SANParks.org Forums

Hi there! Headed on a 2 week self drive in April as part of a continuing holiday. Have had almost everything answered, thanks to discussions on this board. But, curious what departing visitors using a car hire (rental car) do with leftover nonperishable items that were purchased upon arrival, like a cooler box (ice chest). None of the items will be able to follow me on the plane to the next destination.

Of course it can just be tossed but, seems like a lot of items would be wasted each week.

Thanks for all the information posted on this site that has helped me plan what's sure to be an amzing journey! - Marc

We stayed in Phalaborwa our last night and left our bits and pieces in our room with a letter for the cleaner explaining that she/he could take the items if they could be used, as well as a letter to management (so that management would know we had donated the items).
To our surprise the cooler box we bought actually squeezed into our large bag! LOL
If your last night is in the park I would ask the advice of camp management or do what we did and donate to the cleaner leaving appropriate notes.

You could also speak to the Branch manager of the rental company when returning your car and ask him/her to distribute the items on your behalf to a charity or direct to a needy family. If they can't use them, the items can be sold for a small amount to buy food (hopefully!)

We always leave food extras in the fridge or on a table for the cleaners. As for stuff like cooler boxes, my family are all in South Africa, so we leave it with them for future use.

Make a friend and leave it with them till your next trip cos once youve been here your GUARANTEED to return lol

I usually leave the food that I am not going to take with in the fridge at the last camp we are at. I try and find a member of staff and tell them that they must please help themself to it.

Non-perishable items get taken back and left at my sister's place.

If you can get to a Pick n Pay supermarket ( at most major shopping centres) they sell very efficient tin foil lined soft cooler bags at their till points for about R15. ( re usable but semi disposable as lining eventally parts from seams)

The cool bags are great. We froze bottles of water in the freezer every night and put them in the bag during the day while we were in transit between camps.
We had bought some cheap plastic cups, bottle opener etc at Malelane super spar en-route to Kruger. These we left in camp with a note when we left. I think we left some wood and fire lighters in the braai area for the next residents.
I think the note is a must, as you don't want staff under suspicion, by their superiors, of taking things.
Hope you have a fabulous trip.

I leave my stuff in a couple of bags at Pafuri Camp. Wouldn't be surprised if they are well on their way to the Indian Ocean by now!

Johan

Here's an opportunity for a forumite living close to OT airport.

An idea would be to pick up those reusable items, like cool box, kettle etc and make them available for other overseas forumites to use on their trips.

Stuff that you overseas folk might toss will be usable and probably saleable too, by rural folk who don't have very much. I'm sure most stuff you cannot take home will be welcomed by staff wherever you are staying.

Every year we buy coolers, cutlery, BBQ tools, condiments, tons of food and a bunch of other stuff and every year we leave it to the cleaners, they are super appreciative and if there's something they don't need they will have friends that would love to snap it up.

Totally agree with all the above.

BB what a fabulous idea, tho collection may be a slight problem, still a great idea to play with.

Otherwise leave it all, with a note, to the cleaners. These guys dont get paid much and are alwasy so unbeleivably appreciative. They do such a wonderfull job, with smiling happy faces, in making our holidays such a time of enjoyment. Nothing is ever too much for them. In fact we often leave the remainder of our budgeted finances, not used, with them, i know not much and feel they deserve so much more.... Good luck and happy travels..

This idea has been raised a few times......but has never taken off (pun intended!)

I am happy to take care of things dropped off at Malelane if anyone leaves from here. Just leaving things at the gate marked 'for Jenni' would be sufficient, and you can pm me with any other information if wanted. If I do get things I will start a thread with a list of items available.

Wow, that would be awesome for the more permanent, larger items which can turn a good trip into an awesome one. Maybe even camping chairs, those trays on legs etc. although it may soon become quite a task to manage it.