Where do I even start planning my SA safari?

Old Jun 7th, 2017, 10:36 AM
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Where do I even start planning my SA safari?

My husband and I are in the preliminary stages of planning out trip to South Africa in October and since you all always give me amazing advice I thought here would be the best place to start!

We are really excited about visiting Cape Town and the Winelands which is our main draw to go to South Africa but while we're there we definitely want to do a Safari experience. From what I have been reading, Kruger is where it's at but what other options are there for amazing wild life? I'm not sure how to go about booking this. I am well travelled and completely plan our trips on my own but I am a little stumped here... Do I search for hotels I like and find my own way? Do I have someone book that part for me? Our budget for the Safari is $500-$800 CND/night. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!
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Old Jun 9th, 2017, 09:02 AM
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Hi there,

It’s super exciting that you and your husband are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to South Africa in October! If you are planning for this October I know that space for many lodges is already quite tight, just FYI. October is toward the end of the high season and represents a change in season from their “winter” to summer. Their “winter” is nothing like a Canadian or Minnesotan winter. I live in Minneapolis, so I imagine your Toronto winters are similar to ours!

The first rains often come in October or November in the Greater Kruger and those first rains have a dramatic impact on the colors of the landscape and the animals behavior. Impala, of example, will wait until the first rains to have their young and then as soon as it rains there will be baby impala everywhere! I love it!

Do keep in mind that October on safari virtually anywhere in Southern Africa will be hot so be prepared for that and look for camps with air conditioning if that’s important to you. Cape Town will be quite temperate during that time and can even be a bit chilly in the early mornings and evenings.

As you’d mentioned, I definitely recommend a safari in the Greater Kruger Eco-system, with a strong preference towards a safari on private land. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is made up of smaller private reserves that are all adjacent to the Kruger National Park with no fence in between. That gives the animals the ability to travel between the private (where only camps’ vehicles are) and public land (where anyone can self-drive) as they please. Game density in this area is epic! Kambaku River Sands or Kambaku Safari Lodge, located in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve would be a good value for money and in your budget range. I assume your $500-800 CND/night was total and not per person? If that is per person it opens up your options a lot to some of my other favorite camps in the area like Lion Sands Narina, Kirkman’s Kamp, Ngala Tented Camp, Tanda Tula and more!

In addition to a safari in the Greater Kruger Ecosystem I would highly recommend a second safari in a different ecosystem to diversify your experience. Reserves like Marataba, Phinda, and Madikwe come to mind! These will give you diversity in animal sightings and topography. I’d recommend about 3-4 nights per safari camp.

I’m glad you are considering Cape Town for this trip as well! Cape Town is one of my favorite cities in the world and its proximity to the winelands makes it even better! I suggest at least 4 nights in Cape Town to really explore the city itself, as well as fit in a visit to Table Mountain, Cape Point, Boulder’s Beach (to see Penguins), and possibly a trip to Robben Island. There are public visits to Robben Island (via ferry and bus), but you can also set up a private vehicle on the island with a Robben Island guide. You’ll still have to take the public ferry over, but then you’ll have your own guide once you get on the island instead of being on a bus. This is a far superior experience in my opinion!

My favorite hotels in the city are Cape Grace and One & Only. They both are very well located right in the Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront which is both a working harbor and a tourist hub. To me, the V&A Waterfront is the perfect mix of local flare, great restaurants, upscale accommodations, interesting shops, and more! The Cape Grace is iconic in Cape Town and has an unrivaled location. I personally like the Table Mountain view rooms there. The food and service at the Cape Grace is top notch! The One & Only – Cape Town has a more modern and trendy vibe and the pool area feels a bit like a luxury resort which I really enjoyed. You don’t really feel like your in the city when you’re sitting at their al fresco bar/restaurant. The views from the rooms are phenomenal! I prefer the higher level floors, but even their standard rooms are quite beautiful! There are lots of great boutique options in the city as well!

Additionally, depending on how much of a wine connoisseur and foodie you are people often spend 2+ nights in the winelands. 2-3 nights is a typical stay for most people depending on the length of trip you have in mind and everything else you want to fit in on the trip. My favorite hotel are La Residence located and Leeu Estates located just outside of Franschhoek and then Delaire Graff located outside of Stellenbosch. All three are high-end properties with very different vibes. La Residence is very eclectic with a style all its own. The rooms are all very ornately designed and the property overlooks a lovely vineyard with mountains in the backdrop. Sunset views from this property are stunning! Leeu Estates is more understated and simple in its design, but every who stays there seems to absolutely love it! Again, the property offers beautiful vineyard views which to me is a must when you are staying in the Cape Winelands. Delaire Graff is very modern and luxurious. The Luxury Vineyard Lodge has amazing views and rooms with expansive decks and plunge pools to take it all in!

Hope this helps!

Best,

Kayla Torgerson
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Old Jun 10th, 2017, 04:52 PM
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Hi Kayla--

I too live in Minneapolis so would like some feedback from someone who understands the climate contrasts of SA. You know all about our rotten winters here, so I want a quick piece of advice from you.

Normally during our long winters we like to plan an escape for at least a month or six weeks, but it does not sound as though South Africa is really a good place for a visit during the worst of Minneapolis' winters (in other words Jan., Feb. and March). Am I right about this? We'd like decent weather and good animal visibility for a safari (or two) and weather for other sight-seeing that isn't so hot all we'd want to do is sit inside in the AC.

Our summers here are wonderful but so short that we prefer to stay around home from early or mid-may to early or mid-October.

What are your thoughts about timing to visit SA? Thanks much.
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Old Jun 11th, 2017, 04:36 AM
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Early April into early May is the transition to fall. We have done 2 trips now in this period with great weather. Warm mainly sunny days, cool but not cold mornings. No AC needed. Random rainy days. The leaves are turning in the Cape wine area & Northern Kruger & the animals are active. The negatives: the grass is high hindering viewing & the waterholes aren't as important because their is still water around (although last year in the drought they were critical).

To the OP:

Just like planning any trip, just connect the dots. The big decision is Kruger. There are 2 basic ways to ‘do’ Kruger:

1. Stay at a private reserve beside Kruger. These are basically all-inclusive stays like staying at any resort. From super deluxe to basic.
2. Self-drive & stay in the public rest camps inside Kruger.

Everything else is a variation of one of these methods.

Ian
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Old Jun 11th, 2017, 04:49 AM
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If you want a good explanation of the different Kruger options see this thread:

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic...onal_Park.html

On our 1st trip last year we did public self-drive for 4 nights & finished with a couple of nights of spoiling in a private reserve (actually a concession but I don't want to confuse you more). I thought that this was a good mix of experiences. This year, we went in April for 2 weeks of public park.

See http://imcarthur.weebly.com/travel.html for my trip reports.

Ian
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Old Jun 11th, 2017, 01:16 PM
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Hi there!

I think October is a great time to go on safari and the earlier in the month would be less susceptible to the rains impacting you in the shift of season. Most consider May to September to be consistently the best game viewing. As it's winter, there's thinner vegetation and fewer permanent waterholes. Having said that, I am happy to go anytime of year because there is something incredible about all the seasons!

I agree that space is tight but I have found space for this August and this September which is quite short notice. Depending upon your style of travel and budget, I think there is availability out there but you will need to do a targeted search rather quickly!

A side trip while in Cape Town, even just a beautiful day trip, would be to visit Paternoster (white washed buildings and quaint fishing village) as well as West Coast National Park. This area is considered part of the Wildflower Jewel of the Western Cape and, although early October would be nearly the end of the blooming season, there's a good chance there'd still be a beautiful array of colors to witness. There are no firm end dates when Mother Nature is in control.

There are many wonderful ideas already posted to this thread. The one thing to keep in mind is that there are options to fit all budgets. So regardless of where you go, whether it's safari, Cape Town, the Winelands etc, there's something for everyone to meet your vision, style of travel and budget!

Best
Dianne
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 09:08 AM
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Thanks for the very helpful replies!

We found 2 decent flights that we're debating between, what do you guys think would be better for overall temperature/wild life?

October 25- November 12
November 9 - November 25

I know there isn't a big difference but from what I read it feels like it may affect wild life and whale viewings.

My husband found a safari hotel that seems to very good and quite reasonably priced. We booked the last room from October 27-30 but we can also change to Nov 11-14 (only one room left so we better decided quickly). They also upgraded us to the honeymoon room free of charge due to some confusion with "booking.com".

The lodge is " 57 Waterburg". Thoughts?

Lastly, we were thinking of doing 3 days in Stellenbosh AND 3 days in Franschhoek. Too much? We spent 18 days in Italy touring Tuscany, Umbria and Piedmont wine regions and loved every minute of it. We keep doing trips that are so "Go Go Go Go Go" with little relaxation and I kind of just want it take it slow (before we have babies! ha).
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 11:14 AM
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While the Waterberg area is nice, it is not where most people would book a first safari experience in South Africa. With your budget you can find something in the Greater Kruger area, start with Sabi Sands if you want an all-exclusive.

6 days total would be alot for me in the Cape Winelands, though 6 days in Tuscany would be easy. I wouldn't compare the 2. Maybe 6 days total between Cape Town and the Winelands, but it would be good to know the rest of your itinerary.
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 01:48 PM
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Hi again!

While Fifty Seven Waterberg appears lovely, I think that you will have a far better game viewing experience in the Greater Kruger area. The cost of a flight from Cape Town to one of the reserve airports isn't all that expensive AND for a small bump up in price on the lodging per night you would have an overall better safari going there instead. I think it's really worth stretching your budget a little if you can. There are MANY lodges that offer quality experience at a price point that won't break the bank. You just need a targeted search to help you along.

I agree with Kellyee21 that 6 days in the Winelands is a lot. You could skim this to 3-4 days and that would be enough especially if you enjoy the wineland touring. There are some great coastal boutique hotels and lodges near to Hermanus that might be a nice option for a night or two.

Overall, I think October is better than November for South Africa game viewing and Cape Town time.

Best
Dianne
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 01:59 PM
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Hi again again! LOL

Just giving some further thought about your interest in Welgevonden Game Reserve.. Is malaria free a requirement for you?

Happy to help here!
Dianne
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 02:12 PM
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How come it's not a good choice for a first time? My concern is that so many of the lodges are already booked

I don't really know the rest of our itinerary... I am trying to work on that now! Cape town, Kruger, Winelands and I don't know what else. Any suggestions?

I didn't really think of Malaria free or not. I am going to go with yes it is probably a requirement lol
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 11:08 PM
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You cannot compare the diversity and abundance of game that is found in the Greater Kruger area with the Waterberg. For all the money you are spending, you can have a far better experience. I go up to the Waterberg 1-2 times per year, but it is for an escape the city (I live in Joburg) and get back to nature experience with beautiful scenery. Any game is a bonus (I have never seen any big cats either). There is a reason many lodges are already booked but you should be able to find something suitable.

Is Malaria really a big concern (you are pregnant or planning to be?)? If yes, then you could try Madikwe (pretty expensive), the Eastern Cape or even Pilanesberg, all of which I would choose over the Waterberg. But if at all possible, try and find something in Greater Kruger.
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 04:30 AM
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I've never been to Africa (yet), but I don't understand why malaria free would be a criteria unless you have a medical reason why you can't take a malaria prophylaxis drug. We've taken malarone for many trips all over the world in malaria zones.
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 05:28 AM
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Hi Jules!

Agree entirely with Kelly. No comparison between Greater Kruger area and Waterberg. I would be hard pressed to believe that there isn't space in October after I just did a targeted search for people within the last week or so and found great space for even August and September! There are lots of lodges and without expertise, it may be hard to do this on your own.

Malaria free is not a requirement. It's only a personal choice or important due to a medical reason. I was only asking if that was a requirement of yours.

Happy to help you further!
Dianne
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 07:17 AM
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Apologies there. My previous post was supposed to address Mrsashyt and Julies.

Dianne
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 03:34 PM
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Do you think I should hire a company to book a safari for us? I've spent hours looking and haven't found much! I've been reading blogs and people say that the companies have better prices and can find availability that I wouldn't be able to.

This is a big eye opener, I think it's time to keep searching Kruger!
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 04:09 PM
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Is there a website you recommend I use to find hotels? TripAdvisor isn't so helpful with availability or prices.
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 04:27 PM
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How about Naledi Bushlodge and Enkoveni Camp? I am so confused, I need someone to just book this for me lol
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Old Jun 14th, 2017, 05:56 PM
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As this is your first safari and you are unfamiliar with the lay of the land I strongly recommend you contact several tour operators.

Provide them with your budget and what you are looking for making sure they are all quoting on the same thing so you can compare apples to apples.
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Old Jun 15th, 2017, 02:28 AM
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Mrsashyt
I am available to help if you want.
Best
Dianne
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