YvonneM

I know this is an age old question but here we go again. I am travelling to SA in April with my husband and daughter, a safari veterin now at the age of 12. I have looked into Mala Mala and it will cost $6000 for 3 nights for all of us... aouch!. Elephant Plains would be half of that. We would love to see leopards of course.. what do the experts think? Yvonne

KayeN

Hi Yvonne

At this point of time, I only go to MalaMala and I have not been to Elephant Plains, so cannot comment on that lodge. I usually have a niece with me, which doubles the cost, but do not have the husband to triple the cost!

I have been to quite a few lodges over the years, and have found 100% what I am looking for at MalaMala, and I go from anywhere from 18 to 25 nights - started at 6 nights but nowhere near enough for me!

For me, it is definitely worth the money but there is a limit to what I would pay, and some of the upper end camps in Botswana, I have decided are too ridiculous for words, and I would not pay them the asking price, and it is totally irrelevant to me that I could afford it, I am not going to pay it!

So my age old answer is yes to me, it is worth it!

Kind regards

Kaye

KayeN

Hi Yvonne,

Just had a quick look at the rates, and it seems you are paying for a luxury suite. Is it not possible for the 3 of you to fit into a luxury room! I have never had two kids with me at MM, so am unsure of how many people would fit into the room or it may be that they are booked out of rooms! Not impossible, as I have started to make my bookings for 2008 into 2009, and some nights are already booked!

Kind regards

Kaye

sundowner

I've only been to MM twice for 6 nights and 5 nights. I plan on going again, maybe 2008. Only you can decide if it's 'worth it' but it is to me.

I took my 9 & 11 year olds to MM in 2006. They were both half price at that time but I believe the cutoff age is 12 and up is adult pricing. The three of us did stay in one room and it was fine for us. You can see the room we stayed in here http://www.pbase.com/cjw/image/64701459 Click "next" and you can see the bed they set up for the third person. There are two large full bathrooms in each room so that helped on shower time, privacy and getting ready in the mornings.

Good luck with your planning!

atravelynn

These threads may help you. I have only Mala Mala experience. The leopards were out in force in late June.


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34987363

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35020747

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34676722

Good luck!

Lily622

YES. It is absolutely worth it. My husband and I went for 4 nights in July. We booked very late and stayed at Sable Camp as Main Camp was full. I agonized endlessly over the cost before we went. I stopped agonizing the minute we arrived. Leopards are my favorite and MM did not disappoint. The leopards alone make it worthwhile, but excellent sightings all around (including 2 hyena pups and 15 wild dog pups). No regrets whatsoever. We are hoping to return this summer. Hope that helps. Good luck!

napamatt

Just going back for my 11th visit.

GrannyJoan

We love Mala Mala and spent 13 nights in late May, early June of this year (2007). It was our second trip to Mala Mala. Our tour agent thought we were crazy staying for such a long time in one place, but we knew since we had visited 7 or 8 other lodges throughout various African countries that Mala Mala was our first choice.

They have the best game drives, excellent guides and great service. It seems expensive but is worth the price to us.

I have not been to Elephant Plains so can't compare that to Mala Mala.

-Granny Joan

penelope41

Just got back from first time at MALA MALA in August. If you want to up your odds of seeing major amounts of animals I would just go. It is amazing the amount of animals we saw.

HariS

I've only been to the Sabi Sands 3 times in total (including one visit to MM main camp) ..... the one thing in MM's favour is that they are the largest property in the SSGR. Hence, the sightings are not rushed (if you wish) and ofcourse, there are lots more plains game around. In the Western SSGR, although i had just as good quality leopard/lion sightings, the traffic between the lodges were just a bit much ..... resulting in rushed sightings! also, there just didn't seem to be enough plains game ....

I will visit Rattray's in January. The clear reason being a group of 4 is guaranteed a vehicle to themselves!

Hari

obrienenator

Ahhhh,
Yes.
all I have to say...
www.jeffreyobrien.com
Proof in the pictures

jcasale

I haven't been to Mala Mala, but I have been to Elephant Plains and would return there in a heartbeat! We saw 8 leopards in the three days we were there. We also saw cheetahs, hippos, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, etc. It was fabulous. The rooms were very comfortable (we stayed in one of the rondovals - very romantic) and the staff was great.

YvonneM

Whao thanks everyone for all the input I am persuaded! I am now thinking of combining Mala Mala withe either Elephant Plains or Nottens. We like the atmosphere of smaller more rustic camps where evryone dines together, any idea which of the 2 ( EP or Nottens) would be better? Yvonne

napamatt

Nottens is just a walking camp, I know I will be shot down for saying this, but I find it interesting to take the occasional walk as part of a drive, but not to give up game drives for.

sundowner

Matt, I stayed at Notten's for a night in 2004. They had game drives then and I would be surprised if they stopped game drives. My best picture that didn't turn out was from Notten's http://www.pbase.com/cjw/image/47469492. The other couple in the vehicle jumped when the snarling male darted out of the bushes so the only picture of the action is blurry.

matnikstym

still a cool pic sundowner!

spiegelcjs

Cindy, when we were at Mala Mala this June we saw a picture on the wall in the bar that you had taken. If I remember correctly it was a large lion pride. We loved Mala Mala and would not hesitate going back.

napamatt

Cindy

I stand corrected, I believe Notten's was just walking safari's some years ago. Clearly that has changed. Does Notten's have any river access? That would be a concern depending on the time of year.

atravelynn

YvonneM,

An Elephant Plains & Mala Mala combo would be fascinating. I would consider that in the future. I'd love to have somebody visit both and compare. That would be great if you undertook that mission.

mkhonzo

Napa, glad to see you remedied your note: Nottens is by no means a "walking lodge", however they are a seriously "bushy" experience and offer rustic accommodations that only enhance the entire bush experience. IMO, they bare arguablly one of the gems of the sabie sand.