Africa Wild

mposthumus - thank you for the input

What to pack!






https://lowvelder.co.za/442939/kruger-n ... -visitors/

I am once a year Kruger Park type of guy who generally tries to stay away from the main camps as remote and rustic is best, but I haven't travelled more north than Olifants for some time. I have a trip booked for late November which is mainly camping and goes Tamboti (1), Balule (2), Tsendze (2) and I had a night at Sable Hide, but that night at Sable is sadly not going to work out. I've got a night on hold at Letaba EA3U Hut, but wondering if Shumuwini, Mopani or either stay an extra night at one of my other camps already booked. If anyone has some advice, even differing to what I've mentioned, that'll be great. I have stayed at Balule before and I love that style of being right in the bush, but I need to be aware that i'm not alone and my family might also enjoy a pool and some small comforts.

Shimuweni is nice and quiet but at same time the ea3u at Letaba are good value for money and next to restaurant so have a good view. If I am staying in hut in Letaba those are my favorites.

I've never stayed at Shimuwini, and Mopani has never been a favourite of ours so would definitely recommend Letaba. It's not nearly as busy as the camps in the south and as you say, your family might appreciate the pool and the small comforts like the restaurant and the shop. ;)

Welcome, krugerbru!

There is some camp info here: https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewforum.php?f=35

November is very hot, so camping can be "wild" especially up north with a family. Swimming pool would help a lot if you do camp, though. Remember, one is not really allowed to use the pools at Mopane and maybe Olifants if one is not a resident there. Moving every second or third day can also become a schlepp especially when camping.

The Balule area is more open (less dense) in summer. I would do Tamboti, 3 nights Balule then 3 nights Letaba hut. (It should be possible to change bookings around in the next couple of months still.)

But either way, it is a nice trip!

Krugerbru

Welcome to the forum

thanks so much for the welcomes and advice so far, exactly what I needed. I also think those Letaba huts are a gem for the price and location to the river. As far as my itinerary is concerned, the schlep of setting up tents every 2 days is a concern, but the lure of spending time at Balule & a first time at Tsendze which I've heard so much about got the better of me.

If you had a choice between the two, are you saying that Balule be the one at that time of year?

There is very little shade at Balule unless you are lucky. Much better at Tzendze! Mopane camp also close by vs Olifants to Balule.

But Balule more difficult to get a booking...

I would suggest Balule another time in winter to take greater advantage of the river, and you don't seem to be bound by school holidays?

What about Tamboti 1 night, then Balule 2 nights, then Letaba in ea3u (you have a break between striking camps and setting up again and also aircon for the night). Then 2 nights Tzendze which you could always change while at Letaba if you enjoy the Letaba set up and drive up to Tzendze area while at Letaba the extra days.