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What are the practical terms and conditions regarding booking donor accommodation? If a person has booked and paid for an accommodation unit which is donated, is it still not confirmation that you will actually get that unit if the donor decides to visit during the time that you have made the booking as some of us will most probably not know that you have booked and paid for a donor unit? Is it possible that when you arrive to take up your booking you could be informed that the donor is currently visiting the park and that the donor has preference? If so, what happens to you then?

Hallo Grantmissy.
I don't think that will happen.
I think that the donors must give there schedule beforehand and only after that does the bookings for the accommodation open for visitors.

I have stayed in donor accommodation, and they are given preference before it is let loose to the public. They might have the same weeks annually.

There is no way that your stay will be hastled by the owner. That was the civilized way up until now, and I think it is a condition of donating.

Hi Vgstephens!

Although I am not entirely sure what the situation is these days but some (maybe all) of the Bungalows in Biyamiti for example were sponsored by donors who gave sums of money for the building of the accomodation. If I remember correctly they would get a certain number of bed nights per year for a number of years (or their lifetime, I forget).
You will find donor cupboards in some of the bungalows where they get a little section to keep their stuff.
I remember my folks talking about maybe investing in this idea back in the early 90's.

Very vaguely answered I know, but its along these lines if this helps you better understand

There are a few in Satara as well.

The family stayed in the family cottage in Satara this last May, it was donated by the Checkers Stores and what a lovely comfortable cottage it was, spacious and nicely appointed.
They wished they could have stayed longer than the 1 night booked.

Please can you help. As I understand, when Mopani Camp was established and build, there were normal people from the public that gave money to fund the building of the camp. And that the people who help fund the build have a certain amount of days per year in which they can go and stay at the camp in the Bungalow or Cottage that they helped to fund.

Firstly : Is this true? and
Secondly : At the time the camp was build, I was 6 or 7 years old, and did not have the opportunity to participate in this. Can the rights for this be repurchased?

We love going to Mapani Camp, and it would even be better if we could go there every year.

Thank you very much.

Hi Mkoch, welcome to the forum!

I think you are referring to the system of "Donor Cottages"
I seem to recall from seeing it somewhere, that they no longer do that any longer, but I could be wrong?

I doubt whether one could repurchase any of them as they were donated to the park so therefore do not belong to even the original donors, just that they were given a number of days accommodation in recognition of that gesture.

I also enjoy Mopani camp very much and try and stay there as often as possible.

I find its not a camp that gets booked up very quickly so I am sure as long as you booked timeously you would not have any problem getting a reservation there.

Have you had a read through the topic on Mopani Camp
Lots of great pics and info in there.

The bit of history is true
Also about the donor cottages
Same practice happened in other camps

But this does not happen anymore.

Found some further explanation on Mopani

I must say - if one can ever donate again and have assured bookings is a camp in future - I'd definitely consider it. Wish I was not a child when all this donating happened either! I would've donated my entire piggy bank for it!