SANParks.org Forums

Thank you for your responses and the warm welcome to the forum.

This is really helpful!
I hate to be the newbie who doesn't take the veterans' good advice, but I still feel like Tambotie is calling to me.
Those tents overlooking the river look so romantic.
The only safari's I've been on before were in remote parks where their were hardly any other people so the big camp experience sounds.... like it's not my thing.
But then if we are going to roast in the tents at night I imagine that would kill the romance.
Does it get so hot at night in the first week of November?
Can I e-mail to ask that we be put in tents next to each other?

You can e-mail/phone Orpen to ask about tents but I would do it as soon as possible.
As for the heat, November is one of those variable months, can be extremely hot or quite cool depending on the weather patterns at the time.
Enjoy!

Tamboti tents very basic, communal bathrooms etc, a long scary walk to the toilets at night,
The newer fully equipped tents are better.
When I was last there had huge baboon problems raiding the tents every morning .
The tents can also be extremely hot and if it is a cool evening freezing !
Only place in the park I have used a portable heater and hot water bottle in winter.
Satara is a fab camp with superb viewing.
A super little camp is also Orpen and very close to Tamboti.
Whatever you decide enjoy!!!

Then go with your heart
If Tamboti is calling, then Tamboti it is!
All the tents in Tamboti have fans, and they can help keep you cool

Welcome to the forum littleredcat.

I am known as the champion of Tamboti, but in November I would spend the 2 nights at Satara.

Before I get slaughtered, let me state my reasons.
I stayed at Tam in November 2009 and there had not been much rain yet.
The usually productive west half of the H7 was almost devoid of animals never mind the usual regular predator sightings.
It has to do with water availability.
I honestly think that the Satara area would be more productive for you, unless it rains big time.

But if you go to Tam, email Orpen about 2 weeks before you go to get tents next to each other.

If you had to choose between staying at Letaba or Shingwedzi, which would you prefer and why?

I will be making my first (and much anticipated) visit to KNP next year (from Florida in the United States) and am trying to decide on where to stay. Some camps have already been chosen but I need help in choosing between Letaba and Shingwedzi.

Any suggestions you can make will be greatly appreciated. But may I please ask that we try to keep the discussion to the choice between these two camps? If everyone starts in with reasons to stay at all the other camps, I know I will be quickly overwhelmed with information and suggestions.

Thanking you in advance for you help,
Phil

Coming from overseas I guess you will not be camping. If you had been I would have said Letaba, its campingspots are way better and less hot.

I will however go for Shingwedzi. The bungalows are good (though there was a bat problem) and there are way more roads you can travel. Red rocks loop is a great road to drive, and Kanniedood dam is gorgeous. Both also give you great sightings.
Another reason is that you can in fact drive up to Pafuri, which is a birders heaven.

If you opt for Letaba do drive up to Giriyondo border post! That road is usually gives good sightings, and the bit in the Lebombo mountains especially.
Another not to be missed area is the one next to Mopani, around the Tropic of Capricorn loop. There you should find Roan, Eland and possibly even Sable. Cats, tuskers and so on can be seen there too.

Its very close to a 50:50. Certainly pick just one.

I'd probably break it down by time of year. SA summer and for the birding, I'd go for Shingwedzi. The drier the season the more I lean to Letaba.
Letaba is so nice early mornings and sunset due to the sweeping bend on the river.
Shingwedzi, and general area, is that bit quieter traffic wise which gives a slightly enhanced sense of wilderness occasionally. Shingwedzi also puts you (just) within sensible driving distance of the Pafuri area.

On an average day there is probably more 'big' sightings around Letaba.

Very difficult to choose, these are two of my favourite camps!

Letaba pros:
Lovely camp ambience in general IMHO
Terrific camp to walk around at night with a torch for sightings of night critters
Beautiful view from the restaurant - always game to be seen down in the riverbed
Nice drives to Oliphants or Mopani for lunch or breakfast
The drive along the river road is always worthwhile

Shingwedzi pros:
Amazing and beautiful drive up to the camp - have had great sightings along there including lions
Red Rocks loop and Kanniedood dam road always a treat
Can drive up to Punda Maria area for a day
Around the bungalows it is a bit quieter than Letaba
I like the pool area better here
(have not experienced any bats in the bungalows the last two years)
Have had good guided walks and night drives from this camp

We always stay at both camps but if I had to choose I would go for Shingwedzi.

Phil Heise

I would also choose Shingwedzi for all the reasons stated above. I also like the old world charm of Shingwedzi.

As you are from out of town

I would suggest Letaba . It is close to a Town. It is covered with green grass and all in the shade. If come back from a drive you can sit at the river edge look at waterbuck elephant impala and other animals walking to the river for a drink. You can drive to mopani or Olifants . The camp has a nice big shop with ATM.The amount of roads you can take you have allot more options . Shingwedzi is a nice camp mixed with old and new. Birding is an option also has some good roads. Camp is situated in a very dry part of the park . This is a very good camp if you want to visit Pafuri Long drive but it is worth it.

I love Shingwedzi, it has a lovely atmosphere, the accommodation is slightly more modern, there are some lovely drives around there and the proximity to Pafuri is a huge bonus.

However if this is your first time to Kruger I would say Letaba, especially if you can get one of the river view rondavels. I've always found the view from the restaurant to be worth spending time there, nothing better than watching three or four big tuskers ripping up the reed beds. There are plenty of drives around - if you have a high clearance hire car you can travel on the low maintenance roads that go from the main road between Letaba and Phalaborwa Gate. Plus Satara and Olifants are a nice day trip from there. I've always found the staff there to be welcoming and friendly and in the evening you get the benefit of the bushbucks wandering around.

It would be useful to know what other camps you have booked so we know what areas you will have been to or are going to.

Let us know what you decide and why. Have a great trip.

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies!! It seems that either camp is a good choice, especially for a first-time visitor. I will certainly go over everybody's suggestions and see if I can come to a decision. If I cannot, there is always a coin toss to decide!

Thanks again!
- Phil

There is very little to choose from. I love both camps.
They are far from the hectic south, and the pace of sightings is slower.
Both have a shop, restaurant, deck with a view across the river, swimming pool, great riverine drives.
I have not had great sightings on night rides from either, but I think we were unlucky.
I have done 2 morning walks from Letaba which were most enjoyable.

Reasons for Letaba;
Near Mantanbeni hide - the best hide in Kruger
Elephant Hall - worth a visit
Great view from the restaurant area
Big tuskers in the area like Tsotsi
TV lounge where I watched Champions League football one dark late night

Reasons for Shing;
Causeway birding at sunset
Back door exit to Kanniedood road
Good view from the restaurant area
You can do a day's drive to Pafuri for the birds only found in that area, and see the concentration of baobabs.
Red Rocks drive.

Hi Phil and a very warm welcome

This is very much a choice where you can't go wrong. Both camps have charm, both have good river drives, both offer a unique atmosphere.

The deciding factor for me might be the time of year. Letaba, being further south is less likely to be hit by the occasional drought hitting the area. Shingwetzi was very badly hit by drought this year and it is never easy seeing animals in distress. The summer rainfall started late in Shingwetzi.

I hope that you have a really wonderful trip.