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Rooivalk and I have three weeks in Kruger at the end of this year and are trying to work out how to optimise the stay...
Last time we did south to north (and back!), so we are thinking to slow down this time. Maybe stay south and central only.

How many camps would you pick? Would you mix the experiences up, e.g. safari tents, then huts, then cottages? How many days would you stay per camp? How many game drives would you do?

Any other ideas or advice?

Decisions, decisions... :-)

Hello Rooikat

I think it would be wise to spend your time in the central and southerly regions of the parks as this should give you more time to reach the different camps without having to worry about reaching camp closing times. I would suggest that you stay at no more than 7 camps given you an average of 3 nights per camp. Preferably even less than 7 camps as this will save you a lot of packing and unpacking and should still be enough to spend your time in all different kinds of bushveld.

Us personally always mix up safari tents/ bungalows and family cottages during our stay, just to create another environment to sleep in.

It’s hard to help you on the game drive question as I personally don’t like the full day game drives, I would rather drive myself and stop when I want. We always tend to go for the night drives as you get an excellent opportunity to spot lesser common game or spot the cats more active. Maybe Sunrise/Sunset drives? Or even a bush walk. Anyway, we always like to mix it up and see what each surrounding area has to offer before we make an decision on which and how many drives. You can always try and book a last minute activity if you suddenly feel like doing a guided drive, you have time enough anyway .

Enjoy your trip and wish you many great sightings.

Thanks t-bal, I enjoy getting other opinions :-)

At the moment our booking is this:

7 nights Lower-Sabie - hut
2 nights Olifants - bungalow with view
5 nights Satara - guest cottage
5 nights Skukuza - safari tent
5 nights Berg-en-Dal - family cottage

So it IS all mixed up (had small choice, limited availability) posting.php?style=2&mode=reply&f=48&t=71320&style=2&style=2&sid=afdcdec75360ec13d3146c7350a4d6ce#

Wondering if a week, even five days, could be too long in a camp (but, no, is that even possible?)....

Lower Sabie area is great but 7 nights in a hut may be too many. It's nice to relax around your accommodation on a long visit and there is not much privacy in the huts. There are a cost effective option though. You may be able to upgrade to a few days in a bungalow if you watch availability.
The same applies to safari tents at Skukuza.
Overall you have a good mix and will have a wonderful holiday even if you don't make any changes.

Hi Rooikat

That schedule looks great . Staying 5 nights in one camp is good as it gives you plenty of time to cover the surrounding area. We stayed 4 nights at Lower Sabie the other year and it was nowhere near enough so 7 days should just do fine . From Skukuza you can cover the Pretoriuskop area and from Lower Sabie the Croc Bridge area meaning that you can cover the entire south without any problems.

Reading Kite comment about 7 nights may be too long in a hut: I personally can’t go in on that one as I have never stayed in a hut before, but! a great alternative could be (should you wish!!) a safari tent at Lower Sabie considering nearly all of them have view over the Sabie River or perimeter. Just a thought .

Hi Rooikat

Just to throw a stone into the pool (or is it a rock )

We have stayed in KNP for 3 weeks or longer several times. Over the years we have found that it is better to stay in fewer camps for longer periods. Last year we had 2 weeks in Shingwedzi and almost 2 weeks in Punda Maria.

If you had not already got bookings, would have suggested: 7 nights Letaba; 7 nights Satara, 5 nights either Pretoriuskop or Berg-en-dal and 5 nights either Crocodile Bridge or Lower Sabie.
But your choice is a good mix - whatever you decide - enjoy!