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I will take a photo when we camp again and everyone will want to do it .. its ever so comfy !!!and above the ground so no water will run in and the creepies stay out well most of them do. I cheat a little as our CAR is a VentureOur setup

michel367, I think the Bushbaby tent is fantastic value for money.
My son had one and it lasted him 5 years and then the seams started to get wet during heavy raining.
We bought him a new one a few month's ago(R300), it was also perfect for me and the SO when we went to the Kruger alone for two nights (we camped very light)

My point exactly and as they are not at all heavy and really take up no space in your car or where ever they will do just perfectly.
My whole camping setup cost me around R 300.00 and that was including 2 chairs.

Morning all,
Need to run something by you fellow campers --- this pertains particularly to TENTERS and CARAVANERS.
We are busy investigating the option to purchase the foil sheeting to lay over our tent in an attempt to reduce the heat when we visit the Kruger Park this December.
We've been to the Park three times over December and know the excessive heat we experience.
Last December we saw a few tents with this silver reflective sheet laid over their tents.
Didn't know much about the product then, so didn't think to ask.
Now, however we realize its use and are interested in same.
But, before we decide what we are going to buy, would like some feedback from YOU first.
We are looking at two options.
One would be the silver layer sprayed onto ripstop nylon backing (this product doesn't appear to be very shiny and I have my doubts if its going to work -- kind of like tin foil, the shiny side and the dull side - this one is DULL)
and two would be the laminate foil sheet secured to the ripstop nylon backing. (this product is highly reflective and shiny).
We have samples of both products at home.
So questions I'm sending out onto the forum......
Do you have this product? If so, which one??
Do you have a tent or caravan?
DOES THIS PRODUCT REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE YOUR TENT/CARAVAN?
Is it worth investing a substantial amount of money in this product?
Would you recommend it to your fellow campers?

So looking forward to your kind responses. thank you

Hi melaniejayne
I have read a few reviews on these solar fly sheets and most claim a reduction of up to 40% on the temp inside your tent.
I am considering buying one for my trip to Shingwedzi in October.
If you are going to purchase one, don't skimp on price though.
Rather go for quality.
Outdoor war...... (U know that place, I may not say the name here) has a good one in various sizes.

Hi Melaniejayne,

I spoke to campers who were using the very shiny type, they claimed a drastic reduction in the temperature. I am not aware that there are different types, all I can remember is that it was the very shiny material.

So yes, it seems to be working from what I've heard.

Thanks for the comments - much appreciated.
We've thus far received two quotes.
Very shiny reflective material @R1500 for 3,2 x 3,8m.
Second quote R2850 (the sprayed on dull looking option)
The second quote is for 1,5m lengths and we'll then have to secure two or more lengths together with velcro joiners.

Our tent is large!
It stands 2,3m high, and we'll only be using this over the top, not down the sides - so it's highly unlikely that it'll reflect in anyone's eyes.

We went to the workshop of the shiny fabric --- Owner, staff and service received was WOW, impressive. So am wondering if price is relevant in this instance.........
His quote was half the price of the second quote --- and one piece of fabric too.

Two weeks ago in BnD I used a spare gazebo side (Campmaster) as a shade for the tent in the afternoon.
I was amazed at how well it worked.
The previous two afternoons it was like a sauna in the tent.
The tent's side and top were in full sun (a Campmaster Instant 3).
I will definitely use the side for this purpose in the future when necessary.
Later in the afternoon, when it started getting cold, I turned the sheet over so the reflective side faced inward. I'm not sure how much that helped though.

Melanie, have a look at maybe using gazebo sides instead of buying a sheet.
I'm not sure how the quality compares, but I definitely felt a difference with mine.
I'm not sure of the height, but the gazebo is a 3x3m.
I think you can get 2 sides for around R300 or so at shops that stock Campmaster stuff.

Edit: You can also buy spare canopies for Campmaster Instant 3x3m and 3x6m gazebos from those retailers. For R300 or so, might be worth experimenting before buying a big expensive sheet.

Hi Team Green
From personal experience, the vervets are more of a pest and I have heard of baboons trashing a camp site at many different camps. Golden rule: DONT leave ANY food items laying around, especially inside your tent, not even sweets or crisps (also keep the tent securely zipped up when you are not there) and you shouldnt have any problems. I have seen vervets raiding camp sites and it was always when food was exposed. Make sure that your car is also always closed in camp because they like raiding them. Dont let your daughter walk around with any edibles in her hand because they wont hesitate to grab it from her because of her small size. We have enjoyed many camping trips in KNP so dont let it put you off or stop you from enjoying your time with your daughter (B n D would be my choice if camping with a 3 yr old as she will enjoy the pool on hot days, esp that time of the year and it will also add to the fun memories). In any event, most if not all camps have some sort of baboon/monkey problem.
Enjoy the trip!

Team Green - I have to agree with what GlenD has said.

The Golden rule is NOT to leave ANY food items lying around. If the baboons and monkeys see the food they will try their damn best to get at it.

This is a problem that not only happens at BnD but all other camps as well.

When you are out on a drive make sure that All food items are totally out of sight and securely packed away. I even lock my tent with a small padlock as some of the baboons have learnt to unzip the tent - Do not leave food visiable in the car as well.

As GlenD said - Make sure your little one does not walk around with food.

Please don't let this put you off from enjoying a wonderful stay at BnD.

I would also recommend not changing your booking as BnD is a lovely camp which is so child friendly.

Tsendze is a lovely camp as well but more for serious campers and not so child friendly.

Greetings from the Bush

Thank you all for the comments about baboons and monkeys in our camp sites. Let me quickly put things into perspective regarding primate problems at Berg en Dal.
We do not have a baboon problem at Berg en Dal. We have just done an upgrade on our camp fence and did quite a bit of work to prevent primates from entering the camp. This upgrade will prevent baboons to a large extend from entering the camp. (No fence will ever be enough for this clever bush folk though .)
We still have a couple of resident troops of vervets in the camp, but are busy with a removal process. Currently the situation is 100% better than at the beginning of the year, and we hope to have removed all the vervets from the camp towards the end of the year.
The advice from Glend is best: Keep all food secured (in monkey-proof containers), no food should be left in the open and if at all possible do not leave food in tents, as monkeys will rip the tent to get to it. We have cages available for food storage at our camp site, so one can make use of that if you do not have proper storage containers for your food. Also as per Glend, children are a prime target for monkeys, so rather don’t let them walk around with food.
Hope this helps Team Green and looking forward to your visit.

Until all guests take responsibility for ensuring food is kept away from monkeys and baboons there will be a problem. These animals survive by searching for food sources, and when they find one will do all they can to get as much as they want, and chase other animals away. When we chase them they just think we are trying to protect our food and go into stealth mode to outsmart us. Or if we show any sign of retreat they will try to attack.

We MUST keep food covered, and securely shut away in containers that they cannot carry away or open. Don't lay out a buffet on a table outside! Preferably eat indoors, or only take outside what you are actually eating on a plate that you can protect all the time.

Once again - it is OUR responsibility to prevent the problem!

Hi

in almost less than a week we will be heading to northern Kruger. just a silly question: is there a freezer or fridge that can be used to keep meat in while camping. Or do i need to bring my own cooler...

thanx for the help

Vols, which camps are you staying at?

Only Balule and Tsendze have freezers available for guests to use. If you are going to other camps, then you will need to take your own cooler.

thanx DB

we will be staying at Punda, Shingwedzi and satara

Own cooler it is then... haha

I can't wait anymore!