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What a wonderful camp - wish it were closer though and wish we spent a week there.
We had huts 1 and 2 would highly recomend no 1 its right on the end and feels like no other around. Saw a lioness drinking at the waterhole early one morning and felt as if she was right next to us - fabulous. Lots of kudu and gemsbok came to drink there too.A jackal came into our kitchen which is outside - he just sniffed around and left again. Got some nice bird shots at the camp - yellow canaries, familiar chat,redheaded finches, a dusky flycatcher nest right outside the hut.
We had no hot water for the two nights and it must of been the coldest week ever last week !! - we managed to have cold showers midday(freezing!!!) and boil the kettle for the dishes. I have reported this to the Tourism Manager so sure it will ne fixed soon.
We will deffinately go back to Grootkolk.

I would appreciate some comments from any forumites that has recently been to Grootkolk and / or Gharagab regarding the length of the grass. I suspect that it will probably be very high and dense after all the good rains. I am spending 4 days at Grootkolk and 2 at Gharagab in April. How was the sightings in general? Better north towards Union's end or south towards Nossob?

Comments will be highly appreciated.

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We were in the park during the last 10days in Feb. We did not visit Grootkolk nor Gharagab but I think you can safely assume that the grass will be long. The only difference being that in April the grass will probably be more yellow than green. We travelled north as far as the loops near Leijersdraai and it was quiet sightings wise. Though that could be attributed to the almighty thunderstorm that we experienced. There were many many raptors around...yellow-billed kites and red-footed falcons. They will no doubt have migrated by April though. Grootkolk is a renown predator area....I am sure you will be treated to some awesome action. 4 days at Grootkolk is heaven in itself. Enjoy.

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Toieo,

As Caracal mentioned correctly the grass has started to turn a yellowish colour and they are standing very tall at the moment due to the very good rains we have had. Grootkolk in general does have very good predator sightings but I will not let the tall grass turn me off as most of the predators will stay in open areas and in the roads.

KG

Agreed,

A few years ago I saw a lion walking on a road 'up there' with tall grass all around. His forelegs were raw & bleeding from the grass he had waded through.

Thank you everybody. KG I will be bringing a box of magazines for the library project (Weg, Wegry and Wegsleep) Do I drop it off at 2R?

Yes I agree Grootkolk is also my favourite camp (we were there during the fire!! ) followed bu Urikaruus.

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Tobieo,

You are welcome top drop the books off with me I will see to it that the staff in the outside camps receive the books, and thanks a million it is appreciated.

Drive safe

Will do so KG, I will be in 2R at +-12:00 on 20 April.

Any news yet on the road to Nossob or then permit from Botswana to travel on their side to Kij Kij?

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I have spoken to the Botswana reception to get an answer regarding the Botswana day permit.

I have been told that issuing of day permits is the discretion of the Botswana Wildlife Department, the issue regarding that the permit is not given to all guests will be taken up with the next bilateral meeting.

I will advise what the outcome was.

Hi everyone

I’m booked for 3 nights at Kieliekrankie at the end of my 2 week visit to the park in Jan 2012. I’ve never stayed at Grootkolk before and have not been north of Nossop for a LONG time, I always stay in the Auop. I’ve read the forum and now I’m VERY tempted to change by booking to Grootkolk.

Can anyone please tell me what the general game viewing is like in the area around Grootkolk

Thanks

Grootkolk is magical....

We had Lions in the camp and Hyenas others saw Leopard at the camps waterhole, we saw Brown Hyena on the way to Unions End, Cheetah at the Unions End Waterhole, Lion there as well.
Huge herds of Springbok, Oryx, Hartebeest, Kudus, Meerkats, Owls.....

Even had a very scary and once-in-a-lifetime experience at Grootkolk...
If you like have a look here...

And here at the trip report for more pics and videos taken in and around Grootkolk

If I were you I would try to change the booking
The landscape at Kieliekrankie is great, but Grootkolk is a completely different wilderness experience.

Thanks Katydownunder I really enjoyed your trip report, I missed it at the first time, spent my whole lunch hour getting carried away with the Kgalagadi again

I’ve stayed at Kieliekrankie many time before so maybe it’s time to try Grootkolk, I think you managed to convince me

PS: The link link to your scary experience took me to the wrong place would love to see the pics

At Grootkolk, one also gets the feeling that one cannot be further from humanity.
WW3 could start - and end - and you wouldd be none the wiser.
If you enjoy that sort of 'freedom' go for it!

Changed the link and now it should direct you to the right place

Pics of Grootkolk here:

http://www.kruger-2-kalahari.com/grootkolk.html

I see they say accommodation is still "cramped"?????