Kavey, did you stay at Mplia Camp?
Jul 25th, 2004, 01:52 AM
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Hi, well I'm back so I can post a little now.
We stayed 2 nights in the safari tents at Mpila Camp and really liked the accommodation and the park.
We got there at around lunch time on the day of arrival and did a short drive before we could move into our tent and then another one afterwards before the cut-off time (I think it was 6pm) when one has to be back within the rest camps.
The accommodation was great - the tents are similar to those used by private camps - large tents with regular furniture and a well equipped ensuite with plenty of hot water. The decking at the front of the tent extended out to one side where there was a second structure - open on one side - which was our kitchenette. There's also a metal braai (BBQ) on the ground near the deck and a table at which to eat out on the deck. We were pleased we'd opted for tents not chalets as most rest camps don't offer the tents so we stayed in chalets/ rondavels elsewhere. They also have family tents with two separate bedroom tents and a kitchen area in the middle.
This is the only rest camp that did not have any dining options and the little shop had the tiniest, most useless selection of groceries. We were glad we'd shopped at a supermarket outside the park (we'd bought a cheap coolbox too).
The park is beautiful and there are a few places where you can get out to look at the view plus a picnic site too. Because it was June we met hardly any other cars at all. We also saw our first rhino.
There is a cafe with toasted sarnies, burgers etc at the Centenary Lodge about 30 mins drive away, and they also have a craft market there. Shame they don't have a cafe like that at Mpila.
We spent the first full day after the first night driving in Imfolozi. Then the next day we drove across and around Hluhluwe instead. We stopped at Hilltop for lunch but had not booked accommodation there as we felt it was way overpriced. Instead we stayed at Ubizane _just_ outside the Hluhluwe Park exit (towards Hluhluwe town) and wer very happy with it. It was less than 10 mins drive from the park. The self catering rondavels were huge and really lovely and the bathroom was delightful with a deep tub and separate shower and neatly tiled. the kitchenette was small but had a microwave as well as stove thingy but we ate in the buffet restaurant a few minutes drive into the reserve. That was actually very pleasant and not expensive.
Can I answr anything specific you need to know?
We stayed 2 nights in the safari tents at Mpila Camp and really liked the accommodation and the park.
We got there at around lunch time on the day of arrival and did a short drive before we could move into our tent and then another one afterwards before the cut-off time (I think it was 6pm) when one has to be back within the rest camps.
The accommodation was great - the tents are similar to those used by private camps - large tents with regular furniture and a well equipped ensuite with plenty of hot water. The decking at the front of the tent extended out to one side where there was a second structure - open on one side - which was our kitchenette. There's also a metal braai (BBQ) on the ground near the deck and a table at which to eat out on the deck. We were pleased we'd opted for tents not chalets as most rest camps don't offer the tents so we stayed in chalets/ rondavels elsewhere. They also have family tents with two separate bedroom tents and a kitchen area in the middle.
This is the only rest camp that did not have any dining options and the little shop had the tiniest, most useless selection of groceries. We were glad we'd shopped at a supermarket outside the park (we'd bought a cheap coolbox too).
The park is beautiful and there are a few places where you can get out to look at the view plus a picnic site too. Because it was June we met hardly any other cars at all. We also saw our first rhino.
There is a cafe with toasted sarnies, burgers etc at the Centenary Lodge about 30 mins drive away, and they also have a craft market there. Shame they don't have a cafe like that at Mpila.
We spent the first full day after the first night driving in Imfolozi. Then the next day we drove across and around Hluhluwe instead. We stopped at Hilltop for lunch but had not booked accommodation there as we felt it was way overpriced. Instead we stayed at Ubizane _just_ outside the Hluhluwe Park exit (towards Hluhluwe town) and wer very happy with it. It was less than 10 mins drive from the park. The self catering rondavels were huge and really lovely and the bathroom was delightful with a deep tub and separate shower and neatly tiled. the kitchenette was small but had a microwave as well as stove thingy but we ate in the buffet restaurant a few minutes drive into the reserve. That was actually very pleasant and not expensive.
Can I answr anything specific you need to know?
Jul 28th, 2004, 04:18 PM
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Thanks. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Did you see a lot of animals? Do you think it is worth it to go on an escorted game drive or just do your own driving?
Jul 29th, 2004, 12:10 AM
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We enjoyed our own driving more.
I'd say you might want to drive yourself and maybe sign up for a night drive and/ or walks (neither of which you can do yourself).
In June nothing in busy so you can arrive, do a self drive and then book onto the activities as you decide.
We saw lots of animals, some far and some really really close - like within a foot or two!
I'd say you might want to drive yourself and maybe sign up for a night drive and/ or walks (neither of which you can do yourself).
In June nothing in busy so you can arrive, do a self drive and then book onto the activities as you decide.
We saw lots of animals, some far and some really really close - like within a foot or two!
