DonTopaz

I'd appreciate any comparisons that people could make between Londolozzi and Ngala Tented camp.

I've been to Londolozzi (Tree Camp), and I was extremely pleased with the game sightings and the camp staff. (Londo was run at the time by CC Africa.) The accommodations were certainly comfortable enough, but I have come to prefer more rustic and isolated locations.

I was wondering how the game viewing in the Timbavati Reserve (Ngala) compares to Sabi Sands/Londolozzi? I would be traveling in August (next year). Also, for those who may have been lucky enough to visit both camps, does the Ngala tented camp have any more or less of a remote feeling than Londolozzi?

DonTopaz

hi ranger, try [email protected] -- thanks.

cw

rizzuto,

I stayed at both Londolozi (only two nights) and Ngala Tented in September 2006.

I can't say that either camp seemed isolated--but in different ways. The way Londolozi is set up with all the lodges within walking distance to one another made me aware of all the other people who were there, including the staff. Our wildlife experience was superb but the lodge experience less so, partly because a new manager had just started and the operations seemed a bit confused. Not a big deal, but stupid little things that were just annoying.

Ngala Tented is much smaller so the camp itself was immediately more appealing. The tents are not at all rustic, but they give a better feeling of being in the bush. We had tent #1 which had only bush between it and the dry (at the time) river bed. The tents are fairly close together, and others have complained about hearing people in neighboring tents but we did not have that experience. Buffalo seemed to roam around the tents at night and "resident" warthogs hung around the field between the tents and the main dining area.

Ngala is right on the border of Kruger so when we started our drive, we would often briefly drive down the dirt road adjacent to the camp which had power lines along it. Soon, though, we would be out of sight of "civilization." Another time we were quite far away at the edge of the reserve where we saw a large building which is a school for wildlife management(?).

The landscape seemed sparser than at Londolozi and we had very good sightings, especially of lions. Our sightings were not, however, as numerous as those at Londolozi, but they were of larger herds of buffalo and breedings elephants. The lion coalition there was in flux so we had some good sightings of new male lions in the area and half of the old coalitiion with cubs.

I would go back to Ngala, probably not Londolozi, but in a couple of years hope to go to back and visit Botswana or Zambia where it is really more isolated.

CW

Pula

If you like things rustic but still very comfortable, look at Ngala Walking Camp. Same geography as Ngala Tented (which does sometimes include roads and power lines as mentioned above). Only four tents when I was there last year, each overlooking a dry river bed. Tents had flush toilets and bucket showers, VERY comfortable beds and suited me just fine. The feeling is very much an isolated, in-the-bush experience. The main tent is very comfortable, nicely appointed, serving candlelight dinners and very good food. Classic African open fire for pre- and post-dinner drinks.

We did walks in the morning, although we were offered a driving alternative, and we did drives in the afternoon, or a walk-drive combo. Despite the name, the camp did not emphasize walking as much as I expected it would.

This camp seems to be less well known and given your preferences, might be a good fit.

HariS

Hi Rizzuto,

Sorry - I haven't been to either of these lodges, so no help here....

But, isn't your safari to Bots just around the corner? Would be keen to know of your gameviewing highlights when you return. Thanks.....

Hari

DonTopaz

Hi Hari,

Yes, I am nearly packed and ready to go. I'll have 5 days with Spencer at Lebala, and I can just about smell the sage already. Then off to Savuti for a few more days. This will be my first trip with a camcorder, so we'll see how that works out. Between cameras and camcorders and cpap machines and electric binoculars and the battery chargers for all of them, it feels like I'm hauling an electronics store to Africa.

I usually need to plan out my itineraries a year in advance, as timing can be crucial. On next year's trip to Africa, I'm planning to stop for a few days at the Salzburg music festival, then spend several quality days with my beloved wildebeest as they migrate their way through the Mara. Southern Africa will be the dessert.

HariS

Hi again! Sounds good, and you will have a great time at Lebala and Savuti - you are in good hands!!!

Enjoy!!!