Leslie_S

After much researching & lurking here I think I'm ready to ask for some help from the many experts on the Africa board.
I'm planning a trip for October 2010 for my husband & myself. Two weeks plus or minus; budget is pretty tight - $5000-6000 pp (not including international airfare); have narrowed it to South Africa and (if possible) Botswana; prefer not too rustic (like mobile tented camps).

I've spoken to two companies so far & gotten possible itineraries - both sound interesting.

Eyes on Africa says adding Botswana is not possible with that budget. Their suggestion is to stick to SA for this trip. In that case I thought spending some time in Cape Town would be a good option.

Fish Eagle Safaris has a trip suggestion that does include both SA & Botswana.

The prices are close - around $5500 pp. The Eyes on Africa itinerary, though, has a flight in it that is not included in the price so it will be higher, maybe by a good bit --not sure of that flight cost.

Eyes on Africa:
5 nights in Cape Town at Four Rosmead Guesthouse - tours planned for each day including Robben Island, Winelands, baboon walk

Flight to Kruger (this flight price not included)
3 nights at Garonga

Air transfer to Elephant Plains
3 nights at Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Air transfer to Johannesburg airport



Fish Eagle:
1 night Johannesburg at Peermont Mondior
Flight to Pholokwane + charter hop to Mashatu
4 nights at Mashatu Tented Camp

Road transfer Mashatu to Pafuri in N. Kruger
4 nights at Pafuri Camp

Lt. air transfer to Timbavati
3 nights at either Kings Camp or Tanda Tulu

Fed air flt to JNB

So--- the Fish Eagle option is looking better to me because I'd rather spend the time in Botswana vs. Cape Town.

I'm not able to find much info online about Garonga - a bit of an unknown.

In Mashatu I'm wondering if the main camp would be better for us than tented. I think it would be another $125 pppn

Also, some things I've read about Pafuri being a good place for birders but not so much for the mammals is somewhat a concern (not a big birder). However, I do realize at our budget level there are limitations.

Would anyone be able to weigh in on any of the above? I would so much appreciate any opinions.

Leslie

sundowner

Of the camps you mentioned I've only been to Mashatu. I love the Tent Camp. It's small and more intimate than larger camps. I haven't stayed at Main Camp so I can't tell you the difference between the two. There are a couple of people here that have stayed at Main Camp so hopefully they will see this and comment.

My last trip (with CarlaM and my two daughters) was last summer and we did 6 nights at Mashatu and then 4 nights at MalaMala with an overnight stop in between. You might consider going to these two camps because they make an excellent trip. If you are up to driving (we did, 4 females) the rental car, fuel etc for the whole time was appx $800. The drive is very easy and much of it is very beautiful. You will be well within your budget and may even be able to do 6 Mash/5 MM .

Here are some of our pics from last summer at MalaMala http://www.pbase.com/cjw/2008_malamala_africa and here are some from Mashatu http://www.pbase.com/cjw/africa_2008_mashatu to give you an idea of what you might see.

Leslie_S

Great pictures! I'm glad to hear the Mashatu tented camp was good for you. Just guessing that Mala Mala is out of our price range but also I have read some comments along the lines of it being overly posh -- things that made me think we wouldn't be as comfortable there as in a more laid back camp environment.

Honestly, don't feel we're up to the driving on our first time - something to keep in mind for our next tho'.

sundowner

Easy enough to get the prices from their websites
$250 pppn Mashatu Tent Camp
$375 pppn Mashatu Main Camp
$575 pppn MalaMala Main Camp

6 x $250 = $1500 Tent Camp
5 x $575 = $2875 MalaMala
Total = $4375 for lodging
Leaves you $1625 pp to get to the camps and pay tips etc.
If you do 6/4 that total is $3800 which leaves $2200 pp to get there and tip.

Leslie, MalaMala isn't overly posh. A few people have said it's "dated" and "tired" and that the food isn't the greatest. I can see how some people might say that but it's a perfectly wonderful camp and for wildlife it is hard to beat. You shouldn't rule it out without giving it some consideration.

I went to Mashatu in 2003 and 2008 and MalaMala 2004, 2006, 2008 and find both camps very comfortable.

Cindy

Leslie_S

Thanks Cindy - I'll definitely put Mala Mala back on the list of possibilities then.

KIBOKO

Something to keep in mind. October is VERY hot (100 degrees F +) in Botswana. In deciding between Mashatu Main and tented, I would consider if you needed air conditioning. Mala Mala is great but I have not been to Mashatu.

atravelynn

Sundowner's quote
<i>Leslie, MalaMala isn't overly posh. A few people have said it's "dated" and "tired" and that the food isn't the greatest. </i>
If you want very nice accommodations, and a variety of good food at every meal, then I believe Mala Mala is just fine. I was too tired after my enjoyable outings to know if the room was tired or not.

<i>I can see how some people might say that but it's a perfectly wonderful camp and for wildlife it is hard to beat. You shouldn't rule it out without giving it some consideration.</i>
The wildlife is outstanding and the setting of the Main Lodge (the only place I stayed) was lovely. I agree with Sundowner.

Mashatu and Mala Mala are owned by the same people and there was a flight between the 2 at one time, probably still is. Otherwise the logistics of getting to Mashatu can be tricky. Maybe in this economy you could even get a little bit of a break if you do both Mala Mala and Mashatu. That would be a terrific combo for wildlife.

As to the temps, Mala Mala had air conditioning (and heat). I believe Mashatu does not, but I bet they provide you with a a kitenga type sheet that you can wet and wrap around you midday when you are not on a game activity. That will keep you cool.

PredatorBiologist

Leslie: If you can push some of the trip into November you can get significantly better rates in Northern Botswana and make your budget, the more time in Nov. and less in October the easier you can make it. Look at some of the excellent properties that are not Wilderness Safaris to help you make the budget too. If something like the Ichobezi Safariboat appeals you can have outstanding wildife viewing during October and the rack rate is not much over $400 pppn which can help balance out other choices. In November 2010 Mapula Lodge is $525 pppn, Kwara and Lagoon Camps are $620. Stanleys Camp gets lower rates starting on October 16th and is $520. Deception Valley Lodge is $525 in November. &Beyond doesn't have 2010 rates finished yet but most companies have held 2009 rates or stayed close and the 2009 November rate on Sandbe is $600 pppn. Keep in mind those are all rack rates and in todays climate many safari planners will likely discount so if you can squeeze time into November you would have lots of great choices with your budget. Even in October you could possibly make it but your choices of camps to get there would be very limited.

Leslie_S

Predator- Am I wrong in thinking that November would start to have higher chance of rain - enough probability to make October a better choice? If I had to pay more or shorten a trip vs. spending time in the rain I'd rather the dry option.

Kiboko - Yes, AC might be the reason to choose Mashatu main camp over tents.

atravelynn - I'm going to look into a Mala Mala + Mashatu package today.

But out of curiosity - anyone with any opinion on Pafuri and also Kings Camp vs. Tanda Tula?

Thanks.

GreenDrake

Leslie I concur with sundowner about the tent camp as I stayed there 8 days last October. I am not too sure what "too rustic" means to you as this obviously will vary greatly person to person, but the tents for me were comfortable but simple. The bathroom is attached with a flush toilet and outdoor shower. (You exit the tent and the bathroom and showere is enclosed and attached to the tent.) The view from the tents was not great as they just had bush in front of them and I found myself spending the days at the hide or the outdoor dining area in camp that gave me a view of the water hole. I am not sure of the views of the main camp rooms.

Tents all have fans and although October day time temps were hot the night time temps dropped enough that by the middle of the night I was scrambling for covers. I actually had a few days where day time temps were in the 70s. I personally prefer to be in tents or chalets without solid walls to fully experience the sounds of the bush and I enjoy showering under the stars or African sun, which is a key part of the African experience for me.


Here are few photos I took of the tent camp accommodations:

http://greendrake.zenfolio.com/p176726506

As for Parfuri, I have not stayed there but if you do a search under the user name Amolkarnik there is a very good report with photo links for a combo trip to Parfuri and Mashatu.

KayeN

Hi Leslie

I have not been to any of those camps either except for Mashatu Main Camp. We were there at the beginning of January this year and I certainly appreciated the air conditioning. I loved Mashatu and will be returning at the end of the year. I also love MalaMala and will be doing both camps even though it is too expensive flying between the camps. I have decided to drive from Mashatu to MalaMala, so we will be two females, my 17 year old niece and myself, and we are staying two nights at Pafuri on the way. I wasn't sure of the driving aspect at first, but having spoken to a local or two who have done this, plus Sundowner and CarlaM, I now think it is a great idea.

I have no idea about Pafuri but have been told I will enjoy it so I shall be giving it a road test in December. Sorry cannot help with Kings Camp or Tanda Tula either.

Kind regards

Kaye

cw

Leslie,

Napamatt wrote a trip report about Pafuri and MalaMala: http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...s-jan-2009.cfm

Does anyone know the cost of flying from Mashatu to MalaMala?

Leslie_S

Thanks guys for all of the input.
I have read the trip reports mentioned and am sold on all of the properties.
I saw on the Mala Mala website the combo deal they offered in 2008 that combines MM main camp and Mashatu main camp(including flights between) - that sounds great - I've written to see if it will be offered in 2010. It's for 5 nights so possibly I could add one more at each camp or also work Pafuri in the mix.

Kaye - I hate to admit to being a big wuss but I really can't imagine driving - at least on our first trip.

GreenDrake -thanks for the accomodations pictures. That helps.

I guess this is purely personal but do you generally agree that doing Botswana & SA as above vs. doing just SA with time in Cape Town is the better option for a first safari?

napamatt_2

I'd do the Mashatu / Sabi Sand combo in a heartbeat, but I've also been to Cape Town three times. I'm sure the Mashatu / MM combination will be available, that's a very effective way of marketing Mashatu for MM.
October at Mashatu is hot! And very dry, we saw great wildlife, with some very good Leopard, and lots of small critters like Porcupine, Honey Badger, Genet. I would go tented rather than Main if you can take the heat.
Mala Mala is certainly not posh, it's very comfortable, the food is more home cooked than gourmet, but always tasty and of high quality, and the game viewing is usually among the finest - caveat - every day is different, I've had poor days here and spectacular days, just like at Mombo, Savuti etc.
MM does usually deliver on Leopard, our best drive was 7 total so anything can happen.

napamatt_2

Pafuri is lovely - Kaye, I think you'll enjoy it there. But mammals are definitely taking some time to come into the area. But there are great birds and some wonderful scenery.

Leslie_S

Thanks napamatt - I really enoyed your report & pix. I hope you're right about the combo still being an option.

I guess working with a tour operator has some value over booking directly with them but I'll check the price they give me vs. the operators'.

PredatorBiologist

Leslie: you are correct as you move later in the year the chance of rain goes up but to put in perspective October averages 1.2 inches of rain in Maun while November average is 2.0 inches, its not like East Africa where the rainy months may average more than 10 inches of rain. Typically in November time frame rain is rare and in the form of brief showers late in the day, for myself during 2 weeks in November it rained one night after dinner and it was such a violent thunderstorm it was actually one of the highlights. Did not impact our activities ever. However, as the first rains had fallen in October the elephants and buffalo were dispersed and things were already greening and that is the typical impact, animals can begin to spread out some. I still had outstanding game viewing and you can save 25 to 30% so I think its a good value as opposed to skippng where I want to go because its out of the budget just 2 to 3 weeks earlier. All this said weather is changing everywhere, I just got an email that its been raining a fair bit in the Makgadikgadi and thus they still can't quad bike on the pans, almost unheard of for June. Likewise I saw thunderstorms forecasted for Maun this week and the June average is only .1 inches, typically by June there is virtually no rain so its getting hard to predict such things.

Looks like a Mala Mala/Mashatu combo might be a great fit for you anyway and be easier on the budget.

Leslie_S

Thanks predator - Oct. v. Nov. = something to keep in mind. I've had a few trips impacted by rainy weather so I guess I'm erring on the side of caution these days.

KIBOKO

Hi Leslie,

We used a company called Travel Beyond, Craig Beal (owner) located in Minnesota. They do a large amount of business with Mala Mala/Mashatu and Wilderness Safaris. The service is excellent, could not be better, and you might find the pricing better than the companies you mentioned. He posts frequently on Trip Advisor. If you are looking at Mala/Mashatu the price is the same all year so November would be no advantage.

atravelynn

"...do you generally agree that doing Botswana & SA as above vs. doing just SA with time in Cape Town is the better option for a first safari?"

It is whatever you want to do. If you want only in the bush activities, then Cape Town should be dropped. But Cape Town has many nature oriented activities in addition to the amenities of a cultural center and large city. You can easily do a baboon walk with wild baboons, spend time with African penguins, take a boat to Great White Sharks (still reasonable into Oct), and spend time in the breathtaking Cape Nature Reserve where you can hike and probably see baboons and ostriches and who knows what else. I did all of these staying in Simons Town, about a half hour away from Cape Town.

After giving those accolades to Mala Mala, I should also mention that I'd be very interested in checking out Elephant Plains in the Sabi Sands. It has gotten good reviews and I believe it is less expensive than Mala Mala. Eyes on Africa mentioned that place.

You asked about Kings Camp. There were very positive threads on it.