Can we as day visitors to the Kruger park  enter the main camps such as Berg en dal , Satara  etc to maybe have lunch or whatever for an hour or so, if so is there an entrance cost ?

Another question, what is the malaria situation at the park in the winter months, are precautions needed , what precautions are needed ?

If you have a Sanpark Wild card, then it will not cost you nothing for the persons on the wildcard. Otherwise you will pay the normal day rates as per Sanparks website.

We have never taken any medication for malaria (summer or winter). 

Yes, you can enter these camps once you are past the entrance gate.  You will have to pay a conservation fee of R128 per person when entering the park.  That is a fee for one day.  Or if you have a Wild Card, you can use that instead.

There are plenty of threads on this Forum regarding malaria.  There is a current discussion on that.  But the existing wisdom is that during the rainy season there is a much smaller risk.  The real risks comes after the rainy season when  water stops flowing, in other words in winter.  Don't take chances.

Hi George. You can access all the camps shops/restaurants, fuel stations and ablutions.etc. No further entrance fees once you are in the park.

Some camps have designated day visitor facilities for braaiing, swimming, picnicing etc.

 Ablution facilities are far and few, so plan accordingly. You may not exit your vehicle other than at designated spots. (Some times when you got to go, you got to go....)

Malaria.....

My colleagues who live in Nelspruit don't.

I take a cheap alternative, doxytet an antibiotic.

It was one of the prophylaxis/ treatment for Covid per the Zelenko protocol.

As you will be staying in the heart of the Malaria belt, take extra care.

RichardJ wrote:

Malaria.....

My colleagues who live in Nelspruit don't.

I take a cheap alternative, doxytet an antibiotic.

It was one of the prophylaxis/ treatment for Covid per the Zelenko protocol.

As you will be staying in the heart of the Malaria belt, take extra care.

Doxycycline Drug Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline class used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. It is used to treat bacterial pneumonia, acne, chlamydia infections, Lyme disease, cholera, typhus, and syphilis. It is also used to prevent malaria.

Malaria pille word n duur storie, veral as mens lank bly. Vroeer het ons Mefliam gebruik wat goedkoop was en net 1x per week geneem.....maar onglukkig is dit van die mark af. Ons het laasjaar maar peaceful sleep gebruik

Dis beslis beter om te poog om nie gebyt te word nie. Voorbehoedmiddels is nie 100% doeltreffend nie en daar is n tipe malaria wat nie genees kan word nie.

Ek het vir jare in Zambia gewerk en nie enige Malaria pille gebruik nie.

Ek het met citronella seep gewas en altyd naby 'n fan gesit. Miskiete pla net in die aand.

Ek het my weekliks laat toets en dit het my gewaarku voor ek sintome gekry het.  Die kliniek het dan medikasie gegee indien nodig.  Hulle was baie goed tegerus vir die toets en jy het uitslag binne minute gekry

Ek en my vrou gebruik net Ingrams Camphor Cream Herbal ,dit is n room groen van kleur ,dan gooi ons n klein bietjie Citronella olie by ,en meng. Smeer dit dan aan jou ,dit is goed vir jou vel ook .Dit is ook goed teen muggies .

I have just cone across an App in the Playstore.

I did not know that there was one.

It looks quite useful and certainly worth having at look at George, the rules etc.

I downloaded the parks I will be staying at. For when we have no data connection. I don't seem to be able to make the park maps bigger, for then to be useful?

Would it be viable/feasible to tow our Jurgens exclusive through the park from Crocodile bridge gate to the Phalaborwa gate over 2 days.  my concern is that if we encounter a situation where we have to reverse in a hurry............

Or i will have to travel outside the park between those 2 gates, as we will be spending 2 months at Henk van Rooyen first then 2 months a Phalaborwa forever resort.

Yes absolutely.

I would book 2 nights Satara and 1 or 2 nights at Letaba.

From Letaba it is a short trip to Phalaborwa.

The best experiences in the park are early morning and last thing in the evening.

I can't find your dates to check on Pensioner Discount nor availability.

What are the planned dates George?

I would not book yet.

There are often specials offered during the year. So unless availability starts drying up wait for specials.

Pensioner Discount is obtained by phoning in your booking.

Specials are obtained by booking online.

Also on your day visits go and have a look at the campsites and facilities.

Further to your original question there are private camps in Kruger and 'no shopping facilities camps' (I am thinking of Malelane camp, Balule, Sirheni, Tzendse, Maroela and Tamboti) in Kruger where access is for residents only.

RichardJ wrote:

I can't find your dates to check on Pensioner Discount nor availability.

What are the planned dates George?

Richard, we will be at Henk van Rooyen from the 1st may to the 27th June 

then Phalaborwa from the 27th June to 31st July. Not worried about losing a day or 3 from the Phalaborwa booking, 

This will be our 1st time at the park, so just want to get all my ducks in a row.

Satara is full around your dates.

Letaba has camping available for 26 and 27 th June 28th onwards zero.

However my experience is that bookings get cancelled especially a month before the date. As this appears to be a popular time (school holidays) there are unlikely to be specials offered. Also there is no Pensioner Discount for those dates.

So regular checks might find you some accommodation.

If you don't know where to look please shout.

Another reason to get your client number sooner rather than later.

If all else fails, refer to the previous thread. You can make it gate to gate or if you run into trouble you can exit earlier than Phalaborwa, ie Orpen gate.

George, the trip you envisage is doable but there will not be much sightseeing along the way as you will have to drive almost constantly.  Why not extend the trip to three  or even more days and stop at camps along the way?  

As for emergency reversing, don't even try it, your nerves won't stand it and you might damage your rig.   I guess you are thinking about elephant hazards.  To get anywhere in the park you have to tow so this is not something you can avoid.  This is not something visitors spend time worryring over. There seldom are situations where ellies cause problems but in most (all?) cases when it does happen, it is when visitors do something idiotic. Elephants are mostly very calm and non aggressive but they can get nervous when they have young ones and cars get too near, so if there are elephants in front of you, you just stop, keep you windows closed and wait for them to move, even if they do come nearer.  No not approach them or try scaring them by blowing your horn. 

Richard, managed to get a booking for one night at Satara for the 26th June and one night at Letaba for the 27th June. Regret no pensioner rates at this time of the year but it is what it is.

It just means we will leave Henk van Rooyen one day earlier and arrive at Phalaborwa forever one day later. but i think the experience will be worth it.

Great.

You will not be sorry.

It also removes any stress.

You can do an afternoon/ evening drive at Satara and even an early morning drive before you move on to Letaba.

Check the sightings board at reception to see what has been seen where ... in fact on your day visits have a look at all the sightings boards to give you an idea of what's where....

Be aware that it is not always a good idea to chase sightings, animals move ....