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I haven't been to KNP since my school years , and now having kids of my own, I want to show them the magic and wonder of the bushveld and big 5

I'm planning on camping from 21-31 March outside KNP (cheaper on a single moms' budget ) and have a daytrip or 2 in mind to KNP. The nearest entrance/exit would be the Phalaborwa and Orpen gates.

Any advice on what is a must see, what camps to stop at, etc for 5yr old twins, as it can be a mission to keep them occupied in the car once boredom sets in? (Keeping in mind that a 11mnth old baby will also be travelling in the car ) I have never been south of Mopani (15-odd yrs ago), so I really don't know what to expect there.

And is there any other parents that can give me some advice, do's & don'ts, take this-leave that, etc. as this would be the first time I'm attempting to do something like this (camping alone with kids). Advice from non-parents would also be appreciated.

Hi Niki,

I have a 5yr old little madam myself. And I must say that you are very brave in undertaking this with two of them plus an 11 month old baby. But I promise you that at the end of the day it is going to be an experience you will never ever forget. My trip last year with my daughter up in Punda and Pafuri was one of my best.

You could easily take a round trip from Phalaborwa gate to Orpen gate and/or vice versa in the two day planned day trips.

The elephant museum in Letaba is a must stop for the 5yr olds.


As a general rule I never try to drive for too far and too long with kids in the car. They can get extremely bored and busy in a car. I always make sure that there is enough room inside the car to make them move around freely. Plenty of pillows and padding in the car is always of great help.

Stopping at one of the camps or picnic spots for a picnic with the little ones is a winner. Olifants and Satara have pleasant day visitors areas. Make them help you pack a nice picnic blanket and basket and let them help you set it all up once you are there. The anticipation of the picnic is a nice negotiable carrot to hold in front of their noses once they start getting busy in the car.

I also make sure that there are enough toys, colouring books/crayons and maybe even a kiddies cd/tape in the car to keep them busy when sightings are scarce. Some folks also have invented awesome games with regards to sightings. Also read this topicfor a whole lot more of info with regards to going to Kruger with kids.

Remember sunscreen and Satara has a day visitors pool if you guys wanna go have a dip.

If they are interested in birds then I suggest that you get either one of these books. The Kruger one probably being the best suited for your trip.

[url=http://www.kalahari.net/bk/product.asp?sku=30673798]
Birds of the Kruger for kids[/url]
My first book of Southern African birds

Most important piece of advice I can give you is: Enjoy every moment of it!!

Hello Niki and welcome.

Excellent advice from oom wildtuin ! I also have a 5 year old "madam" . The trick is to keep drives short, about 1-2 hours with breaks inbetween. Plan your route so that you will pass picnic sites and other places where you are allowed to get out. You get wildlife activity books for kids at the shops in KNP (also at CNA etc). The kids can colour in while they learn about the animals they see, they sometimes have tick lists and fun maps so the kids can tick off as they see the animals. Just don't do what we did and forget the crayons in the hot car, on the seat! Melted crayon is not easy to get off a car seat!

Letaba also has a pool in the day visitors area - it costs R5 per person. Remember those swimming costumes!

ROTF!

That reminds me of the time I forgot my flippers and snorkel in the back of my dad's car on the speaker board at the back window nogals. My dad was not impressed to say the least. It's amazing what the sun is capable of.

Thank you guys, I really appreciate your suggestions. I'm sure it's gonna be of a lot of help. I'm getting really excited about this whole trip , yet it's nerve-wrecking as well. Being the first time attempting an adventure like this on my own (with kids & all), I have to try to think/remember where to start with everything. I'm even gonna learn this coming weekend how to pitch a tent , but I can already "see" the reactions on the kids faces should a tent pen come out or something happens and the tent collapses on us (Sorry, but I just have a wicked sense of humour... )

I am considering cancelling the last 2 nights at the (outside) camp, and then maybe camp at Satara. It's just a thought I'm playing around with in my mind at the moment. Then it wouldn't be a rush in the mornings to get to the gate, try and see as much as possible moving to the other gate, and still be in time at the camp. Just have to play around with my budget and see what comes up from it.

I also read somewhere on the forum what people say they never leave at home (or try not to ), but I just can't seem to find the thread. If someone should stumble upon it, can they please post the link here?

5yr olds are worth their weight (literally) in gold in helping to pitch a tent. Show them how to anchor a tent pole with their little feet and you will be amazed how easy it is to rig the biggest of tents.

Anyways here is the topic you were looking for:

Must take items to KNP

I might be wrong, but it will cost you R140 per night to camp in Kruger for you, 2x5 yos & an baby.

Thank you WTM for the link... It's not easy to find it if you're not sure under which topic it would be and if someone haven't posted in it recently. And thanks for the tip, I will make sure they are with when the "camping lessons" start I never had to do it or help with pitching a tent before, as I was always told "it's a man's job".... LOL, now I'm gonna learn how to do it anyway , which in turn means more camping for me and the kiddies.



BB, I haven't phoned to confirm the price, but on the site under tariffs it shows as R120, as you only pay for the stand, and not per person (IF there's not more than 6 persons on the site). Not sure if it will be more, as it falls in the school holidays (only found that out yesterday ), and normally prices skyrockets in school holidays.

R120 for the site, that includes 2 people, one child @R20 & 1 infant no charge. These prices are constant until November.

This is highly recommened, Satara has a lovely camping, try to get a spot close to the fence, and on the righthandside if you enter the camping area......these pitches are great!! Just take a 'grass rake' with you to gather all the big stones...as Satara's camping ground can get quite stoney at some places!!

ENJOY

Monné

Tariffs from 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008

Unit type____Campsite CK6P (with powerpoint)
No. of units__87
Rate_______R120,00
Base_______1-2
Max. beds___6 people per site
Add. Adult___R40,00
Add. Child___R20,00

The way I understand is that 6 people can be on the site @ R120 (we will only be 4), and should there be extra people you have to pay the extra amount.

If I should pay R120 for the stand at Satara, and then still extra per child, then I personally think it's a rip-off. It would be the same what happened at "a non-mentionable place" (not part of SANP) when we slept over in a chalet where they wanted to charge me extra for the kids, but then all 4 of us slept in 1 double bed. I really don't mind paying half price for them, but don't try and rip me off. I'm wondering now if other single parents also encountered the same problem?



Monné, thank you for the recommendation & tip on a rake (IF I will have place for it). I will definitely fit in 10min during the day to phone and confirm prices.

Niki, you've misunderstood just a bit. The rate is the base rate for the base number on a campsite, which is 1-2 people. The maximum number of people allowed on the campsite is 6, but you must pay the additional for those above the base of 2. Is that a bit clearer?

It's really a fair deal. I lose out the other way, because I have to pay the base rate, which for some accommodation can be for as many as 4 people, even tho I travel solo.

Niki, you will pay R160 for the 4 of you per night to camp in Kruger. you won't get that much cheaper elsewhere outside the Park. Just take care in preventing mozzies biting the little ones. Especially in the communal bathrooms.

Yeah Niki, WTM and arks are right, it is only R160 per night, relatively cheap compared to some other places, considering your setting and facilities. There's nothing like lying in your tent and listening to the lions roaring and the hyaenas whooping. In the morning you can easily start driving, no having to wait in a queue at the entrance gate! That's if there's no queue waiting at the camp gate, but that queue disappears very quickly.

All the campsites have communal kitchens with 2 plate stoves, washup facilities, all except Tsendze and Balule have 24 hour hot water urns. The latter 2 do not have electricity but the rest do. Just make sure you have a blue plug and very long extension cord! The ablutions are all good!

If it fits your budget rather stay in KNP.

OK, I phoned them on Thursday, and it will be R140 per night for the 4 of us. They're not counting baby in. Now just to check which days I'll be camping outside Kruger (as it's still cheaper) and which days at Satara.



What does the blue plug look like? What is it used for? Is the plugs in the KNP different from what I'm used to here in GP? Extension cord is not a problem.