Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

[Mel]

You mentioned getting a permit.... for doing what?

In all camps you have to hand in your Entry Form which serves as a permit to drive around. In the bigger camps they actually expect you to that after every drive, even if you want to go out again later. In the smaller camps you should do it as well but since the camp assistant can overlook all units you're usually allowed to keep it and just tell the guy on duty in which direction you will be going, so they know where to look in case you don't return at gate closing. However, technically it wouldn't matter if you didn't tell the guy where you're going because, in case you change your mind, you could easily turn around and head in the opposite direction.

[Alf]

I didn’t know that. Thanks Mel

[GavinW]

Were you the only people in the hide?

And do you produce enough energy with your solar panel that you don't need an electrified camp-site when staying at any of the camps?
Also, what makes campsite no. 5 in Nossob so special?

Nossob is a lion stronghold

If I remember, there were a few others in the hide, but not many.

Our solar panel keeps our fridge going, otherwise we rely on gas for boiling water and fire to braai on.

No 5 is special as it is a little isolated, and used to be on the corner of the camp Before the new Premium camp sites, so you could set up your tent so as to look out into the bush and keep all the "riff- raff" behind you. It is also fairly close to the ablutions.
In the past a retired couple's children would take them to Nossob and set up their caravan there for the whole of May and leave them there They loved it

[Mel]

Thanks for the explanation, Gavin

I'll have to admit that I'm totally disorientated just looking at your photos, but it seems that the campsite is still at the fence?
So, basically bordering the entrance road from the south whereas most other campsites as smack in the middle with now view
but a lot of neighbours close by? Not sure if you ever visited Kruger (seeing you to are truly KTP nuts like ourselves ), but
the campsite would qualify as "perimeter"

[Alf]

So does everyone need to report again when they arrive back at camp

[GavinW]

Mel, I suppose it would, but is not marketed by SANParks as it has no power and is used mainly as an overflow site
There are 4 sites along the south eastern boundary. ie those closest to Maries se Draai if you know what I mean, but no 5 is the furthest to the south and on a corner

Alf, yes to need to collect the permit when you leave camp and hand it in again on your return. They reconcile these at the end of the day to see that everyone is back in camp

[Peter Betts]

Camp site at Mata looks rather empty

Lovely sightings! It doesn't always need the cats to make the day.

Not really its just where the Pic was taken ..KTP camps are jam packed these days as Gavins further on Pic of Nossob Shows

[Peter Betts]

We always stay in 5 at Nossob ..Bring out the panels ..In the old days before panels were known/used we had a great Cooler box with everything wrapped in newspaper ..Kept meat frozen for 2 weeks

[Peter Betts]

You mentioned getting a permit.... for doing what?

In all camps you have to hand in your Entry Form which serves as a permit to drive around. In the bigger camps they actually expect you to that after every drive, even if you want to go out again later. In the smaller camps you should do it as well but since the camp assistant can overlook all units you're usually allowed to keep it and just tell the guy on duty in which direction you will be going, so they know where to look in case you don't return at gate closing. However, technically it wouldn't matter if you didn't tell the guy where you're going because, in case you change your mind, you could easily turn around and head in the opposite direction.

I find that permit rule introduced late 1980s to be totally stupid ..I mean you cant get lost in that Park ..Mata Mata you can only go East. I can see that rationale in Kruger at say Satara ..You can go N, S E and w from that camp and that camp is huge but they dont have the permit hand in system there which makes sense as it is a waste of time and an irritant early in the morning when Photographic light is best

[Peter Betts]

So does everyone need to report again when they arrive back at camp

Yes and stand in the que at gate opening to fetch your permit the next day for driving on the only road at Nossob and I always change my mind ..its truly pathetic these quaint control rules ..At Rooiputs in April trips I leave my campsite normally as the only vehicle and ease down the hill onto the road and based on what I see art the waterhole I only then make the decision to turn left or right ..Botswana shows up SANParks big time in tourism and style of camp ..The Mata Mata fence for example has one strand of wire at luxury hut 15 end ..so why have a fence and a huge sign 'Please close the gate behind you' 100 metres up the hill at the gate ..just take it down and stop giving people a false sense of security ..99% of campers down below at Mata Mata naturally believe they are fenced in ..1 strand of wire wont keep a field mouse out