Elephant Plains Lodge or Thornybush
 

Hi All,
We are planning our trip in Nov. Have gotten info on Singita but that looks Very Expensive. Elephant Plains looks like a lovely place at a much better rate. Any feedback on this lodge? I have also found an opportunity for a very good rate at Jackalberry Lodge, in the Thornybush Game Reserve. Anyone been there?

Thanks for the help.

Elephant Plains does offer an excellent value, but it will not be up to the level of most other lodges in the Sabi Sand. However, gameviewing will still be pretty strong.

One drawback, however, is that there are potentially up to NINE guests per vehicle, and this is three more than in the vehicles at most game lodges. That leaves a lot of room for dissenting opinions, differing personalities, etc.

Another drawback, if you are a couple, is that E/P tends to draw a lot of families and this will provide you with a much different safari experience than you would get a luxury lodge.

There is no place in the Sabi Sand, however, that is nearly as low in price as E/P. Some other options that would provide fairly good pricing while not stuffing nine people in each vehicle, are the following. These would still be much less expensive than Singita, half the price or less:

www.sabisabi.com (Bush Lodge or Selati)

www.chitwa.com (Chitwa Chitwa)

www.simbambiligamelodge.co.za (Simbambili)

www.ccafrica.com (Exeter River and Exeter Dulini)

www.malamala.tv

Every place you go in South Africa in November will be in high season. I would also suggest, as an alternative, especially if you had six nights to designate for your safari, a very special game lodge in Zambia. In November you would have incredible pricing and really the service and accomodations would not be too far off Singita's standards, yet the pricing would be less than 1/3 the price for a 6 night stay. November is the start of low season but it should still be excellent.

www.luangwariverlodge.com

For a 6 night stay, you would be looking at $1700 per person TOTAL, plus about another $550 per person total for transfers from Johannesburg, for a grand total of only $2250 per person for an all-inclusive stay.

Do a search on Luangwa River Lodge on this forum if you are interested and you will see all the raves about this property.

You really cannot compare the Sabi Sand to South Luangwa. The Sabi Sand, while offering very good gameviewing, is a fun experience, but you are never really far removed from civilization. However, South Luangwa, is really in the heart of Africa and it offers a much less commercialized safari experience. I would be surprised if during your six night stay that you did not enjoy a private vehicle half the time and the other half the time you shared it with one couple maximum. You may share the entire camp with only one or two other couples. Best of all, Luangwa River Lodge, like so many Zambian lodges/camps, is an owner-run lodge and this makes a tremendous difference to your overall experience.

Coincidentally, we will be staying in both Tangala (Thornybush) and Elephant Plains. We will write on our return, and let you know how it went.

I have stayed in Thornybush, but in the main lodge - the accomodation is beautiful, the food good the drivers knowledgible and we saw leopards and rhino. But..... I missed having a river view of any kind, don't know why maybe spoiled at South Luangwa, and I did feel the fact the reserve is fenced, despite its size. It could be that I am comparing SA to East Africa and Zambia rather than a problem with Thornybush per se.

Thanks for the feedback. I believe we will check out the Zambian recommendation. It turns out that Elephant Lodge only has 2 nights available in Nov. and we do want more than that.

Hi All,
After checking Rocco's recs in Zambia, we think we have found a tour that suits us beautifully. Through Star of Africa, we can go to Sussi Lodge in Vic Falls and then on to either Puku Ridge or Chichele. There is very little difference in the cost. Which would you recommend? Can't thank you enough for all your feedback.

mitch,

Although I loved my own stay at Chichele Presidential Lodge, I would definitely recommend Puku Ridge. There will be constant gameviewing right from camp while at Puku Ridge while Chichele will more feature incredible 360 degree views of the Luangwa Valley.

Also, those packages by Star Of Africa are a great cost savings and, if you wish, they may be added onto if you don't feel you have enough time at a certain camp.

Here are some trip reports from Fodorites who visited Puku Ridge and other Zambian camps:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34779548

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34742104

Chichele does have a more hotel like feel to it while at Puku Ridge you have a little fear just walking back to your tent, not knowing what lurks nearby! :)

At least during my mid September stay, winds whipped through the tent each night (as we left the flaps open and only the screen closed) and this will be most welcome during the warm nights of November.

Really, however, if you do go to South Luangwa, wherever you go, you may expect excellent guiding, good food, warm people and excellent gameviewing.

Rocco,
Again, many thanks for the info. I think we would prefer the tents to the hotel. Now to get all our ducks in a row. Let you know if we've been successful in doing our booking.

mitchb~ Puku Ridge definitely over Chichele! PR is an awesome camp, beautiful! Chichele is more of a stuffy hotel, though does have a nice gift shop. You'll love Puku Ridge!

As I reported on another thread, we were able to book the Zambian trip. We have decided to go with Puku Ridge, thanks to all the input. Now we have to figure out what to do with excess luggage. Does anyone know if there is a "left-luggage" or storage lockers at Jo'berg airport?

mitch,

That is GREAT news. You are going to love Puku Ridge.

There is a "left luggage" facility in the basement of the Joburg airport. I believe it is about $6 per day per bag. I have used this service many times and it is very reliable and safe. You leave your luggage, they give you a ticket (like leaving your car with a valet), you present the ticket upon picking up your luggage, they give you the bags.