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I have spent a few nights there and enjoyed the peacefulness of the place. I think it could be a bit noisy if the wind was southerly though, bringing industrial noise from Malelane.

Scruff

Beautifull camp , nice and quiet ... inside .
The noise from the factory can get a bit much , and also
1 time I stayed there the farm across the river had motor bikes
racing about .

It is great for an overnight stop if you are entering the park late
on a afternoon , as malelane is still the easiest gate and best route from jhb/pta to get to the park quickly , and are moving up to satara or so on the next morning.
There is a scheme now , that if you arive late at the park , you can enter certain gate camps that you will be staying at later than normal hours (up to about 9pm) , you have to pre arrange this .

Bucky wrote :



Looked rather a nice place to stay and convenient if wanting to get into the first gate - for one night, I could live with the noise

Hey guys and gals !

I'm heading over to the KNP next week for three nights ... and thought it would be a good idea to get some info on one of the camps I'm staying at...Malelane.

I'm just interested to hear people's views on this little camp, I've never been there before and was wondering:

What people have seen from the camp fence?

What the camp itself is like?

Does one have to check in at Berg-en-Dal?

And generally any other stories or advice on it

It's in a lovely area of the park and have driven past the entrance road many times in traveling to Berg's !

Looking forward to hearing from everyone!

Haha... to true BH! You caught me ! It looks like a nice little place so we're very keen for the trip! Thanks for reply

Hi
this is a satelite camp to Berg n dal so you need to checkin and shop at Berg n dal, The camp is small and fairly old but they were doing some renovations when I popped in a few weeks back nothing large just rethatching etc. The camp is down by the river but does look out over the suger cane and towards the mill. There is a resident leopard in the area that is frequently seen as well as a pride of 5 lion that seem to have been hanging aroung the area for the past couple of months. Last sighting I heard of was 2 days ago.
the wild dog are often also seen in this area and I have often seen honey badgers near by.
enjoy your trip

Hi
this is a satelite camp to Berg n dal so you need to checkin and shop at Berg n dal, The camp is small and fairly old but they were doing some renovations when I popped in a few weeks back nothing large just rethatching etc. The camp is down by the river but does look out over the suger cane and towards the mill. There is a resident leopard in the area that is frequently seen as well as a pride of 5 lion that seem to have been hanging aroung the area for the past couple of months. Last sighting I heard of was 2 days ago.
the wild dog are often also seen in this area and I have often seen honey badgers near by.
enjoy your trip

Stephen Nel, Manager Hospitality Services, Berg & Dal Rest Camp has asked me to post the following for him.

Hi Pikkie,
If you read here, some of your questions may be answered...

Malelane is a great little camp! Just 15 camp sites, ample electricity although a long lead is needed for the majority of fence sites. There are also 5 bungalows. The ablution block is small - men have 2 showers, ladies a shower and bath. It does get a little under pressure when the camp is full. There is the usual outside communal kitchen area - but also an inside kitchen with communal freezer and lots of cupboard space, plus a full gas cooker (nowhere else in Kruger!!!).

Noisy sometimes at weekends from the town side, but not too late, and not too intrusive. I have known other camps far worse.

Morning and sunset drives are done - morning drive 1/2 hour before gate opening (although often negotiable with guide), and sunset drive 5pm. Morning walks will be starting in the near future too, although even now they can be booked via BnD and they will do a pick-up.

Hey Ecojunkie, how negotiable are the morning drive time and with who do we negotiate? We are staying in Malelane this coming Easter Weekend and would love to do either a morning or sunset drive, which would you recommend?

The guide who is taking the morning drive will try to talk to you the evening before to check on timing. Your choice is pretty much 1/2 hr before gate opening to about 1 hr after gate opening. It does depend on how many folk are going of course...... And they will not do drives for less than 4 people (unless you pay for the extra). Not quite sure of the reasoning behind that as I know other camps will do drives for 2 people - but that is another issue....

Morning or evening????? Depends really on what you want. If you want the nocturnal creatures then sunset is best - unless you go early for the morning drive so you get a decent bit of darkness. But if you like birds, and the bush waking up, then morning drives are best. I love morning drives....but also enjoy the sunset! Whichever you choose just plan on enjoying the experience of being out there at a time when others cannot, and appreciate whatever comes your way - and you will have a great time.

Thanks Ecojunkie, looking forward to it. Being a Malelane local, could you maybe give advice on good roads to drive, have you got any favourites around the area?

The 'best' roads vary! Depends on where the animals decide to roam...... Driving the Steilberg road is a must as you get to the highest point you can drive to in Kruger, with some good views (NOT a 'get out' point though).

The S114/25/119/118 loop often provides some good sightings - but can be disappointing too!

The tar road to Afsaal provides a nice plain just before Afsaal where there are often lots of animals, and I have often seen ground hornbills there too. South of that is also Renosterpan which can be good for sightings.

Ask around when you are here for the best tips.

I understand that the Malelane camp sunset drive is done from Berg-en-Dal and that it departs at 17h00.

Does the truck first pick up guests at Berg-en-Dal and then guests at Malelane camp or does the truck depart from Malelane camp? If the truck departs from Berg-en-Dal and then to Malelane camp, it would mean that the folk from Malelane camp would only be on a 2 hour drive?