Dre2th

Is anyone familiar with the &Beyond Tented Camps in South Africa/ Botswana?
Ngala tented camp
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Is anyone familiar with the Elephant Camp near Victoria Falls?
Is anyone familiar with the Cape Grace Hotel

Is there any better alternatives to stay in those areas

sdb2

About 5-6 years ago I was at Nxabega and Sandibe. At the time I thought the tents at Nxabega were in serious need of upgrading. In contrast, I really enjoyed the chalets at Sandibe (though nowadays I prefer tents) with their outdoor showers, the early morning shouts of baboons and hippos in the dark chomping away nearby. It may have just been luck of the draw, but everything just fell into place at Sandibe: we had guiding that couldn't be beat and just outstanding game viewing, including 2 different packs of wild dogs (one with a kill) and a herd of elephant that spanned the horizon in front of us.

One thing for sure is that &Beyond does a great job of treating their guests like royalty.

Dre2th

Thanks!
Does anyone have better suggestions on par with those in those areas

sdb2

If I were going back I think I'd look into places like Mombo and Little Mombo, as well as Kwando Lagoon and Lebala.

cary999

FWIW, Ngala Tented I have not been to. But Ngala Lodge I have (8 nights) and do NOT recommend. Have been to &Beyond Kirkmans (Sabi Sand reserve) and do recommend.

Instead of Ngala tented go Kings Camp (Timbavati reserve). Or, most any other camp in Sabi Sand reserve e.g. Kirkmans, Exeter, Dulini, MalaMala.

regards - tom

Cateyes555

I declined to stay at Elephant Camp near Victoria Falls once I learned they allow guests to ride elephants. I find this ethically objectionable. I stayed at Illala Lodge instead, which was a nice low-key property close to the falls.

Safari_Craig

I have been to every place you mentioned above in the past 24 months except Sandibe. Sandibe is on the same private concession in Botswana as Chitabe Camp (they share an air strip) and I have been to Chitabe Camp several times. This concession is one of the best animal viewing spots in all of Southern Africa.

I do like Elephant Camp (it is ultra luxury) and one major advantage is you get away from the helicopter noise from 9am-4pm all day at any of the hotels at the Falls. Elephant Camp is about 10 miles "downstream" from the Falls. With the cost of food at Vic Falls Hotel and Ilala it is almost the same cost to go to all-inclusive Elephant Camp.

Cateye – I understand your concern about riding elephants but I don’t believe these are elephants that would survive in the wild. Just so you know, Wild Horizons is not known for mistreating animals and they own the camp, the elephants, and many other activities that operate in Vic Falls. I am not saying I support them (or not) but I don’t think this is the same concern as the people with the baby lion petting zoo or the people with the alligator farm also in Vic Falls.

I also endorse Kings Camp over Ngala. Cape Grace is my favorite hotel in the world. I stayed there this summer with my wife and kids.

Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond

Dre2th

Thank you for all your info
I'm also trying to figure if it is better to go Ngala tented camp by &Beyond or Leadwood Camp also by &Beyond
I think the Leadwood camp is an area called Sabin Sands which I think is excellent for animal viewing
Please help if anyone has more info

pixelpower

@Dre2th,

I'm not sure but... do you ask these questions because you were given the initial advise to use &Beyond in your other thread?

If "being treated like royalty" is not your thing and/or makes you feel uncomfortable; please know there are other options.

Tom makes some good suggestions about camps in Timbavati. Check out this map;

http://www.sunsafaris.com/south-afri...timbavati-map/

It shows traversing rights and most (if not all) commercial lodges in Timbavati. As such, it is the first map like that on the web. I know ...because I made it ;-)

(to be complete; I made it for my own website; and Sun is the local TA I use, hence why I let them use it too)

Ciao,

J.