Greetings Folks. I have made a big mistake! We are booked in at Tsendze, Sunday 11 August and we normally spend the night before at Phalaborwa Safari Park, but I didn't realise that it would be 1 night (Saturday) on the weekend and the park is full.

Does anyone know of somewhere close by where I could try to camp for one night?

If its only 1x night....maybe stay over in one of their Safari tents

Thanks Geert, R 450.00 is a bit much at this stage. We might have to leave early & drive straight through. 8 hrs plus I reckon.

What about Numbi caravan park in Hazyview or is that still too far or not on your route ?

https://www.hazyviewhospitality.co.za/caravanpark.html

or Forever Swadini at Hoedspruit ?

There is also Shonalanga Wildlife Resort just south of the Foskor mine on the Olifants river. But you need to to have someone give you an update on the road condition and when we were there there in 2012 the ablutions were not in great condition.

Lepelle water board road Olifants river, Phalaborwa, 1396     Tel : +27 71 228 5698

Going to bite the bullet & drive right through. 07h00 start.

Safe travels John and enjoy your stay in the KNP.

Drive safely and enjoy the trip.

I understand that you will travel from your home in Benoni and plan to do it in one day to Tsendze. Quite a long drive especially the latter part from Phalaborwa gate to Tsendze at Kruger speed.

Why not consider staying over one night at ATKV Eiland Spa. I did it a few years ago. Then you have e relatively short drive at a comfortable speed to Tsendze - only 128 km to Phalaborwa gate and you'll be staying over in a very neat resort which is about 470 km from Benoni.

Thanks Good People,.

The problem Is that it is on the long weekend and everywhere is fully booked.

Our friends from Benoni do it to Letaba in a day and say it's quite comfortable, and they stop for 45 min for brekkies which we don't.

Coming back we will spend the last night at Safari Park Phalaborwa.

Driving to the destination on one day is quite dooable.  We regularly travel from Centurion to the Southern Cape in two days towing, usually staying over at Gariep dam.  That makes two journeys on two days, each about 700 kilos.  We have also travelled from the Southern Cape to Bloem in one day, but that is a bit of a stretch.  I love driving and long jouneys so this is something I look forward to, not something to overcome.

And just a bit of advice:  Do not have a large meal on the way, is makes you sleepy about an hour afterwards.  Rather snack the whole time while driving, so about every two hours for a coffee and rusk and just enjoy the journey.

Just a thought: There is a nice camp site in Polokwane called Boma in the Bush.  This might make a viable overnight stop.  As Polokwane is not really a holiday destination, I think you might be able to secure a camping site.  Polokwane is about 200 kilos from Phalaborwa gate.

Thanks Fred,

I'll give them a call.

I do know about large meals & driving. We normally have some chicken mayo sarmied after about an hour or two and nothing till we get there. 

Well done Fred! Elsa at Boma inna Bush was very helpful and even told me that they always have a spot for us one-nighters on our way to Kruger. Even gave me a pensioner's discount.

Who knows, maybe that will become our future stop-over.

Pleasure John, that is what this forum is for.

As we stay in Pietersburg we haven't camped there but have had a look. Do let us have your impressions.

Certainly will do. Thanks again for the Heads Up.👍

Okay, so we're back home now. As promised, a quick report on Boma in the Bush. 

Excellent one-night stop-over, very easy to find (Don't follow your Garmin or Google Maps.)

The easiest way from Gauteng is to follow the N1 by-pass round Polokwane and turn right at the "Tweefontein" Turn-off. Right at the tee junction and straight to the last entry on the left. There is a 'No Entry' road sign, which you go through, but there is a Boma in the Bush sign above it. The stands are level and electrified and have tall gazebos to park your van under. You get a key for your own ablutions in the communal building. The highway noise is sometimes a bit loud.

It was exactly the right stop-over for us and gave us well enough time to leave latish and enjoy a 2½ hour game drive through to Tsendze on Sunday.

Coming back we slept at Phalaborwa Safari Park and the drive home was relaxed in just on 6 hours.

Steamer - please rate the resorts mentioned.

Done! (at last)

👍 Great! And thanks for the detailed report - not like so many others who do not give single word of commentary. I wish every participant on this forum does it with every park they visit.

In October we will be visiting Dwarswegstandoord for the first time (camping there) - we've stayed in their fixed accommodation before. We will also be in Karoo Nat Park and Montagu, which I've both rated before - but I will do ratings again.