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The Tourism Grading Council of SA has graded Kruger's campsites as follows:
3 Stars: Balule, Berg-en-Dal, Letaba, Lower Sabie, Shingwedzi.
2 Stars: Croc Bridge, Malealne, Maroela, Pretoriuskop, Satara.
1 Star: Punda Maria.

The graders has also lifted a few points to be considered by SANparks, ie. elec plugs(not adequate, and placement), too few ablutions, cramped sites at L.Sabie and upgrading of Satara's camping area.

If you want to know the criteria for the star ratings, go to www.caravanparks.com

Interesting, because that is basically what I would say too and actually have after this trip. Hated Punda's campsites, loved Shingwedzi's. Where is Skukuza? I'll have a look.

Left out Skukuza - 2 stars.

Excuse the typing error - Malelane

Although we love camping at Punda as it has lots of vegetation and bush, the facilities are poor and the booking of sites is a little enthusiastic as there are more tents booked than actual ground space. But non of the improvements are big jobs. To put in 2 more ablution blocks and a plug point for every 4/5 sites is quick work. More dustbins would also be helpful. I am glad that this camp has become more popular. When we started visiting 10 years ago there were some times only 2 other camp sites occupied.

This camp has the potential to be 3 stars in no time!

Ditto, BB. Exactly our concerns about Punda too.

Quoting myself from My fav main camp thread:



We only camp.

We do not find the Lower Sabie camp sites cramped at all. I like the fact that they are clearly marked so one knows which 'area' is yours and you don't run the risk of someone pitching virtually bang up against you. Taps are close and elec points within good reach. I see it has been given 3 stars.

At Satara the electrical points are very far apart and if camping there one must take a really long electrical lead. The taps are few and far between too. I am reluctant to push for too many improvements as it is already such a popular camp (had an invasion of tv watchers last time we were there). I am not that sure that too many 'comforts' attract the type of "bushveld campers" I like to share the camps with. (Am I being selfish?)

Lets hope that the campsites are demarcated as well.

That is one improvement to some of the camps like Satara that would be great. Nothing worse than arriving and trying to work out if one pitches here, would someone else be able to pitch right next to you or not. If the sites were demarcated there would be no problems like that. We have had people pitch within a metre or two of us before

I am not in favour of marking camp sites - to me part of the fun when camping in Kruger (now, except in LS), is trying to figure out what is a good spot and how to use it!

(But, yes, we've also had people pitch camp basically on our stoep!)

The latest WEG Magazine (#16 Jan/Feb 2006) has an additional caravanning supplement. In it there is an article on the star grading of the camping sites in Kruger as far as caravanning is concerned. The article states that the grading was done to the Official star grading system and also according to the AA quality specifications for camping and caravan sites. Here is the grading the article gave to the different Kruger camps. I also include some of the comments mentioned in the article. It would be nice to hear the comments of those who visit the Park with caravans or camping with tents on this grading. The author visited Kruger with an Iveco Discoverer 4 motor home and claims that he is now convinced that visiting Kruger in a motor home is the way to go.

Malelane
15 camping spots, power points, 2 communal kitchens, clean ablution facility, wheel chair friendly, you will need a good hammer and also an electrical extension cord.

Berg-en-Dal
70 camping spots, power points, communal kitchens, best spots are in areas 2 & 3 as the two ablution blocks each service less that 24 camping spots. The ablution block of area 1 service 50 spots.

Skukuza
80 camping spots, power points, communal kitchens and ablution facilities, some of the camping spots are not level, only a small portion of the camping area is next to the fence, try and get a spot on the “right hand sideâ€Â

Although probably a good benchmark, I do hang onto star grading of Kruger camps by other people like a drunken heavyweight ninja onto a lamppost.

I don't really agree with his ratings...
I have been camoping in Kruger for more than 10yrs and have my own opinion based on all the visits.

I really rate Punda much higher, although the camping area does need some attention. It has got lovely trees and no where else can any other camp beat the hide. So too Pkop, Skukuza and Satara.

Best advice to everyone is to go and grade each camp for yourself. Good excuse to tell wife that you need to get to Kruger alone for a couple of days.

I fully agree with you WTM that it comes down to personal choice.

This was however an official star grading of the camp sites and not the personal opinion of someone visiting the Park.

Let me add this bit of information about the author.
He has been caravaning since 1972, he is the vice chairperson of the Tuks Alumni Caravan club, an assessor of the star garding system and he was involved in the development of the grading system.

I therefor think that he is more than qualified to do the official grading of the camp sites.

For some of the criteria used you can go here and then click on the Star graded resorts link on the right hand side of the screen. After reading the information you can on the left side of the screen choose a province for which you would like to see star graded resorts. The Kruger camps are listed under Mpumalanga

Thanks for posting the article Francois. It does give campers a good indication of what to expect.

Although I think Satara - a.k.a. The Dustbowl should have one star and Punda two.

I realised that this person is very qualified, much more than I am(as I was only born in '76 ) in doing the gradings. The only bit of concern I have is how do they grade these camps? On what basis?

I have been camping in many of the resorts listed on sa caravanparks, but could never believe why either some got a lower rating that what I thought it should have and some others a higher one where we definitly thought it should be lower.

I meant no real harm at the "Weg" dude's article.