SANParks.org Forums

The LS safari tents were our discovery, Andrea but, we were there in the Saffie winter. I am "allergic" (or as some would say a sissy ) to heat and much prefer going to Kruger somewhere between June and August.

Understand about the heat in all the safari tents
been at croc bridge when it was above 40
but still believe they get you closer to nature then the bungalows with the aircons

btw, the tents are still very affordable at croc bridge and very nice as well

I can remember testing one of the tents just after erection in Croc bridge some 14 years ago.

quality then
also multi-tasking tonite Scips

Try Lions, Oops, wrong thread.

Camping is the answer and I mean camping no fancy caravans etc etc .. we spent two months travelling the various parks Ever so reasonable .. of course no aircon no en suite and no own kitchen BUT thats what the bush is all about Wild card marvellous ( SAffie one) and we go in pensioners discount time... ( I do know its not practical for the overseas folks and also those with disabilities )So in all its a dirt cheap or should i say inexpensive holiday.

Hugh, Camping still stays best.

Camping for 3 people is R238 per night so as long as you are single its cheap, but with teenagers a bit more cost that can easily double if you are 5 people.

Its still cheaper than other wildlife camps but when it comes to the safari tents it will cost us R1250 per night for 2 adult and one 12 year old at Lower Sabie. Even most decent chalets are from R1000 per night, but I agree much more affordable than most place in SA or Namibia.

KTP Wilderness camps are even more expensive at a cost of R2100 for us. So unless I can get a lion/cheetah scouter to share I cannot afford to visit any of the wilderness camps in KTP.

I don't understand R180 for up to 6 people if you can fit in one camping spot.

cheetah2111,

The base rate is R180 for 2 and then you add R58 for every additional person up to 6 - max cost per night for camping is R412 thus.

I've booked for Lower Sabie for March 2012 and paid R238 per night.

Yes, but that's for 2 people. Its R58 for each extra adult so 3 teenagers would nearly double the daily rate of R180.

Oh! I'm sorry my friend I never read it out properly

Hey, Matthys, pity it wasn't this mousie in your tent

Given that there are massive conservation expenses and this is a world heritage area, we do pretty well.

There are a couple of things that come to mind in terms of cost.

Firstly, Val is correct in saying that overseas visitors are not the cash cows we think they are. The global economic market is not good and is not getting better. It is still going to be a bumpy ride for a long time.

Transport costs are becoming prohibitive. This is for both overseas and local tourists. The prices Sanparks charges has less impact on me that the cost of getting there and driving around. By the way, anyone going on the toll march?

Many of the older camps were designed when eco awareness was not central to planning. Some camps are very expensive to run and no doubt add to the cost of running the Parks.

As a person who often travels alone, Sanparks has very little available. As far as I know, Lower Sabie and maybe Shingwetzi has huts for one. My costs are always doubled.

I do think that these are factors that need to be looked at in terms of future planning. We are moving toward a different economy with very different challenges.

Having said all that, I will do almost anything to get to Kruger... I said, almost anything

My favourite accomodation is without a doubt the Safari tents. Love it, love it, love it LOwer Sabie is my favourite now, because I just love that open view. I cannot think of a more beautiful spot, it is utterly, utterly priceless.

MM you make some very valid points there. We saw quite a few lone travellers on our last trip and I often see them asking about accommodation option for single travellers on travel forums.
For foreigners the flight costs are really prohibitive. To fly from just about anywhere outside Africa to J'burg is a long way and very expensive. For us here in Australia, SAA and Qantas have the duopoly on direct flights and the code-sharing makes it pretty anti-competitive. That will end in Dec. this year as they have not been granted an extension to the code sharing arrangement beyond that date. We will see what happens after that! Our next visit this August we have economised by hiring just a little cheap car and we have booked the majority of our nights in huts, tents and bungalows with no bathroom or kitchen. So we don't have to bring a tent and sleeping gear but we will bring a bag of camping stuff for cooking. In the future I am well prepared to go down the tent route and bring the whole box n dice if it means that is the only way to afford it!