SANParks.org Forums

We just spent 4 nights in Pafuri in early December.
It was wonderful.
The camp is great and the fever tree forest is amazing.
We also saw a Pel's fishing owl.
A first for me!
In April we are going back to Kruger and will spend 2 nights in the tents at Punda.
Went there 2 years ago and can't wait to go back.
The tents are magic!

Hi,

We stayed at Pafuri for 3 nights and absolutely loved it.

The Fever Tree Forest is something that you must see and also Lanner Gorge.

There isn't a lot of game up there but lots of birds.

Samantha

North of the Levuvhu river is the Makuleke Concession which entails that Punda Maria is the northernmost SANParks camp in KNP.
However; there are private camps in the Makuleke concession and I assume that it is through one of these camps which are not part of SANParks, that some of the forumites organized to visit Lanner Gorge, because Punda Maria doesn't organize trips to Lanner Gorge as far as I know -
only when you go on a Nyalaland Wilderness Trail can a trip to Lanner Gorge be organized with the Trails Guide and Section Ranger's consent?

I love the North of the Park; don't go there expecting loads of animal sightings - go for the birds and you'll be pleasantly surprised by what other jewels you discover and drink in the scenery.

Any information on the Shishangeni Lodge?

Reddirt, Shishangeni is in a great area for game,
I am sure a lot of forumites will attest that the S28 is a wonderful route for game viewing.
The concession is in that area.
We haven't stayed at the main lodge, but did stay at Camp Shawu (satellite camp) in June 2008,
it was nice to have a bit of a luxury safari in the Kruger.
Was nice being able to get out for a sun downer in the middle of Kruger...

I think all the lodges in the concessions are mostly the same, depending on personal preference and budget.
All the private lodges offer the same, same game drives, same meals (you do tend to eat way too much...lol), same timings.
If you want to have a wonderful time at a Private lodge, I don't think you can go wrong with one of the concessions in Kruger.

I have noticed a ad in the Sunday Times of 22 May 2011 , in the business section page 10 , that SANParks intends to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in terms of which a selected party will be granted the rights to the commercial use of the Nwanetsi Concession in the Kruger National Park.

This agreement is at present between SANParks and Singita where Singita operates two lodges, Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni. Singita wants to enter into a new 20 year lease in the 15000 ha
Nwanetsi Concession with SANParks but SANParks state that the tender is open and they are reviewing the current agreement as the financial structures have changed.

I would like to wish SANParks the best in there negotions to achieve the best results for Kruger National Parks.

Nor have I, and yes, I should like to as well. The current rate is R 11,875.00 per person per night sharing. Any takers?

Despite, or perhaps because of, these rates, they are apparently bleeding money, and are therefore trying to weasel out of the current contract, hoping to renew at a lower rate. They are probably betting that any other interested parties will be at a disadvantage, given Singita's investment in the infrastructure, and that a new operator would have to start marketing the lodges from scratch under a new name.

Johan

I am sure the people paying those prices feel they are getting their monies worth Supply and demand. If no one buys your product, you need to review it. But if it is selling .... then you have a market.

Please advise which gate I should enter KNP through to get to Imbali lodge so as to enjoy maximum game viewing en route from Sandton, Johannesburg.
How long does it take from Johannesburg to KNP and specifically the gate of entry that you advise?
Thanks a mil.

The easiest gate to Imbali is Orpen, take the turnoff to Talamati. Just a little past Fairfield (on the right) is the turnoff to Hoyo Hoyo and Imbali.

But if you leave early enough you can of course enter at Malelane and drive up from the south.

Or enter at Kruger gate and drive to Imbali on the S36. Good chance of seeing Sable on that road.

Thank you all.

We went to Hoyo-Hoyo last year and thoroughly enjoyed it (sister camp to Imbali).
The concession is in a lovely area and game-viewing is excellent!
Orpen gate is the closest gate to Imbali.
If you will be leaving early morning from Sandton and driving via Orpen gate - you should be able to reach Imbali at around 1-2pm, and still be in time for your included afternoon drive.

When we went last year, we drove the previous night up to Nelspruit (a mere 3 hrs from Pretoria), and then left the next morning early from Nelspruit, entered at Phabeni and enjoyed the scenic route up to Hoyo-Hoyo.

Hope it helps, and hope you enjoy it!

Thank you Bushbuddies. Now to convince the family to arise early...

I did spend a few days at the Imbali safari lodge in the Mluwati concession.
I entered the park through the Orpen Gate.
The road from Mpumalanga to the Orpen gate can only be described as an absolute disgrace and a poor reflection on road maintenance services.
The potholes are as huge as a car.
It is clear that road repairs were commenced in many areas and then just abandoned.
I ripped a tyre completely in the Delmas area as a result of going over a piece of metal that had presumably fallen off one of the trucks.
The going was very slow.
I exited Kruger through the Malelane Gate.
The drive was absolutely superb.
The game viewing and facilities at the Imbali safari lodge made up for all the troubles getting there.
Just as an aside, I note that the Imbali Safari lodge does not have a gate that can be secured at night.
On at least two nights, an elephant had come into the site.
On the day that I left, a whole pack of lions were seen about two hundred metres away from the gate.

I must thus advise those traveling from Johannesburg contemplating the trip into Kruger through the Orpen Gate to reconsider.
Rather use one of the more southerly gates as an entrance point.
Now to pay for the expensive tyre from the hired SUV...