SANParks.org Forums

I think it was 44!


Temperature is not the only problem, as humidity and wind play a factor too!

ie, it is murderous when the hot wind blows...the only time I've actually left the Park for such a reason!

Also, high humidity can sap one's strength, so to speak!

A good test is leaving one's aircon bungalow and having one's glasses fog up...then it is humid!

42.5 on sunday

The official SAWeather temperature measurements are recorded by accurate and colaborated automated stations which are sighted in similar conditions , i.e. the instuments used are identical , situated in a housing sheltered from the wind and sun etc , thus temperatures reported by the public may differ somewhat from the official figures .

We will be visiting the Park for 21days in January 2012 but spending 5 days in Hazyview do you think at this time of year I will need to pick accommodation with air conditioning or will large fans in all rooms be sufficient.
Thanks

The weather is usually pretty hot and humid at that time of year Mike, high 30's and into the 40'sC but basically it comes down to your personal tolerance of heat, coming from the UK I would say you will be so much more comfortable with air conditioning.

Mike, we found the fans to be more effective than the air cons at times during our trip at the beginning of this month. I would try and ensure you have both most of the time when it is such a hot period.

hi,
I would also go for both !
if not possiable - then i suggest the air con as a must...

enjoy

Mike if air-con is available - Take it!!

I was in the Park this Jan/Feb and was so grateful for the air conditioning - A must have!!

Thanks everyone for you help air conditioning it is

We are in Kruger at the moment, and for the past week temps have soared each day. The locals are saying it is very hot. So while one does expect heat when visiting this park in summer, there are also going to be days of oppressing heat. I have been here when the temp hit 49 degrees C. Yesterday it was 44.

By 8am the animals are deep in the shade. So game viewing needs to be done very early.

How do you cope with the heat, and pass the day?

Last time we went straight back to a B&B run by a few mites and settled into their swimmingpool.... Works like a charm!

A damp flannel in the cooler box in a zip-lock bag, or even a spray bottle with water in same place helps. Or try a thin sarong wrung out in water and wrapped around you.

I try to keep an icebrick in the freezer and pull it out to wipe over me, wrapped in a thin cloth.

Air-con.

Sorry but its essential.

We also do the flannel thing, but we freeze it overnight.

When having a shower we don't dry off, just let the water evaporate. But then we have the luxury of a bungalow, not sharing ablutions.

Stay as still as you can during the hottest part of the day. Sleep if possible.

Similar to what EJ recommends, a face cloth which is dipped into the cold water of your cool box and then placed on the back of your neck immediately cools you down and is very refreshing.
I saw something in one of the shops ins Kruger recently which worked like a sort of a battery operated demister with a fan which blew the cool fine spray onto your face and body but haven't heard any results of it yet.

We just grin and bear it as the animals do.
Aircon and windows shut, don`t work for us as there are then no sounds from nature.
This is Africa in the summer months.