SANParks.org Forums

Goodevening to all you experienced KTP travelers.

Thank you for all your quick answers. We now can decide on buying a carcharger or extra battery. I think we w'll take the battery, since we will only stay two nights in a row without power points. We only use them for the camera's. Mobile phone and notebook is work!!! and that is just the thing you intend to forget for a whille in the parks.

Can't wait for our flight to Joburg sunday next week.

Greetings,

Peter and Monique

We are about to head to Twee Rivieren in June but were unable to obtain a campsite with power. Does anybody know if you are able to approach other campers with electricity and share a connection? If so what length extention codes should one be looking at? SANP staff not been very helpful with replies!

Hi there, you should be able to share with somebody - take along about 30m of cable, that should be more than adequate (I always take two extension cords, one of about 10m and one of 30m). Enjoy the camping :

And remember, if you do actually get a site with electricity, you need the BLUE adaptor.

I will be heading off to KTP in a week and for the first time be spending 3 nights in KTC, Urikaruus and Kieliekrankie. In the past I have only stayed in the main camps. My question is relating to the charging of camera batteries/laptop battery etc in the Wilderness camps. Are these camps generator or solar powered. Is the power supply sufficiently stable to do the charging or do you suggest I get an inverter for the vehicle to do the charging on the go?

Hi Toureg,

The wilderness camps are solar powered.

You will need an inverter to charge camera batteries.

I'd bring an inverter anyway, that gives you the option to charge your batteries while on the road.
You'll be using plenty of them:
- camera(s),
- headlights,
- flash,
- storage (harddisk),
you name it....

Thank you. I take 100s of pics every day so need to charge daily. I made the small investment today and bought a 200W inverter. I am sure it will stand me in good stead.

Hi Toureg, where did you purchase your inverter?

Wildcats...purchased it from Winelands 4x4 here in Somerset West. A buddy also lent me a 400watt today which I will take along as backup. Can't afford not to be able to charge all my stuff

As a newcomer to Kgalagadi I will be posting some questions in time to come and tap some of your knowledge.

Firstly, what is the "blue plug" referred to in the website? What type of plug is used at the electrical points - the normal 3 point plug as we know it in RSA?

Hi Eddie A very warm welcome to the forums you have come to the right place for knowledge our regulars arw fantastic at answering questions
In the mean time read here and have a look at the index you might find some answers there (there is a link in my signature)
Check here too and scroll down there is a picture of a blue plue and a description

Howzit Eddie & welcome.

The units, kitchens, ablutions etc at KTP all have standard SA plug points.

The 'blue plug' is used in the camping areas for caravan connection, if anyone is daft enough to take a caravan. You only need it if you are camping.

I am somewhat disappointed by the ban on usinga generator in the Richtersveld especially if you have a extended period of visit. Caravan and or car batteries only last that long. There is now what you call these silent type generators which does not create a lot of noise and they are 4 stroke meaning they create very little carbons and all car engines are 4 stroke.
Surely by inspection and regulated use it can be controlled for use.
Just asking?

You get very nice and sophisticated Solar power units that you can hook up to your dual battery systems if that could help?

I have done some research on these solar panels. The cost in my view is absorbatant oand to charge two 102 a/H batteries you are going to need a solar panel as big as a house. The other problem is these deep cycle batteries does take a long time to fully charge and yes it also stores energy for a longer period of time.
To use a sperate system like the altrnative third battery systems means that you will have switch between batteries all the time and then you must also switch to your caravan system as well. Toooo much switching and I am sceptical about changing or tapping into the wire system of my caravan.
It also means you must drive very long distances in order for the alternator to get those batteries charged .
I will maar design a enclosed container to run my generator in with exhaust filters or something and take my chances. More like these filters the petrol weedeaters use or similar effect.