SANParks.org Forums

Greetings!
We are planning to camp in Kruger end Feb - early March 2012.
Last time we stayed in Shingwedzi, but I am keen to explore the south this time and are thinking of Satara as a base.
As we are camping I am not very keen on moving around too much, so one or maybe two camps at the most - and we can drive around from there.
This site claims Satara is a busy camp - is that in a bad way?
I look foward to hearing your thoughts!

Hi Dogbert

Satara is rather a busy camp, but it does have a wonderful network of roads. I have camped at Satara and found it rather pleasant. You will be there at a less busy time, so it might not be too full. Just make sure that you get a shady spot.

If you want a very rustic bush feel, Balule is a good choice. It does not have electricity though. It does have a communal freezer that people can use for perishables.

Further south, I would consider Croc Bridge. Some people don't feel it is true bush, but I find it a lovely, intimate camp.

Don't be put off by Skukuza's size. I have had some very good camping experiences there. It has a stunning network of roads and offers many possibilities for sightings.

Oh Balule looks good - we don't need electricity, and we like it quiet. Thanks for that mm.

MM, what a fantastic suggestion Balule is our favourite camp, but the only problem we have encountered when trying to make a reservation at Balule is that it is always full

What about maroela camp if balule is always full? Also much more quiet than satara!!!

Hi

Have just got back from trip south to north and back (camping).

Croc Bridge Avoid Large ablution out of commission which may or may not be resolved by the time of your trip.
Lower Sabie How many more can we squeeze in??

Pretoriuskop Fantastic effort has been made. Much improved
Skukuza Fine if you can get a shady sport away from the safari tents (Noise)
Satara Very good if you can find a shady spot, but a very busy site lots of one night only campers.

Hope this helps
Did not stay at B and D this trip.

THe H7 is one of the best roads in the park. Then the S39 up to Timbavati, and the S36 south can also be good.

Hi there,
We too have recently camped South to North Nov/ Dec..Some mixed feeling and a few surprises re the camps.

Bergendal
As lovely as ever...however the ablutions while we were there were not good. We managed to get a lovely shady spot near the fence and its the lowers ablutions Im talking about.
Crocodile Bridge
Very disappointing and yes the one Ablution block closed with quite a few workers around...felt more like a building site...working on water pipes as well.In the past it has always been a favourite but sadly not this time. I do however understand them doing work in the quiet period...but saw not much at all being done and very loud noises from staff who feel the need to call from one side of the camp to the other.
Lower Sabie
What a lovely suprise...great campsite good facilities and great sightings.
Skukuza
Really good camping and so very quiet...with wonderful roads to chose from. Took us years to stay there but now its always on our plan.
Satara
Busy but still a great camp...a firm favourite
Balule
Stunning...what a quiet peaceful glorious experience
Shingwedzi
Camp quiet and lovely as ever.Ablutions nearest reception closed but looked like nearly finished.
Birdlife in camp amazing and the pool sparkling clean. Sadly with no rain it was very very dry and the causeway no water.
Punda Maria
Lovely camp ...new water hole and still a big favourire...but the ablutions have got to go...they are without doubt the worst in the park.
All in all I would go to any of the Camps...each has its own story.
We had an awesome trip... wild dog, leopard, lion, honey badger,civet and so many babies..in fact we saw the birth of an Impala and felt so blessed. The birds were stunning and to see the Parrots in the wild lifted my heart. Kruger is heaven on earth and I feel so very fortunate to be able to visit often...cant get enough!!!

Thank you all for the info. I think Balule for 3-4 nights followed by Skukuza for a couple might be the plan.
ps. I'm dragging our beloved Comfortvan along from Cape Town so any advice on camping along the way would be appreciated (pm me pls).

Just joined this forum, i.e. am planning my first visit ever to the park...thinking of doing the "whole" park by caravan.

Questions/ thoughts ( please supply some other good to know things).

Good idea at all to do the full park in a caravan?
How much overall days?
What best camps to over nite?
How long to view most around?
Time need to travel between camps?
What areas not worth visiting?
Overall conditions for a non-4x4 caravan?
What time of year best suited for caravaning? in or out of season ( holidays etc)
intend to overnite 1-2 nights ( final treat) in some lodge...which is best / reasonably priced?
Other?

I did this 3 years ago in November and posted about my findings. You may find it useful.
http://www.sanparks.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=28185

The park can be done in a caravan whatever size .
Most camps have caravan spots and some are exclusive to caravans ( Tsendze)
Punda Maria in the far North has a super caravan section with power, clean ablutions and swimming pool and the sites are shaded.
Shingwedzi too has some nice sites on the fence not so much shade though,
Oh there are so many to mention.
I would stay at least three days at each.

Difficult to say what time between camps as they all different distances.
Travel about 25km/hour and allow for good sightings .
Cant think of any area not worth visiting.
There is no camp in the park that needs a 4x4 caravan
We usually camp in May or August/September avoiding the school holidays

You are going to get many answers, but you'll also find that a lot of your questions have been posed before.
Let me give it a start, beginning with one that made me smile:

None.
Each area is different, has different animals and birds, so visit all.
That brings me to another:

Yes, but you are going to have a ton of days in Kruger, or skip past bits.
Not all camps have camping grounds, like Talamati and Olifants, so you'll be skipping some bits anyway.
It is usually best to stay at least 2 nights in a camp, saves packing hassle a bit and gives the chance to revisit that kill or whatever.
That also give you the option of driving around without the caravan, something you will want.
(How good are you at driving backwards at a good clip?
Ellies seem to like testing that ability. )

Keep 25 km/h as a rule, and grab a map is all I can say.
That speed allows you to see the wildlife.
The camps have different distances between them.

Totally good normally.

That will double your budget!
The bungalows on normal offer are very good, maybe consider those?
Again that depends on your planning (when and route). Talamati is a jewel, Biyamiti is too, and I know some bungalows in Olifants you'll love.

Caravaning is a great way to explore the park.

All the facilities are great and you will have a fantastic time whenever you go.

My favourite time to visit whether by caravan or other accommodation is between end July and early October.

No better way to do the park bottom to top than with a caravan!
We did this for 3 weeks in Nov 2011 and for six weeks Sept/Oct 2010.

Length of stay depends on how much of the park you wish to see and then multiply that by a minimum of 4 nights a camp to a nice comfy time of 7 nights per camp.
We find the setting up and moving a bit hectic if you do it too often over a long period.
(suggest these camps to think about - Punda, Shingwedzi (less than a week there maybe), Letaba, Satara, Lower Sabie.
If you can mange without electricity, Tsendze and Balule are lovely camps to stay in.

Conditions are perfect for normal vans - tar roads between camps and good camp grounds.

In season is busy in the camping areas and many children there, so all the life that goes with kids in a camp is at that time.
Out of season, is quieter but still busy as camping in KNP is very popular.
If you are not sorted to keep cool, avoid the very hot months as camping in extreme heat can be uncomfy.