SANParks.org Forums

Hi jpadrutt, you are correct in assuming that the guest cottages will have all you need in terms of being fully equipped.

The BD3 in Skukuza is listed as having a bathroom, fridge, aircon. and has utensils but you will have to use the communal kitchen to actually cook at. It will also have a braai outside.

The BG2E is a 2 sleeper, aircon, a WC and shower, a fridge, has no utensils and a communal kitchen will also have to be used.
will also have a braai.
It will have a enclosed veranda which is what the E stands for.

You could use the deli/takeaway or the restaurant if need be.

This info is taken from Here

Oldgoat - good on you winning the battle! You deserve this trip, and a great site at Satara! Sorry no pulling of strings, but some advice from experiences we have had.

I would aim to get to the camp sites by the very latest 9am. To me that is the best time - maybe even earlier, when there is the biggest selection of camp sites recently vacated. If you see someone packing up on a site you would really like, then you can park and wait for it. What will be first prize for you is a site close to the loos and on the fence and with shade!

I do think that there are many lovely sites at Satara - even those to the right side of the camp (facing the fence) in the 2nd or 3rd row are lovely.

I have also seen folk ask when someone is on a site they would love to have, when they are leaving and then, if it is a day or two's wait (depending on the length of their stay) they move. That seems like too much PT to me.

Watching the sun set over Africa from the fence at Satara is an awesome experience! Enjoy it! Even if you don't camp on the fence, there is still an area you can go and sit and enjoy the experience.

molpol, if you have a look Here

and Satara contact details

Here

I hope you have a wonderful celebration! Enjoy

I don't think so. The communal kitchen has some hotplates. But I have red somewhere on the forum that you can hire a pots and pans box at some camps. We also have a BG2 in Satara next week. We take one small frying pan with us and simple cooker. We also think about an small sausepan, but we don't have one yet (lightweight).
Our experience with the Satara buffet is that it isn't very good (take aways for the lunch are ok), so the evening meals will be prepared in the communal kitchens... Maybe someone else has more experience with that???

Hi Michael2467 and a warm welcome to the forum.

The Sunset drives usually leave about an hour before gate closure, night drives, where available, around 8 or 8.30 I think.

The morning walks also leave about 1 hour before gate opening.

Have a look Here for lots of extra info.

The picnic site with great views is N'wanetsi which is at the end of the H6.
There is also the Timbavati Picnic site within easy distance of camp which is a great spot as well.

Enjoy your trip.

( I see Elsa told you the same )

Hi michael2467 - as far as picnic spots go, there is Timbavati (on the S40) which is awesome but from a viewing aspect N'wanetsi (on the H6) is great.

Perhaps you will get the info you need here
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/satara/tourism/activities.php

How long you staying for? Is it your first trip?

Hi Michael,

And welcome to the forums. I'm not sure, but I think it might be addictive!!

About the times of their activities - as far as I know there is a button somewhere on this sight about times etc. I just don't know where - but I'm sure other mites will help.

As far as picnic spots go.... you have PLENTY to choose from around Satara:

1. Nwanetsi Dam
This is a dam to the east of Satara with a picnic spot. Take the "dustbowl" S100 to get there - a busy dirt road but one where you might see the cats. You will either love or hate this road. N'wanetsi is about 35km's from Satara and what I love about it is that the picnic area is a distance away from the actual lookout... makes the lookout much more peaceful.

2. Muzandzeni
This is a quiet picnic spot South West of Satara - about 32km's away. Take the H1-3 South for 10km's and then turn right onto the S126. There isn't much of a view but it's nice and quiet. Just note that when we were there last week that whole area was on fire - so it might be black for the next couple of weeks... not necessarily a bad thing - but some people don't like it.... personally I think you might get to see the little critters normally hidden in the grass.

3. Timbavati
Situated 23km's North West of Satara take the H1-4 north and turn left onto the S127.... or even better take the H1-3 south for 2km's turn right onto the H7 towards Orpen. Then turn right again (north) onto the S40 past Girvana. This picnic spot has become very busy lately. But there is always a chance to see a bushbuck or 2 up close. But please, please don't feed them. An added benefit here is that the Ratelpan hide is just around the corner.

4. Nhlanguleni
If you wanna travel a bit further you can go South West to Nhlanguleni. 62kms south on the H1-3. Turn right onto the Vutomi road (S33 - great dirt road) and right onto the S36.

5. Tshokwane
If you're looking for a picnic spot with a shop and nice Kudu Rolls or Pap&Sheba you can take the H1-3 south to Tshokwane. 49km's on the tar road - but there are many, many, many dirt roads along the way if you wanna take the scenic route. PS: I see that they're stuck with a food stealing baboon troop again

6. Olifants Camp
If you wanna go north and have one of the best views in Kruger, you can go to Olifants Camp. It's got a view to die for... but unfortunately the picnic area is behind the shops and not with the view.

Feedback from last weekend...

We spent one night in Satara, leap-frogging up to Letaba.

We had a BD3B unit booked, and as luck would have it, the identical hut we had previously!

Since our last visit (2007), these huts have had a small half-boma built onto the verandah, which used to be mesh-enclosed. The fridge has been gated in, which makes up for the mesh removal.

In any event, they really are super now, providing much more space outside than before. They've also been intelligently designed, with a bulkhead lamp placed close to the braai, for instance.

I would recommend that if you are spending a fair length of time in one of these huts, a small (3m x 3m) piece of 60- or 80% shade-cloth will provide even better shade over the boma area, than the roof poles alone. But that really is nitpicking... I'd have no problem going back.

The Satara pool is lovely, the camp is as charming as ever, and the game in the area is like going to the zoo... you cannot drive two kilometers without seeing something.

And oooooh yes, re the reply from 03/10... there was a shedload of rain on Monday!

First I think the bungalow in the G circle are all nice

We stayed in No. G161 - the very first one which is also located extreme close to the fence and we saw indeed a lot of animals from our verandah.

No 167 are the closest to the fence. By far the best perimeter in the camp

Hi Anja
We stayed at Satara on Sunday and Monday this week and had hut number G162. I had also requested 167 but it was already taken. Our unit was very close to the fence, but if you can get 161 (the one next to ours) it looked good from the point of view it was the last one in G huts and also had a nice shady tree so you could put your table and chairs out there in the evenings and it was very private and quiet.
Have a great time

Anja, 168 isn't bad either. It is not so close to the fence as 167 but a lot better than others. I'm not sure about 161. As far as i know 161 are right next to the guest house which block your view to the left. I would go for 168. Enjoy your trip

Hi Sue,

I know the D circle has the BD3E type bungalows which are the 3 sleepers with wire enclosed verandahs and also the GC6B's guest cottages.
I am not sure if there is a third type there.
We have just stayed in both the ones I mentioned.

IMO the BD2V which are the perimeter ones are worth the extra cost as one often has some great sightings along the fence.

Hi, I am wanting to know about putting lighties on mattresses on the floor in a BD3B unit at Satara (we travel with mattresses). It is the largest unit that is currently available but my wife and I have two small kids with us as well as a large one. The unit has 3 single beds. Is there enough room on the floor of these units? Is it allowed? Do they have separate kitchenette areas where they could sleep? Also, can anyone tell me where to source a layout of the camp showing the unit numbers. Any suggestions as to which clusters are better than others?
Thanks

Welcome to the forums!

This page should tell you all, and has the map of the camp too.