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Thank you for the report, now roll on May 2010.

Thank you for report Sheebs, now for Nshawu and Frankel in August ! Glad you had a nice time !

Hi all

I love this thread.
I have booked a holiday in Kruger for next year August, and even though we had originally decided to stay in the BnD and Biyamiti area, after reading this thread Ive just booked in at Satara in the Frankel house.
I blame this thread for this added expense to my holiday!! The thought of sitting on the patio at night and seeing the game at the waterhole...wow

Anyway, its really the waterhole that got me hooked, and I just want to find out if anyone has an opinion as to which is better, Frankel or Stanley? I'm more interested in which has the best waterhole view than the accomodation itself. its all about the game viewing for me.
Also, is the waterhole as great as everyone says it is? If so, I cant wait!

Thank you

Hi Camken

I have stayed at both
Stanley cottage is a nicer house but without doubt the view of the waterhole is better from the Frankel cottage.

They are both brilliant

Have a great time

PS best thing we saw was a honeybadger but anythingv could turn up.It is obviously more active in the dry season.

When we stayed in the Frankel cottage a couple of years ago we sat on a bench next to the fence and watched as a huge male Lion drank from the WH for over 10 minutes, keeping one eye on us all the time.
Must say the fence didn't look nearly as sturdy the whole time!
We also had herds of Buffalo, Zebra and Impies of course drinking there on and off.

Hi Camken

Also at Frankel in August next year over the long weekend for a few nights, can't wait for the experience. We had to take Frankel house because some of the nights we are 10 people. Some afternoons one apparently need to take a nap to enjoy the waterhole more ant night time!

Thanks everyone
Frankel it is!!

Staying at both a couple of times, my favourite is the Stanley. The view is not that much different, but the atmosphere is SO much better.

That is my personal opinion after spending many an evening on the verandah or on the bench near the fence of the Stanley.

Should you need pics of the view, feel free to pm me and i'll e-mail you some pics.

If anyone has stayed in Boulders, Nshawu House, Stanley House or Keartland House in the past month I would really appreciate a report on the general state (upkeep) of these houses.
Also has anyone done the bushbraai from Lower Sabie to Nhkulu, and what was it like?

Hi Nkulu

We just returned from probably one of our most amazing Kruger trips. We stayed in Stanley (Satara), Fish Eagle (Letaba), Rentmeester (Shingwedzi) and Nshawu (Olifants).
Regarding the Stanley….we enjoyed our time there and it was quite awesome to have the wildlife come to drink at the waterhole…But, I can honestly say I’m glad we stayed there first and not after we visited all the other houses…then our experience might not have been so “happy”. We all have different views and “standards”…to us the Stanley did not at all match up with the quality of the other houses. It was not nearly as well equipped and maintained as the other and considering that you pay the same price, we will probably not go and stay there again. As for the “wildlife experience”…the Rentmeester beats the Stanley hands down…again, that is our opinion.

The two houses that came out on top for us, was the Rentmeester and Nshawu.
Sheebs, I missed your report-back on Nshawu…I completely agree. The Olifants management has indeed pulled up their socks and the house in a much better condition than what we found it February 2009.
Nshawu has always been our favourite…but this was also the only guesthouse we have stayed in before LOL…now, after also staying at the Rentmeester, it is a bit more difficult to choose a favourite…if I have the money and time to again go and stay in a guesthouse in Kruger, it will be really difficult for me to choose between Nshawu and the Rentmeester.

The Fish Eagle is also a lovely house ….but there are also a few things that needs attention…like for instance, it is a hassle that most of the lounge doors do not have keys and cannot lock…one thus have to cart all your valuables with you. But even with this, the Fish Eagle beats Stanley…well, that’s our opinion.
When I have more time next week, I will post some pix of the different houses.

Jumbo, Thank you for your feedback, it is greatly appreciated. I have booked for a "once in a lifetime" trip for SO's 60th and was worried that I had made a mistake , fortunately Stanley house in the 3rd in the agenda so we will just "rough it"

Oh dear, Nkulu …Stanley is still very far from "rough it” …and I’m convinced that you will have a great stay ….but I think you will also see yourself what I mean when you for example compare the condition of Stanley with Nshawu.
Your trip will definitely be a great way to celebrate your SO’s birthday …this trip we had was our “once in a lifetime trip” and is something we will forever remember. For us personally, the value we got for the money spend, was much bigger than what we would have gotten if we spend double/triple the amount to get on a plane and spend two weeks in some or other exotic destination abroad.

I will try and speed up posting those photos….maybe I can convince you to also give Rentmeester some thought.

Thanks Jumbo, roughing it was tongue in the cheek, I have done the tent and Sleeping Bag (no mattress)
- and it was fun, but this trip is special and we are taking some newbies with - so that I can corrupt them

I have found that the drier, the better the game viewing at Satara. (Stanley in particular).

We have seen aal of the big five on July, while having a braai. (Making it worth facing the elements in the coldest July I've ever had in Kruger.)

I would agree that the upkeep in Stanley could be better, but the atmosphere is really special.

I must still do the Rentmeester. Somehow I always end up camping in Shingwedzi though.