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Thanks everyone!

Lots to think about. I'm just going to keep checking to see if we can get a second night at Skukuza or at another camp nearer than Mopani.

We will be entering at Orphen gate as we are staying around Hoedspruit for a week as our son is volunteering at Khamai so any tips on what to see outside the park would be useful.......

yorkshiretourist,

Hoedspruit is closer to Phalaborwa gate so if I must make a desicion I will go for Mopani. Do lots of day trip from Orpen gate while visiting your son and you will be able see parts of Kruger without Mopani trees like Satara area. Near Talamati you might be lucky to spot rare antelope like sable

There is some lovely open areas near Mopani (Mooiplaas and Tropic of Capricorn loop) so don't let them put you off about poor animal visibility. I've spotted cheetah, lion and leopard near Mopani (Ok it was over 10 days) but the large herds of buffalo and elephants will make it up for the lack in cats. (They are there, but just hiding away from buffs and ellies )

In this area you can visit 4 great hides such as Sable, Matambeni and Shipandani and as Val pointed out the view over the dam at Mopani is great. In winter you will find more animals coming to drink at the dam, but even during other seasons you will spot animals at the dam. Read me TR on Mopani and Biyamiti to get an idea of what you can expect near Mopani.

This photo is taken from the restaurant at Mopani. We loved to sit there while having lunch and a cool drink. Take your binoculars and wait for the animals to come. We had a big elephant coming to drink as well as a herd of waterbucks. And the birdlife is abundant.

As Son godin has said i would stay for two nights at Mopani and do day trips from Orpen Gate while staying with your son at Hoedspruit.

Take 2 nights in Mopani. Less stress. Packing and unpacking is annoying.

Next time you come to the Kruger (which I'm sure you will ) try get more nights in and book in the south. Then you will discover if you are one that enjoys the North or South. Some enjoy both of coarse. I enjoy the central region the most

Keeping checking - you'd be surprised at how much accommodation does become available over the next few weeks. People cancel trips nearer the time.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

If you can't make up your mind, why not try smack bang in the middle. Seeing as though you're coming in at Orpen, why not try swop both nights for 2 nights in Satara. That way you can spend 1 day north and 1 day south, and see a bit of everything. I do think that Skukuza to Mopani is a huge trek, and won't allow you much time to stop at sightings or for picnics.

Keep an eye on the cancellations and I'm sure you'll find some place to lay your head.

As for outside the park, there's plenty:
- Bourke's Luck Potholes (No joke! This is a tourist attraction. Google it)
- Blyde River Canyon
- White Water rafting on the Olifants
- Skyway Canopy tour, Hazyview
- Pilgrim's Rest & Sudwala Caves (Might be a bit far)

Anyway, Google "Mpumalang Tourism" and it'll give you all you need to know.

Enjoy your trip immensely!

Now you're talking! Satara is right smack in the middle - close to Orpen and LION-territory (if you visit Satara and don't see lions almost every day - try clean the windscreen... ). You can go North or South to explore. But IF you are going to be doing daytrips to this area while in Hoedspruit, then try a different area when staying in the park...

You opened an old debate when asking this question... Good luck with your decision!

Wow! Thanks everyone

it's great to stimulate debate - even if i did do it completely accidentally.

I will keep checking the website and hopefully manage to get two nights at the same location.

Thanks again

Check your PM.

Hi to all here. I have been to almost all the camps in Kruger. Its right to say that you see more animals in the South from Satara downwards. But at the Capricorn loop at Mopani I have seen in spring eland, Tsesebe, Rhino, Elephant, Ostrich, Lions in one day. If you are a big birde you will love the north. I usally start in the north and go south then you apreciate what yuo are seing.

We prefer the northern parts of Kruger as it is for us quieter and in a sense still more “old world” but that may have different meanings for different people. Animal sightings wise the southern Kruger is definitely more productive but we prefer the Shingwedzi, Punda Maria and Pafuri, areas, perhaps the old style Kruger atmosphere charms us more. But we have just been for a visit to the southern parts and there is nothing wrong with it, I think if a person can and have the available time go for it and travel through the entire Park from North to South! But in this case the advice already provided sounds great!

Thanks again!

I've actually managed to change my Mopani night for a night at Oliphants which will save us some driving time and allow us more wildlife viewing en route.

Hi

I think Satara is a great camp to base yourself in. I think the service is still great there you see lots of game. If you had more days then I agree North is great but if you want to see game Satara is a better bet. From Satara you can still do a slow drive to Letaba (A lovely camp also) and go South to Tsokwane
the next day or you can drive around the camp on the gravel roads. I have seen cheetah leopards Lions Ellies Rhino etc around Satara. If you are based outside and want to come in every day Then I think coming in at Phalaborwa and going to Letaba and up to Mopani make a nice day drive too. But wherever you go enjoy the Bush and look out for the smaller animals you will be surprised how much you see. I enjoy seeing all not juts the big 5. Have a great time
Nicki

I don´t want to read every post, but to say which will be the best Part in Kruger is difficult to tell. No doubt the density of the south, is either animals and Humans, much bigger thrn in the North. The North you will be able to have more places which keep as a secret. I would prefer the North as there a less Busses around that area. Mopani is a greeat camp the Density of animals in that area is absolutely fine.

I just can talk about myself, Skukuza is horrible, far to big. The South in overall is much to crowded. the probabilty to see sick Animals is quite high. esspecially the Lion and buff population suffer from bovine Tubbercolosis. this sickness doesn´t play a big part in the north.

But to summarize: To say the North or the South is better is simply impossible. it´s always all about personal oppinion.

best regards

My favorite camp is Letaba if you should get a night there I can highly recommended.

I have been to the north and south and like both part very much. But it depends from person to person. If you only what to see the big five then go south if you come for the rest do both parts. My only negative for both are north: The boder post at Pafuri there are a lot of cars coming in that are overloaded and they drive like maniacs, I have seen three acsident in the time I waslast there South: There are to much people and the private game bakkies will prevent the normal person to see leopard and lion if they are in the regent. But its not always the norm but this makes me negative about the areas.