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I've had the great pleasure of coming from the US and visiting Kruger many times and am heading there again this November. In a conversation with another person here in the US who has also visited Kruger the topic of the pools in camp came up. They were saying the pools are dirty and they wouldn't swim in them. I advised that the pools are not as crystal clear as swimming pools here in the States because in Kruger they don't use chemicals in case the animals drink from them.

Now we have a debate. Is he right? Do they just not clean them as often as they should or is it they don't use the harsh chemicals as others not in nature do?

Thank you!
D

Hi Travelstory.

Personally I wont be much help, but I have had a swim a few times over my night stays at Shingwedzi, and once there was a dead scorpion in the pool, but other than that, it was very clean and crystal clear. It also depends on the type of color the actual flooring of the pool is, because there are some pools in certain camps which does not have a blue coloring on the tiles or concrete which does not make it look clean and some have blue which make it look crystel clear, remember water does not have color.

So from my personal experience at Shingwedzi Camp, I find the water clean. Maybe other formites can be of better help

Hi Travelstory, I agree, the pools are not always crystal clear in some camps. Who can compete with scorpions, insects and hot/hot weather?

I have found the pools to be "good enough". When we were in Tzendze over December the Mopani pool was a life saver in 44 degree heat. As you can imagine, it was well stocked with people, all escaping the heat. The water was almost luke warm, but it remained clear enough. This must have taken lots of care from management.

The Pretorius Kop pool is possibly the cleanest. It is situated in an area where it can be kept cool.

The only negative experience I had was at Punda, a few years ago. There was a reason for the green water and in actual fact, the pool was closed soon after that.

Managing a pool is not easy. Having had a few pools myself, I take my hat of to the people who have to juggle the elements. I am also not adverse to swimming in seas, rivers and dams, so Kruger pools compare pretty well.

This was taken by another mite at the Orpen pool. Its the visitor that worries me, not the clarity.

Pools are fine to swim in Kruger. Best place for kids in Summer !

We swam in June at Satara and Letaba and the pools were clean and clear.

December 2012 the pools were crystal clear and clean in Pretoriuskop,Skukuza Day Visitors area and Lower Sabie.

We are not huge users of the pools but I do usually go and have a look at them during our stay and must say I haven't noticed any looking particularly bad.
We have swum in the B & D one which was fine and the Mopani one which wasn't that great at that time but it was due to them having trouble with the pumps and filtration system which they apologised for, notice at the entrance to the pool.
I did notice Punda's one had a lot of leaves etc on the surface of the water the one year but sure it was just a temporary thing.

I have visited just about all the pools in Kruger over the years, and have almost always found them very clean.

Yes occasionally as Elsa said there will be pump or similar problem, but there is usually a warning/apology and the problem is then fixed.

However, I am not so sure I will swim in one again after MM's photo.

Why would you want to be loafing in a swimming pool when you could be in the park looking at nature!!!

44c or not you'll find me out game viewing but then again I am an Englishman (Mad dog variety obviously)

We stayed at B & D for a few nights over the Xmas period this past December.
The pool was an absolute disgrace. It was green, had all sorts of muck floating on top, and looked terrible. It got progressively worse over the 4 nights we were there.
I complained at reception only to be told that there was a problem with the filter and it would be repaired in the new year

Having a pool myself, I know that the higher the water temperature is and the greater the bather load is, the more likely it is to turn the water a bit cloudy.
So taking in to account 44 deg heat as well as loads of people trying to cool off, I can understand that they will not always look crystal clear. (All that sunscreen lotion coming off in the water also doesnt help at all).

So after all the above replies, let me try and now answer your question. The swimming pools inside the camps are not there for the animals to drink from, but for people to swim in. I imagine they use the same chemicals in these pools as in any other swimming pool. The problem is rather that of amount of bathers, and temperatures, and the remoteness of these camps from big cities - in case you get a filter that breaks etc. If the pool is dirty - it is a maintenance problem. But it is important to remember that maintenance of a pool is not easy - and maintenance of a pool in KNP probably even more difficult!

The kids always enjoy the pools and us as well to cool down. In general no problems from us on the conditions of them.

Hi Travelstory,

We visited about all the pools the past 12 years. Cooling down in the heat off the day suits us fine. we never had any problems. Clear water most off the time. Enjoy the pools.

have used the pools for 13 years
Always clean