Kruger Advice

[Richprins]

You will have to drive all day to get to B&D from Letaba, But doable!

You can visit Pafuri and Punda from Shingwedzi!

Punda has a walking trail in camp called the Flycatcher trail, very nice!

Agree, minimum 3 nights per camp.

[Dewi]

Last July we saw a mating pair of Lions withing 10 minutes of leaving camp on our first drive - Punda Maria Camp. We were the only car there for 20 minutes.

Saw Leopard & Cheetah within a few minutes of each other from the bridge at Shingwedzi and also a couple of Lions roaring next to the road just North of the bridge.

[mattie010]

Forgot a moment about the big distances, woops!

I am gonna discuss this and tell you all what comes out! ;)
It is nice that Punda has a walking trail, any idea of how long the trail is?

All sounds lovely! A big for all who gave advice!

Must say I am somewhat leaning towards Shingwedzi and Letaba. Maybe we'll do something like 5 days each, maybe we try another camp?

[Toko]

The Flycatcher trail is only a short walk, perhaps one km.

[Flutterby]

Welcome mattie!

If you don't want huge crowds but still want plenty of game I would suggest the Orpen/Satara area. Tamboti is a great camp with lots of night activity - honey badgers, genets and civets are common in the camp - plus you really feel like you're in the bush!

You can't beat Lower Sabie for lots of game sightings but you might find it too busy...although we've had plenty of cat sightings in that area where we were the only car - right time, right place.

Why not start at Shingwedzi (you can drive up to Punda for the day from there) and then work your way down through the park, but you must have a minimum of 2 nights per camp otherwise you spend your time packing and unpacking.

[Bushcraft]

Hey Mattie

I have been trying to wrap my head around what advice to give you here, so sorry for the late input

It’s rather difficult, because the best camps for camping IMO aren’t in the best game viewing areas of the park, so one has to compromise.

Statistically one can’t beat Lower Sabie for predator sightings, followed by Satara and then Skukuza, but these aren’t fantastic camping spots and it can get crowded on the roads.

I consider the Letaba/Mopani area the worst in the park for predator viewing. Things improve towards Shingwedzi

I think Flutts has hit the nail on the head with her post above; especially Tamboti as an option

Are you camping due to cost or because you love camping as there are alternatives which are only slightly more expensive.

EH5 huts at Lower Sabie, Tamboti, etc

[mattie010]

I want to go camping because I just really love it. Rain, snow, sun, for me it doesn't matter. Also I have camped almost everywhere I have been, just because it is nice to be able to set up your tent and do whatever you want and not have to clean everything afterwards

Thanks anyways for your input, since I think you guys know a lot more about Kruger and camping over there. So you would say Shingwedzi and Tamboti? It is nice to hear that everyone thinks a little different about it. We are discussing it at the moment and are also discussing if we really want to go in july and august. Why not go in march/april/may instead? :)

[Mel]

Then I suggest the beginning of March or like you said April or May. Since it is Easter holiday the last two weeks in March, the prospect of getting a campsite where you wish and for the amount of nights you are looking for, might be a bit bleak. But even if you manage to get what you want, I'm sure it's pretty crowded in Kruger during that time.

[Flutterby]

You cannot camp at Tamboti - the accommodation is all safari tents. If you want to camp then you must go to Maroela which is not far from Tamboti and Orpen.

[Bushcraft]

Tamboti is way better though

It's still a tent and just like camping, but just it's not your tent, it's a better tent on the fence with a fridge/freezer, linen, etc for not that much more