SANParks.org Forums

Hi Jo

Welcome to the forum. A small car will be fine for the Kruger. Most of the tourists from international destinations tend to use the small vehicles to cut costs.

I would suggest staying at either Lower Sabie or Satara and I would stay at the camp of my choice for the entire period. If you move camps you are only allowed to take up accomodation after 2 PM whereas if you are at one camp and you want to go back and rest at say 11am after a tiring game drive you are free to go back to your hut for a rest. At Lower Sabie you have H3 huts, which I often use if I go on my own, which have been recently renovated and have communal facilities. These huts have an airconditioner, fridge and wash basin and cost a lot less than the huts with their own shower, toilet and kitchenette. Unfortunately Satara does not have huts with communal facilities unless you are prepared to camp. Both Lower Sabie and Satara are located in the areas of the kruger where wildlife is in abundance. These are also probably the best camps to visit if you want to spot the big five. Another good reason for visiting these camps is the choice of game drive routes. At both of these camps you can choose to go north, south, east or west when you go out for a game drive whereas if you stay at a camp based on the perimeter you are sometimes restricted in your choice of routes.

Both of these camps have well stocked shops where you can get everything you need to have an enjoyable holiday.

Regards,
Garrow

Hi Jo and Sam,

It sounds like this is your first visit to Kruger, yes? You will absolutely love it!

Everyone has a different idea what the perfect trip is, so you can only take everyone's opinions and decide which type of trip you want to do.

Personally speaking camping is the only way to go ......it works out to be so cheap.

I have been on many truck trips all around Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Senegal, Western Sahara, Morocco) and they were all wonderful ...BUT on an organised trip of any sort, whether it is a camping truck trip or a safari game lodge trip, you are always at the mercy of how long other people want to sit and watch. Once I discovered how cheap camping and game park fees are in Kruger and how amazing it is to do a self drive, Kruger seems to be almost the only place I visit these days

With 2 of you the value is even better. I buy an annual Wild Card and make sure to visit twice in the 12 month validity to get the most value.

The international daily conservation fees are only R204 per day each (cheap compared to other countries game park fees) so, if you are planning on staying for 4 nights you would be in the park for 5 days making a total of R2040 for two people (£148). A Couples Wild Card is R2330 so the sake of an extra £21 you might want to think about going back before April 2014? (I take it you are from the UK using sterling?)

Camping in the main camps (Berg-en-Dal, Satara, Lower Sabie etc) costs just R190 a night for two people if you book online (£14) and you have access to the communal kitchen so you can bring all your own food.

Your budget is a massive budget if you camp and bring your own food.

I always rent the smallest, cheapest car through online brokers like http://www.argusrentals.com/ paying around €100 (Euro not Sterling) for a week and, despite being lower to the ground and on my own, I have always managed to have incredible sightings. I just checked for 5 days in April and they are quoting £65.93.

The drive to Kruger from Jo'burg airport is 393 kms and always takes me 4 hours - 4h 15m without breaking the speed limit. The people who quote 5 hours from Jo'burg are probably stuck in traffic getting OUT of Jo'burg but I simply drive straight from the airport onto the N12 and N4....or maybe I have just always been lucky!

My last petrol bill in September for the return trip from O R Tambo and over 1000 kms driving around Kruger for 8 days came to R1400 (£101). Tolls there and back are currently R310 (£23).

I do usually go on a couple of the Kruger Park night drives as well but that is an optional luxury.

Feel free to pm or email me if you think I will be of any further help to you. I will be back there in a couple of weeks .......this time for 16 days, my longest time there yet....I can't wait. Every time I go I meet the lucky people who are staying for a month at a time .......who knows, maybe one day I will be able to do that too!

I hope you have the most incredible 5 days in Kruger and, of course, a great time at the wedding

Firstly Thanks so much for the huge response!! I never new how helpful forums could be! WE are going to spend a lot less than what we originally thought we had to thanks to all of your advice and input. I can't wait o get this part of our trip booked We are working out now where we will choose to stay. 4 nights in 2 different camps, renting a car from Jo'burg or airport. We will probably take food with us and self cater mostly. Sam was wondering if the camps are fenced off from animals because he was worried about having food in the tent??

We are a young couple I'm Australian and Sam is British, We are in the uk currently and moving back to Australia, We are stopping in SA on the way! and the wedding was a great reason to make this our stop over! Now that I've nearly organised this I can start booking cape town and the garden route!

Cheers again

So I thinkI have left it quite late to book. availability at alot of the camps suggested is limited. I'm considering 2 nights Tamboti (definitely) 2 nights Letaba or Skukuza Is Letaba to far? Also we are going to book Safari tents

Lets a isn't too far, bit I'd suggest staying South. I like Letaba but the animal density is lower. Best to maximize your experience given your short timeframe.

And yes camps are fenced. BUT yes monkeys, baboons, etc are present. Be sure to not keep food out. There are signs at the camps to this effect.
Have a fantastic trip!

WE have booked!

2 nights in Skukuza safari tent then 2 nights in Tamboti. WE'll bring our own utensils and food. hire a small car at Jo'burg airport. We'd like to drive via Blyde River Canyon, I'm guessing on the way back will be best option coming from Tamboti?

So excited! Thanks Everyone

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