Is staying at two lodges in the Sabi Sands Reserve a good idea?
Dec 26th, 2009, 05:29 AM
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Is staying at two lodges in the Sabi Sands Reserve a good idea?
This is our first trip to Africa and it seems that Sabi Sands provides superior game viewing and lodging. I think we are leaning towards Londolozi Tree Camp for three days...then where? Singita is right next door so that does not seem to make sense. Is it silly to stay in another lodge in Sabi Sands? Help!! Need to finalize this soon.
Dec 26th, 2009, 05:57 AM
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I would not switch lodges but rather stay longer in Londo! The game viewing is outstanding - leopards in particular. Londolozi is my favourite in SS - for good reasons 
Londolozi is not only excellent for game viewing. Also the camps are gorgeous - and Tree in particular besides their flagship granite. But I like them all. There is nothing which stays behind Singita. The opposite is the case.
You will LOVE it!
Happy travels!
SV
Londolozi is not only excellent for game viewing. Also the camps are gorgeous - and Tree in particular besides their flagship granite. But I like them all. There is nothing which stays behind Singita. The opposite is the case.
You will LOVE it!
Happy travels!
SV
Dec 26th, 2009, 06:41 AM
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That depends on how much time you have allotted to Africa and how much time you have allotted to Sabi Sands.
If you have 6 nights or more, then the advantage to splitting is you have a better chance to be in an area with special or unique happenings. You also are not stuck in an area where normally stellar wildlife viewing is slow for some reason, or where a certain species is temporarily not present.
On my Sabi Sands visit, I was lucky to witness wild dog pups out of the den just that first week, which was a rarity. But the lion pride was in flux, so not much lion activity. (The 2 events may be related as dogs like to live where lions do not.) By having a second safari location, I was able to see more lions there, that were not present in location #1.
If you have 5 of fewer nights, I would not split up. If you are going to some other safari destinations that offer decent wildlife viewing, I would not split up.
If you have 6 nights or more, then the advantage to splitting is you have a better chance to be in an area with special or unique happenings. You also are not stuck in an area where normally stellar wildlife viewing is slow for some reason, or where a certain species is temporarily not present.
On my Sabi Sands visit, I was lucky to witness wild dog pups out of the den just that first week, which was a rarity. But the lion pride was in flux, so not much lion activity. (The 2 events may be related as dogs like to live where lions do not.) By having a second safari location, I was able to see more lions there, that were not present in location #1.
If you have 5 of fewer nights, I would not split up. If you are going to some other safari destinations that offer decent wildlife viewing, I would not split up.
Dec 26th, 2009, 07:51 AM
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First of all, think of this as a win-win decision: you're likely to have a great time either way you go. Londolozi is terrific, but other lodges/camps will also provide you a memorable visit as well.
This is one of those questions whose answer depends on your preference---there’s no right or wrong. If you like variety and a chance to experience different lodgings, staff/guides and game viewing possibilities, then 2 lodges make perfect sense (assuming you have adequate time; atravelynn's suggestion of 6 nights is a good one). If you are not thrilled with change, by staying at one lodge you don’t need to acquaint yourself with or adjust to new staff, guides and accommodations, etc. On the other hand, be prepared to hear the same introductory spiel every time new passengers join your vehicle.
Good luck, Steve
This is one of those questions whose answer depends on your preference---there’s no right or wrong. If you like variety and a chance to experience different lodgings, staff/guides and game viewing possibilities, then 2 lodges make perfect sense (assuming you have adequate time; atravelynn's suggestion of 6 nights is a good one). If you are not thrilled with change, by staying at one lodge you don’t need to acquaint yourself with or adjust to new staff, guides and accommodations, etc. On the other hand, be prepared to hear the same introductory spiel every time new passengers join your vehicle.
Good luck, Steve
Dec 26th, 2009, 08:19 AM
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Obviously you like to do it quiz-like asking broadly - expecting specifics.
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri.../no-budget.cfm
You only can expect adequate advise when you provide specifics regarding your trip (interests, time frame for each interest, means of travel, time of year).
Happy guessing.
SV
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri.../no-budget.cfm
You only can expect adequate advise when you provide specifics regarding your trip (interests, time frame for each interest, means of travel, time of year).
Happy guessing.
SV
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Dec 26th, 2009, 08:46 AM
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Well SV that is because I am not really getting the specific answer I am looking for... Please see my last question on this feed
Is it silly to stay in two lodges in Sabi Sands...yes or no?
If I am staying in Londolozi Tree Camp what should the second lodge be?
We are mainly interested in safari. I am flying in and out of Jo-burg the end of March and will be in South Africa for 11 days. We most likely will be traveling on private planes from location to location.
Is it silly to stay in two lodges in Sabi Sands...yes or no?
If I am staying in Londolozi Tree Camp what should the second lodge be?
We are mainly interested in safari. I am flying in and out of Jo-burg the end of March and will be in South Africa for 11 days. We most likely will be traveling on private planes from location to location.
Dec 26th, 2009, 09:51 AM
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Ok, nice to have "problem", wish I had more like that
So you stay 3 nights at Londolozi, great. Since this is your first time in Sabi Sand I think you should indeed stay at another camp. Which would be MalaMala because it is the most discussed camp here. Stay 3-4 nights at MM, before or after Londodolzi, whichever works out best. And if you'd like a third camp for 3 more nights in Sabi Sand, sure, why not, go for it, do one of the &Beyond camps (http://www.andbeyondafrica.com/)- Exeter River, Leadwood, Dulini, or Kirkmans.
Merry Christmas - tom
So you stay 3 nights at Londolozi, great. Since this is your first time in Sabi Sand I think you should indeed stay at another camp. Which would be MalaMala because it is the most discussed camp here. Stay 3-4 nights at MM, before or after Londodolzi, whichever works out best. And if you'd like a third camp for 3 more nights in Sabi Sand, sure, why not, go for it, do one of the &Beyond camps (http://www.andbeyondafrica.com/)- Exeter River, Leadwood, Dulini, or Kirkmans.
Merry Christmas - tom
Dec 26th, 2009, 09:54 AM
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Private plane - wonderful!
Let's take off:
4 nights Londo Tree or rather Granite
4 nights Madikwe Reserve MATEYA
3 nights Ellerman House Cape Town
Done - wonderful memories guaranteed!
More: see "No budget".
Happy panning!
SV
Let's take off:
4 nights Londo Tree or rather Granite
4 nights Madikwe Reserve MATEYA
3 nights Ellerman House Cape Town
Done - wonderful memories guaranteed!
More: see "No budget".
Happy panning!
SV
Dec 26th, 2009, 09:55 AM
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Sorry - one more thing: Staying/switching from Londo to Singita or vv makes only sense for me in case you want to "collect" lodges/names. I would rather go for 2 different experiences.
If you go for Mateya: Request PHILIP as your guide!
SV
If you go for Mateya: Request PHILIP as your guide!
SV
Dec 26th, 2009, 10:41 AM
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Given your parameters, whatever you choose will be great. It's not like there is a right and wrong. In addition to SV's guarantee of wonderful memories, I will guarantee that whatever you end up doing, at the end of the trip you'll say, "I'm so glad that's what we did."
Dec 26th, 2009, 02:34 PM
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I can add another choice to Londolozi, and thats Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. As a matter of fact in my trip in August, that is two of the 3 places I will be staying. Ivory Lodge ranks up there with the top lodges in Sabi Sands and it is not adjoining property. I was even pleasantly surprised to find out that Londolozi will provide free transportation to Lion Sands (or other lodges within Sabi Sands). You definitely have wonderful choices to make.
Mike
Mike
Dec 28th, 2009, 12:50 AM
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"Is it silly to stay in another lodge in Sabi Sands?" Definitely not! The Sabi Sands offers of the best game viewing in South Africa, and it's always great to experience different lodges and also different traversing areas for game drives. It really depends on your own requirements for your safari - if you would like to experience a variety of habitats, then of course it is advisable to combine a safari in the Sabi Sands with one in a total different reserve like Phinda or Madikwe. The same goes for whether you would like to see a wider variety of birds and wildlife - then you are better off going to two lodges in different regions of South Africa!
Mike Karantonis
Mike Karantonis
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