SANParks.org Forums

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to gather some information on the best possible itinerary for my partner and myself. We will be arriving in Johannesburg 31st October 2013 at 7:15pm. We will then be looking to rent a car to drive up to Graskop and staying there for the night. The next morning we plan on waking up early so that we have plenty of time to visit Bylde Canyon before heading into Kruger National Park.

From this moment is where we come stuck. We'll basically have from 1st October evening and we'll need to be back in Johannesburg on the 9th October for a 8:40am flight.

My first question which is probably the most important, is it safe to travel from Johannesburg to Graskop late at night?

From my research the camps that interest me are as follows, not sure if I've missed any out:

Olifants Camp
Satara Camp
Lower Sabie Camp

Would it be best staying in only a few camps and using it as a base? Also, what kind of activities can you book within the camps?

We are both coming to South Africa for the first time so all the help we can get would be appreciated.

Also, im not sure if park entry fees need to be booked in advance. The only thing ive heard is that booking camps early is necessary.

thank you all in advance for your help.

Tony

Hi adflondon!

Welcome to the forums!

The N4 is safe to travel late at night, but you're going to have to get of the national road at some point and travel on secondary roads (which I would not do at night if I can avoid it), as they can be full of potholes . Hopefully someone else who travel those roads regularly will be able to advise.

Re the itinerary in the park: perfect! Olifants, Satara & Lower Sabie are all three great camps with excellent sightings potential and great scenery. If I were you, I'd start off with three nights Satara, then two nights Olifants, and lastly three nights Lower Sabie so that you can have an easy drive back to Johannesburg, exiting either at Crocodile Bridge or Malelane gate. (I suggest Satara first, because staying in Graskop means that you're probably going to enter at Paul Kruger gate, which is a rather long drive to Satara already, and to Olifants is further still. Alternatively, you can start at Lower Sabie, then on to Satara and lastly two nights at Olifants, exiting at Phalaborwa gate (this is the second best way to get from the Kruger back to Gauteng -- the best and fastest way being to stick to the N4 and Malelane or Crocedile bridge gates).

I assume the entry fees your refer to are the conservation fees? (As an overnight visitor, you will not have separate entry fees). Conservation fees can be paid along with the accommodation, or you can pay it at the first camp you overnight at when you book in. Or you can buy a Wildcard, which will cover the conservation fees and comes with a subscription to the Wild Magazine for a year.

Booking early is essential for especially Lower Sabie, which is arguably the most popular camp in the Park. If you're not fussy about the type of accommodation (e.g. upgraded bungalow with a view and kitchenette vs. one without a view, a communal kitchenette and in urgent need of upgrading), you should be able to fairly easily find accommodation in the other two camps.

Hope this helps

Welcome adflondon.

You have already been given good advice. As it is your first time to SA, arriving late I would be causes to attempt the long drive at night to Graskop and meaning that you may arrive only well past midnight at your destination. You may also be tired after the long flight. Maybe best would be to book yourself in at a hotel near the airport and leave the next morning refreshed.

Activities such as guided morning, sunset and night drives as well as guided walks can be booked at the reception office at the camps. It is worthwhile to do some of them at the camps where you are staying.

Hi Tony,

I agree with Dabchick, the N4 is in good condition and we often drive the road at night. To get to Graskop I would recommend taking the Sabie/Sudwala Caves road and onto Graskop through Sabie, drove the road to Sabie over the weekend and it was in good condition, very few potholes, not really sure about road conditions from Sabie to Graskop. Mist can also get quite thick in those mountains so take it easy.

The camps you chose in Kruger is a good choice, plenty of game around Lower Sabie and Satara, and amazing scenery around Olifants. Olifants offers drives at night for star gazing and mountain biking with a guide. I would also reccommend night drives at Satara and Lower Sabie.

As for getting back to JHB, I would keep Lower Sabie for last, leaving via Malelane or Crocodile Bridge straight onto the N4, as mentioned by Dabchick this would be best.

Enjoy your trip!

Have sent you a PM Tony.

wow, thank you so much everyone for your help. the information you have provided is very useful. With this to hand I have updated my plan with the following:

Please let me know what you think and if everything is doable.

- 31.10.2013 (7:15pm) Arrive Johannesburg - Stay here the night
- 01.11.2013 (4:30am) Drive to Blyde Canyon, spend the day sightseeing, stay at Graskop for the night
- 02.11.2013 (4:30am) Drive from Graskop to Kruger Park via Paul Kruger Entrance.

Stay in Satara Camp 3 nights and 3 nights in Lower Sebie Camp

- 08.11.2013 (5pm) Exit the Park via Malelane or Crocodile Bridge and make my way back to Johannesburg. Stay the night, fly out next morning (09.11.2013)

Now to my questions:
1. When entering the park on the 2nd Nov, do I need to check in to Satara Camp or can this be done when i return before gates close at 6:30pm?

2. Ive had to leave out Olifant (which im not too happy about) but was hoping it would be an easy day trip from Satara. Meaning that im only having to stay at two different camps during my stay in Kruger Park.

3. Would i have a enough time leaving the park around 5pm to get back in Johannesburg at a reasonable hour.

4. Bearing in mind the two camps i have selected, what are the routes, things to do which should not be missed.

Sorry im asking so many questions but this is a holiday of a life time for me and my girlfriend so I want everything to be perfect

Thank you again for all your help

welcome to the forum adflondon, hope you have a wonderful time, but big warning South Africa and the Kruger Park is addictive! I think buying an wild card for youself and girlfriend will work out cheaper for you rather than pay the daily conservation fee. Dont forget you malaria tablets as you are going in the wet season although it is usually very hot.
Enjoy your holiday

Looks much better, not so rushed and you will have the time to relax and enjoying the scenery.

In respect of your questions:

1. Check in time is only from 14H00 on the date of arrival at a camp, so if you wish to drive around the most of the day, you can do so and then just check in at gate closing time.

2. Olifants is a easy day trip from Satara, you can even go as far as Letaba if you wish.

3. Either from Malelane or CB it is about a 4 to 5 hour drive I would guess which means you will reach Joburg around 9 or 10 in the evening.

4. Plenty of options all around. Unfortunately I don't have my Kruger map now around to give you some road numbers.

If you have more questions just asks, the members won't mind to answer. Happy planning!

Welcome to the forum adflondon.

1. You can check in to the camp up to half an hour after gate closing. We often make the most of the best times (late afternoon and very early morning) when going from camp to camp. There might be a queue, so it might be a good idea to gat to camp early, drop your stuff off and go out again.

2. Up to 200 km per day (provided you leave early and get back late) is doable. A day trip to Olifants from Satara is easy. Staying at 2 camps only is a good idea, otherwise you will be temptd to pack & unpack in prime viewing time.

3. You will arrive back in Joburg after 22h00, driving on freeways, so if you are happy with that it is fine.

4. At that time of the year, my favourite road, the H7 to Orpen from Satara is not that great unless it has rained quite a bit. Maybe try the S100 which has a good reputation for cat sightings.
From LS, a drive down to Croc Bridge ( a great cat & dog area) is usually productive. Also the H10 to Tshokwane, back via Skukuza is a good bet. But speak to others when you are here, as all great batsmen will tell you, timing is everything!

Hi adflondon! Welcome to the forums!

I think your itinerary now sounds great! Probably my 2 favorite camps in KNP! They are both located in prime sighting-areas. I would not do more than 2 camps either. As you've heard - Olifant's Camp is by all means doable in a day trip. You can calculate the time needed to travel in the park at about 25km/h. Olifant's Camp is 54 km from Satara - so you'll reach it in 2 hours. Max 3 hours if you have a great sighting on your way. Go have breakfast or lunch there at the restaurant and enjoy the magnificent view.

Your last day may become a bit long if you only leave the park at 17:00. You'll have to evacuate your accommodation by 10:00 - and most of the time after that will be spent in your vehicle. That is at least 7 hours in the park and another 4-5 then in darker hours on the way back to JHB. Just a warning - you don't want to be too tired while on the highway on your way to JHB. But that is your choice. It is a good road to JHB - and definitely doable if you leave at 17:00. We usually leave at the latest 13:00 or 14:00 on our last day to drive back. Purely because we get a bit tired. Maybe we're just whimps!

This will only be your first trip of many - enjoy it!

Thank you again everyone for your recommendations.

I have booked my stay for the two camps (Lower Sabie & Satara). Lucky I started looking into this now as unbelievably spaces for over 5 months in advance are already filling up. I have this forum to thank for that

In regards to the conservation fees, what would be the easiest and cheapest way. Purchase a wild card or the normal entry fee. Also, is this something I need to purchase in advance or can pay at the gates?

As one of my nights will be spent in Graskop, Ive looked into staying at the Valley View Backpackers, which has good reviews. Does anyone know this place or any other around this area?

Last but not least, what car should I be renting (from Johannesburg). What is a good/cheap company to rent one from?

I hope no one is getting sick of my questions

Thank you

Tony

Great that you have managed to get the bookings done for your 2 preferred camps!

Have a look at Wild Card Pricing
and then you can calculate whether it is worth while getting a card.

Conservation Fees

I think it will work out at a small saving with the card.

You can buy the wild card at the gate of entry.

Any advice re accommodation in Graskop must be done with a private message.

Many rental companies to choose from, a car which is slightly higher can be an advantage but not strictly necessary nor is a 4 x 4.

Auto rental advice and Car Choice

Lots of info and advice in there.

hi, I would highly recommend that you visit the waterfalls, Gods Window, Pinnacle Rock enroute to Blyde river canyon, it's on the same road .
it's called the panorama route.