SANParks.org Forums

the kruger restaurants is also where I learnt to work with all the different knifes and forks on those dinner tables laugh if you want to but today still if I sit in an up market restaurant I imagine the old kruger restaurant tables to know which knifes or forks or spoons to use first

We are from the UK, visiting Kruger and other SANParks for 25 plus years... lucky us.
I too remember those brilliant, filling, good value evening meals, rushing over on hearing the drum roll. Listening out for it was the job of our 2year old.
Then we had to dash over to be able to get a table unless we'd been able to book.
We now just self cater, 1/3 of our luggage is cutlery, thermos, coolbag, plates...etc. and the restaurants are empty.
However we have the odd treat of a toasted sandwich after a morning drive, bad for us but they are part of our Kruger holiday.
I used to be able to get different ones in different camps ie some did bacon and banana, once bacon and avo.
I have written and commented on the muffins sealed in plastic that I could buy at any motorway petrol station in the UK, that have sadly taken the place of fresh milk tart and chocolate cake at Letaba...What a treat it was to eat those fresh cakes and with that view.
I have also written to say that overseas visitors want to be able to try local food and I'm pleased to see pap is available.
We like to eat once or twice in the restaurants since we want the staff to keep their jobs, we've enjoyed the one at Punda, and the friendly staff at Satara told us last August that when we return this August it will be better.
Compass by the way run many catering concessions on oil rigs.
Kruger catering must surely be able to be run better on a more local level and with the profits therefore being absorbed at a more local level too.

Just another case where the lowest bidder got the job....thank you sanparks for listening to your paying tourists. I mean hey, it's no as if we are paying tourists then? How dare we even suggest to sanparks that they sort out the restaurants, we've been suggesting it FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS....if not more. Any changes? Yes!!! Give it to the lowest bidder. Man oh man, I see no light at the end of this food tunnel.

To be honest I don't think Compass have a free hand in managing the restaurants - the problem is the labour force they have to work with is highly unionised and de-motivated - labour in the park see a job not a calling or career - they work to contracts with fixed hours no social life - and as one waiter told me "its like a prison camp" you can't blame them.
Until this is solved you won't get good food or service.
I once asked the restaurant manager in Letaba if I could show the cook how to fry an egg properly - his words to me were "he knows how to fry an egg he just does not care enough to do it properly
" We self cater and don't go near the restaurants any more.