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I have a few days in the park mid August.Not sure whether to go south or north. Anyone got advice?

Your question's not that easy to answer!! All depends on what you like or dislike...

South pro's:
Higher density of game
Many camps to choose from
If you like birding Biyamiti area is good
Nice picnic spots like Nkhulu, Afsaal, Mlondozi, Lake Panic
Big5 area around Satara
Great camps in Olifants, Lower Sabie, Balule

South Con's
Higher traffic
Busier camps
Bush can be very lush (probably not as bad in August)

North pro's:
Wide open spaces - easier to spot game
Rare species like Lichtenstein, Eland etc.
Birding around Pafuri
Nice loops in Luvuvhu, Red Rocks, Mahonie
Peace and quiet - roads not so busy, camps quiet
Excellent dams - Engelhardt, Sable and Kanniedood
Viewpoints like Tshanga
Camps like Shingwedzi, Punda and Letaba

North Con's
Long stretches without seeing anything
Generally drier and hotter than the South
Some people don't like the mopane veld (other than the Phalagatte)


Generally the South is the "fast food" that is Kruger... lots of tourists, lots of sightings, instant gratification.... whereas the North is the sit down meal - it might take a lot longer, there might be dull periods but the real connoisseur would say THAT is the REAL Kruger.

A good way to see Kruger is to do it from South to North IMO..Therefore aim to enter in the South gate at Phalaborwa and camp for a few days in the predator rich area around Tzendze and then go and sample a couple of the Bush camps like Shimuwini , Bateleur or Sirheni and end off at Punda Maria the Krugers best main camp giving access to Pafuri.. At the end exit either out of Punda gate or Pafuri gate and then you can truly say you have done Kruger the proper way

I like Olifants. If you stay there for a few days it gives you the option of doing some day trips to the mopani north. And also can do some drives further south to the plains areas.

Plus you can't beat the view.

If you only have a few days and don't know whether to North or South, why not stay Central at Satara where there is lots of game and your can go out in a different direction every day.

Enter at Phalaborwa, stay at Sable Dam and then onto Shingwedzi for at least 4 days and out at Punda.

Go north young man, go north.

Seriously thinking that next time I got to KNP, I need to go back to Shingwedzi.

Sitting on the low water bridge just outside the camp is awesome. I saw many first-time (lifers) birds there including pygmy kingfisher, open billed storks and a couple of others I can't recall.

The north is quite and definitely not as commercialised as the south.
If it wasn't for lake Panic, I might have no reason at all to visit the south again.

Thanks for all the responses!

I have been going to the park for around 30 years and i am only 30 now

So i do know that north is by far the more real way to enjoy the park, was just very torn this time for some reason. But i have changed my bookings from Berg en dal and Croc bridge to the three northern camps in Shingwedzi for 2 nights, Punda Maria for 3 nights and last but not least Letaba for 2. It is in this area that my heart truely lies...

So now that i am more excited than a dung beetle in the middle of a buf parade, the count down begins

Nice choice

When I first saw your question I was a bit concerned about thinking north, as it is not always that full of game compared to the south, particularly august. For first timers it can be disappointing.

Before giving advice I try to consider the length of stay, the time of year, expectations.. its useless advising north if someone wants big 5, or suggesting south if someone wants peace and no people.

There also tends to be a southernward migration of many animals in the dry months, so I am more likely to suggest south in winter and north in summer.

Birders are easy.. they might even be happy on my balcony.

Yeah, North does tend to become quieter in winter, but i was wondering what impact the good rains might have on the grazers, another reason to head north maybe?

We've been to the KNP twice now (last time up to Olifants) and are planning a next two week trip, this time starting in the North of KNP. We can either go in May or June 2013 (before the SA school holidays).

1. Is there a difference in terms of sightings between those two months?

2. Is June usually much cooler than May?

3. We have 1 week to spend in the north - which camps to pick and how much time to spend at each?

(On Day 8 we need to be in Skukuza for the start of the Metsi Metsi trail).

4. Another question: what about the Nyalaland wilderness trail - is it still being operated at the moment since I do not find it on the monthly calendar.

Thanks

Nicole

Frizzle, we stay in the South of the park in May/June every year but I don't think the north will be that much different.
Its a lovely time of year and to be honest I can't imagine there would be too much difference in temps, the night temps might be the most noticeable.
What you could find is the water levels have dropped a bit lower in June resulting in more animal activity at the various waterholes dams etc.
but that would also be dependant on if and how much late season rains were experienced.

My favourite camps up North are Punda Maria, Shingwedzi and Mopani but then I'm a huge fan of that part of the park so pretty much any of them are great in my book.

But I think if I had to choose between the two I would go for May.

Will try and find out more info re the Nyalaland Trail for you.
In the mean time some nice reviews and pics Here

Both months are dry, (Usually) and cool. I would go Punda, and Shingwedzi no doubt due to the proximity of water to the camps.

If you need to be in Skuks on day 8, you could spend a few days at Punda and Shing, then maybe take 2 days to get to the south staying at either Mopani/Oliphants/Letaba/Satara, so that you get to Skuks on time.

What time do you have to be there for the Metsi Trail? If it's early you would need to spend the previous night at Skuks as well?

Maybe something like 2 nights Punda, 2 nights, Shing, 1 night Mopani, 1 night Satara, 1 night Skuks (that's if you have to be there early for the trail the next day!!)

That would give you not too long a drive from camp tp camp.(You could substitute Letaba or Oliphants if you prefer)

You will probably get many other different suggestions to this, so good luck with whate ver you finally decide!!

Ps.....sorry I can't help with the Nyalaland Trail, but someone will!!

Thanks everyone,

Crested Val: we need to be in Skukuza at 3pm so I figure there's no real need to stay there the night before.