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First off Mods, if you think this is in the wrong place please move.

I first went to KNP in October 1964. The Skukuza to Lower Sabie road was still a winding gravel road. Thereafter, there were at least two to three trips a year. But the last 3 years due to job change and other factors we missed a couple of years.

I have read the forum reports and press statements re the deterioration of standards in KNP.

Well, we spent a fabulaous week in KNP from May 15 th 2011 to May 21 st, and here are my personal observations.

Overall - KNP is still the place to be. We found all staff to be cheerful and helpful. Accomodation was comfortable and just what I expected from the KNP. I will comment later re actual accomodation.

Our first 3 nights were at Orpen. A cute camp, great waterhole especially with a herd of elephants spotlit at night. We were in unit 12. Our niggles here were the condition of the bathroom. The poor grouting and the cement that had run down the tiles and covered the floor and then sealed in ( my wife works for a major Tile supplier so she is very critical about this sort of thing ). Also behind the basin pedistal the dust had not been cleaned for sometime. Also the build up of polish on the basin foot. Otherwise a peaceful and pleasant experience.

The last 3 nights were at Biyamiti - this was the first time we have stayed at a Bushveld camp and what a wonderful suprise. We were in unit 10. The attention to detail ( the drawers were neatly laid out and everything was in place ). The construction, decor and planning of the unit was first class. We only met Ezekel ( hope that is how his name is spelt ) who was a pleasure to deal with. Everything worked, everything was in tip top shape, it was all just right.

My opinion, all staff in the hospitality, maintenance, construction and quality control functions of the KNP should be made to spend at least 1 month at Biyamiti to be encouraged as to what quality and customer service is all about.

So back to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

The Good - Biyamiti - the surprise delicious breakfast at Crocodile Bridge - refreshing coffee from the coffe bars at Afsaal and Crocodile Bridge.

The Bad - housekeeping at Orpen

The Ugly - the flys at Afsaal ( not their fault I know, but never the less spoils a special experience ).

Despite my critisisms the KNP was above and beyond my expectations from recent press and forum reviews.

KNP and SANParks keep up the fantastic work, our experience was well worth the visit and we will be back soon.

Thats good news Roger the Doger

I agree that Kruger is still a magical place to be! I've been going as much as I possibly can considering being a student I can't afford much I love the Kruger and I wouldn't base my expectations on what I read on the forums.

The central Kruger has very well run camps. Also havn't seen any rule breaking with regards to speeding and littering or drinking in their cars. Generally visitors are friendly and we all get along well

Rodger, we also always have a fabulous time when visiting the park. I have never had a bad, or unhappy visit ever. Always long to go back, and always leave with very happy memories.

We also find 99% of the visitors law abiding and very friendly. There is a sort of 'camaraderie' with all visitors. I love being in the park and sharing the wonderful experience with all the other visitors.

And I can say the same as you have regarding the staff.

Dear Roger,

Thank you for your correspondence.

Will be sure to forward your concerns to the relevant staff at KNP.

Great weekend,
Thobeka

Thank you Thobeka.

It is great to see that complaints such as these are adressed.

People like you make the Kruger the wonderfull place that it is.

Roger, thank you for your balanced and detailed feedback. I do think that we need to take heed of how our views might predjudice people who have never been to the Park. I find that there are often far too many negative generalisations.

It has been my habit to take small but frequent trips over the past few years. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have been unable to go so far this year. I am so missing Kruger. Nothing is ever perfect, but to me, Kruger is always the place to be.

Thank you very much Joao!

Enjoy your day!
T

Nice post Roger
Agreed with almost everything you said but you missed out the bees at Afsaal

Hi Roger

sorry but right now i am currently killing myself laughing at the thought of someone going to search up dust in the Kruger lmao I dont know if youve noticed yet (whisper) but the stuff is everywhere

As for the units well honestly I dont care what the accomodation looks like in the park Im there to find the game as long as the bathrooms are neat and clean Im happier than a pig in mud hey lol ... Look I understand that your wife works with tiles and has a critical eye for detail but honestly is that why u went to the park in the first place?

I live in the bushveld as is and it doesnt matter how many times you sweep or dust or mow or weed lol give it 2 days tops and ur back to where you started.

Kruger Staff I think you are doing an excellent job Keep it up

And Roger good luck for the next trip

aurvoir

We were in Kruger during the last few days of April and first week of May and we really experienced acceptable to good service standards throughout the Park. Our accommodation was also properly cleaned as cleanliness of the accommodation units, within reason, is important to us. Just the restaurants may need some professional management attention and quality standards, I think.

Maybe Roger thought the bees at Afsaal were large flies!

We have experienced the bees in Kruger; at Nkhulu and Skukuza. It was quite an experience.

When the dust settles on a trip, I find myself reliving and enjoying the good, occasionally laughing about the bad and forgetting the ugly.


That is why I return time after time.

Ditto BB.

Hi there everybody, Roger the Dodger back.

I think Bush Baptist said it right re the Good the Bad and the Ugly.

Strange though, we didn't have any problems with bees at Afsaal.

Cheers