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On my one year Forum anniversary , I’m going to dedicate my 1000’th post to a place in Kruger that my SO and I perceive as the crème-de-la-crème of Kruger: Nshawu Guest House in Olifants.

At R1665 p/n it is quite expensive for two people but we treat ourselves once a year. The base rate is actually for 4 people, but we are selfish people…
However, the R1665 is not that expensive if you consider what you get and if you compare it to accommodation cost outside the Park – an average B&B guesthouse in the Malelane area charge R900 p/p/n.



This description on the accommodation page actually doesn’t give credit to this amazing unit. I really think SANParks should start flaunting what they have.

Nshawu is built against the cliffs at Olifants. The ultimate in privacy because you don’t see or hear other people….your own piece of Kruger.



The unit has 4 bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Each bedroom has a door leading out onto the veranda with it’s magical view.
The unit also has a huge lounge and dining room area (also with the magical view of cause). There is a TV in the lounge for those who feel they should pay R1665 to watch the sport channels.
This house is beautifully and tastefully decorated. Unfortunately we have never taken photos of the inside…the outside view always seems to draw our attention.

The big kitchen is well equipped to make it easy to entertain a big group – 2 fridge/ deepfreezers, under counter oven, prep bowl in kitchen and a separate washing-up area.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a covered outside dinning area. This area also has a built-in gasbraai.

The veranda runs right around the house, giving you a 200˚ view over the Olifants River.





From the veranda there is a staircase that takes you down to the separate braai deck that is a level below the house.



And what a braai area it is! Very few places in the world that can offer you this IMHO!



The only negative about this house is that you have to book months in advance – very popular …for obvious reasons.

I made this a generic thread…would be nice if people who have stayed in the other guest houses in Kruger can give more info/photos on them.

Happy anniversary Jumbo!

I agree with you. To treat one self to something like this is a once in a lifetime experience! You go girl! Thank you for the excellent report and lovely pics!

The other house that is well worth going out on a limb for is the Stanley cottage in Satara - it is positively baronial and of course outside you have a spotlight that lights up your own private waterhole. We have seen lion, leopard, civet, african wild cat, buffalo and many antelope at this waterhole without leaving the comfort of our verandah. In the garden is a genet who is somewhat habituated so does not run away when you approach. Well worth a visit and make time to sit and read all the books of Anne Stanley's years of heaven on earth in KNP - they make for fascinating reading.

Happy anniversary Jumbo
Enjoy the special treat in Kruger

Happy 1000th & 1 year anniversary Jumbo (PS! I just noticed this was my 500th post ).

I have stayed in the moni Guest house in Letaba once as it was the only thing available , I never regreted the cost .
WOW what a hut , also 4(I think) rooms with en suite bathrooms , huge lounge and kitchen , and also your own private view out over the river .
Not to mention you get you own exclusive hut attendant .

These "fancy" huts certainly do merit more of a mention in the info section .

The rentmeister in shingwedzi also looks stunning , although it is pretty close to the infamous "back gate" .

I video'd the hut , so have no means to get the pics onto here .

Happy anniversary, Jumbo!

My first night ever in Kruger was spent at Nshawu Guest House in Olifants on 2nd December 1999. (the day my addiction started )
Can you imagine how I was blown away by the view?

I also spent a night at Rentmeester Guest House in Shingwedzi on that trip. Will try to find and scan some of my old slides when I am back from Kruger.

Hi Jumbo,

Congrats on the anniversary and 1000'th post. Although, still no prawns??

Anyway, I have to concure with you. Having spend one night in the Pierre Joubert Guesthouse in Pretoriuskop, I have to say that I think it's one of the better accomodation types in any of the camps. Usually with a certain amount of people it can also cost you less or even the same price as a bungalow would cost you.

The peace, privacy and views you get are not comparable to any other in the camps.

As I've said. I had to privilige to stay in the Pierre Joubert Guesthouse in Pretoriuskop.

At a cost of also R1665,00 per night and a base rate of 1 - 4 people it would cost you R416,25 per person per night. Compare that to other accomodation costs outside the park and you will see that it's quite affordable. At an extra rate of R310,00 per adult extra (This guesthouse can sleep 8 people), it will end up working out to R363,13 per person per night. That is getting very affordable.

This unit is very private with a huge entertainment area. It's fence off from the rest of the camp.

The whole area is build in a half circle shape with a central area for a braai and leading onto the main communal house.



Communal House


The communal facilities are top notch with a dining room,


living room,


tv room with DSTV for the sports junkies,
,

a communal bar and kitchen, and a small toilet,


The braai area is fantastic, but with a place in the central yard to have a bon fire, it was more alluring.
Braai Area



Central Yard


On top of the communal house it also has your own lookout point where one can enjoy a beautiful view of the bush and the sunset while enjoying an Amarula topped with ice.


The communal house looks over the central yard and to the fence with great views to the bush and the unsuspecting visitors


There are 4 seperate units from the communal house, which enjoys the same view as above.



Each unit features a double bed, a small living room and Full bathroom with shower, bath and a feel that will make you think you have arrived in paradise. Not forgetting that we are lazy and that it becomes hot in the summer, they have provided each unit with an aircon in the room, and as a bonus, it can be operated with a remote control. The units all have sliding doors opening to the central area and come provided with towels, soap and bedding.



At these prices you get the ultimate in luxury, yet still have the freedom to enjoy your own company, braai your own meat and have a great night around the campfire with friends, looking around at the fence for the unsuspecting night visitors.

A definite if you are more than 2 people, or when you want to treat yourself like some people who claim to make the best prawns.

WOW!! Thanks for posting this Jumbo. We were thinking of including Olifants in our next trip and it will be great if we can get this guest house!

@Penny: The Stanley cottage in Satara also sounds great do you have any photos

{Francois running to his piggy bank to drop in a couple of coins}

Wow, now we are talking nice topic! Informative, and with plenty photo's, including a pano!

Congrats Jumbo on both occasions!

Wow what fantastic houses. Well worth it, especially if you think that at a place like Sabi Sands you pay up to R3000 per person (I Think) Thanks for showing these it certainly would be wrth while a group of friends stayinf there. We have a girls weekend over my birthday weekend (June 16-18 ) there are 4 of us we are staying in seperate bungalows. there are a whole lot more interested this way we can get a bif group and it works out very reasonably. Thanks for this.

Happy Anniversary Jumbo froma newee on the forum but an avid addict of Kruger

Nicki

Thanks for all the wishes guys …Pew, cannot believe it’s been a year!
@Bucky, congrats on the 500!!

Penny, I’m begging with Francoisd, would really be great to get some photos of the Stanley cottage …with your own spotlighted waterhole it sounds like a place where you should sleep in the day and do game viewing at night.

Wow Katja, what a beginning!!! I can just imagine how that view must have blown you away.

Great post W@H. I have always wondered what it looked like. It is actually quite nice with the separate units with each having its own living area. I think this makes it ideal for something like a company getaway.

@Francoisd, you will view each of those pennies as well spend. Just don’t plan to go and take to many drives. Go and park on that veranda with your binoculars and enjoy!
With our Feb 2005 visit we did it in “style”….took our own deck chairs and barely moved from that veranda for two days.
Why in the world would you go and pay R4000 p/p at a private lodge if you can have this at R850 p/p (if you are 2 people)

Txs for posting W@H
Never thought that it would be such a fantastic house

Sorry Jumbo it was before the days of digital cams so everything is on vid cam. Maybe one day we will be lucky enough to get it again. Everytime we have gone to Kruger we have not had the good fortune to find it available. We have also stayed in the Rudy Frankel which is next door and has the same view of the waterhole. The next time you are North of Satara camp have a look and you will see the floodlights and the water hole. We did just that - stayed in bed till 9 one morning took a leisurely drive and were back on the beds for an afternoon sleep and then stayed up all night - the game literally came to us!

Happy anniversary - wait till you achieve milestones like us this year in July - 30 years. I am planning a weekend at Phinda for the occasion.

Hi Jumbo and Happy Happy.
My SO and I did exactly the same on our anniversary exept we went to Rudy Frankel.
It burn't down shortly after our stay and has been rebuilt I believe. I hope they rebuilt it the same way as before.
Basically it was built in a circle with an open braai area in the middle, kind of spanish villa/ranch style. All 4 bedrooms lead off from the center and have ensuite bathroom. There was also a very large farm style kitchen and a rather big TV lounge/dinning room with a bar in it and then your patio with the water hole in front. You are also fenced in with quite a big garden and a nice patch of grass. The bird life was brills, with resident barn owl and every night, scops & pearl spotted and a host of other birds.
I have some pics on photo so will try scan them and post them.
If you get the chance it really is a great spot to stay at.

Hi

I think it's a brilliant idea to celebrate visits to the Kruger. I must try Sataras housestoo.This year will be the 35th year I visit Kruger. Its a pity I didn't join the Forum before now I think I've missed lots of interesting facts and people.

Nicki