Kruger Advice

[mattie010]

Hi all,
Will be going to kruger next year july/august. Normally I wouldn't really mind knowing already now where we will be going, but my SO wants to discuss, since it will probably be our second and last trip to South Africa for a little while
SO wants to get the most out of our Kruger experience, so we want to stay at nice campsites with great places for spotting wildlife, but where the roads aren't totally crowded.

Since we are not totally sure how long we will go and everything, I thought: why not ask this great forum for some advice?
So here I am, asking you guys for advice:
How long should we go to Kruger so that it will be both enjoyable (with nice sightings) and still not too long?
Where should we go? We like reptiles and mammals the most, although we both really enjoy (colorful) birds.

Last year (2014) we went to 4 different campsites in just 7 days and though it was a little too much, since we just flew in from the Netherlands.
So this year we want to stay a little longer at the places.
Last year we went from Malelane gate to Skukuza(not our favourite) the next day to Satara where we stayed 2 nights. After that we went to Balule (which we didn't like, because it is extremely small) and finally to Letaba, which we absolutely loved because of the river view.

What would you guys advice? Is Lower Sabie really that crowded in july and august?
Thanks in advance,
mattie010

[Toko]

mattie

Don't you want to go north? Less leopards and lions there, but very quiet and some cool camping spots.

[Richprins]

Hello, and a warm welcome, mattie!


July is school holidays, so crowded! Only slightly better in August, as it is prime game-viewing time!

If you can fly to Phalaborwa, it would make for a totally unique experience visiting the far North of the Park! It is far....that's why it has that name!

3 nights at Punda and 3 at Shingwedzi, with a trip to Pafuri in amongst that!

Not many snakes at that time of year, but lizards and things at Mopanie and Tshange, and monitors and crocs along the Luvhuvhu!

Far fewer predators in general, unfortunately, but rare antelope like roan, eland and tsessebe? More predators, especially leopard, around Shing, and big elephant tuskers!

And peace and quiet guaranteed on the roads for the most part!

[mattie010]

Thank you for the welcome!
Not really sure of going to the far north, because game viewing is quite important for us!
Including the predators

So what will be both regarding big game, but still not too crowded?
We will be avoiding the school holidays, because we'll have at least 5 weeks (hopefully 6 though)

Shingwedzi sounds nice though, although not many predators roam the area there. I am gonna discuss this with the SO!
Thanks already for all your input.

[Dewi]

Sirheni & Bateleur camps are excellent if you want peace and quiet in the bushveld. You also get access to Roibosrant Dam at Bateleur. There are no amenities there though, so if you want a camp with a Restaurant, Shingwedzi is a must visit if you go North.

[Richprins]

Shingwedzi has plenty of big game!

[Alf]

Mattie if you prefer game viewing areas why not visit Maroela camp, there you are close to Orpen and that tar road can get red hot with predators

[mattie010]

No restaurant needed, we will cook for ourselves, otherwise it will get too expensive.
Shingwedzi sounds nice! We really want to visit Letaba, so will be going for Shingwedzi, Letaba. At least, that is what I am going to discuss about soon with SO

Will come back here if I have other questions, good?
Or if I have anything to say about the trip!

[Toko]

Orpen/Maroela is not bad for predators, there are wild dogs and around Letaba lions and leopards are also possible. But you should do 10 days in Kruger and go up to Punds Maria, it's the only camp where you can sit and watch a waterhole

[mattie010]

Hmm.. So Punda Maria is like the only camp with almost no other people close around? Ofcourse some leopards and lion, but not many, right?
I remember we didn't see any predators near Letaba, except when we headed that way from Balule. But I really liked the river view.

SO likes to be able to walk around a little in camp (just heard this ). Letaba has a nice riverview walk and I know that Berg-en-Dal and mopani both have walks. Is there any good game viewing at Berg-en-Dal or Mopani? because I guess I'll say we might go for:
- 3 days Shingwedzi (or Punda?)
- 3 days Letaba
- 3 days Berg-en-Dal (or mopani? Or Satara maybe because of the big cats?)