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We visit Kruger every July (and we camp), the coldest we have ever been has been on the sunset drives which we always book, the drive starts out fine BUT as soon as the sun sets you start freezing no amount of clothes or even the blankets that they supply can keep you warm. This year we are very prepared, we have bought beanies which are used by climbers when climbing Mount Everest.

JISSIE!! I was thinking that same night! Thermal underwear, double insulated sleeping bag capable to keep the snow from Mount Everest out .. and all I had was shorts, a beanie and gloves ... And no one wanted to cuddle

I did the Lebombo 4x4 trail in June 2005.
On the first night, we camped very near the Sabie River.
I needed the loo in the middle of the night but couldn't leave the tent as there was a huge male lion about 30m away roaring.
I could see his silhouette in the moonlight, hear his breathing and see the mist of his breath......

The following morning there was ice on my little tent!
Need i say more....

I can so understand about the ice, Aquilla

I have just left a very warm Kruger. My car thermometer showed 34 degrees.

My coldest night was at Tambotie in August. It was below zero when I packed and left. By the time I reached Skuks, it was 28.

Last year in May it was so cold that one morning when I opened my cupboard in the caravan, my jersey was wearing my jacket.

Some year ago in the middle of July we were staying at a bush camp in a game reserve close to Orpen.
As the weekend progressed it became colder and colder and turned out to be the coldest weekend of the year and snow in many areas.
On the Saturday night we were all out on an evening game drive - the longer we were on the drive the colder it became and the more jackets and jerseys we put on.
We saw no animals on the entire drive.
The safari tent sides did not go down to ground level, the 'V' section above the door of the tent was also not enclosed welcoming the icy cold air into the safari tent.
The toilet area was enclosed with slats which had gaps between the slats and the hot water came from a 'donkey' which was only lit in the mornings and hot enough for a shower after breakfast.
Even the dining area was very open - ideal for summer but not fun on an icy cold evening.
It was bitterly cold through the night and hot water bottles had been put in the beds - in the morning it felt as though our clothes were stiff with cold.
There was no escaping the cold that night.
I now see on the website that the safari tents are looking very upmarket with thatched roofs and bathroom vastly improved.

We camped at Letaba one year, overnight the temperature dropped very low.
The next morning some poor soul who had done some washing the evening before, tried to get his denims off the wash line and they were frozen solid.
The ice cracked when he bent the legs.
We heard later that it was minus 4degrees.

salamanda, you have hit the nail on the head

One of the things I love about Kruger are the cold crisp mornings.
Coffee at the gate with your breath steaming as much as your mug is.
Driving with the windows open and the freshness in your face.
As the sun comes up you can gradually peel the layers off.

On certain days back here in the UK you can catch echoes of those feelings and it reminds me of where I love to be.

We were at Lower Sabie in the tents 1 night and Satara 2 night middel of June 2012 and it is the first time in my life that I was wearing track suits and tekkies all the time. The night in the tent was cold.

Tamboti in winter can be very cold.

BUT what a small price to pay to be in heaven!

Every year we visit the Kruger in February when its nice and hot but this year for the first time we will be visiting from early May until early June, what are the bungalows like at that time of year for sleeping temperature? do we need to bring warm pajamas and/or hot water bottles or are there extra blankets? I cant rely on heat from the airconditioners as last year two of the places we stayed at had broken airconditioners.

Hi Shutterbug.

May is when things start to cool down a bit during the evenings, but no need for waterbottles! A light jacket will do when outside, the bungalows are still quite cosy. I think all the camps have extra blankets available in the bungalows, and if you neeed more they will surely provide some more.

Enjoy your trip!!

Even in midwinter I find a Tshirt and shorts fine as pyjamas and one blanket enough. On the really chilly nights I simply use one of the extra blankets supplied (look in the cupboards - there are always some there).

Keep well
Pete

I love Kruger in winter.
The cool dry weather is such a change from the dreary bone-chilling wet cold of the Cape.

Just remember - Kruger is in the Lowveld and winter there is like summer for many people.
Which means the sun can give a pretty bad burn.
But you are asking about night times, so the moon is no worry.

Short answer: no