We will be staying in Kruger Sep 5-8th, 4 nights. The present plan is to enter and exit Kruger via Orpen gate. We are considering staying first 2 nights at Letaba or Olifant and last 2 at Satara. (FWIW, There are 3 of us so we need 3 beds). You have preference on any of these camps? Game viewing? Letaba seems to have good location near river, the roads S46, S95, S62 along Letaba River good game viewing?
Thanks for you help.
regards - tom

Mkhonzo,
You too, your thoughts please.
Everybody else welcome
regards - tom

Tom,
At that time of the year it is likely that you will have tremendous viewing around the various waterpoints. I like the fact that you are in the centre of the park as it is likely to be less trafficed than the southern sectors.

I would however recommend that you either enter at Orpen and exit at Phlaborwa or visa versa. That way you will limit back-tracking almost ensuring that each day is an adventure. If it were me I would enter at Phalaborwa heading for Letaba for my first two nights, then heading onto Olifants for the last two, exit from Orpen.

On your way in to Letaba I suggest stopping at Sable dam. By the way, it can be arranged that you use the hide at Sable for a sleep-out, they provide bedding etc. Maybe when making your reservation you could ask, but do know that you can only book this through the bird hide itself and possible through the Phalaborwa gate.

At Letaba there is a striking elephant hall, which edifies in some respects the old "big" tuskers that walked the kruger. One skull that is there is of Mandleve who I had the good fortune of spending numerous hours with in the days when I walked that part of the world.

Also accessible from Letaba is the Masorini ruin sight. I have forgotten which route it is on, but it will be shown on the KNP map. I enjoy visiting there as it is one of the few places in the park where you can stretch your legs unescorted.

Then the drive to Olifants is simple, it too has a couple of hides in and around it that are worth exploring. You can plot your route with the map to take you through various circuits from the camp without back tracking.

That said a well laid plan is likely to be destroyed in minutes by lion activity at a kill. I have always seen wild dog between Olifants and Letaba, plus on the road in from the Phalborwa gates the hyena use the drainage pipes for denning, you are likely to see them in the early sunlight and occassionally just before sunset. Look close to the road and particularly on the side where the sun is rising or setting, also keep an eye for the road rising above the ground as that is normally where the drainage pipes are.

Hope that helps?

Many thanks mkhonzo, yes helps a lot. The hide at Sable dam sounds very adventurous, will keep that in mind. The Masorini site we will visit, like you say other than camps few places to walk a bit. Will also look at using Phalaborwa gate one way.
Thanks again.
regards - tom

Tom

I agree with mkhonzo that Letaba is a very nice camp.
I was lucky enough to hear a Hyena give birth in a drainage pipe 2 minutes drive north of Letaba and saw her carry it away in her mouth 10 minutes later. Apparantly her sister had moved the other newborns.

Michael