Which camps.

[Mels26]

Hi there guys? We are 4 older people from UK and Holland. We are planning a 14/15 night trip in Kruger would like to enter at Punto Maria and head South . Where would you stay and how many nights. Looking forward to your thoughts.

[FinMari]

Hi Mels26!

Excellent plan to have 14/15 days drive from Punda Maria to south
Even better with nice company

Sorry to ask, would you like to stay in bigger camps with restaurants or are you ready to braai?

Just my opinion, but two options based staying at bungalows / cottages

Bigger rest camps
Punda Maria 2 nights to have possibility to visit Pafuri area
Shingwedzi 3 nights
Mopani 2 nights
Satara 3 nights
Skukuza 2 nights
Berg en Dal 2 nights

Smaller camps
Punda Maria 2 nights
Bateleur 2 nights
Shimuwini 3 nights
Satara 3 nights
Talamati 2 nights
Biyamiti 2 nights

Let's hear what opinions other have

[Melaka]

There are no bad camps in the Kruger. We are 80+ and always stay in camps with a restaurant as we go to see the animals not to cook and wash up. Stays should be a minimum of 2 nights but 3 gives a better chance of looking round the area. Part of the fun is the planning and deciding where to stay. We're doing that now for our next trip!

[Elsa]

Mels, 14 to 15 days is believe it or not quite a short time to travel the length of the park giving yourself enough time in each area.
We did the same trip but we took 30 days!
I understand not everyone has that much time to spare.
But I do like FinMari's choices even tho it's going to mean a lot of packing and unpacking.

[vinkie]

Welcome Mels26,

I agree with Elsa, 14/15 nights is quite short to travel from North to South.
You will be doing a lot of unpacking and packing.

I would enter at Phalaborwa Gate visit the following Rest Camps, you will have enough time to enjoy the areas and KNP:

- Mopani 3 nights
- Letaba or Olifants 3 nights
- Satara 4 nights
- Tamboti?
- Lower Sabie or Berg and Dal 4 nights

When you do want to enter at Punda Maria I would take the following route:

- Shingwedzi 3 nights
- Mopani 3 nights
- Satara 4 nights
- Lower Sabie 3 nights
- Berg en Dal 2 nights

[Mels26]

Many thanks for your thoughts. We are looking at all options. South Africa is getting a lot of bad press at the moment and the other are asking if it’s safe on the main highways

[FinMari]

Mels

I have been in SA twice this year and third trip is in less than three months, icluding two weeks in KNP. Don't believe all those horrible stories specially what the orange guy is lying about. As a normal visitor when driving on the main highways I have never felt unsafe. Just stay connect to this forum and check if there is something about road conditions etc closer. For example on this topic others ask about roads

Please, visit Kruger NP and enjoy the amazing nature what it can give to you

[Mels26]

Many thanks. We will be there I am sure.

[Melaka]

I'm not sure what roads you plan to drive. Our most recent visit was last November. The main road from ORT to Hazyview and back from Malelane was fast and trouble free. The usual rule about never driving after dark applies.