brmsimmons

My husband and I will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary this year and both of our birthdays in June. We typically take a trip abroad in the late Spring/early summer to celebrate these occasions and we would love to go to South Africa this year if we could swing it. We are in our mid 30's with no kids and very active, I currently examine all trip locations through a lens of "Could we do this with young kids?" looking at places that will likely be off limits to us for a few years once we have young kids.
We can allot 10-11 days including flight time from the US flying from WAS and are primarily interested in safari and Cape Town (in that order) with a budget of $6000 give or take. I realize that is a fairly low budget for this type of trip.I like boutique type properties but I do not require luxury. I love the look(and price!) on places like Pondoro or Mohlabetsi. While I'd be excited with any game sightings I am particularly interested in cheetahs. Is there any financial incentive to booking everything on our own? As always any advice is appreciated.

christabir

That's a short trip with a long flight, but makes the $6000 (not including flights?) go pretty far. Fly into JNB and fly to the Kruger private reserves for four-five nights and then fly to Cape Town for three-four nights. The camps you mention are both in Balule which I have not been, but others have. The Kruger region does not have a lot of cheetah due to high lion populations. Since you mention cheetah, however, I would look into Entabeni - Wildside Camp was much better than expected and we had our best cheetah sighting ever - and Mashatu where we saw two different cheetah. Entabeni is a big 5 reserve but only has a few elephants. Mashatu has LOTS of elephants and the other big 5 but no rhino, plus wild dog. They would combine well, either self drive or car/driver transfers, and you could do three nights at each and then fly to Cape Town for three nights if you can stretch the time for a day or two. I'll mention Phinda because everyone else will, and with your short trip will fit in your budget but it's much more expensive than the camps you mentioned, in KwaZulu-Natal. They have cheetah.

qwovadis

Not sure if your $6K includes flights.If so have a look at www.flysaa.com Safari Packages on sale at www.travelzoo.com
VERY nice for low price.

For more upscale Garth Jenman www.jenmansafaris.com great operator of repute there.Careful with all the touts scammers on the boards never wire money insuremytrip.com wise...

Happy Hunting!

pixelpower

I'm not sure about Balule. AFAIK most lodges are on typical 21Ha plots, and thus can only drive on the roads (no off roading on anyone's property). Plus it's already far from Kruger NP and very close to civilization.
As a result, I hear stories about people barely seeing any cats while there. And I hear the lodges even take their guests to Kruger NP for a better game drive.

Why not choose the cheaper camps in private reserves closer to Kruger? The lowest in price are Africa On Foot in Klaserie and Umkumbe in Sabi Sands. AOF has quite a bit of traverse, and does walking safaris in the morning and a drive in the afternoon. Umkumbe has no traverse and two game drives, but it's in a sweet spot. Lots of rhino there.

A bit above those prices are nThambo in Klaserie (idem as AOF but a bit nicer camp and two gamedrives), Shindzela in Timbavati (walking in the morning, no traverse but exellent spot too, and legendary guide).

And a bit above that are places like Simbavati River Lodge in Timbavati, and Elephant Plains or Arathusa in Sabi Sands. All plenty of traverse and certainty of great sightings.

The three camps I mentioned first are all co-owned by Sun Destinations, which is part of Sun Safaris. As a result they've got the sharpest prices there. Just ask them a quote. June = low season so ask them for specials (like pay 3 stay 4).

Ciao,

J.

brmsimmons

Thanks for the responses thus far. Elephant Plains looks to be a good option. Just heard from a dear friend who lives in Alaska that she will be in SA during the end of April, I may try to time my trip with hers. Is there any recommendation on whether to do the safari or Cape Town first?

pixelpower

I'd do CT first then. Finish the holiday with the best days!

I'll be there too end of April, begin May ;-)

brmsimmons

I've contacted Sun Safaris and they have (very promptly!) come up with an itinerary that may work for me. They included Simbavati River Lodge and African Elite Apartments in Cape Town. Their price includes a car rental in Cape Town, is a car necessary? The main things I am interested in in Cape Town are Table Mountain, Boulders Beach for penguins, a quick winelands tour and possibly Robbens Island.

christabir

Good to hear you are getting good service from SS. Simbavati is a good choice. If I remember correctly, it's the old Gomo Gomo property and there's a water hole in camp. Love that.

You don't need a car in Cape Town - you can hire a guide for the penguins and wine, use the hop-on, hop-off bus and use cabs for everything else. Driving on the left side is difficult in cities for me. Don't miss Robben Island. It was my favorite part of CT.

atravelynn

What about MAY? Any comments on your experience at that time of year in SA?