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Hi, we are sleeping there tomorrow night!!! Can't wait!!!
I can't remember how may times we have already slept there.
It is an unbelievable experience!
We once had a pride of lions sleeping next to the hide and roaring the whole night.
You can't believe the feeling!
You must remember there is no showers, a longdrop and the last time we were there, they had plastic containers with a tap rigged over the washbasin so that you can wash your hands.
One thing i can say about the "ablutions", it is always clean.
At least all the times we slept there.
We also bring our own portable shower with a 20L can of water and have the most glorious outdoor showers ever (because nobody is around )
We usually bring our own blankets and linen but you can hire at Phalaborwa gate.
I think it is possible to hang your net but we never used one.
Also remember, you have to cook over a fire or bring a gas stove for that most important item in the park: coffee with rusks!!!!!
Before sunset you have your own Discovery Channel when all the animals come for a drink or the elephants come for a bath, and the birdlife is just wonderful.
You must stop me now because i can write pages about that place!!!

Loads and loads of photo's but i don't know how to post it!

sorry about that Ecospook.
there is a helpful topic here
click there and follow the instructions if you will

It can be daunting at first. I suggest you resize photos before uploading them to whichever site you sign up for.

Good day,

I have an one night stay-over at the Sable overnight hide in January 2013. I am really excited about this night and have high hopes for exciting sightings.

My question is: how far is the dam/waterhole from the hide itself in terms of its closest edge and furthest edge?

I want to make sure I have a sufficient light, camera lens and night vision if possible.

Many thanks
Pantoffel

Hi there PantoffelSlippers!
(Love your name btw. LOL)

This photo was made from the far side of the waterhole, towards the hide where you'll be sleeping. The dead tree is in the middle of the waterhole, sort of.

This one I made on the same day from the hide. Hope it gives you some idea of where the water is in relation to the hide. Obviously it will change with the water levels. In 2010 the water was way closer to the hide.

At the moment the water is at the hide, and this January it was under the Hide, all depends on the rain.

Sable is great PS, make sure you have something to go about 100 meters, then you can see the other side of the water, and the old inlet carpark(That is now under water) but more importantly, the Damwall, the animals seem to love walking on it, maybe cause of the vantage/height.

These were some of the goodies, one day, just at Sable Dam.

Thanks all - yep - i was thinking about 100-300m

I will have to make sure I have lenses and lights for night viewing to cover this distance.

Great pics btw!

Thanks again!

What about camping chairs, do i need chairs for sable hide??

There will only be the benches in there for sitting on so if you want to take camping chairs then no problems.
I guess the benches are at the optimal height for game viewing.
I would maybe just take some cushions as the benches do get hard after a while.

Taking American friends to sleep in Sable Hide in April. Anyone who has been there recently, please can you advise on:
- What is the condition of the bedding that you can rent from Phalaborwa gate?
- Do you have to return keys or equipment the next morning to Phalaborwa gate?

And of course, tell about your sightings!

GS

Hi gstrydom

I 'reported' your message to see if we can get a reply and info
The sightings are superb there at the moment The H14 to Mopani has been producing lion, and the first few kms from phala gate is where the wild dogs have been hanging out

That's cool - its still a month before we go, but it is good to know that it is lively around there at the moment.
Thanks for the update and fueling the excitement!

Yes, you will have to return the keys, etc to the gate the next day.
Sure the bedding will be fine, haven't heard of any complaints so far.

Have a wonderful stay in the hide.

I've asked Heksie to post some photos of their stay at the end of last year and to give some info for you too........

Enjoy every moment......