Never been to Phinda, but it is a pretty small area 23000 hectares (kruger is around 20000 km2) so in my opnion it most lose some of its wild feeling. So if you have time (and money ) I would go to kruger (or the private reserves ón its border, sabi sabi, sabi sands etc). And kruger wont disappoint, it is fantastic...

In Sept 2010 we ended three weeks in southern Africa at Phineas. We were upgraded from Forest to Vlei and had a wonderful three night stay. Although it is fenced and relatively small we saw EVERYTHING! We had already been to Vic Falls, Chobe, Okavango, sand dunes in Namibia and Cape Town. Could not have asked for a better experience than what we enjoyed at Phinda... varied landscapes, plenty of wildlife and birds, great food and most important a wonderful guide. We learned so much from him. We recommend Phineas without hesitation.

Drat that auto correction! Of course I did not mean Phineas... Phinda instead. Sorry

How many days total in SA or elsewhere on this trip?
How many days Cape Town? How many days for safari?

We're looking at 4 nights safari, 4 nights Cape Town now. We're looking at 10 nights total including international flights. We can be flexible with a day more if needed.

I think your current itinerary is ok for your first trip to Africa. I would prefer to stay at a single lodge in Phinda rather than move after only two nights, you will have the opportunity to traverse all areas regardless of where you stay.

Phinda is not as 'wild' as Kruger, but then it's not as crowded either. You will get the big five in either Phinda or Kruger. Phinda has the advantage of cheetah.

What's on your wishlist?

We stayed 4 nights at Phinda Forest at the end of Sept. 2011. We also spent 1 night prior to Phinda at a B&B in St. Lucia. From there we spent 2 nights Kirkmans and 2 nights Exeter. These 2 are part of Sabi Sands. They are each different in thier own way. We still try to decide which we liked best.
I would have to pick Phinda. They have such varied habitat. We stayed in Forest but went to the mountains. We saw all of the big 5 by our 2nd drive.
We loved SabiSands but to us, it seemed much busier. We saw vehicles from other varied camps. We never saw other vehicles while at Phinda. We did see a lot of leopard at Sabi Sands. Only 1 at Phinda. I also just saw on Phinda's FB that they had a brief sighting of wild dogs. SabiSands has seen wild dogs quite a bit lately.
You can't go wrong with either location IMO.
Have a wonderful trip!

Hi Liz

I have been to a few of the reserves in the Sabi Sands (this is a area not a lodge) and have been there many times for relatively long periods of time and you will not get better gameviewing in a few of those game lodges. This year for the first time I went to Phinda for 9 nights staying at Mountain and Forest. Gameviewing for both areas cannot be compared really as very different. I mainly went for the Black Rhino and I was not disappointed. Leopard was very brief sightings at best, but I wasn't expecting good leopard gameviewing.

If this is a first of many trips, then Phinda should be fine as gives you a starting point. If this maybe your only gameviewing experience and gameviewing would be a highlight for you, then i am not sure that Phinda is for you, i would be going to a good lodge in the Sabi Sands.

If you do go to Phinda, I would not be moving camps for 4 nights.

Really depends on what you expect in your gameviewing! I am an obsessive gameviewer so I may very well have different ideas to you!

Kind regards

Kaye

Thanks for all of your help! We did end up booking Phinda since I liked the idea of not seeing other vehicles out on the drives and I really like the person we're working with there. I'll let you know how it goes when we get back!

Hi Liz

Unless they are not busy, you will see other vehicles out on gamedrives, but you do see other vehicles most places.

Which camp/s did you end up booking? And who did you use in the And Beyond operation as a matter of interest?

Kind regards

Kaye

Have a great time! We loved Phinda. Very rarely saw any other vehicles. When are you going?
Safe travels!

We are doing two nights at Forest and two nights at Mountain. We looked at staying at one place for the duration, but we really liked the different vistas you get with the two and we're staying in one place for CT.

We are working with Carla Glasspool at And Beyond. She's fantastic! Really helpful and knowledgeable.

We are going in December, can't wait!