SANParks.org Forums

Something I've thought about a lot but never got round to asking. I'm a "new" visitor to KNP so I know it as it is now, nothing's changed since I started going there.

Some of you I remember from various threads have been going like forever. Let's hear from you what has changed throughout the years - positive and negative - as we've never discussed this under its own thread.

Well for one. I'm quite sure there never was any "Springbuck" in the Kruger Park.

As far as changes goes, not so many vehicles were on the road before the gates opened...

I'm using my rights as Moderator here - W@H this is a serious topic, leave my springbok out of it, OK?

[moderator mode]Override GP's decision[/moderator mode]

The tree in Skukuza has grown a lot ... There were plenty more Sable back then ...

I remember one of our Rugby tours to Skukuza, we stayed in sort of a dormatory ... I can't remember exactly where it is...

@ Danie, is it still there?

Way back then, culling of predators were one of Kruger's policies.

Wonder what reaction they received from people like us back then?

Also School kids attended school in the recreation centre, if I am not mistaken. The primary school in Skukuza was only build later on.

I agree that the Park is a LOT busier than it used to be. Used to be great driving on a road and not seeing another car for sometimes an hour or two on some roads.
Secondly, while the camps still look relatively the same ( except the shops and restaurants), I feel the atmosphere in the camps is different, maybe because they are also busier. I notice also that people tend to rush around a lot more than they used to - both on the road, and in the camps.
I like the old restaurants, cafeterias and shops - less commercialised than they are now - more rustic and Kruger Parky, if you know what i mean.

Being very young then ... Can anyone tell me how many overseas visitors we had back in the day?

I have a feeling that it has increased a lot since then ... (which is ALWAYS a good thing ... except if you are a hunter).

Prices were more reasonable. I do feel the prices way to high for most South Africans but this has been discussed before so I will not harp on too much.

I am now old enough and can enjoy some Amarula. That is a great change.

All of the roads were gravel in the old days and a lot of people got stuck in the rainy season and all the bridges was under water as well, but this causes for a lot of fun.
Camps like Olifants; Mopanie and Berg-en-Dal are all later additions.
The road to the north was closed at the Letaba bridge in summer as the northren part of the park was closed for tourists in summer.
The huts were n lot smaller and some of the older huts can still be seen in some of the Camps.
Punda still got the oder huts but with out the bathrooms then. None of the camps had fridges. There were no electricty and in the evenings every body came together at communal braai in the middle of the Camp witch leads to great stories.

I've been visiting for 20+ years and I've read what everyone has said about the Lower Sabie shop and restaurant but I still loved the old Lower Sabie more. It was always my favourite camp, I love Sunset Dam and the camp site was tiny but fantastic.
I still love staying in the perimeter huts furthest away from the restaurant because it still has the old feel about it.

The roads were quieter, and there was far less in the way of curios in the shops. I guess like everything else SANParks have learnt to move with the times and make cash where they can - which is a good thing as it means the conservation area can continue.

Also, people were friendlier, waved more and shared sightings more. Are you sure we haven't discussed this before? Am I going mad?

We discussed the lost traditions like waving, yes, but not the Park itself. How did that change over the years? We always get round to it in bits and pieces, not in detail.

Welcome Tieger
Did you visit in the days when the staff woke you up with coffee and rusks?

This is different!!




Fish-cakes for breakfast - eish!

Wow, that was quiet a meal. I don't know if I could have gone out searching for animals after eating a breakfast like that. And all that for R1.60.