SANParks.org Forums

Well said Vonnie
I agree 100 % with you I go to Kruger to see animals and be in the bush, not to have 5 star accommodation

You go Oumie!!!!

One thing that should be remembered is that these people do not just go to a place and star grade it. The owner of the camping ground, in this case Kruger, applies to the Tourism Grading Council to come and grade its facilities. So we should then actually say

To SANParks for applying for star grading

Also even if Punda only received a 1 star grading it still means that it received between 50-60% on the evaluation which takes into account the ablution facilities (cleanness, sufficient for the number of camping spots), the availability of power and how accessible it is and lots more. And remember it is the facility and not the experience which is graded. So you can have a much better experience at a 1 star facility than at a 5 star facility

Now now children! It's getting a bit hot in here...kidding

The fact is that with camping, people take so many different things - some need electricity, some dont; some need laundry, some don't. Everyone's visit differs in length of time spent in each site & what you take with you (more so than if you stay in a furnished hut).
I personally take a tent, a torch, some food & some firewood & I'm sorted, but if some guy's going to rate them I guess he's got to take into account first-timers who may not be as prepared.

I personally find Punda, Shing & then Leta the best sites. They have what I need to get by, & if they don't then tough k k & I take it with next time.

Ratings r good ways to sell magazines & books & to be controversial but, as most of us agree, camping in krug isn't about how you're looked after, it's about being that little bit closer to something amazing, being able to sit under the stars, learning not to drop your food in the dust, hearing the noises instead of next-door's airconditioner.

Here's to camping, kruger style [/quote]

and where is this hide that you speak of?

Haven't been to Punda since June '05. Is it new or am I just stupid ?

You should have seen it then wc.

It should have been open for "business" as well. I was there the same time last year and sat in it to view my first grey-headed parrots. It is smack bang in the middle of the camping area, right next to the fence. The ablutions the closest to the fence? Right behind it.

Don't know how you missed it. Time to get back there and take revenge.

You really want to know
Was there in Nov '04 already, was built with some of the funds generated by the West Rand H Rangers during the 2004 Kruger Birding Weekend

Yeah, thanks francoisd, sure know how to make a guy feel good about himself

When I was last at punda we sampled the new (lush ) safari tents and spent most of our time towards the back of the camp on the trail (first cuckooshrikes)

We were only there for a night coz we did nyalaland so I guess if we were there for longer we'd have eventually wandered down that way.

My view, if you want ratings, come to this forum first, no 'stars' just honest personal opinions.

later

I know this is an old thread, but I have not been to Punda in 15 years.

I will be there with my caravan on 23 and 24 December though and would like to know more about the hide and also if the campsite have been upgraded since?

Oh my goodness me this is a blast from the past. Look at all those names.

Bundi, I have been to Punda in late December, early Jan. It is a camp that I really enjoy. I do prefer it when it is quiet, but we can't always have it our way.

Just a couple of warnings, if it rains, you can get flooded in a very short space of time. Choose your site carefuly, taking possible water flow into account. My poor son woke up in a pool of water and I lost one of my books in the aftermath.

The other problem was the pool, it was more frog friendly than people friendly. It did not bother me until I remembered that snakes were great lovers of frogs. It curbed my desire to swim in an instant.

The ablutions on the main road were nearly always empty. I used them for my evening shower. The camp ablutions tended to be a bit crowded in high season.

There was a big group of people getting ready for serious new years partying the year I camped. It was nipped in the bud before the first castle was downed. Much appreciated by many of the campers. The frogs made by far the greatest noise to welcome in the new year.

I loved the hide. My 2 best sightings were Marabou storks doing a mating dance and a Gaint Eagle Owl making a kill.

Thank you very much for the info MM.

Cant wait to get back up there in Dec.

Satara tried to introduce some formality to its camping site by demarcating certain campsites with a tap, 4 plug outlet box and four surrounding campsites around each tap / outlet box. Hardly anybody conforms to the demarcated areas and its a 'free for all'.
Despite this I still enjoy camping at Satara and I have never had any problems with camping neighbours.
Lower Sabie I have stayed there only once for camping and had no problems whatsoever.
Crocodile Bridge. I have camped there on several occassions and found it to be a very pleasant camping area.
Letaba. I have camped there several times. Love the shady camping sites.
Shingwedzi. I have camped there twice. No problems whatsoever.
I have not camped at any of the other camps but soon will be adding Balule to my list.
As I have a self contained caravan I do not need to use the communal bathrooms and all I really need is a electric socket to plug into.
When I book for Kruger I do not take into account any grading system as I book for the area I want to visit. But I can understand why some people do.

I agree with you ADW about camping and self containing caravans. It is still the best way to do it. Even during the December holidays we find it is still the best and just switch on the aircon in the caravan.

The thing about camping and caravaning is that I am still able to hear all the night sounds when I sleep. I find that it is not the same in the chalets, although we do use chalets during short weekends. Another thing is that I am only truly on holiday when I sit down on my camp chair in front of my tent or caravan.

About the different camp sites, I really like most of them, but have never really grown fond of Malelane. My favourites when taking into consideration ambiance and wildlife is still Croc Bridge, Satara, Berg-en-Dal, Shingwedzi and Letaba.

I will try out Balule and Maroela soon.

Bundi

You will not be disappointed with Maroela or Balule. They might just feature very high up on your favourite list in future.

I am a fairly recent convert to camping and I must say that I thoroughly enjoy it. I have stayed at nearly all the camps with camping facilities and only have reservations about Pretorius Kop.

I do love Pretorius Kop as a camp, but my camping experience was not good. I stayed in peak season and it was booked to the hilt. I think that many people were taking advantage of the situation and there were sites that might have had only six people, but it was covered with caravans, tents, satelites, gazebos... and.. and .. The result was that there was very little space left for the rest of us.

There were also hijacked plugs and it is so difficult to check up on something like this. I ended up having to ask the camp manager to help me find a plug for my fridge. She was obliging and managed to sort something out. She did find the culprits and gave them a hefty .

There was also a major problem with baboons. I believe that this has been sorted out and sadly more than one baboon has lost its life.

Pretorius Kop is a camp that I love and will use their huts willingly, but it is just plain inconsideration from others that has put it bottom of my camping list.