South Africa or Tanzania?

Old Jan 23rd, 2006, 08:03 PM
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South Africa or Tanzania?

New to this board. New to the whole idea of safaris. That being said:

I'm planning Africa Safari honeymoon trip for late July or sometime in August 2006.

Which would be more worthwhile to spend 4 nights?

Londolozi or Grumeti?

Any suggestions (easiest flight schedules, experiences, etc.) would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
okow
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Old Jan 23rd, 2006, 08:43 PM
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Londolozis good, I dont know Grumeti and Lion Sands is better than Londolozi. Its about an hour's drive from Londolozi and its family owned. You might want to check it out. I spent 7 nights at Lion Sands last year and loved it. There are flights to a nearby airstrip where they will pick you up.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2006, 09:44 PM
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hi
@ wait till Julian (jasher) reads this - he'll tell u all about londoz...
@@ Or search this forum for "Londolozi" then "Grumeti" u got a lot of reading to do...
@@@ August is Mara time... SA or TZ? the answer is Kenya
aby
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Old Jan 23rd, 2006, 09:53 PM
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I do not know Grumeti so cannot comment. I however spent a couple of days at Londolozi and while the safari was average the lodge, food, and service needs a shake up. I presume the reason behind this is because the lease C.C.A. have on this property comes to an end in 12 months time. During the same period I spent two nights at Sabi Sabi's Earth Lodge. I must admit that it was a little different as the architectual style has broken away from the traditional safari style but it was really stunning. The safari was excellent and the ranger who took us around (Joe)was really very informative. We saw the big 5 in one day. The food and service was far better than Londolozi. Sabi also has their own tar airstip with regular flights from Johannesburg as does Londolozi
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Old Jan 24th, 2006, 04:36 AM
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Hi ,same for me do not know grumeti. We were 3 full days in Londolozi last august - is a good season for game viewing. I agree that Londolozi needs some maintenance we were in Tree camp were prices are really steep so then you expect things to be almost perfect.
It is still a very beautiful camp. I would not recemmend Tree camp however: quality price ratio. BUT the drives have been absolutely superb we have seen really everything, big 5 cubs etc etc. Fantastic! wonderful ranger etc. You might go to Londolozzi bateleur, which is simpler but chalets have also plunge pools but don' forget taht -even on honeymoon - you have not much free time as you will not want to miss the drives and as to plunge pools : it is still winter! Good luck! The lodge can be easily reached from Johannesburg or Durban or even Capetown, it all depends what you do before the safari (?), whatever you do keep the game for the last part of your trip: it will be the highlight! Ivee
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Old Jan 24th, 2006, 06:52 AM
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Who said "It all depends on what you do before your safari"? Ivee? Because that's what I, never having been to South Africa, was thinking.

Tanzania is great, although I don't think Grumeti is the place to be in late July or August. If it's the migration you're looking for, that's getting close to Kenya time of year.

Where are you flying from, and what are you planning for before or after these four days?

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
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Old Jan 24th, 2006, 07:03 AM
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Thanks for the replies, all.

I'm now looking into Londolozi and Mala Mala.

The safari would be the first leg of the honeymoon. I was thinking around 4 nights of safari. Afterwards, I'm looking into vacationing on Mauritius for a week.

Then back to New York.

I'm currently looking into late August.

I'm not sure which camps to consider. Or which level of accomodations. I realize we'd be spending most of our time away from the accomodations, but this is the honeymoon, and I'm not sure when or if we'd ever be able to do this again, so ...

I've read plenty of great things on message boards regarding both Londolozi and Mala Mala. However, if you were only going to make this trip once in you life, what would you do?

I've thought about splitting it up, but I think we'd prefer to stay in one place. So we can totally relax and enjoy.

Unless some may think moving around is really easy.

Your thoughts are welcome and appreciated.
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Old Jan 24th, 2006, 07:30 AM
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Splitting it up could be very nice but in that case I would recommend 3 nights at each lodge as you loose time arriving and departing; this would mean 6 nights. If you'd chose that you would have to change habitat, e.g. 3N in the Timbavati and 3 night in Sabi sands, both areas are not too far from each other and can very well be combined and moving around was indeed very easy: you can do a morning drive at one place, a small plane and you hop to the other
area where you have the afternoon and the evening drive. It is nice to see two different habitats; but of course 4 nights in a good place is not too much... To add a bit to your confusion : instead of St Mauricius what about Sychelles, it is a bit further but if you're coming from New York.. who cares. In Seychelles for a honeymoon you have smaller, intimate islands and I could in particularly recommend Bird Island or Denis Island. You'll probably find their sites easily - you can book directly. Beautiful and romantic, few people etc.
Luckily these choices are all luxury problems! Good luck! Ivee
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Old Jan 24th, 2006, 07:32 AM
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PS Check the climate for the period you want to go if it's Seychelles
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Old Jan 24th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Hi Okow

I would not give up on Lion Sands. I have posted a thread about it.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4

For a honeymoon its ideal. The Ivory lodge has huge private rooms that overlook the Sabi River. They each have a small private pool. Access is just as easy to get to as Londolozi and Mala Mala.

I have been to South Africa 4 times and I have visited many lodges including Londolozi. I know Mala Mala is a fine lodge also. My enthusiasm for Lion Sands is based on all the previous experiences I have had. If you wish to contact me, you can email me directly at mytmoss at mytmoss.com.
I can give you a direct email address at Lion Sands where you can work with them on a booking. Also you can visit thier site at www.lionsands.com

Mike
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