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Our Big Boss from the UK informed our SA boss that - He wanted to come to SA to have a bush holiday and he must organise it.Our boss calls us all in and tells us about it and asks if anyone wants to voluntare-we are all accountants and none of us have been to the bush!After much negotiating I decide this will be a good project (3 weeks of holiday fully paid for by the company and as negotiated wont come of my annual leave!!) so I think well Ill just take him to one of the fancy private reserves (sabi sands,londolozi etc.) I contact boss man and tell him of my plan-he says no he wants the full african experience must be KRUGER NATIONAL PARK!! He wants to make a fire and have a braai-he wants to drive himself in the bush!!

So I have a dilema Ive never been to KNP and yesterday I was on the internet and came across this awesome site and forum and thought well you guys are all the 'experts' so I ll put it out there.

This is the brief- 21 days in the KNP for Boss man and his wife,my fiance and me!In sept 2009.

What and where?-please help.
Bush accountant

Hi there

I think that you will receive much more help under the Kruger National Park thread, but I must just say I am very envious.

Maybe the mods can move it there so that we can help this man plan an awesome trip

Hi bush accountant and welcome!

Wow, fully paid!

Well, seeing that it is your and your visitor's first time, it is best sticking to the south or central part of KNP. First of all, when in September 2009? Bear in mind school holidays are in September, try to avoid that time if you can.

I would recommend a south to central tour, with say 3-4 few days at each camp:

Biyamati, Lower Sabi, Skukuza, Satara and Tambotie in that order.

Importantly, sort out where you want to stay before 1 October and phone central reservations on 1 October as early as possible and book! KNP is very popular in September and camps book out quiclly!

It's not often that I disagree with Senyetse, but this is one of the cases.
With 3 weeks I would do a north to south trip...

Start at Punda Maria, slowly get into the spotting and do some birding with Frank at Pafuri, which might get the boss into spotting birds as well.
Then slowly down, via Shingwedzi, Letaba, Olifants, Talamati, Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Biyamiti and Pretoriuskop.

That means you get to see all of Kruger, while seeing more and more animals as you go down...

And book for your boss at least
One bushbraai ( in the bush with armed ranger and cook)
One nightdrive
One sunsetdrive
One morningwalk

Well you guys are certainly on the ball.Thanks for the replies.

What I can make out is that you can book 11 months in advance,so for sept 2009 I need to book 1 oct 2008.I need my trip worked out by next wednesday!!

Been doing some research on this site and am thinking of the following:

Go in at punda and travel down to shingwedzi and try to get the rentmeester guest house if not one of the other chalets.Spend 3 nights.

Then go to olifants and try and get the Nshawu or lebombo guest houses or other chalets.Spend 4 nights.

Then to satara and try and get the frankel or stanley guest houses or other chalets.Spend 3 nights.

Move down to lower sabie and try and get the steenbok or keartland guest house or other chalets.Spend 4 nights.

Move too biyamiti and spend 3 nights.

Go too berg en dal and try and book the rhino or le roux guest houses or other chalets. Spend 4 nights.

Total of 21 nights.

Any comments or sugestions will be appreciated.Thanks

You picked all the juicy accommodations
They are big enough so you can have some privicy
And all are in great spots in all the camps
If you cant secure the quest houses go for the bigger chalets etc.
At least with 2 bed rooms
You dont want to sleep with your boss in one room it think

You can also try some of the luxury tented accommodation - a more "genuine" bush experience might impress the boss - depending on how bush orientated his SO may be.

That sounds like a good spread of camps. If no luck at Olifants, Letaba is a great camp too and not far from Olifants.

Make sure you also have a large enough car. Not an X Trail as the rear windows do not open fully and it is a bit cramped for 4 adults plus luggage. A combi or similar would be ideal -- remember you will be spending a lot of time in that vehicle

WOW im totally

Life's not fair!! Fully paid nê!!!!!

But the camps you said look good.

I agree with P@M. An X-Trail for me is also a bit small for 4 adults. the Vito bus or the VW combi would be ideal I'd say.

Thats my 5cts worth.

Eish man why dont normall guys get that opportunity?

No only joking, im glad that you will be able to go to the place this forum is all about and to become part of the for forum!

Im so

Well i would also say a north to south trip. Start at PM and work your way down. or down-up but I would defenitly concentrate more on the central-south. Dont get me wron the north is fantastic and you truly get the bush feeling when you are there up in the north. It is not so busy as the south but then again I find it harder to find animals there as to the south.

But I would also recomend doing a few Sunset drives, morning walkes(its an experience you would never forget) and a bush braai VERSEKER!!!!(for sure)

Ag man i should get a job for an international company!!!

Want a qualified guide with you??????

Wow what an interesting day!!

I had absolutely no idea!!

Thanks for the replies.

I was given the day to do research!The trip reports are most facinating and interesting.Gives one a really good idea of what to expect.

The co mercedes vito and trailer are booked for the trip so should be more than enough space for everyone.Now I have to wait for the first of Oct to book.I have the feeling that this is going to be a trip to remember and that it will lead to many more KNP trips.

I showed some of my work mates this site and now they are all keen.I told them to back off too late!!

Family of 5 - 2 adults and 3 kids from the US. Planning on hiring a car and driving from Johannesburg to the KNP. We will likely spend 2 nights outside of Kruger and 2 nights in Kruger. The route we are considering is Nulstrom and/or Sabie and/or Hazyview. Then drive into Kruger at Orpen and stay at Satara. Then drive to Lower Sabie. Leave Lower Sabie and drive back to Johannesburg on the toll road.

Any suggestions on places to stay(self catered). Any suggestions on the specific route. I see lower Sabie is booked up at this point. Any suggestions for an alternative. Suggestions for activities that 3 kids 14, 12 and 10 would really enjoy.

thanks in advance