SANParks.org Forums

I was very excited to try and book for next May today as it is June 1st. I rang on international call rate and was on hold for 40 minutes. Then when I got through at last, I was told that they won't take bookings for next May until Monday.

Is this advice in the Reservations part of the site somewhere? I wasn't aware of it and now I just wasted a lot of money on a phone call for nothing.

Hi threedogs

Yes, it is - at the top of the page here.

And here are the hours, you can call from 07:30 SA time on Monday, which is earlier than the hours for today - I do not see hours for the satellite offices, I assume they are the same:

Thanks DB. But it says that bookings open on the first working day of the month and they were open and working and took my call. So why not take the booking if they are there and working? Is that not a working day? I don't understand? The Saturday opening hours are on that page. ???

I understand where you are coming from, and will draw your points to SANParks' attention. In SA, when we say 'working days' we mean Monday to Friday. I assume on a Saturday they will operate with a skeleton staff.

I would appreciate you bringing it to the attention of admin. management, thank you. I think the wording should be much clearer. Something to the effect: Bookings to be made 11 months in advance cannot be made if the 1st falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday. Bookings will be taken on the next business day.

This is rather surprising as I have just had a look at the availability in the KNP and May 2014 indicates that there is. Something seems wrong.

@gmlsmit: yes availability will show but you cannot book until Monday next week.

also

Booking opens at 7.30am tomorrow morning right?

Just had a look at availability:

Urikaruus - only 1 unit available on 16/17/18 May and only 3 units on 8 May

Grootkolk - only 1 unit available on 5/6/7/10/11 May

Kieliekrankie - only 1 unit available on 10 May

Bitterpan - only 1 unit on 15 May

Gharagab - only 1 unit on 8/9/12 May

Maybe those are donated/sponsored units?

Looks like my Wilderness camps plan then is a waste of time.
Will come back with results tonight. Maybe a miracle will happen and we will get a night here or there.

After previous post, I checked availability and now there is availability everywhere for all of May.

What happened overnight? Mass cancellations?

Now feeling more optimistic that we are in with a chance.

Watch this space.

Perhaps a glitch. I think you're in with a more-than-even chance now, 3D. In fact, if I was a betting man, I'd take heavy odds on you.

Okay, booking done - mostly good news! Well really, when you book a park there IS no bad news is there? We did manage to get some of our wilderness camps but not others and not for as many nights as hoped. Will be checking for cancellations as the months roll on.

So far we have secured three nights at Kielie Krankie and two nights at Gharagab and one night at Bitterpan. Missed out on Grootkolk and Urikaruus all together. A lot of to-ing and fro-ing from Mata Mata and Nossob in between (forgot all about Kalahari Tented Camp when I was trying to come up with alternatives on the phone ) so that may be an option to look at too.

The lady on the phone was excellent to deal with and my call was answered after about 5 minutes waiting.
I made the call fifteen minutes ago and the email letters are already in my inbox - excellent service!

Can't wait!!