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Mods, if posted in the wrong forum, please correct. I am fairly new and have not yet initiated a topic.
According to a press statement published on 1 March 2010 check-in time for Kruger will change to 14h00 (as opposed to the current 12h00) from 1 April 2010.
Check-out time is now also later and although no reason was given for the proposed change, I assume it is to accommodate guests who still go on a morning drive on the day of their departure and obviously a later check-out impacts on the turnaround time to have accommodation ready for incoming guests.
I have to say that I feel a bit cheated by the new arrangement - to only occupy one's accommodation at two in the afternoon, makes the day rather short. I am one of those visitors who likes to settle in, have lunch and a bit of a rest before I go for an afternoon drive. I would imagine that guests with small children, babies and people with disabilities would also prefer to settle in.
Am I being selfish here or do other forumites agree?
Loerie

Hi Loerie!

There is/was a loooong topic about it, but I forgot where.

In short, the times have been adjusted to the industry standard, which gives the cleaning staff more time to clean. This (should) result in less complaints about the cleaning.
And it gives you time to shower after the morning drive.

Hi Loerie
You might want to look at the following topic…all 11 pages
New check-in and check-out times for Kruger
There are a number of people agreeing with you.

After reading through the whole thread I can't find a reason why this idea shouldn't be used because people can lose their jobs. KNP isn't a charity. If you want to support poor people there are other ways than doing it through KnP. KnP is about conserving nature and they must use everything they have to do so.

People will do as they please anyway. We were booked into P Kop camp site on a Sunday early Sept last year. There appeared to be a caravan rally on that weekend, and we actually had to walk around looking for a campsite (1.pm.) and eventually found one near the bottom ablution block (the only one available) We set up camp and went for a drive, coming back into camp at 5.30p.m. we saw many vans leaving (to get out of Numbi Gate by 6). After we arrived at 1.00 p.m. 2 other vans were riding around looking for spots, which should have been available if rally people left when they were supposed to. After 5.30p.m. many sites became available most with lovely shade!. How selfish some people are! I wondered about camp management. Why do they not see that the sites are cleared in time? In fact I thought if we were untruthful peeps we could have stayed at any of the camps in Kruger for as long as we liked as long as we booked into reception on the right days at the right camps. The Availability schedule told us that camp sites were fully booked and we had to change our schedule because of that, but except for that Sunday in P Kop most of the camp sites were only half full. I honestly think that when it comes down to it Checking in and out times at the camp sites don't mean a thing if there is no control. I understand Ecojunkies view about the cleaning staff with linen etc. at the huts and bungalows though.

The campsite problem really does need sorting out. Many camps try to have HRs to help over busy periods, but they can only do so much. I know Satara used to have a boom system and entrance was checked, but that still does not take care of the late leavers.

Maybe between us we can come up with a workable, simple, inexpensive solution we can suggest to them?

EJ,

I think the solution is very simple.

Have demarcated sites.

If I'm allocated Site 123 and I arrive to find someone in it, I'll be the first to ensure they leave on time - make no mistake!

EJ In a small Camp like Malelane it is possible to "police" the campers But in places like Skukuza near impossible But how about a coloured disk A colour for everyday of the week and when you book in you receive the colour disk for your day of depature, ( you get two disks ) one for your car and one for the stand. ( can have a place on the stand specially made to place your disk ) If you are staying more than one week the disk would have a date on it So if there is any query you check the disk . Maybe have to have a boom to control this . It would not cost too much either. Just a thought

Agreed! There must be a reason why this isn't done, but I for the life of me can't think of what it would be. (maybe brainstorming the campsite question can be split off this thread, mods?) EJ has it right - lets think of workable ways to address this.

I personally like not having demarcated stands - easier to manoevre caravan that way. however if they did it as at Satara (not like LS or Skuks) it would be OK. Problem is making sure stands are big enough for the large caravans.......very difficult to arrange to have some for tents and some for caravans because there will always be a time when the caravans and tents do not balance the spots!

I like the idea of discs......but they must be able to be stamped with official camp stamp on arrival otherwise too easy to clone. I did suggest a similar idea to one manager - but a disc with a number on it indicating date of departure rather than a colour. Tie to caravan tent pole or handle. or to tent guy rope in prominent place.

......and yes, mods, let's have a split topic to brainstorm this one.

Michaelpr, We are all entitled to our own opinion…
My take on this: Part of the efforts to conserve this park, should be to develop the communities around the park….if the park proves to have value to them, they will support its future. IMHO, one of the best ways the communities can see benefits in the park, is through sustainable job creation. No use to, on the one hand have these wonderful visions of “community development” …as was promised with some of the fund received from the ivory sales…and on the other hand, sending a whole lot of people back to the community without jobs.
Yes business is business….but with the unemployment situation in our country, and the poverty in the communities surrounding Kruger, I believe, if at all possible, effort should be put in to retain people’s livelihood.
But as said before, this is not what this thread is about… this is a matter the unions will have to take up when it arises…if it does, they have my full support.

100% Bush Happy!!! This is indeed the way to go. This will also discourage those with small “personal spaces” to come and camp right on top of you.
And you know what, they can even go as far as selling the perimeter stands at a bit higher premium?

We are campers and would certainly prefer a better system at Sanparks campsites -be it demarcated sites(as long as the LS architect has no say in the design),discs,booms,pre-booking or a combination of all these(TSENDZE does it very well and also show real care for their guests). Many,if not most large and small private camps in SA do it very successfully. Just a word of caution - it must be the duty of the Camp management to ensure that camp sites are vacated on time (it is not advisable for the new arrival to do this) and also to fine the "inconsiderates".
I fully support the idea to formulate a plan/suggestions and present it to Sanparks as it will be a positive move or should be regarded as such...are there not formites/owners of camps outside KNP who can assist with this, if necessary? But then why don't the other camps just follow Tsendze's example? Or is this a silly question?
P

Hi all,

Mods, I am sure this needs to be moved to the thread on check in and check out times. I could not find it.

One of the complaints was the non communication of the new times. I just received 2 sm's's (for my 2 bookings) informing me of the new times.

Sanparks.

What do you all think about the new "check-in" times from 1st April?
It seems so unfair, when one has been travelling for hundreds of km's
and so looking forward to reaching your bungalow and unpacking ..
especially your meat and fridge goodies ... that cold drink and lunch on
your cool verandah, followed by a nap, to be refreshed for the afternoon
drive, to now not be able to check in at 12 noon as before, but only at 1400 hours??!!

Should we not all stand together against this new rule? The check out time
has only been changed by one hour to 10.00 am instead of 0900 ?
However, the greatest concern is the check in time!!

Checking in at Kruger should not be compared to checking in at a City or Coastal Hotel !
Cedron