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12 reasons why I love Kruger Park’s Tsendze camp

15/8/2012

12 Comments

 
Campsite at Tsendze Rustic Camp, Kruger National Park
If you’ve never stayed at Tsendze Rustic Camp Site in the Kruger National Park, then you’ve never experienced just how great camping can be. Last year I raved about this camp, about 7km from the much larger Mopani, and nothing has changed: I’m raving about it again this year. Here’s why.

1. Hate getting into a tug-of-war to secure a site at the increasingly busy campsites in the Kruger National Park? I do. That’s why the camping-only Tsendze is bliss. There are just 34 sites and before you arrive you can request the specific site you want by phoning Mopani reception. (See camp layout here.) Tsendze’s following is such that people will book their special favourite up to a year ahead.

2. Each site is carved out of the natural bush. This gives you some privacy a sense of being ‘in the wild’ even though there is a perimeter fence for security. Many of the sites are along the fence, so you don’t have to miss out on passing hyenas or elephants. But unlike other camps that also have perimeter sites, here you don’t have sacrifice your personal space just so you can enjoy front-row seats.
Kitchen area, Tsendze Rustic Camp, Kruger National Park
Natural bush almost engulfs the kitchen
3. The campsites are generously sized and come with everything a camper could want - bin, room to spread out, braai, water tap nearby, and shade for at least part of the day (our favourite site has an appleleaf tree).

4. The rustic nature of the camp means there are no power points at the sites, but you still have solar/gas power for the ablutions and kitchen. (Don’t fret, there are communal gas freezers for those who don’t come equipped with their own battery-powered fridges.)

5. Some people like all the bells and whistles of electricity, shops, restaurants and fuel stations, but I prefer the peace that comes from their absence at Tsendze.

6. Three cheers for Rodgers Hobyane and Elina Mona, who look after the camp. They’re high up on the list of reasons to love the place, friendly and helpful in a way that has won them numerous hospitality awards. They come around as you sit at your braai in the evening to check everything is okay, or perhaps to share the secret hiding place of a scops owl. They’ll go out of their way to help you – even at their own expense, as when Rodgers offered the use of his own newly-acquired car so visitors could get the part they needed from Phalaborwa.
Friendly staff at Tsendze Rustic Camp, Kruger National Park
Your friendly hosts, Elina Mona and Rodgers Hobyane
7. Nowhere in Kruger – or possibly in South Africa – will you find such a clean braai. This is because most places think sweeping out the dead ash constitutes cleaning a braai. Not Rodgers and Elina. They have magic system of cleaning that leaves it as good as new day after day. We usually put our own folding braai grid on top of a braai so our meat doesn’t have to touch the age-old grease and ash left behind by many previous fires. But at Tsendze we slap the meat directly onto the spotless braai, no question.

8. The same care and cleanliness can be found in the thatched ablutions and kitchens. For me, this is the difference between a camp that's just okay and one that's fab.

9. A nice touch is outdoor showers for a spot of star-gazing while you wash away the heat of the day. For traditionalists or cold-snap visitors, there are standard indoor versions too.
Bathrooms, Tsendze Rustic Camp, Kruger National Park
Hot gas showers, even an outdoor shower
10. Tsendze (as a sign announces near the gate) is a low noise impact facility, so it generally tends to draw people who enjoy nature and are more interested in listening to the sounds of the bush than making a noise themselves. No generators are allowed.

11. You won’t be plagued at your campsite by thieving vervet monkeys or baboons because there are none here. You may, however, have some excitement when an elephant decides to try to push down the fence!

12. There are some fab game viewing points in the area, like the Nshawu waterholes and Tihongonyeni on the Capricorn Loop. 

Bonus point
You can still go on an early morning bushwalk or sunset drive from Tsendze; a guide from Mopani will pick you up from the entrance gate to Tsendze and drop you off again.
 
Two things I hate about Tsendze
  1. On one of the nights we were there, our nearest neighbours were a couple with a small toddler and a baby. The toddler was into screaming, the baby into crying. Don’t shoot me, but I think children under 10 or 12 shouldn’t be allowed at Tsendze, so as to maintain the special atmosphere of peace in what SANParks itself calls a ‘low noise impact’ camp. Duty managers are aware of any disturbances but they’re not always easy to resolve tactfully and peaceably. Let me know in the comments below whether you agree or disagree.
  2. But the thing I hate most is having to leave Tsendze behind until our next Kruger trip.
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12 reasons to love Tsendze Rustic Campsite in Kruger National Park #SouthAfrica #travel #safari
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​Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za 
12 Comments
Tony Burgess
21/8/2012 12:04:26 am

I will be going to spend a week at Tsende in Sept'12.
I agree with your idea of a minimum age group being allowed into camp sites.Main camps sould also demarcate areas where visitors with children under a certain age are confined to, I have many stories I could tell where smaller children have spoilt camping experiences for others.

Reply
Mandi
9/8/2015 08:43:30 am

The only conclusion I can make is that you don't have children, but we love to teach our child who is only 5 to love and respect nature. If we are banned how will we educate her to enjoy a holiday in the wild, if you try to keep it to yourself? Be accommodative to all visitors to the beautiful park!

Reply
Roxanne
9/8/2015 10:09:55 am

I agree that parents who teach their children from a young age how to respect nature are not the problem. Unluckily, this doesn't apply to all parents - and they're usually the ones who behave badly when you ask them to teach their kids some bush manners. In any case, there are plenty other tourist camps in Kruger where children can learn 'to love and respect nature'.

Roxanne
21/8/2012 01:22:54 am

Thanks for sharing your comments Tony. Have a great time at Tsendze!

Reply
Natalie link
26/11/2012 10:29:52 am

Hi there. Thank you for sharing. We are camping in Tsendze for the first time in December - it's a hot and busy time of the year. Can you recommend stands that are shady and private (as far away from other people as possible - cannot do noise in the bush)? Many thanks.

Reply
Roxanne
26/11/2012 11:59:34 am

Rodgers Hobyane, the oracle on all things Tsendze, says the best site for shade is 21, but a drawback is that it’s not along the fence. The other is site 15, says Rodgers. From my own experience, many of the sites have shade for at least part of the day – you just have to decide when shade is more important to you, and then place your tent/trailer/van appropriately. After all, the sites are big enough to give you some choice in the matter. Hope that helps.

As for privacy, try looking at http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/tsendze/tourism/map.php to see what you fancy.

At this late stage, though, I seriously doubt that you will be able to book the site of your choice!

Reply
marinda drake
4/8/2014 09:50:36 am

We were the thirst visitors to camp at Tsendze, 1 November 2006. We still go back at least twice a year. We stay in number 3, best for privacy and shade. Very fond of Rogers and Elina. Our most favourite camp in Kruger, feels like home away from home.

Reply
Roxanne link
4/8/2014 01:26:20 pm

That's fabulous, Marinda. We only discovered it in 2009 or 2010 but have been back often. Stayed in #3 twice and also loved it! Small world, hey?

Reply
wyndham
5/6/2020 12:50:21 pm

Interested in discussing various sites @ Tsendze. Do you have a contact number for Rodgers Hobyane?

Reply
Roxanne
5/6/2020 03:02:40 pm

I don't have his cell number anymore, Wyndham, but you can try him on rodgerhobyane [at] gmail.com.

Reply
Mike Millar link
21/4/2021 04:24:01 pm

Hi Roxanne really great to read some positive feed back about a camp in the KP!! I salute you and what you wrote is absolutely the truth regarding this campsite and the folk that run it.
My wife and I will be sitting next to a fire at Tsendze on the 3/5 for two weeks for our third visit plus a birthday whilst we are there!!
If I may mention my only disappointment was that on our last couple of visits we were not allocated the sites we had requested on booking a year in advance. We were told when organising our site booking through Mopani that the 3 selected sites we had asked for were available. I trust that this time we will be more successful!!??
Not too many more sleeps before we head off to another great spoil !!

Reply
Roxanne Reid link
21/4/2021 05:10:02 pm

Such a special camp, Mike. Sad to hear about your booking fail but I'm not sure they have ever guaranteed a specific site, though they do try. We've always got the one we requested. Hope you have a wonderful time.

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
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