SANParks.org Forums

Joep Stevens posted under the Kruger Floods 2013 topice:
Shingwedzi Camp has been extensively flooded on the night of 20 January 2013. From inititial assessments at Bateleur, it is apparent that most of the water came from the Mphongololo River catchment. Initial assessments indicate that repair work will take several months and estimates at this stage indicate the camp might reopen by August or September. However, this could still change and thus our decision to remove all availability for the remainder of the year. Guests with bookings will be contacted in due course in order to try and find alternatives. They are welcome however to contact the reservation offices to initiate any changes themselves.

Yesterday reservations advised no bookings being taken for Shingwedzi for the rest of the year - we had to change our March booking due to the floods

Hi john n poppy

We also had a booking for July and I phoned to ask what to do. They advised me to change my booking, because only later this year will it be clear when the camp will reopen. And as you said, you don't want to change you booking at the last minute to 'the only camp available'.

I advise you to look for something else now, and if your hart is set on staying in Shingwedzi and it opens again in August, you can always try to change back to shingwedzi by then. That is what I have in mind. I had to change to Punda maria but I REALLY wanted to stay in Shingwedzi. So I will just keep an eye on the forum news updates and if it looks like they are finished in time, I will try to change back.

thanks both...

Bateleur it is then....my SO will be glad we arent camping for another night

great choice

In my opinion the best to do will be to change your booking now for another camp in case Shingwedzi does not open in time BUT maybe it does then you can always get your booking back. The same thing happened to us last Jan, we had booked and paid for Tamboti,the camp was flooded and we had to find other accommodation. We found another camp (Mopani) and then just before we left in Jul we received a phone call asking us if we still wanted our accommodation at Tamboti because they has finished all the repairs. In the end we stayed in Tamboti (the repairs to the camp were still in progress but not on a very big scale)

I see the Road is open to Punda.
Any one that can supply us with some images of the road and river at Shingwedzi .
Would be nice to see some images on how the rebuilding of the camp takes shape.
Images of Pafuri ?

good tip, tent dweller,

thanks
john

Have a look at this web-site to see pics of the flooded Shingwedzi camp with only bungalow rooftops showing and still stick out :
http://www.wildcard.co.za/blog.htm?acti ... st&id=4148

It is very SAD news that Shingwedzi Camp is in such a bad state.

we received an email yesterday with regards to our stay at the camp 29th & 30th March, we are devastated as this is one of our favourite camps. Such a sad and tragic event .
It also happens to be smack bang in the middle of our 15 night stay , i am nervously waiting a reply to see if alternative accommodation can be sorted which in reality I dont think will happen as everything looks booked.
Is our only alternative to cancel the trip or does anyone have any suggestions??
We are flying over from the UK so luggage is limited!!
I cannot explain how gutted we are, the last thing we want to do is cancel?!!

Suggestions would be most welcome!!

As tough as it is, and it is nobody's fault debs, but if you send Joep Stevens a PM about it, I am sure you will end up smiling.

Debs the park will find you alternative accommodation for the lack of at shingwedzi so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you do as BB said to do hope you have a great trip

Bush Baptist I agree with you, Joep is a gentleman that helps where ever he can. (Talk from experience)

thanks guys could somebody pm me his email address so that I can contact him??

Could really do with some good news at the moment!!!

Debs - don't cancel your trip One can always make a plan We were booked at Shingwedzi for same nights as yours. Our problem was solved because we were able to move our entire trip to start a week laterBUT before that came about we were making arrangements to go out at Phalaborwa gate and stay at a BB or self catering place in the town and going into the park as day visitors for those days. That might be an option for you if Joep cannot help you out inside the Park. Here's hoping you get sorted out soon

Joep Stevens 082 802 8093/ joep.stevens@sanparks.org

p.s. If you have to go the Phalaborwa option remember to get a booking as day visiors organised because those dates are in the middle of the Easter Weekend and day visitors will be limited then as it is peak season