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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:13 pm 
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For viewing (near any camp) a higher clearance vehicle is better than a sedan.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:00 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:11 pm
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Location: Lynnwood, WA, USA
Hello,

I wonder - are there any baobab trees in Kruger somewhere near Lower Sabie or Balule? I know that there are several trees in Mopani camp, there is also a Baobab Hill further north. But it seems to me that there are no baobab trees in the south. I would definitely want to see them, even leafless. I can drive to Mopani, but I wonder if there are some a bit closer.

Thank you.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:46 pm 
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Location: Living in The Netherlands but raised in South Africa
If you go from Satara to Tshokwane on the H1-3 at the Kumana waterhole you can find a nice Baobab tree it's on the Kruger Map.... :mrgreen:

More to the North just before you reach the Timbavati Picnic spot on the S40 from Satara you can also see a nice Baobab tree. :D

If you want to have nice game viewing from the Camp....Olifants has a fantastic scenery :thumbs_up: over the Olifants river....lots of Elephants, Hippos etc.

Satara is nice to view animals from the camp(Satara Webcam that can be seen from the restaurant, and a nice bench near the fence) and has lots of potential sightings :roll: in the direct area(but this others have already said) :whistle:

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Finished planning our 2013 trip to South Africa

Satara, Lower Sabie, Hluhluwe, Berg-en-Dal, Lower Sabie, Satara, Elephant Plains(Sabi Sands) all booked & confirmed :dance:


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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 9:34 pm 
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vinkie wrote:
If you go from Satara to Tshokwane on the H1-3 at the Kumana waterhole you can find a nice Baobab tree it's on the Kruger Map


Southernmost Baobab Tree

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:15 pm 
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Location: Lynnwood, WA, USA
Thank you, I've found all these spots.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:22 pm 
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I love Baobab Trees!! :dance:

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:27 pm 
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Location: Lynnwood, WA, USA
Hello,

I have one more pretty important question: approximately how much time per day I have for wildlife viewing? At the end of June - beginning of July, approximately at what time it's getting bright enough to watch the animals and at what time it's getting dark? If I'm not mistaken at this time of the year the park and camp gates are open at 6:00 and are closed at 17:30 - does this mean that at 6:00 it's already bright enough and at 17:30 it's already dark?

Thank you.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:30 pm 
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Baobabs are tropical trees, and the 'Satata' one is the most southern one in the wild. There are also Baobabs in the Botanical gardens in Nelspruit, Durban and Kirstenbosch.

The one in Mopani camp is accessible on foot.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:48 pm 
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Location: KAROO
Hi pva

TIME FOR VIEWING: Yes, the gates open at 6:00 and usually it is still dark - but you will find it a very good time for the predators that are still up and about. Good time for lions, wild dog, hienas, etc. You will be able to spot them on the road in the lights of the car. At 6:30 it gets lighter and you will experience the wonder of a sunrise in Kruger.

The gates close at 17:30 and it will not be dark - but dusk falls very quickly in the bush and at 18:00 it will be dark - and then you can start enjoying all the night sounds from out there...

:thumbs_up: Leana

Kruger: May 2013


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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:52 pm 
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I see, thank you.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:57 pm 
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There is very little twilight in Kruger because of its latitude.

Within minutes it can get dark or light.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:06 pm 
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I always found that fascinating BB when we first visited SA!! :thumbs_up:

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 8:43 pm 
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The Cape is further south so we have a longish twilight, but in Kruger, you can go into the shop and it will be light, and come out in darkness a few minutes later.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:12 am 
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Location: Lynnwood, WA, USA
Hello,

My last day in Kruger I'll be driving from Balulue camp to the Croc Bridge gates. It's less than 180 km, and I'll have most of the day to do this. Of course I can spend some time driving more around Balule, but I've read that even the main road toward Croc Bridge is great for wildlife viewing.

Perhaps you could recommend an alternative way to get from Balule to Croc Bridge to view the animals on my way out? What would be the best thing to do?

Thank you.

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 Post subject: Re: Best camp for wildlife viewing
Unread postPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:33 am 
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I would take the S90 from Balule towards Satara, then the S41 and along the S100 to Satara. (The alternative would be the S90 to the main road, also a lovely road). Then straight down the H1-3 to Tshokwane and then via the Orpen Dam to the H10 past Nkumbe lookout. The roads parallel to the H10 (Muntshe Loop and the Old Tshokwane Road, haven't got the road numbers here) are very worthwhile for the peace & quiet alone.

The roads between Lower Sabie and Croc Bridge are usually very good, take some time to travel the S137 to Duke's waterhole.

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