SANParks.org Forums

Hi there, Has anybody any news on Mlondozi Dam. When I was there in December it was almost dry - just a narrow strip of mud. Talking to someone at the picnic site and they said it had been overflowing in April 2011. We have been many times but never seen the 'water' level so low. Has it dried naturally due to lack of rain?
I presume it is now full again after all the recent rain - much to the relief of the resident hippos, etc. I hadn't realised that there were so many hippos as when the water is high you normally only see a few. BondM

Hi all - my latest blog post is up on my website - http://aboutthebush.com - looking at the road from Satara to Letaba.

Apparently Tamboti will take at least 4 to 6 months to repair and rebuild as tents 1 to 20 were either destroyed completely or damaged extensively. The luxury tents were all fine. SANParks say they will be in touch with those who have bookings.

I wouldn't change a booking at Satara - all roads around the camp are open and it is looking lovely. It is definitely worth going to this camp - one of the best areas in my opinion.

Mlondozi Dam is full and looking great! I will be posting some pictures on my website in the next few days so keep a lookout there.

My next blog post tomorrow will be on the road from Satara to Orpen

When I spoke to the reception at Lower Sabie on Monday afternoon, all but one tent had been repaired and reopened. So I'm sure your tent for March will be fine. Enjoy!

Hi There Lesego

Thank you for the updates and communications.

Any details, or specific feedback about Talamati?

It would be greatly appreciated.

God bless
Ryan

Txs Leigh
Would love to see the pictures

Hi Ryan

On the media release it says that Skukuza&Talamati are temporarily opened. Here

Are you booked at Talamati Ryan?

Thanks Lesego

Yes, we are, but only for much later in the year. We have been coming to Kruger every year for the last 6 years. Talamati was the first camp we ever stayed in on our first visit. It is our favourite camp, and is very special to us.

Our enquiry was more out of concern for Talamati itself.

Regards

Hi Leigh, what a fantastic blog! Your pictures are superb, with a very clear narration next to it! Will definitely visit again! Sadly quite a lot of devastation by the recent floods.

Hi Leigh,

I am addicted to your blog as this is first class pictured information especially for those who are about to be there shortly. Sad to hear that one of our favourite roads (the gravel ones from Olifants to Letaba) are still closed but I am confident that they might be re-open again in about 3 weeks. Once more thanks for this interesting stuff

Lesego - What does it mean that Skukuza is only open temporarily??? I already cancelled our stay in Biyamiti but would be desperate if our stay in Skukuza might not be realized as well.

Does anyone have any specific information about Balule? Any pictures????

I realise the camp was extensively damaged but are they aiming to get the camping side up and running before they tackle repairing the huts or is the camp going to be closed until everything is fixed up?

We are booked in at Tamboti from 08 July 2012, what should we do? We have paid our deposit as well as the outstanding balance. Should we wait to hear if Tamboti will be up and running by then or should we try make other arrangements at another camp?

Thanks for all the regular updates, Lesego. Much appreciated
As I understand from the above, Tshokwane is closed for now for an uncertain period. I'm a bit confused by the above media release and have the following question:

Is it closed permanently forever meaning no more a picnic site in future to have brunch, buy refreshments ect. or will it be restored in the near future as it was to enjoy.

Dear All,

Thanks for all the queries from everybody. The scheduling of the repair projects still has to be finalised, so we are unable to provide a date for reopening. Just a few comments:

1. Tshokwane is extensively damaged and will be repaired but it will be months. I will be recommending a temporary service there in the meantime due to its location. It will be several months before we have Tshokwane restored.
2. At Tamboti the new luxury tents are not seriously damaged and as soon as services, roads and fence can be restored those could be reopened. The 30 budget tents will be replaced or repaired over coming months and my estimate would also be several months.
3. Balule will probably be opened in phases, with camping to be opened first as it has relatively little reconstruction as the ablution is further from the river than the one at the huts.

I hope this will assist until we have more information with dates, once planning has been finalised.

With kind regards.

JOEP

Thank you Joep for the feedback! Much appreciated even at this hour of day

Thanx for the update Joep. A few comments from myself having been there and seeing the damage at all the mentioned places, including the Timbavati picnic spot. I can confirm that there are lots of damage in the area. Even Satara were running on generator power for days after the flooding subsided. It must be a logistical nightmare to sort out all the planning. Well done to Sanparks for repairing the damage to certain dirt roads as quickly as humanly possible, thus allowing us to travel on some of our favorite roads. I will also mention in my TR a few names of staff members that provided nothing less than excellent service to us at Orpen.

I have started our TR over here:-
http://www.sanparks.org/forums/viewtopic.php?style=2&f=27&t=59188
where I will post more info in the next couple of days.

By the way Joep, get cracking on putting up a few porta-toilets.......... nah, I'm not going to fess up on a public forum