SANParks.org Forums

Thanks for all the great info!
Hecksie said "people love June -August so book accomodation ASAP" Do I really need to think about booking a a place in Kruger NOW for next August? I haven't even bought the plane tickets yet!
Is Satara really noisy at night ( I mean people noise, not animals)?
Some of you have recommended certain huts which are close to the fence and you can see a lot of wildlife from the huts at night - if we weren't lucky enough to have one of these huts, can you walk aorund the camp at night and walk up the fence to look or are you going to scare everything away?

Yes book ASAP. There is virtually no availability for August in some camps already. People often don't pay the deposit in time though so the availability changes on a daily basis - I would book something now and then alter your booking if something better materialises later.

Ya I booked 15August my July trip for 2013 and couldn't get my accomodation I really wanted. It is really certain season that hard to get accomodation in Kruger. I'm not an expert about the best hust/chalets to choose as I like the permanent tents for 2, and you guys are a family. Hopefully someone will help out. You first just book the accomodation and then later on you can phone the camp with your reservation number and book a specific hut/chalet

Hi Tim, you are certainly getting good advice. My only concern at the moment is availability. Book as early as possible.

Even if you don't have a river view bungalow at LS, or perimeter bungalow at Satara, there are benches where you can sit and relax. With youngsters, they are likely to be exploring anyway and "finding stuff".

Definitely. Bring a strong torch. But the scaring away might be the other way round!

You can look for nocturnal animals like hyenas that often patrol the fences, bush babies, civets, owls and anything else around. Speak to other visiors. They often have seen something and will share it with you.

Hi Tim .......welcome .......
Yes - the advise above has been solid and please do get your booking in as soon as possible. Mine are normally booked a year in advance.
Going to Kruger is like drinking red wine (to some)......you start with the sure-fire Chateaux Libertass, but soon move on to the more sophisticated palates. If it is your first visit, then head for the camps that have been advised. For me however, Kruger is not about seeing as much game as possible - it is about connecting with nature and the game is only part of it. For your kids the big, hairy, scary animals may be important, but I have come to love the bush camps because it gets me out of the hustle of larger camps that can become quite busy during school holidays. For peace and quite I head to the little forgotten corner of Shimuwini. We don't see so much of the "wanted" game, but it is always interesting and sitting on the lawns overlooking the river, with few people jostling around, is a treat. My kids are 8 and 10 and even they love the quite, bearing in mind that there is always something to "distract" them in the bush.
In support of the other comments, please do at least one sunset/night drive - it is worth it and the kids will love it. And please don't forget to have a waffle and ice cream at one of the restaurants that can be found in the larger camps. They are sublime........