SANParks.org Forums

Hi there - many years ago I asked if the visitors books and some of the priceless other literature in some of these houses could be archived as there were some wonderful contributions over the years. Sadly this never happened and then one of the houses to which I had specifically referred burnt down so all was lost. We have spent hours in the Stanley cottage reading the diaries of Ann Stanley (She called them Heaven on Earth) and I also asked if these could be published as I felt they were a true reflection of a family that had spent many years over many generations in Kruger. There was the most wonderful poem written on the wall and framed all about Kruger and it would have been wonderful if people who have never stayed there could read this (I have a copy which I sat and wrote out). The person I spoke to agreed that this should be done but to my knowledge this has not happened and I believe that this staff member is no longer with Sanparks. I do know that Nshawu House was once referred to as the State President's house but it would be very interesting to have some clarification on some of these beautiful guesthouses.

I agree that it would be so interesting to get some information on the history and background to these wonderful guest houses.

Penny and Elsa thank you for your responses. I also wish that some literature could be made available on these very stately Kruger houses. It would be so interesting to know whether the families of and or the original donors still visit them. Penny in a little Globetrotter book that I have the Nshawu house is called the Coke house – I do not know what that mean as you said it was called the State President’s house. In that same little book the Rudy Frankell house in Satara is called Tiger Oats but in general I find that historical information is really scarce on these wonderful old houses, yet for some people it might be very interesting. Maybe someday a “Lowveld historian” will delight us with some facts and knowledge about these typical old Kruger houses. I do hope that they will be well looked after and conserved for many years to come by people who care for them.

I think that Tiger Oats either owned or still own the Rudy Frankel guesthouse. When we stayed at the Fish Eagle cottage at Letaba I also remember that it was owned by Score metals!

Hey everyone!
Does anyone have a recent update on Rhino house at Berg-en-Dal? Staying there in october

Hi
We are heading to Waterkant 1 in December It has been 4 years since we were last there - has anyone been there recently? What condition is it in now?

Thanks

Anyone have news and the current condition of Nyathi Guesthouse in Skukuza or J LeRoux house in Berg en Dal?! So little info on either of these two houses recently.

Both of them are the best of the best!! You will be very very happy!!

I have just returned from a couple days in both the Skukuza's Nyathi guesthouse and Berg-en-Dal's J. Le Roux guesthouse. First it must be said, it was a trip of two very contrasting halves...the first at Nyathi and the second at Le Roux.

Nyathi is FANTASTIC, AMAZING just SUPERB and a personal favourite guest house now!! It has been recently renovated and looks nothing like the pictures that are found on the website. The exterior is much the same, but internally, there has been a lot of work done. I will in a few days post some picture of Nyathi to show what it really looks like so keep checking in . It was spotlessly clean, well designed...... and having stayed at a number of guest houses over the years, Nyathi is certainly very high on my list after this trip (not quite overtaking the incredible Nshawu tho....). I can't wait to post some pics of this amazing place!!!

Le Roux in Berg-en-Dal camp on the other hand was terrible to say the least..like chalk and cheese when comparing it to Nyathi. It is literally falling apart, and thats no joke....the thatch 'roof' almost completely pulled apart, doors rotting off the hinges, power cables hanging from the roof, the braai with rusted holes in the bottom!!! The day we arrived there were old dirty and wet towels lying on the floors, cobwebs from lightfittings to roof trusses, pumpkin pips in the kitchen cupboards and rubbish in the pantry. The guesthouse is VERY pokey and small to make matters worse, and in my opinion should not be classified as a guest house, a family cottage maybe, but certainly not a guest house. It was my first and last stay at J. Le Roux guesthouse. On a positive note, Camp Manager Stephen Nel at Berg-en-Dal was very quick to rectify the issues regarding the cleanliness of the unit when these issues were brought to his attention , and my thanks go to him for making our stay at Berg-en-Dal camp a little more comfortable and does assure us that the guesthouse will be given ALOT of TLC in the near future, it was however little consolation as the damage was already done!

I look forward to posting pictures of Nyathi in the next day or so!!

I agree with Zorilla. We also recently stayed in J le Roux in Berg-en-Dal and maybe Sanparks made an administrative error or other oversight as it is definitely not a guest house. It has no view and it also does not come even remotely close in the guest cottage or family cottage category Kruger accommodation which is less than half the prize. I do hope Sanparks will fix their error.

I look forward to posting pictures of Nyathi in the next day or so!!

Where the pictures please Zorilla ??!!

It has been a while since I said I would post some pictures of Nyathi, 2 months to be exact. I have posted the outside only in this set, and will post the interior pics of the new layout over the weekend!! I hope this wets your appetite tho!!



This is the fence line to the left with the Sabie River flowing only meters away!! You can see the braai area ahead with the lounge/kitchen/patio area behind. You can also see the gate that leads to Waterkant 1 Guest house.



Again a picture of the lounge section of the house on the right with the rooms starting on the right.



This is taken with Waterkant guest house behind me, the fence line runs on the right. You can see the garden/grass area with the rooms off to the left.



This is from the wall between Waterkand 1 Guesthouse on the left and Nyathi on the right.



A picture of us enjoying the view of the Sabie River from the fence line, meters from the braai area.

Anyone stayed at Lebombo Guest house in Olifants lately??? Would love to hear what its like?? Booked one night there for September 9th.....wanted to spoil SIL, MIL and BIL for the night and also to compare that to My Bushhouse

Here are my interior shots of the new refurbished Nyathi Guest House. I have also added a couple good ones of the outside too that I haven't had a chance to do previously.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C_0023.jpg
The lounge area has had a complete re design, with the kitchen and lounge area one open plan space where previously it was seperate. The tiles on the floor and furniture has also been updated.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C06674.jpg

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C06647.jpg

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C06646.jpg

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C_0039.jpg
This is the 'new' bathrooms which look awesome now with the new tiles.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C_0013.jpg
Outside again

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l54 ... C_0003.jpg

I am going to be traveling through the park for 19 days, and staying at the following camps / guest-houses. Any/all information on them would be greatly appreciated, please!

Boulders camp (3 nights)
Shipandani Hide (1 night)
Lebombo @ Olifants (1 night)
P. Joubert @ Pretoriuskop (1 night)
Nyathi @ Skukuza (1 night)
Rhino @ Berg en Dal (6 nights)

I am most unclear about the experience at Boulders, since there is little information / pictures about the current camp accommodations and facilities.

Look forward to any thoughts about Boulders (how is it unique, and what is needed to be brought by us?).

Thanks,
-ljr.