Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, SANParks

Description

“Lasting impression”

Satara is a busy camp, and not without reason. It is situated in an excellent game viewing area, with the bush relatively open and the animals plentiful and diverse. The camp itself has a rustic charm, with the bulk of the accommodation set out in a series of circles. Satara is well wooded and the bird-life is prolific. At night the clink of fruit bats is fused with the chirping of cicadas and crickets. The calls of owls and nightjars add to the symphony that is punctuated intermittently by the whoop of hyena, the screech of jackal and the roars of lion.

Accommodation

Bungalows

• 75 x 2 or 3-bed units with communal kitchen. Bungalows are equipped with ablutions comprising of a shower, WC and wash basin. All bungalows have air-conditioning. A limited number of fully equipped utensil boxes (cutlery crockery, glasses and frying pan) are available for hire. Contact reception upon check-in.
• 57 x 2 or 3-bed units with kitchens. Bungalows are equipped with ablutions comprising of a shower, WC and wash basin. All bungalows are equipped with air-conditioning.
• 1 x luxury bungalow with 2 beds and one sleeper couch. Equipped with en-suite bathroom (shower, WC and wash basin), kitchen and air-conditioning. The open air kitchen has a cooker plate and microwave oven and outside braai (barbeque) facility, fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.
• 19 x 2 bedded bungalows situated on the perimeter fence with a view of the veld which allows you to listen to the sounds of the wild in your bed. Equipped with en-suite bathroom containing shower, WC and wash basin. Bungalows each have an open air kitchen with cooker top, combined fridge/freezer and fully equipped with cutlery, crockery and utensils.

Guest Cottages

• 1 x 5-bed and 9 x 6-bed units with well equipped kitchens and two bedrooms with 3 beds each (in the case of the 6 bed units). Both bedrooms have a bathroom en-suite (bath, WC and washbasin). The kitchen has a gas stove (with oven), fridge/freezer combination, sink, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.

Guest Houses

• These are large luxury units in prime positions inside the camp. There are well-equipped kitchens (with microwave ovens) and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Limited channel DSTV televisions are provided.

Wells: Sleeps 6, with 3 bedrooms (2 single beds in each room)

Stanley: Sleeps 9, with 3 bedrooms (3 single beds in each room)

Frankel: Sleeps 10, with 5 bedrooms (2 single beds in each room)

Vital Information

Warnings

Please ensure that your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many exciting and unusual creatures but without knowledge some of them could be dangerous:

• Bats, Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions, Malaria Zone

If you must walk around at night please DO NOT DO SO WITHOUT A TORCH.

Remember: by feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become aggressive!

Climate

Kruger is in a summer rainfall area. Such precipitation is usually convectional and can result in heavy downpours. The summer months (October to April) are hot and often balmy. Winters are warm and mild, although visitors going on night-drives will require warm clothing.

Day visitors

Satara has a designated day visitor area where day visitors and visitors from other camps can braai (barbecue) and picnic. As one enters the gate, it is reached by turning to the left.

Attractions

Sweni Bird Hide (located on the Sweni River about 30km from camp)
• Ratel Pan Bird Hide (Piet Grobler Dam - located on the Timbavati/Roodewal road about 35km from camp)
• Kids Educational Programme (Seasonal)
• Sweni Wilderness Trail (pre-booked overnight activity)
• Mananga 4 x 4 Adventure Trail (weather sensitive activity)
• Through prior arrangement with the camp, catered traditional dances can be arranged.
• Wildlife films on the big screen (every evening except Sundays)

Guided Walks

Daily early morning and afternoon guided walks are available from most camps. Up to eight guests are taken to interesting places in the surrounding wilderness areas adjacent to most of the camps. The walk itself is relaxed and experienced and armed guides use their knowledge of the bush to explain natural wonders.

Trained field guides with backup rifles take groups of up to 8 people out into the bush for a few hours. Track rhino, elephant and lion on foot and learn and observe fascinating facts about the African bush. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes or boots, clothing applicable to the prevailing weather conditions and bring their own cameras and/or binoculars. No children under 13 allowed. Accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp. Form more information, contact the camp reception.

Kruger Game Drives

Sunset drives

This activity leaves before the sun sets and gets back once the sky is dark. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive.

Night Drives

Take part in the nocturnal activities of Kruger's secretive creatures. Experienced guides drive the groups. Inquire at the reservations offices or at the camp you are staying in, about going on this drive. The sunset drive departs at 17:00 and lasts at least 3 hours.

Morning drives

Leave at around 04.30 in summer and 05.30 in winter. Clients are to confirm with Reception the previous night when they book in to their accommodation. As per day walks, accommodation must be booked for the previous night at the camp, as walks/drives leave before the gates open officially. The drive’s duration is 3-4 hours.

Bush Braais and Bush Breakfasts

This unforgettable experience is not to be missed. A game drive leads you to an open area filled with burning lanterns and fires where, whilst listening to the sounds of the bushveld and the distant animals calling, the food is grilled on open fires. A variety of game meat and sausage is on offer, together with delicious vegetables and a variety of salads. Freshly prepared deserts and coffee or tea complete a wonderful evening. A cash bar facility is also available.

To get you started on the type of bush braai you would like - there is the Standard Bush Braai and the Ad-hoc Bush Braai:

• Standard Bush Braai
  • Departs in the afternoon with a game drive to the bush braai site (for a maximum of an hour).
  • Will arrive at the site where the meal will be in the process of preparation (planned not to exeed about 90 minutes with a maximum of 2 hours).
  • Guests will be briefed on safety, toilet routine and how to conduct themselves.
  • During the whole event at the site, the guide would be host and in control of guests while leading discussions and answering questions.
  • Return game drive will coincide with some night game viewing (about 30 minutes).
• Ad-hoc Bush Braai
  • This is a bush braai that is provided on request.
  • Additional resources need to be obtained, e.g. guides, vehicles and rifles.
  • Booking is for one group who then negotiate terms (price and programme).
  • The costing and pricing of Ad Hoc Bush Braais would need to be well planned and should be done in consultation with the manager, activities. Crucial elements would include transport costs for possibly hiring additional vehicles or bringing them from other locations and hiring of additional staff.

Facilities

Facilities

• Information at Reception
• Public Telephone
• Post Box
• Restaurant
• Deli
• Shop
• Laundromat
• Filling Station
• Communal Kitchens
• Communal Ablutions
• Swimming Pool with children’s playground
• Cutlery and Plates Hampers (from Reception)
• Basic First Aid Assistance
• Day Visitors Picnic Area with Boma on perimeter of camp
• Eco Information Centre and Amphitheatre
• Limited Channel DSTV in Guest Houses only
• Cellphone reception

Directions