Once again I invite polite criticism of our African trip for April 2011:

Sydney - J'burg - Cape Town 4 nights at Village & Life Waterfront
Cape Town - Vic Falls (1 night) Hwange - The Hide 4 nights
Vic Falls - J'burg - Motswari - Timbavati 3 nights
J'burg 2 nights then Sydney

Is 4 nights at The Hide too long, is there a better place to stay?
Timbavati, I've stayed at Akeru & loved it, is Motswari better than others?
We dont want to stay in Kruger.
Thanks
Dot

Having been to none of those places I can't comment, but any safari is better than no safari so I'm suitably envious.

FWIW, Akeru is now Kambaku
http://www.kambakulodge.co.za/
Nice rates at $320 pppn
I have been to two camps in the Timbavati, Kings Camp and Ngala Lodge. I highly recommend Kings Camp, pay for 4 nights and stay for 5. Motswari I'm not to sure of. It is located at the very top section of the Timbavati so their game drives often come down south a lot to deeper into the Timbavati. Other camps are more centrally located in the Timbavati. Here's a nice simple map showing this and also the camps in Sabi Sand reserve. Many excellent camps in Sabi Sand and just as easy to get to from JNB.
http://tinyurl.com/y97s4dl

regards - tom

I loved our stay Ngala Tented camp; our guides were excellent and we were fortunate to have plenty of sightings,along with very enthusiastic guides/trackers. They always discussed the day ahead with us and what we wanted to do, not what they had scripted. I know others have been disappointed with the lodge, but the tented camp for us was amazing; we did not want to leave!

From there we went to Sabi Sands, but we always remember Ngala when looking back on our S Africa trip. We went in June and loved the weather---cool mornings, warm days!

I was disappointed with Vic falls, although DH had a fabulous bungee jump and the microflight was fun. I would have rather spent the money on safari but we needed a stop over before heading to Chobe. I did catch a tiger fish on the Zambezi amongst the hippos and crocs; being out on the river was quite fun, but I would have still preferred a vehicle and game.

I believe AndBeyond is offering some good prices as I received a few emails. If you are interested have your TA check it out.

Otherwise have a fabulous trip!

Moneyburns

Ngala Tented is very different camp then Ngala Lodge. And very different $$$$ also. I was at Ngala Lodge for eight nights in 2008. I will not go back there, if you'd like to know more here's my trip report.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35161085
AndBeyond does have some deals like pay for 3 nights stay for 4 at camps Ngala, Dulini, Exeter, Leadwood, Kirkmans. All SA camps?

regards -tom

Thanks everyone.
I have been to Vic Falls before, all we want to do is see the Falls, but I did fall in love with the grand old Vic Hotel. But, the Zim part really depends on the political situation at the time, any comments on The Hide?
I'll keep working on the Timbavati.
Thanks
Dot

sallysaab,

how wonderful that you are returning to Africa and your trip looks great.

I've been thinking about Zim myself and have always been keen on a stay at the Vic Falls Hotel. I hope the Cape Town weather is OK for you in April, when I visited in 2004 it was cold and wet. I have no knowledge of game viewing at the Hide or in the Timbavati but am looking forward to hearing of your travels when you return.

Happy planning,


Pol

I would not stay in JNB for 2 nights - rather extend the safari.

Hwange/Zim is very nice, very good game drives and pleasant atmosphere. Their hide is excellent!

Vic Falls - I would not stay again at the Vic Falls Hotel. Besides the great lawn and location the service was miserable and the rooms shabby. There are better options (value for money). Vic Falls Safari Lodge is worth a look (Ilala Lodge, Vic Falls Safari Lodge.....)

I don't know Motswari but King's Camp which I liked. It's also good value for money.

Happy Planning.

SV

thats good news that you are coming back to africa. in victoria falls you as well stay at ilala lodge, elephant hills, rainbow hotel and they are not quite expensive like victoria falls hotel. they are very nice places good value for money there is fabulous activities such as going for a safari by elephant the real 4x4, lion walk or interaction, the famous zambezi sunset cruise. i can also arrange for your trip to hwange and you can stay at hwange safari lodge or the hide its nice also. If you need more info please contact me any time. You dont have to mis the dat trip to chobe national park for a boat cruise game viewing and a game drive and its raelly nice. Instead of spending 4 days in hwange you can spend the other 2 days at great zimbabwe ruins second largest monument in africa after the pyramids in egypty and i am telling u this is real monument built in 12th century and thats were the history of the contry and name came from and worth to see the monument.