withkids

Our family of four, with our two kids, ages 9 and 14, are currently booked into 2 nights at Elephant Plains and 2 nights at Satara.

However, we are having second thoughts about Satara.

Should we switch to another private lodge, instead of Satara?

Thanks

Travelings

Hi,
When are you suppose to go? In the right season Satara's one of the best places in the Kruger to see game, BUT there's been a lot of rain in that area, so the bush might be quite dense when you go. An added benefit of a private lodge is that they do know the areas and they do the game-spotting work for you, which is a major plus.
Hope this helped.

Celia

One advantage of being inside the park at Satara is that you can go game viewing on your own schedule, which might be nice with a 9-year-old. I guess it depends on what is causing your second thoughts.

withkids

Thanks for your responses.

We will be there the end of July. It seems like everyone on this forum likes the private reserves. We just want to make sure we will have the best trip we can, and have the opportunity to see as much as possible. I have been reading that the private lodges can go "off road" and you can see more.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Roccco

I am not the most objective person since I have not stayed in a Kruger NP campsite? like Satara, but I would vote to either extend your stay at Elephant Plains to the full four nights, or combine your stay with another moderate Sabi Sand option such as Nkorho Bush Lodge:

www.nkorho.com

Celia

Not everyone on this forum prefers to stay in the private lodges. I've stayed once in a private lodge, and about 15 or 20 times in the lodges in the parks. If I had a lot more money to spend, I might choose the private lodges more often, but I prefer more frequent trips to Africa (and spending less on each trip) rather than more expensive, but less frequent, trips.

The accommodations in the parks range from basic to pretty elegant. The newer Kruger camps have some very nice accommodations. Satara is older, and more basic, but it has a beautiful view over a riverbed where you can sit as long as you like watching whatever comes by.

Kruger will cost about $150 a night for four people (I think -- the two of us spent about $75 per night in February), so of course you won't get the luxury you get at private lodges. But you will meet some South Africans and get an idea of how they vacation, which I think is a real bonus. Also, you'll be able to go on drives with the rangers, who are as knowledgeable as the ones working at the private lodges. Also, there will likely be more kids at Satara than at the private lodges.

Personally, I think you will have the broadest experience by doing both Elephant Plains and Satara.

withkids

We really aren't concerned about the accomodations, it's more the "safari experience". We picked Satara because it is suppose to have a great location, for viewing. Now, we are a little concerned that Satara might be too crowded on the drives, with too many vehicles.

What is your experience on these drives? Are there too many vehicles?

We would prefer to stay with Satara, as everything is arranged, but want to make sure we aren't making a mistake.

Thanks!

lisa

I agree with Celia -- I would do both. The experiences are completely different and both are wonderful.

Celia

It's really impossible to say whether there are too many vehicles -- we've had the gamut of experiences in that regard. Sometimes we've been all alone with an interesting sighting, and other times there have been a whole lot of cars. When you're driving yourself, you can leave or stay at a particular spot, as you wish. When you're with the rangers, there will rarely be more than the one vehicle you're in.

I think you're doing the right thing by staying at both places.

withkids

We do have ranger drives reserved, early morning, sunset and late night, depending on the day.

If we decide to stay with the National parks, should we switch one night to another camp? If so, which one? We wouldn't want to be too far from Satara or Elephant Plains, to minimize the driving.

Thanks!

lisa

That would be too much moving around I think. 2 & 2 is better.

Celia

I too think two and two is better. I know how you feel -- as the departure time gets closer you begin to fret about whether all your careful plans are really the best plans, and whether all will go as well as you hope. But I think you can relax and know that all your thoughtful planning will pay off.

withkids

Boy, is that right. We are looking at everything, again, and for the most part, deciding we made the right decisions.

This was the only one that was really bothering me.

Anyway, thanks for your support. I will let you know if I have any updates. I did send out some emails, today.

By the way, do you know how long a drive it is from the Orpen Gate to Satara and how long it will take? What time would we need to arrive by, to make the sunset drive?

Thanks!

lisa

Officially they say 1 hr 15 mins but as always if you see good stuff on the way it could be longer. I think it took us roughly 2 hours (we did not stay at Satara though, we went on to Olifants).

withkids

How much further is Oliphants, from Satara? Oliphants is suppose to be great for viewing elephants. If we stay at Satara, is it worth it to try to go up to Oliphants during the day?

Thanks

lisa

I should have mentioned this link before, which shows estimated travel times between camps: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger...avel_times.php
Offically they say 2 hours 10 minutes, but I would allow more, and remember that's each way. You will surely see elephants galore though so I would not worry about that. We saw massive herds. Have not yet stayed at Satara but will be there later this year (3 nights Lower Sabie, 1 night Satara, 1 night Mopani, 1 night Shingwedzi, 2 nights Punda Maria).

With kids I think it is smart to stay in a camp with a pool in case you need a cooling-off break midday.

Tons more info on sanparks.org/forums.

You will have a great time. Make sure you do at least one game walk!

withkids

Thanks for the info! I am going to start a new posting with the updated info.