Guest reviews for Lower Sabie Restcamp

Awesome

"This was he most awesome place to stay. The tents were the best. We only stayed one night we wish it could have been longer. The tents took us by surprise but it were the best surprise ever, like the Leopards, crocodile, rhino, elephant, baboons, hyena, hippo,buffalo and fish eagle we saw from the tent veranda. Could not load photos on site. Best regards, hope to visit soon again. Sorry about all the water damages . Will keep Kruger Park in our prayers. Cant wait for the next visit."


- Anneline (rsa)

Loved it

"We had 2 bungalows on the river side - great amenities and we could have stayed longer. Meal at restaurant good - large portions."


- Ross McKay (Australian)

Elephant exitement!

"On Sunday 15 Jan 2012 we started out in high spirits to find a leopard. We were very fortunate and got one less than 20 meters from the road. It was a very beautiful large male, but it did not really give us a lot of opportunity for photographs and jumped from the tree just to disappear. We all saw it very clearly though. About 10 km further, on the little mountain pass between Lower Sabie and Tshokwane, we came around a bend in the road with me scanning the right side of the road. My wife suddenly shouted to watch out for the elephant. At that instant I saw a large female on the right side off the road but instinctively I stepped on the brakes just to stop meters from a huge bull in the road! Luckily I believe in driving very slow in the park, otherwise I would have crashed into the bull! I immediately switched into reverse, but as I looked into the rearview mirror, I saw that the large female has moved onto the road and was right behind me! We were literary trapped between the two! The male in front was making a lot of noise in coming forward while urinating continiously in short bursts. The female behind me was so close that on one stage we felt her touching the Jeep's spare wheel! Because of this I moved forward which in turn made the bull in front believe I was challenging him and he proceeded with his mock charges again while urinating in short bursts! He felt trapped because on the one side of the road was a steep incline and on the other side was a steep decline. I could see that he wanted to turn around to get away, but because the female behind me looked so aggressive and looked like she was going to pierce my car with her tusks anytime, I had to move forward which confused the bull everytime and made him think I was agressive! Luckily he turned half sideways at one stage and I could accelerate literally past his tail! It was very close, but we made it and no one or nothing got injured! All 4 of us in the vehicle had the shakes when we stopped at the picnic spot further on but realised that that was an experience that none of us will ever forget and will always talk about! That is also the reason why we will always go back to the park! Thank you for taking care of our wild animals for us!"


- Rian Herselman (SA)

Safari Tents

"Tents are a little tired, awnings in front were torn. Complaint regarding faulty lights on deck disregarded twice. Maintenance is exceptionally poor. Staff extremely friendly and honest, found my wallet with over R1000 in it. We were notified of this on arrival at our next camp and the wallet was kept for me until I was able to collect one and half weeks later, with nothing missing. If the safari tents were kept well maintained, they would be a pleasure to stay in."


- Shirley Dunkley (South Africa)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"The Park was clean. Although I booked a place with no utensils not having cups for coffee etc was irritating. There was a definite drop in the number of animals we normally see. People were speeding. I still enjoyed being there."


- Lynne Garbutt (South African)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"Really enjoyed our time there. Few problems, camp flooded on new years eve, no proper draining sites:( very sad new years. Two days into our stay the pool had a terrible smell. Some of the braai units were broken. Communal toilets may need more regular cleaning, seemed to be not clean most of the time. The staff were fantastic and so friendly. Had a lovely time"


- Tanya March (south Africa)

Very Nice, I love the bush

"Thank you so much, it was very nice thanks, we will be back in the park from the 3rd - 6th of Feb. Regards Migael"


- Migael (south african)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"Excellent stay, friendly and helpful staff; definitely a favourite camp."


- Anne Petler (SOUTH AFRICAN)

Overall, a nice break!

"We are a family with older children and enjoyed our stay in Lower Sabie, where we had 2 adjoining bungalows. We were lucky to see four of the Big Five animals in the first couple hours of our drive into the park. Maybe, it was the time of the day (we drove in before dusk when the animals came to the water holes before gearing up for the night. But, after that, we had no luck with the "Sunset Tour" and the "Morning Walk" that we signed up for. We did not see or hear anything to write home about.
Some hiccups on the trip:
1. Getting to our camp from Nelspruit Airport was expensive, if you do not rent a car.
2. No plug point in the bungalow/s to recharge cameras and other equipment. We were left with scanty resources on the last day."


- (U.S.A.)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"Units 80,81 and 82 where the best units I have ever received in Lower Sabie. Marty, our game drive ranger was excellent."


- Mike Usher (RSA)

Year end in the Kruger Nasional Park

"Good, Good, Good, Good, see you next year!!"


- Talita Rautenbach (SA)

Kruger Park

"We had such a lovely time in Kruger Park, saw lots of animals.
Thank you!"


- Rosalind (South Africa)

Restaurant KNP Lower Sabi

"When you stay at night and use the restaurant, the variaty of food was in our period (end of november)minor.

Another item is when you stay at several camps they offer almost all the same but at Lower Sabi we had the worst dinner ever.

beside this experience, the bush and park is in this area great."


- Marlies Vermeesch-Holtmann (The Netherlands)

Strengths and weaknesses

"I'd like to comment on various observations, not just on Lower Sabie. My husband and I stayed in safari tent 27 at Lower Sabie. Our overseas guests stayed in number 28. Their tent was in much better condition, which is why we elected to give that one to them. The only non-optimum thing about that tent was a rather noisy ceiling fan (if it was switched on to a speed that was high enough to be effective). Our tent (27) needs attention because it has a leak in the area in front of the clothing cupboard. It rained quite hard during the night and there was a puddle in that area in the morning. The ceiling fan was extremely noisy, but a standard fan was installed so we used that. I was surprised to find that the kitchen area was totally exposed, seeing as this is a malaria area... I personally would have preferred it to be enclosed with some netting, seeing as one is always in that space in the early morning or after dark, when the mosquitoes are most active. My bedside light wasn't working. Otherwise, all was fine in the tent. We went to the restaurant for dinner and found the food to be extremely unimaginative. We all ordered chicken schnitzel because NOTHING else looked remotely interesting and it was nicely prepared but served only with uninteresting chips - no veg, no salad. I REALLY believe this is a terrible PR point. When people are on holiday and have a few bucks to spare, they like to be WELL fed. I would avoid the camp in future with the food so poor.
The chef needs some training or some budget or some inspiration or something - very disappointing.

On that subject - we stopped at Skukuza for lunch. After parking in the area nearest to the restaurant, we followed the signage that indicated where the entrance is. It led through a "back alley" sort of zone which was untidy and neglected looking. Very strange approach to a place where one plans to eat... Once inside, we sat at a table that had a table mat which looked as though a rat had chewed through it - a huge hole in it and the mats didn't look very clean. My guest and I ordered "butternut soup" at the restaurant alongside the river. We both took one sip and couldn't face another one. It was horrible! Again, WHY is it so difficult for a chef in a high profile location such as Kruger NATIONAL park (!!) - representing our country to tens of thousands of visitors who have money to spend, to put such a simple meal together? It is NOT difficult to make tasty food. We sent our food back to the kitchen. I was embarrassed!! That chef needs handling and needs a recipe book! My husband ordered tea. There was one tea bag in a double-sized teapot filled with water. As a result the tea was like "dishwater". Hmmm...won't be going there again if I can help it.

Also, it would be much nicer to have some extra shade on the deck outside that restaurant. It was stinking hot that day and the tree just wasn't able to provide enough shade, so we went inside.

As far as the travelling experience was concerned, we felt that the Park was being well cared for. The roads were fine. It is a truly magnificent zone and we saw lots of game.

I'd really appreciate it if you could send the relevant comments/criticisms to the relevant management in each camp as this will save me from having to write all this again.

Many thanks!"


- Corinne Bysshe (South African)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"Requested change in tent accommodation. No 12 looked directly into setting sun and bush - not good esp when I booked months in advance. Kitchen equipment far too limited - no drainage rack, only 2 pieces of cutlery per item, no paring knife, only one wine glass etc. This really needs to be looked into."


- Denise (SA)

Great experience

"I had two friends over from the UK and was thrilled that the overall experience was fantastic. The accommodation was clean, well equipped and comfortable.

The Guides on the drives varied - not up to the same standard in terms of information and general patter that the private game reserves are. But they got us around safely and a few were very good."


- Donna Wright (South Africa)

How to get away from it all

"This was the first night in Kruger. The welcome into the park was so much more friendly than 4 years ago and it added to our enjoyment. The tent was exciting - a little too much in the wind at night but I would choose this over the small bungalow anytime."


- Helen Herring (british)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

""


- Luis Martinez (Mozambique)

Lower Sabie Should Raise Expectations

"While the bungalows are OK, the food at the rest camp is a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. This is the kind of food one would find at a backwater fast food court where no one cares. Why not raise the level of the food to match the setting?"


- Robert Moman (U.S.A.)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"I would say, it was lovely and for what we paid it was worth it."


- Russel Steynberg (RSA)

Fridge did not work

"This tent has a big problem with the fridge or the staff just forgot to put it on in time our water and ice did not hold until Sunday or the fridge has to be checked. Please. It's very hot in KNP then you expect the fridge to WORK properly for the sum you pay in these tents accommodation!"


- JH Visagie (RSA)

Good break away

"We really enjoy it and shall recommend it to our friends."


- Louwrens (south africa)

Lower Sabie Camping Expedition

"We had a great time. The Lower Sabie camping ground is neatly laid out and accommodating, and the proximity to the river makes the location quite special. Lions were harder to come across than I've experienced in the past, but overall game viewing was a pleasure, usually driving North from the camp. One let down was a morning drive with a closed mouthed guide, and unusually sparse sightings. Also, having inadvertently booked through a travel agency via the krugerpark.com website, we couldn't move our last night Skukuza booking to Lower Sabie, despite there being space to accommodate us. Whatever the case may be, a good experience was had."


- Isak Potgieter (South Africa)

Lower Sabie Restcamp

"As usual very good except buttons and knobs of plates and loose or missing. Maintenance is not what it used to be."


- Rudi (RSA)

Lower Sabie

"Very clean camp with nice shop and restaurant with friendly service. Bungalow was very nice with nice view in camp.

Only problem was the bad service at the petrol station was very bad and the guys were very rude, not the lady."


- Ettiene (South African)