Selecting Between Public and Private Restcamps

The main selection in using South African National Parks Restcamps as opposed to the more private reserves in Kruger National is price, although you have to figure in what is included as most of the private lodges include activities, food and booze.

A higher price in the private lodges is rewarded with greater creature comforts- think service, the range of activities on offer and the quality of lodgings and cuisine, in particular.

There is also an exclusivity factor- there will be more other people, more close to you in the Government camps- and you may find it difficult to get the itinerary you want unless you book well in advance.

Whilst out on game drives, the private lodges also have an advantange as their guides are able to head off from the marked roads whilst out driving in order to pursue sightings.

There are structured entertainments in the evening in private lodges (in the Kruger you tend to get left to cook for yourselves and then go to bed); these inevitably revolve around dinner, drinks, and long stories around the fire.

In the public camps, you will also be self-driving and unguided for most of the time; it is worth doing at least some guided activities to attune yourselves to the huge number of things going on around you through the eyes of a professional.

At SANParks Camps you have to book activities which may or may not be available as demand is high. Private lodges ensure that all guests can indulge in all activities, usually including an optional bush work after a morning drive and breakfast in the bush.

Nevertheless, the SANParks infrastructure is extremely good and the game is absolutely the same.

For a back-to-nature experience, bring- your- own camping is also possible within the SANParks Restcamps, unlike the private lodges. You can get yourselves set up around the perimeter of most of the larger Restcamps for a wonderful night under the canvas (although you may find that you have a caravan as a next door neighbour).