide. Have never spent a night in a hide and don't know what to expect. Should we take our own cutlery/crockery/bedding or is it easier to hire from Phalaborwa Gate?

Thanks to all.

Lynda

Hi Lynda
Boiling water is not available.
There are gas plates available at the kitchen block (remember - no power).
No 6 is a shaded site - we had shade for most of the day during our stay in December/January.
Stands no 5 and 6 share the same "clearing" which in my opinion could have been bigger.
Obviously one will position your caravan/tent to face the fence but the nights we had neighbours it just wasn't the same.
The size and shape of the stand is difficult to describe.
There is only one place to pitch your camp if you want shade.
We had good cellphone reception while we were there.
No 6 does not face onto Mooiplaas and is at the other side of the camp.
We were quite lucky with sightings.
My husband never liked the area around Mopani but he had to change his opinion this time - see my trip report. Very good birding too. If you are a birder, go to Stapelkopdam.
You will not regret it.
Hope you enjoy Tsendze as much as I did and I wish you lots of wonderful sightings.
Remember to post a trip report.

Some pics of Tsendze taken in early June 2007:
Gate


Communal kitchen


Ablution:

Just inside Tsendze:


View from camp site 5:

Hi janneyc

Tsendze is an amazing camp!!!
We spent 3 days there in June this year.
It is quiet, lots of shade and the ablutions are fantastic, especially the outdoor showers.
It is a bit dark getting to the ablutions at night so take along a torch.

They have solar lighting in the ablutions which does run out during the night because people don't turn off the lights.
The kitchen area is also great with several 2 plate gas stoves.
There is also a large gas freezer.

You are allocated a campsite (they are numbered) but you can request another at Mopani if there's one open that you want.

The really nice thing about Tsendze is that it is quiet, rustic small and intimate.
The attendant is really great and keeps the camp very clean and neat.

Enjoy!

Great camp.
We had site four which to me was one of the better shaded sites.
Somebody mentioned that site six was the best.
I suppose that each to his own.
Although I must say that the Mopani trees that are the "shade trees" were leafless at this point (late October). We had a moderate sized Appleleaf which was great for us.
From just south of Tsetse all the way to Baobab Hill was extremely dry.
Not at all like the pics shown earlier in June on this thread.

Anyway the camp does have some electricity - the ablutions have lights (but they are switched off) and camp kitchen has lights (these are also switched off).
So the camp is dark, quiet and very peaceful. No squirrels or monkeys that steal your stuff.

There is an Ellie which lives right at the gate or in the immediate vicinity.
We heard a pride of lions feeding between Mooiplaas Waterhole and Nshawu No3. at four in the morning.
Later we saw half of the pride: 5 females at Mooiplaas Waterhole.