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The S50 along the Shingwedzi and the S56 along the Mphongolo are very scenic and I always had many nyala sightings there.
The S52 is nice too. I saw 2 Sharpe's Grysbok there 2 years ago.

Visit the kanniedood dam. Let us know if u were also afraid to get into the hide there.
I have seen a lion near there last year.
Go see the red rocks towards Bateleur.

I have found Nigel Dennis's book very worthwhile driving this area.
Take some of his suggestions in Where to watch...

also drive the very scenic gravel route towards Sirheni and Babalala.
Watch for open-billed storks at the low water bridge left of the back gate at Shingwedzi when you enter.
Also see the gate house (front gate) where the gate man was unfortunately killed and partially eaten by a leopard in the '90's. the burglar proof fencing should give it away.

Are you camping?
I suppose so.
There used to be a python in the palms there at the site.

aaahhhh GP... MY FAVOURITE CAMP IN THE WHOLE "WILD" WORLD....
my favourite is the late afternoon drive on the river loops out the back gate.... truly amazing... we were lucky enough to see a leopard female and her two cubs in the road... the cubs were still very young......

another prosperous road has been the main road to babalala.. we always see lion on that road......usually around one of the manmade waterholes......

the redrocks road is also a great loop....just for the views alone its worthwhile....

Shingwedzi is patch of wildlife paradise amid fairly large sea of low animal density in the Mopane (tree abundant in north).
Shingwedzi has numerous (about three-four) rivers which converge in that area, and creates good alluvial floodplain with tall trees and good quality game habitat.
Lots of elephant, lion fairly good, leopard good, buffalo good.
Nice birds,
Very good bird hide- Kanniedood dam.
There are nice quiet roads in the greater area if you really want to escape..

The last time we camped at Shingwedzi, I insisted on a site under a tree sort of in the middle of the camping area, and boy did my SO have trouble hammering the tent pegs in!! He said it was because I insisted on camping half on a road way
Shame and it was one the hottest days ever!

PS @ GP - very tidy camp site!

Camping tip.
Use 6" nails instead of pegs with those curves on top.
The force of the hammer goes down instead of sideways.
Pull out with pliers or a vice-grip (great all purpose tool).

Absolutely sure.
Completely different soils to coastal sands.
That's why you can't hammer in normal pegs.
If required you can put a washer under the head to stop rope slipping off but thin nylon can just be looped once.
I once had straight steel pegs with a hook welded onto the side - OK.
The principle is that for KNP ground you need to get the force of the hammer going straight down to penetrate.

1. Staff - Brilliant, knowledgeable, friendly. The cashier at the store - you've got to love him.
2. Beautiful camp overall. I'll post pics tomorrow. Neat, clean, Mopani trees are the most beautiful shades of reds and yellows.
3. Swimmingpool - the kids loved every moment of it.
4. Game viewing - excellent. The access road of 3km takes you at least a half an hour in the evenings. Anything is possible. We watched a herd of 20 giraffe in varying sizes coming down to drink yesterday.

I'll post pics tomorrow - but in my opinion the flagship camp for KNP at the moment.

Had an interesting sighting yesterday.
Went out on my own on the Red Rocks Loop and decided to turn round and park in a shady spot next to the riverbed. Found a HUGE elephant bull drinking and bathing just out of sight if I hadn't turned the car around.
On the video clip you actually hear him slurping up the water to drink.
He had one massive tusk, the other was broken, about a quarter of the other one.

Also found a bull on the main road to Letaba with half a trunk!
It was eating but with difficulty.
Have a pic to post.

I come to the Kruger for the wildlife, the scenery, the peace and quiet - to remind myself what life is about!
As long as the accommodation is clean and comfortable, with shower and aircon (which it already mostly has) I am perfectly happy.









Full sized photos at
http://www.pbase.com/richardharris/shingwedzicamp

October 2005:

The camp is suffering extreme water shortage at the moment with only enough water left to operate for another 3 months.

The camping area - Oct 2005:


Sunset from the campsites:

These are the best I can offer - of the river from the camp's verandah.
No other views that I know of.

That view from the restaurant over the river is one of my favourites and makes a great stop for lunch or a snack when you are not staying at Shingwedzi. There seems always to be some interesting activity to watch not to mention the cheeky birds who will nick your food while you're concentrating on taking photos of the river

The restaurant is a brilliant place to spend a couple of hours or so.
In one visit (approx one hour) we saw a pair of European kingfishers, a troop of monkeys and tree squirrels.
On the furthest bank of the river we saw baboons, impala, waterbuck and male and female nyala.
Plus we'd only just missed an ellie having a bath.
On the way out (on the causeway) was a giant kingfisher bashing a crab against the concrete.
They put some chairs just outside the covered area looking down to the river and across to the far bank.
I'd love to spend all day there and let the animals come to me.