Africa Wild

Richprins wrote:Ok, so why do they only hide it on the 1st? Doesn't make sense...

Because then people cant query why accommodation is already taken before bookings open. This way they can say it was taken on 1st when bookings opened and because you couldn't see cant say otherwise.

There was an old ballie in Lower Sabie that stayed in unit next to mine. He says he has been going for last 30 years over Dec, always gets same unit and stays for over a month from about 10th Dec to 10th Jan. He also goes a couple of times during year and doesn't sound like he has a problem getting in and these are the BD3U units. He gets the guys out from Komatipoort to come connect his DSTV when he is there in Dec.

Alf wrote: I mean they would be less busy and they work on the same system. So are they allowed to help you with a new booking

I have also tried this route Alf while at Skukuza and they can help, but only open at 8am and bookings open elsewhere at 7:30am

Wonder if you called one of the gates, they open at 6am?

Bushcraft wrote:

Alf wrote: I mean they would be less busy and they work on the same system. So are they allowed to help you with a new booking

I have also tried this route Alf while at Skukuza and they can help, but only open at 8am and bookings open elsewhere at 7:30am

In the KTP we've tried with the main camps in the past but by now they can't access the system anymore before 10 or 11 am. Useless, obviously. Although I don't think that it's a matter of them not being allowed to access any earlier (which they claim to be the case), but the remoteness and the slowness of their internet making it difficult for them to get on any earlier because there is heavy traffic on the booking system...

Has there ever been a case of a booking made before 7.30 am when you are a walk-in customer? Because I could imagine this not to be the case, rather the system being under lock-down until then. That would also mean that the gate people can't help you either. Plus, would they be able since they have to handle the early bird day visitors?

Bushcraft wrote:

Alf wrote: I mean they would be less busy and they work on the same system. So are they allowed to help you with a new booking

I have also tried this route Alf while at Skukuza and they can help, but only open at 8am and bookings open elsewhere at 7:30am

I think even if they open at 8am your chance of getting help are much better because on the phone you struggle until 10am sometimes and by that time everything is gone

More and more people will get frustrated with the booking system if they don't make the availability sheets open to the public before the 1st. I think they are shooting themselves in the foot. I'm sure these poor people answering the phones get more complaints from the public every year. The phone calls are a lot longer now because people can't see beforehand what's available and what not and must go from camp to camp to try and put a trip together, resulting in more people that struggle to get through.

I'm sure you get more grumpy people IF they do get through and are told that everything is gone.

I don't think the gates have the software or knowledge to help with a booking.

BC made a good point when saying he was able to already book his holidays for the year 2022 for example because he knows where he'll go and at what time of the year.
The model SanParks has is totally outdated and doesn't comply with any other tourist facility I've ever known. I'm able to book accommodation somewhere in the country like two years ahead, but not with SanParks. They don't follow the rest of the tourism industry here. Just when amending the prices for the accommodation they'll claim it to be according to what the rest of the tourism sector does.

I am quite happy it is not more than 11 months in advance. Can you imagine all the BC's would have that placed booked up forever. I am lucky I have always mostly got accommodation I wanted, even if it just opened a few days before I got to Kruger, just like my 3 days in Lower Sabie in BD3U opening a few days before. I am also in a position to leave one or 2 of the family behind if accommodation doesn't open that accommodates all.
Think I am in a lucky group of accommodation for 3 beds and 2 beds do become available regularly, it is the peeps who have bigger families that battle.

Ja, gates don't do bookings!

Except Phala for Sable Dam...and maybe Malelane gate for the camp there..

RobertT wrote:I am quite happy it is not more than 11 months in advance. Can you imagine all the BC's would have that placed booked up forever. I am lucky I have always mostly got accommodation I wanted, even if it just opened a few days before I got to Kruger, just like my 3 days in Lower Sabie in BD3U opening a few days before. I am also in a position to leave one or 2 of the family behind if accommodation doesn't open that accommodates all.
Think I am in a lucky group of accommodation for 3 beds and 2 beds do become available regularly, it is the peeps who have bigger families that battle.

I agree.
As I come from overseas, the airlines usually don't release their flight schdules more than a year in advance.
It would be almost impossible for me to plan a SA trip further in advance than this

Oh, you can always plan your flight around your booking