ElainePDX
Level 2 Member
After a bit of a break, I am back to planning for our Southern Africa trip in Feb. 2015. If you want some background, take a look at the thread I started re: this trip:
https://saverocity.com/forum/threads/south-africa-and-namibia-for-feb-2016.163529/
In addition to carefully reading that thread as well as all the other Africa threads here, I've done internet research, read Lonely Planet guides, spoke to people who have traveled there recently, read trips reports and hotel reviews, looked at FT, etc. I contacted a few agents and I've been comparing the initial suggestions they have offered. At this point I am ready to decide which agent I will use to help with the bookings, and I'd like to give her (they happen to all be women!) some guidance re: our lodge preferences.
Although many folks here and elsewhere sang the praises of Satara, we've decided that we’d prefer to stay at smaller lodges with inclusive game drives. Since I am hoping for some lodge-specific advice, I thought it most useful to me and others who may have similar questions to start a new thread specifically devoted to private lodges in the Kruger vicinity.
After getting recommendations in that original thread, from friends, and from the agents, the following lodges/locations are still on my list:
In the Timbavati Private Reserve: Simbavati River Lodge
(Probably more aspirational and expensive than we need but we might spring for one luxury lodge)
In Sabi Sands:
Arathusa Lodge
Elephant Plain Game Lodge.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge
On the list but not real contenders: Nottens Bush Camp and Savanna Private Game Reserve both of which more aspirational and expensive than we need, especially if we do stay at Simbavati.
Balule Naure Reserve: Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Klaserie Game Reserve: Nthambo Tree Camp
I would be most grateful for any advice/suggestions, for example:
1) Have you stayed at any of these lodges and would you recommend them?
2) Do you have other lodge recs?
I understand that the game drives cross back and forth between Kruger lands and the private reserves. But do they also go between different private reserves? In other words, if we decide to stay in Klaserie, do we need to also consider nearby Timbavati?
Finally, if we decide to include Victoria Falls on our itinerary, I am considering going to Chobe in Botswana. I know about the Chobe Game Lodge. Can anyone recommend any other lodges there?
Thanks!! And Happy 4th!
https://saverocity.com/forum/threads/south-africa-and-namibia-for-feb-2016.163529/
In addition to carefully reading that thread as well as all the other Africa threads here, I've done internet research, read Lonely Planet guides, spoke to people who have traveled there recently, read trips reports and hotel reviews, looked at FT, etc. I contacted a few agents and I've been comparing the initial suggestions they have offered. At this point I am ready to decide which agent I will use to help with the bookings, and I'd like to give her (they happen to all be women!) some guidance re: our lodge preferences.
Although many folks here and elsewhere sang the praises of Satara, we've decided that we’d prefer to stay at smaller lodges with inclusive game drives. Since I am hoping for some lodge-specific advice, I thought it most useful to me and others who may have similar questions to start a new thread specifically devoted to private lodges in the Kruger vicinity.
After getting recommendations in that original thread, from friends, and from the agents, the following lodges/locations are still on my list:
In the Timbavati Private Reserve: Simbavati River Lodge
(Probably more aspirational and expensive than we need but we might spring for one luxury lodge)
In Sabi Sands:
Arathusa Lodge
Elephant Plain Game Lodge.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge
On the list but not real contenders: Nottens Bush Camp and Savanna Private Game Reserve both of which more aspirational and expensive than we need, especially if we do stay at Simbavati.
Balule Naure Reserve: Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Klaserie Game Reserve: Nthambo Tree Camp
I would be most grateful for any advice/suggestions, for example:
1) Have you stayed at any of these lodges and would you recommend them?
2) Do you have other lodge recs?
I understand that the game drives cross back and forth between Kruger lands and the private reserves. But do they also go between different private reserves? In other words, if we decide to stay in Klaserie, do we need to also consider nearby Timbavati?
Finally, if we decide to include Victoria Falls on our itinerary, I am considering going to Chobe in Botswana. I know about the Chobe Game Lodge. Can anyone recommend any other lodges there?
Thanks!! And Happy 4th!
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