Reservation questions/advice

[gwendolen]

Is there anyway to check accommodation availability online and to make the reservation for the Hides?
Does anyone know if there are any other sleep-over hides available or is it only Shipandane and Pioneer Dam?

If there is, I can't find it. I think you will have to call, fax or email reservations, Lionhugger.

The two are Shipandane and Sable Dam. More info on the Sleepover Hides here

Edit: Found booking information for Sable Dam:

Booking information

Should you be interested in making a booking at the Sable Dam Bird Hide, you can contact Phalaborwa Gate for assistance (no bookings will be done through any other of the camps receptions).

Phalaborwa Gate: 013 735 6509

Cost per Night: R100,00 per person

[Freda]

Shipandane is listed under accommodation at Mopani

[Elsa]

I cannot figure out what "Budget account (months)" means. Can anyone please tell me?

Hi Tangi and welcome,
As far as Know, and I think it is correct, all that means is whether you want the amount to come off as a one off payment or you want it divided up and taken off monthly, usually over 6, 12 etc. but obviously there will be interest charged by your bank for that.
Hope that helps.

[bert]

Hi and welcome
Think Budget account only applies to South Africans

[Bush Baptist]

As Elsa said, Budget spreads the payment over the chosen number of months. It is to be avoided at all cost (pun intended) because you pay the bank exorbitant interest. The usual question is 'budget or straight' and has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Choose straight, unless you can afford the interest!

[DinkyBird]

Hi Welsh Man - I make a fair amount of telephone bookings and always find the Pretoria satellite office to very efficient and always recommend that people try that number. I suggest you give it a call. Pretoria: +27 12 991 0758

[W&H]

A couple of quick questions for those Kruger veterans:

When I'm viewing the availability chart for a particular camp, and I choose a type of bungalow, on the chart it may say that there is availability for a couple of days straight, but how do I know if it's the same unit. In other words, could I be moved from hut to hut within the park?

I'm interested in booking a trip in late August or early Sept - it looks like the weather should be pretty good?

I'm thinking one night in Pretoriuskop, one in Lower Sabie, and then up to Satara for two nights. I love Olifants camp, but think it may be too far to go for just one night.
Any advice??

Thanks

[arks]

Hi W&H and Welcome!

No worries, if the accommodation type is available for consecutive days, you will have the same unit for those days. You just won't know which particular unit until you arrive, altho you may request a specific unit in advance if you have a favourite prefered one. Just remember that it's only a request, not a guarantee that you will get the unit you request (since they can't leave it empty for a day or more, just so it will be available for you ).

As for choice of camps, I hate packing and moving camp, so would always advise fewer camps rather than more. I'd choose between Pkop and LS, as you can drive both areas from either camp, spend 2 nights in the one you choose, plus the 2 nights at Satara, and save on packing and moving.

August/September is the end of winter, so expect dry conditions and good viewing at waterholes and elsewhere, warm days and chilly nights and early mornings. It's the preferred time for many KNP regulars!

Have a great trip!

[Wild@Heart]

I notice that the Wilderness trails availability list has not been updated since 12 th December 2007. Are there no trails in November and December and first few weeks of January??

Actually .. If my memory is correct Hugh .. The trails do not run during part Nov, Dec and Part Jan .. There was a huge discussion on the forum a few months back re. why trail don't operate during this period.

Mostly the reason was because of the extreme temps and rainfall.

Jen .. It's quite possible that you did the trails, maybe begin Nov / End Jan???

Hope this helps.

[Johann]

The trails close mid December for camp maitenance and annual staff leave , and as far as I know , reopen 2nd week January .
Best phone Bridget Bagley at Sanparks Pretoria 012 426 5111 .

As Nldoti said. I think one of the reasons they do it over this period is for the high temperatures, rainfall etc. especially in the north of the park. We did Nyalaland the last week of January last year and it was pure bliss.
When can we go back?

[Bush Happy]

Thanks Senyetse,

Am I correct in saying that even if I phoned, I could only book eleven months in advance? I see the Availability section goes to the end of December.

If this is the case I still have the issue of trying to book over the Christmas period which falls over two different months.

[DinkyBird]

Correct Bush Happy - you can only book 11 months in advance. Book your December requirements now and on 1 March amend the booking to add the January requirements

[Senyetse]

You don't have to wait for March for Jan availability. You should be able to see availability for January 09 (not using online bookings but selecting the availability link. Select the park from the list of links.

Here's an example for Letaba for Jan 09
Go to the bottom of the page and select the park/camp you want.

[davegrohl]

Can anybody comment on the availability of night drives over a busy week/weekend in Kruger.
I have never not been able to go on a night drive as a result of the drive being fully booked, but i have never tried on a night in school holidays (I almost always go to Kruger outside of school holidays) or on a long weekend.

Can you book months in advance?

Also, a general comment:
I like to secure a certain seat(s) on night drives (some prefer the back, some the front) so i therefore get to reception at least 20 minutes early to try be the first there.
Problem is that people arrive later, the guide welcomes everyone and opens the vehicle doors and the people (who come late) stream in ahead of you and sit where they want

p.s
Does Orpen still use the smaller vehicle (converted bakkie/rover) for the drives, as opposed to the trucks?

Thanks

[kaaskop]

It's saver to book in advance. First come first serve for a specific seat. Depends on your personality to get the better seats. I know that it can become a bit irritating. I hope you going to enjoy your stay in the Park