SANParks.org Forums

Hi
we have seen them regularly.
Our first time was actually during the day!!!- it was busy munching on something under a bakkie.
nice to see cos they are difficult to spot, but unfortunately attracted to human activity.
Lucky to see them run around our camp in Savuti this May as well- characters of note!
hope u see them

Between the three types of guest cottages (GC6B, GC6BD and GC5) are there any category that is preferable over the other? I understand the differences in that GC6BD has double bed and GC6B has single beds, while GC5 has only 5 beds. But are their any category where the cottages are better positioned or nicer inside?

Elmar, I stayed in both the GC5 and GC6BD before and can honestly tell you that they all are exactly the same and there is no real better positioned one than the other.

HBs have been hanging around the Satara camp for decades, I was first advised to block my fridge with a chair during a visit in 1990 as there was a regular visitor who routinely raided all the fridges. Sure enough the folowing morning there were all the signs he'd tried to burgle our supplies.

It seems this has escalated now though as I've seen several reports on the forum about nightly bin raiding sorties. Anyone who approaches them should do so with caution, they are feisty creatures

I've seen several HBs in the surrounding area, particularly along the famous S100, so if you don't see one in camp there is still a good chance of seeing them in the bush and to my mind that is much more satisfying

Greetings.
Pse can someone urgently let me know what is the number of the GC5 family cottage, and does it have a big fridge/freezer.
Stayed in no. 82 last trip, would the GC5 be to the left of this bungalow.

Hi Fozzi,
We have stayed in 86 and 87 before and they do have a big fridge and also a microwave.

Jo

Hi Cheetah,

as far as I know, you have a guestcottage in the D-circle.
If so, you have a complete kitchen with micro,oven stove and a normal braai.So NO gasbraai:

Guest Cottages
• 1 x 5-bed and 9 x 6-bed units with well equipped kitchens and two bedrooms with 3 beds each (in the case of the 6 bed units). Both bedrooms have a bathroom en-suite (bath, WC and washbasin). The kitchen has a gas stove (with oven), fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery

(although the micro is not mentioned, al the times we were there we had a micro!)

Enjoy!!

Ruud

Hi
Can anyone tell me what the Bungalows BD3E at Satara camp are like
Is it glass round the outside of the veranda if so does it get very hot in there, also do you feel very closed in when sitting in the veranda

We are of to Kruger tomorrow and I was thinking of changing my 2 bed bungalow to one of them
Thanks

We have stayed in one of those the last 2 years and the enclosure is not glass but a small wire mesh with a netting, so air can still get through but it keeps monkeys and mozzies out.
You do feel a little like you are in a cage, but the benefits of not having to worry about little extra visitors maybe justifies it.

To get a fence spot requires good timing. If you arrive too early and there are no fence spots available then you have to wait and see if anyone is about to pack up and leave. I f you arrive too late then the chances of getting a fence spot in July is slim.
There is one ablution near the 'north western' side of the campsite / fence and this may be your best bet for a campsite near the fence / ablution block. Unfortunately there is not much shade next to the fence and although there are a few shady spots next to the fence I have never seen these un-occupied.

Personally I dont worry about the fence and I look for a shady spot nearer to the bungalow side of the camping area where there is more shade. Also the campsites around the remaining ablution blocks have shady areas where one can usually find a vacant spot if you arrive early.

When I was at Satara in September 2010 a clan of spotted hyaenas killed a buffalo right in front of the guesthouse. (I didn't see the kill and was later told that they drowned the buffalo in the waterhole.) Three lions tried to steal the kill but didn't succeed. Another 3 lions arrived later and started stalking the buffalo herd that was somewhere near the gate. Suddenly the buffalo herd started running along the fence and scared away the first 3 lions and the hyaenas. The hyaenas came back, continued eating and when they left, the buffalo was finished and there was nothing for the lions. There was also a black-backed jackal that managed to get a few bites of the kill.
Great hyaena/lion/jackal/buffalo interaction that lasted for a few hours. I didn't get much sleep that night...

Just got back form a lovely time at Frankel house and Satara once again !

Been many years since I have been in kruger during summer months, this time without the kiddies and with friends from europe. The kruger and Satara area look amazing, green green green and lots and lots of birds !!!Frankel house much diff than in winter, need chairs to stand on to see waterhole because of all the tall grass ! Can not sit near waterhole light at night time, to many insects. Still amazing house, best in kruger, great sightings while sipping a drink on the huge stoep, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, ellies etc,
one of our highligts on the trip was driving the H7 early morning and just outside camp coming across around 25 wildogs on the hunt ....... and not to mention a cheetah with 8 cubs on the h10 !

Hi OldGoat, Sorry I cant help you on this one as I travel non-stop from Boksburg to Satara.

Herman, the best bungalow views (in my opinion) are those in the semi-circle starting with a G.
Any bungalow starting with a G have the best views but of course are in great demand.

Leopard75, I have done the Mananga 4x4 trail twice albeit 4 years ago. I did them in the dry season and they were fairly easy to traverse. When I did it they cost me R400 a trip but I presume the cost has gone up quite a bit now. Is the cost worth it? Let me put it this way I am glad I did it. I dont think I saw more animals than usual but I did not see another vehicle on the trail. Absolute bliss for me. Also when I did it you were allowed to get out of your vehicle provided you stayed within 10 to 15 feet ( I think that was the distance allowed) of your vehicle. Also you are not allowed out your vehicle near any water streams. Hope this helps.

The only tree in front of the entrance to the reception, in front of the toilets , became the sleeping place of a Bushbaby.
Saw it there during my march stay.
Just look up and search

Also saw the Scops in the same tree. The lower branches

Herman - i'd definitely agree with Mauxie. We stayed in a BD2V bungalow at satara in March this year. There are 2 semi circles of bungalows. The first semi circle goes from 161 to 167 and are between 5 and 25 metres from the fence with 161 and 167 the closest. The second semi circle goes from 167 to 179 with the 2 outer huts only 5 metres from the fence, whilst the ones in the middle are up to 50 metres back. Also this semi circle has numerous trees in it, so is a bit more shady . If I had a choice I'd go for 167.

Here's a picture of 161 and 162


and heres 167 and 166


Hope this helps - have a great trip

Higgsie