Suite at Mala Mala??

Old Jan 9th, 2006, 07:44 AM
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Suite at Mala Mala??

My continuing saga finding accomocation for 4 nights in Sabi Sands for next October.

I just heard back from Mala Mala that the "standard" rooms are sold out for my dates, but a suite is available for $125pp per nt more. The only suite I'm reading about is the disabled suite and don't need that. Does anyone know if this would be worth $1000 more? Thanks.



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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 07:47 AM
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Rosebrook

In my opinion no.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Had the same problem, and opted for the suite, since my primary goal was the better game viewing that mala mala has.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 09:48 AM
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Ellene,
Could you tell me the difference you found between the standard and the suite? According to their web site, the only differences I could figure out are provisions for disabilities.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 10:31 AM
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I ended up booking sable camp, which is all suites. Since I had to upgrade anyway as the standard rooms were all booked, I decided the incrimental difference between a suite at main camp and the suite at Sable camp was worth it, as Sable camp does not allow children. Not that I dont like them( I have two of my own, and are not taking them with me on this trip).

Ask your agent, or Mala Mala to detail the difference.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 12:12 PM
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Suite difference I believe is a shower in each bathroom and a bath in one , instead of a bath in one and shower in the other, plus additional sitting area - not necessary at all.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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Note Mala Mala's prices have not been increased in seven years. The addition of the Suite and Sable camp have been ways to increase the revenue of the camp.

Sable is nice, because you have your own common areas, four per vehicle and only twelve guests at a time, so it feels much more intimate.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 03:58 PM
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Hi Matt,

I've noticed the sharp upward trend in prices at MM over the past few years...the loss of Kirkman's and Harry's was nothing short of tragic for the cash-strapped wildlife lover.

Cheers,
Julian
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 05:22 PM
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Hi Rosebrook,
I believe that the difference in Main Camp between a standard room and a suite is the size of the room. At the beginning of our trip in Dec 05 we had room 10, which was nice but smallish, and on our return we had room 4, which was a suite and a reasonable size room with 2 comfortable reading chairs and footstools. The bathrooms were slightly larger, but one still had a shower, while the other had a bath.
Since it has become Sable, I have never stayed down that end of the camp, so I am happy enough at the Buffalo end not to pay the extra $'s, but to me, you will not get better gameviewing than at MalaMala, and this past trip, I also visited Londolozi Bateleur, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge and Singita Boulders.
Also had two nights at Rattrays this trip, and although I don't know that I would pay that amount each night, the room was magnificent - really luxurious and spacious without being ridiculous - I did love it! And of course, the added bonus of having gameviewing right at MalaMala!
Kaye
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 06:04 PM
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Welcome back Kaye - where's that trip report. I leave on Saturday so you need to get your butt in gear
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 06:38 PM
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Kaye:

I've said it for years that Mala Mala has by far the best gameviewing in the SSGR.

I know it's difficult for some posters on this forum to comprehend the above mentioned statement but it's a fact.
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 07:12 PM
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Hi Matt,

The trip report will not be done before you leave. But I will tell you that MM is by far the best for gameviewing, for whatever reasons that may be. Loved the accomodation at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, even though my niece and I were in the honeymoon suite! The vehicle congestion there was hideous, and that SabiSabi Bush Lodge, even though I am told it numbers the same as MM looked enormous! One vehicle we drove by had 13 guests in it! I do really like Singita, but gameviewing in my opinion, is not as good as mm. Londolozi had a fantastic chef! At MM, we stayed 2 nights at Rattrays, and it was unbelievable - I loved the accomodation as the rooms were lovely and spacious and well thought out, without being ridiculous or over the top. We had Leon for our first 5 days, and be sure to let him know that Sarah was really disappointed we didn't get him the second time round, she thought he was the greatest! We got Bens the second time round and he was great, although new year's day, he was feeling sad and sorry for himself - and I may suggest that he fell asleep watching the styx pride finishing off a female buffalo kill! We had some fantastic sightings and I am going through the photos now, and that will take a bit of time. Still didn't get my serval, but during the day, saw a glimpse of an african wild cat, civet and a good viewing except for his head which was jammed under a log, a pangolin. Saw no cheetah last year, but saw 1 female with 3 cubs and 2 males at MM, and a single cub with mum at Singita.
Anything specific, please ask away.
Happy New Year to you all,
Kaye
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Old Jan 9th, 2006, 07:16 PM
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I spent 6 nights at MalaMala in Sept 2004 and loved it. The game drives were awesome and the leopards - amazing. I couldn't believe how many leopards we saw. And lions. But only one cheetah.

safarinut - The main person that speaks poorly of MalaMala has never been there but he has made up his mind that he doesn't like it. It's a shame that he discourages people from staying there.
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Old Jan 10th, 2006, 07:50 AM
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Kaye

Glad you had a great time and thanks for the updates on other lodges and Rattrays. Leon is absolutely the best, we will be enjoying his company next week.
Unlucky on the Serval, they have definitely been seen much more of late, we had two sightings back in July.

I'll read the report when i get back.

BTW - how was the weather, did you get much rain, and was it very hot?
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Old Jan 10th, 2006, 07:50 PM
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Hi Matt,

I seem to be leaving messages for you all over the place, so sorry if i am repeating myself.
The weather was dreadful. More than half of our days were overcast, with a lot of that drizzling rain, that if the vehicle is stopped, you do not really notice it, but the moving vehicle seems to make it a heavier rain. Some days were really hot - but in 22 days gameviewing I went into a pool once, mainly because I thought I should use the swimsuit I had taken over. We had a couple of dreadful storms, which I love at home because I am usually in doors - not such much in an open vehicle. The early mornings and early evenings could still be really cold, which always surprises me, and I should know better!
MM is the only one with a rain suit, all other places had what I call a pocho. My niece Sarah absolutely loved the rain suit, as soon as clouds appear she would have it on, the only niece to do so - as ugly as I thought it was, it was the most effective. The poncho at Lion Sands was useless, we both arrived home soaked.
So hope the weather is good for you - the main problem is for photos I guess. Had a digital camera for the first time, quite happy with it except have a lot of work to do regarding night photos, so still used film a lot at night this trip. Londolozi now use a muted red light at night, which for photography was hopeless, with both cameras. But shall try and improve those skills by July of this year.
Have a great gameviewing trip.
Kaye
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