We have been to Kruger twice (last year & again this year) & really enjoy it. If you cannot get a refund for the double booking, it might be worth asking if they can credit your account, and then use the credit to book more morning, sunset or night drives, that way you don't totally lose the money you have spent.

Thanks to both of you.

I will ask about using the reservation for activities. We will do a couple of night drives. Thank you for the tip.

We made a last minute change to a KZN booking on our arrival at Ithala for our 2004 trip. We realised the bush camp was not quite as we'd expected (in that the bathroom was some distance out from the main house/bedrooms across unprotected bush and for someone who has to make visits during night, that just wouldn't have worked). we hot-footed it back to Ithala's main camp and they had space in a regular chalet (gorgeous gorgeous chalet as it happened) and that was less than cost of bush camp so, to our surprise, they refunded difference as a credit we used in the restaurant.

I think. I'm working on memory from 2004 and I'm half senile!

But sure worth asking for credit against those rooms as they can resell easily and you can then use credit for food in their restaurants, since you don't want to self-cater anyway...

We loved Ithala by the way, not very dense on game but stunning landscapes, so if you find you need to change plans again for any reason, do consider it.

We drove Durban to St Lucia to Imfolozi to Hluhluwe to Ndumo to Ithala through Swaziland (no overnight) to Berg-en-Dal (one night only) and up to Olifants... then across to Jo'burg for onward flight to Botswana...

christabir - So glad your plans are really coming together. We've had to move our trip to 2012. I am bookmarking here to keep up with your progress. Can't wait for your report after your fabulous trip.

Christabir, we're just back from 3 nights at Tembe.
Our time there was "interesting".
The accommodation was comfortable, with a lot of space between tents for privacy.
I think a lot of the animals were on holiday whilst we were there, but we did have a couple of close encounters with big tuskers, and watching the waterhole mid morning was excellent.
Our driver was Tom, a local man whose knowledge was wonderful and he told us many stories about the bush and his childhood.
Cheers - Dot

Thanks again.

Dot - "interesting"? I've been watching the webcam and a couple of weeks ago there were three rhinos. I haven't seen them for a while. Cats, too. It's all the luck of the draw. Tembe is our final stop, so I'm hoping for some good viewing and a bit of down time at the end of a long, exciting trip. Tom sounds like my kind of guide.

I have not yet received my WildCard for park fees. I know it takes a while for mail to get here from SA, but a month seems excessive. I will ask about it when I get in touch about the bungalow cancellation.

Christabir just read your itinerary above again, Cradle of Humankind, in our opinion is outstanding, our guide didnt leave us enough time and chased us out after about an hour, we'll be going back another day. Maybe someone who has seen the lot can advise a time frame,I'd be interested to know.
Down time at Tembe, lol, little breakfast(we skipped this way too early to eat) is at 5.30, out at 6 till around 9 or later depending on what is happening, 10ish is big breaky, 11ish to the hide, Tom offered to drop us there and there is a loo. 2pm is lunch & 3pm - 6pm the arvo drive then back to the fire at 7 for a chat and dinner at 7.30. Lunch while we were there was lasagne and salad.

Thanks sallysaab!

The schedule you describe at Tembe is typical of most lodges. For this trip, that is downtime - we will be running around so much right before Tembe, that will be relaxing. It's the most luxurious place we're staying. I hope it lives up to my anticipation.

Our problem with the Cradle of Humankind is a time thing. We are leaving Tembe after breaky, driving to Joburg, drive til dark, hit a hotel for the overnight (where?), then go to C of H before our late flight out. I'm not sure how much time we'll have, not knowing if we can make it close before dark, but it will be more than a couple of hours. In 2009 we saw the Lipizzaner horses (only on Sundays) and it was fantastic. Our driver suggested C of H and we are looking forward to it.

We're off on Thursday! No word on a credit for our cancelled accommodations, but I'll deal with it when we get there. Paying Entabeni is a hassle - not sure how happy I am with the process, I hope the experience is better once we get there. Everything else has been smooth to now. Can't wait!

Anybody know if there is an equivalent of a Target or WalMart north of JNB? We need to buy some "supplies" before we get on the road.

YEA!!!
Wish I were going!!!!
Hope Kruger makes it up to you, those rascals.
Don't know of stores but you're going north(?) and Pretoria is also just north of JNB so lots of civilization/commerce around the area. You may have to ask Avis?

regards - tom

For a one stop shopping spot, try Woodmead Value Mart -it has a Pick n Pay (grocery shopping) as wel as a Makro (everything not grocery) and some other clothing stores, fishing, golf -basically everything you could want. On the M1 Highway North, take Woodmead exit and once off highway, look on your right and you can't miss it. You can then hop back on the M1 North, which joins up with the N1 to Pretoria. Alternatively there is Menlyn Park shopping centre (off Atterbury Rd) on your way to Pretoria.

Good luck! and Enjoy!
www.kimssouthafrica.blogspot.com

Thanks so much. Busy day - just got to sit for a minute.

I googled both of those shopping centers, satpackpete. Thanks. Very helpful.

tom, I wish you were coming, too. GTG in Kruger! Next time I'm on the west coast, I'm looking you up. Yes, north to the Waterburg area, then Timbavati, Kruger, Swaziland (I'll let you know how that goes), and then KwaZulu Natal and Zululand.

We haven't decided between the Zululand Rhino Reserve and St Lucia yet. I'd like to do both, but in three days I'm not sure how. Can you believe "Miss Plan Everything" still has not made a reservation?! Still undecided - Indian Ocean and the Unesco site or laid back safari. Eek! Is it possible to drive the coast from St Lucia to Tembe? I guess I'd better decide - quick! Kim - I need your help.

YEAH, that's the ticket, GTG in Kruger, June 2012!!
If ever in LA, Orange County, Disneyland, etc. area for sure let me know!!!
This is your third(fourth?) safari, you know you will love it.
Start counting the hours!!!!

regards - tom

Have a great time

Nice to see someone visiting Tembe. I spent 8 weeks there last year (Jan-March) doing volunteer work. The elephants are amazing, and you should have a good chance of seeing rhino- more likely white but possibly black. The lions are illusive and they have also now reintroduced wild dogs.

I did a trip report for another forum here (warning, it's long!)-
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...ageID=16952972

Since then the dogs have been released.

Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to read your report and see pics when you return. Safe travels!!!

Got back today. Every camp was surprising. Will post a trip report and pics by next week. Our expectations were exceeded - most of the time, and sometimes by a lot!! Can't wait to go back. It was close to perfect (for us). I hope I can do a fair report - we had too much fun.

Driving was easy, but the construction on the roads was horrific. Not to mention the potholes. Next time a 4x4, not just a 2x4 "mini" SUV. Maybe a tricked out LandCruiser.

Welcome home, looking forward to your report.
Didnt see you wave from Tembe.

sallysaab - they wouldn't let me in front of the webcam!

We also had an "interesting" time in Tembe, but it exceeded our expectations due to our last game drive. Sometimes you just get lucky.