aestuo

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping for some advice if you can provide any. Here's the deal - a couple months ago I booked the most awesome itinerary to S. Africa for early next June (for our Honeymoon!):

3 nights Garonga
4 nights Ngala Tented
3 night Elephant Plains (honeymoon suite)
4 nights Phinda Forest

However, I just found out that the remainder of Ngala Tented camp has been booked out by a group during our stay. Ngala reached out because they are concerned it may hamper our experience. We have a couple options to consider but i'm really not sure what would be the best to do:

OPTION 1: keep itinerary as is. don't worry about the group. (anybody have experience or thoughts on how this group could negatively impact our experience?)

OPTION 2: swap the days at Elephant Plains and Ngala. so it would be
3 nights Garonga
3 night Elephant Plains (honeymoon suite)
4 nights Ngala Tented
4 nights Phinda Forest
- downside here would be a longer transfer from Garonga (3.25 hrs vs. 2.5 hrs). Would that be worth it to avoid the group? You think the flow of this route would still be okay?

OPTION 3: they've offered to switch us to Exeter River Lodge.
3 nights Garonga
4 nights Exeter River Lodge
3 night Elephant Plains (honeymoon suite)
4 nights Phinda Forest
However, this would mean 7 days in Sabi Sand (is that too much?) but also going first to a high-end lodge and then switching to possibly a lesser one. Any thoughts on this?

Would really love any opinions or advice - thank you!

cary999

Several possibilities. Instead of Ngala Tented go to Kings Camp in the Timbavati reserve. Seven nights in Sabi Sand is not too much.

regards - tom

cw

We stayed at Ngala Tented for three nights. Two of the nights there were two groups--one of four and one of six. They were lovely people and the second night we had a dinner in the river bed around a fire and people stayed up talking long into the night. The various people were from England and South Africa. We were the only ones from the U.S. The third night we were with two or three couples--no one mixed or spoke much. So being with the two groups really enhanced our stay there.

So it really depends on luck. If the group is friendly, you'll be fine. If they socialize only among themselves it could be less pleasant. An upside might be that you'll have your own vehicle for game drives--assuming the others want to be together in two vehicles. Alternately, you may be paired with four of the group--and that isn't any different from what you may run into anywhere. I'm sure the staff of Ngala will take good care of you.

I'd stay with the original plan, unless there is some other reason that &Beyond is offering you the change. My second choice would be Option 2.

christabir

We had a big group while we were at Mashatu. It wasn't so great until we got private safaris!!

spassvogel

I would definitely opt for option 2 despite the transfer.

A group and only the 2 of you on honeymoon - YIKES! The group might have an intimidating impact as you could feel isolated or you could mingle with the group if you all agree, which isn't likely on honeymoon.

OR being isolated (honeymoon) is just what you need ;-)

The danger of feeling stranded within a full camp is there.

Happy deciding - and: CONGRATS to your dedication towards another lifestyle!!

atravelynn

First, what a customer friendly move by Phinda to anticipate a potential problem and offer a solution. Commendable!

I see Option #3 as an opportunity for more time in one of the most wildlife rich regions in Africa. Seven nights is not too much Sabi Sands, especially in 2 different regions. With or without a group at Ngala, I like this one to maximize your wildlife possibilities.

Congrats on your wedding.

wildwings

It is not impossible that the group they are trying to fit into Ngala need your rooms too, and they may be hoping you will accept the change to Exeter River Lodge. Not saying this is the case, but it could be. If not, perhaps you can ask them more about the group. Have they stayed with AndBeyond before, and are they known as a noisy or rowdy or "take-over-the-camp" kind of group? I.e. have they had problems or complaints about this group before? Any reasons why they specifically think this might hamper your experience? Maybe just the lack of privacy that comes with having a full camp? If there are no specific concerns, and the group does not include young children and they don't NEED your rooms, I think it would be fine to stay with your original itinerary.
If it seems advisable to move, I would take the Exeter River Lodge option. The game viewing here is possibly going to be better than at Ngala anyway.
Your itinerary looks great, I'm sure you will have a fantastic honeymoon!
Onne from Wild Wings Safaris

Lillipets

My only comment is that 7 nites in Sabi Sands is NOT too much!

aestuo

Thanks for all the responses guys! And please keep them coming. I've reached out to get more info about the group and why they think it might hamper my experience.

I really really love tented camps, and that's why I sort of wanted to make the stay there work...plus being able to experience another reserve. BUT we are coming to S. Africa for the animals so maybe Exeter would work out in our favor - to spend 7 nights in Sabi Sand instead of just 3...?

aestuo

Update - just found out the group is a wedding. Thoughts?

Thanks all!

kimssouthafrica

Judging by other people with similar experiences, it hasnt been that good because the large groups from one company/organisation can dominate the entire lodge, so best to take the planners advice. Phinda is amazing and Forest is completely different to any other Safari experience as it is right in the Sand Forests of which there are only a handful in the world.

Enjoy it does sound like a trip of a lifetime. Kwazulu Natal is also very beautiful and if you get the chance do the St lucia boat trip and do a trip to Cape Vidal (phinda will be able to arrange for you)
www.kimssouthafrica.blogspot.com

atravelynn

Did you see this recent report? It includes some of the places your are considering.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...and-phinda.cfm

I'm another Forest Lodge fan.

cw

I guess given that it's a wedding at Ngala, I'd be inclined to avoid it and choose option 2. The transfer time is only 45 minutes more so not a big deal. A part of me thinks seeing how they do up the wedding part might be fun and interesting but it might also be a bit much--and the staff will obviously be busy with all of those preparations.

We stayed in tent #1 at Ngala and you might want to request it. It's the first tent nearest the river and has more privacy.

I like the idea of going to different reserves and seeing how they differ.

wildwings

Wedding group, if they are definitely coming, I can understand why they asked you if you would like to move. Likely that they want to make space for more guests, and keep in mind some weddings = party atmosphere = booze = drunk guests... you get the picture.

If you love tented camps, there is a nice camp called Simbavati River Lodge also in the Timbavati, with lovely tents overlooking the river. The tents include aircon and ensuite bathroom, plus outside shower or bath, viewing deck, etc. BUT, you would then have to ask AndBeyond or your agent to refund what you already paid for Ngala. If they requested you to move, they may be willing to do that, especially if they need more rooms for the wedding group. That way you keep the same basic itinerary, and still in the Timbavati Game Reserve those 3 nights. Simbavati costs less than Ngala. (It is not purely a tented camp, they also have chalets and the main lodge area is brick and thatch, not canvas).

If you can't get a refund, I would go with the Exeter River Lodge option. Are you flying or driving between lodges? From Exeter River Lodge to Elephant Plains is a very short flight, but a bit of a long drive, because Exeter is in the south and EP in the north, and you cannot drive through the reserve to get there. You have to exit the reserve, drive around, and come in at Gowrie gate again in the north (2-3 hour transfer by road).

Onne from Wild Wings Safaris

aestuo

Thanks again everyone! We did end up moving around the itinerary this morning. my TA had to move things a bit more than expected to fully avoid the wedding but I think everything will be good. Just an additional long transfer. We are still excited! Looks like now we will dive right into serious game viewing at Ngala, then relax a bit at Garonga, then back into serious game at Ele Plains, then ending with a variety of things at Phinda.

Again thank you for all your input and advice!