SANParks.org Forums

Hi there,

I got engaged quite a few months ago in the Kruger National Park at the top of Metakanyane look out point.

As a result as part of my honeymoon planning I would like to stay a few nights in Kruger Park.

What would you recommend as the best accomodation available in Kruger Park other than the private game lodges which charge upwards of R3000 a night per person.

When we got engaged we stayed in one of the newly renovated bungalows at Lower Sabie, which had a great view of the river and had its own kitchenette and veranda etc etc.

Something along these lines would be great however to try and get that specific bungalow/type of accomodation for the period I want seems to be a problem even though i am booking 9 months in advance. I have tried to contact reservations@sanparks.org with no response and have now emailed two of the satelite reservation people in the hopes that they can help to find me something at Lower Sabie with a riverview etc.

Any other ideas and advice with my planned trip would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks

Congats

One of my best spots is at Lataba bungalow 34, it has a great view of the river and has a beautiful sunset.
I am sure you will find other thing to do :D
Karl

LOL, birds and the bees.

Ok seriously, my budget isn't small, and I am looking for something fairly luxurious however accomodation such as Jock Safari and those type places are a bit steep if I want to spend 5 nights in the Kruger Park and then continue onto the rest of my planned destinations.

The Luxury Riverside bungalows at Skukuza etc are quite affordable for my trip however I am keen to be stay somewhere with a nice view such as the Lower Sabie riverview etc.

We want to spend somewhere with an equivalent type of stunning view and abundant game as Lower Sabie etc.

First of all, congrats to you both!

If you want Lower Sabie just book it, in the class you want.
The final assigning of the units itself is done less than a week before the date, so contact reservations a little before that, tell them it's your honeymoon and that you really would like to have bungalow #xx.
If at all possible they will arrange it.

I can recommend Olifants number 1-9, (especially the latter), the view from there is simply stunning!
That's where GP and I spent 2 days of our honeymoon.....

razz, why don't you try one of the bushcamps? They are a bit more rustic but really special in a lot of ways. Letaba & LS would be good if you get the right Bungalow. Congrats & may you live happily ever after.

Talamati???
(Yes, we were there for the honeymoon as well! )

The safari tents at Punda could fit the bill
Nice, secluded and some have a great view

Congratulations Razz! I can offer two suggestions. The luxury tents at Tamboti have a view over the dry Timbavati riverbed and all have a double bed. Ask for #40, which is the most private, with fence on two sides.

Or for a water view, why not try Shimuwini? All chalets have a view over the Letaba river and the camp has prolific birdlife. Here I'd recommend #12, quite private and quite close to the river. But no double bed.

Both of these camps are small and tranquil. Game viewing is somewhat better in the Tamboti area, but each camp is a big favourite of mine.

I'll second Tamboti, peace, quiet and privacy guaranteed. But it's self catering so you'd have to cook and personally I wouldn't want to do that on honeymoon.

Have you thought about Roodewal. You book the whole camp out so it would be perfect. A couple of nights wouldn't be that expensive. Only problem is getting it

Otherwise the Riverview bungalows at Oliphants would be worth looking at.

To make it a little easier, how's this:



That's bungalow #11 at Talamati. With livingroom, full kitchen, bedroom and big bathroom with separate bath and shower.

Hi guys,
First of all compliment for the forum.
My name is Luca, I am Italian and I am planning my honeymoon in South Africa. I am visiting Kruger area next June.
What lodge do you suggest for 3 beautiful and unfogettable days?
There are many camps and loges and I have seen on the internet also beautiful private game reserve near Kruger.
I am interested also in game drives and all private reserve offers 2 dayly game drives.
What do you think, it is better to book a private game lodge or not?
In any case what do you think are the best accomodations for an honeymoon?
I have also another question, I will arrive to Mpumalanga airport, is it better to get a car and drive to my accomodation or book a transfer?
Thank you in advance

Hi Luca.
If you ask this forum it will be KNP all the way.
It all depends what you want.
If you book at the private reserves you will be kept busy day & night with no time for .........How do I put this

In any case there are some really good concessions in the park & good lodges outside.
Try and free yourself up a little bit for those special moments.
It is much better to sit on the deck of your own private tent in Tambotie watching the sun go down with a bit of bubbly(& please try our SA sparkling wine as it is as good as Champers any time - just can't call it that due to trade mark reg.) than with some guide(Sorry) as who knows what can follow in this romantic place.

Hi Luca,

I think a lot depends on your budget.
If you can spend a bit more, I would say definitely go to a nice lodge - inside the Kruger for instance there is Jock Safari Lodge which I think is perfect for a few days on honeymoon.
You have your own private splash pool and an open air shower with a view of the bush!
And a very romantic bath indoors (also with a view).
You go on early morning game drive and late afternoon, but in between there is some time to relax in the privacy of your own room/suite.
The place has a nice laid back atmosphere.
If you want you can have dinner on your own veranda one evening, then it will be brought to your room.

If you decide on a lodge like that (either in the KNP or in the private reserves next to it), I would say don't rent a car but get a transfer because you wont' use the (rental) car while you're at the lodge.

If your budget is lower, there are some nice bush camps of the Kruger that is a bit more private than the main camps, like Tamboti already mentioned.
Just be careful if you don't want to cook your own meals - the bush camps generally don't have restaurants and you have to self-cater. (But maybe you like cooking!)

If it's the drives you want then it's Kruger all the way. Rent a car and you'll be able to drive as much as you want. Well, between 06:00 and 17:30 that is. Book a nightdrive to see the noctural animals.
As for where to stay... Non-lodge I would choose Olifants if I don't feel like cooking or having a braai. I have very good experiences with the restaurant there.
If cooking is no trouble then Talamati, unless you want to have a whole camp to yourselves? Roodewal??

Whatever camp you choose, try to do a bushbraai....

We are spending 6 nights in Kruger in mid December 08 (2 @ Skukuza, 2 @ Letaba and 2 @ Shingwedzi - all accomodation booked ). Given the good part of 2 days will be driving from Skukuza - Letaba and Letaba - Shingwedzi we would be grateful to hear peoples advice on planning activities.

Of the 3 camps above what would people recommend for morning/sunset/evening drives and morning/afternoon bushwalks?

Should we book these in advance given it seems a busy time of year with the school holidays?

Will we have a problem driving these distances between the 3 camps?

Any other advice would be brilliant of course!