We will be travelling with our two children next winter. We have 10 days on the ground in SA. We know we want at least 2 nights at Mala Mala, then at least 5 in cape town, leaving us unsure how to spend the remaining time. Should we do a different game lodge for another type of experience, or head to sun city for indulgence. Both kids are under 12, so our game lodge options are somewhat limited. Will our game viewing experience be very different at Chitwa(I believe more leopards)

Ellene.
Haul out a map and study the sabie sands wildtuin as that is the body of land that encompasses mala mala and chitwa chitwa. You'll notice that other than the sand and sabie rivers there is very little else that alters the topography across the area.
This is an important point because the soil composition dictates the vegetative cover, which dictates the herbivore density & diversity, which will determine the quantity and diversity of predators.

There is nothing in the mix that will make chitwa a better or worse place to see leopard and absolutely nothing to attract more or less leopard at both properties. This is true across the sabie sands.

I am an advocate of spreading the safari experience and like to believe that staying in South Africa for this can offer up some significant different reserves and diversity of species. So I would say YES, change the location and try something else instead of remaining in the sabie sands. Frankly I enjoy the game experience at the Madikwe Game Reserve and although I have not stayed at Jacis camp, am savvy enough to know that they do a fabulous job with kids. If budget is your limitation, you could consider Buffalo Ridge, which is great and looks after children well.

Another thought is perhaps an extension of your visist in the western cape to include some time exploring the funbos reserves and doing a marine safari. Out of gansbaai there are boats that offer shark diving, whale, penguin, seal and dolphin watching excursions too.

ellene,

It makes sense to do all your game viewing at one lodge (regardless of your choice) and then move onto Cape Town or vice-versa. The longer you stay at one property, the better your chances of better game viewing.....

Have you seen Kaye's current pictures thread? speaks volumes of her long stay at Mala Mala.....

I dont know anything about Chitwa Chitwa....
Hari

Thanks, my thought was that I had heard that leopards do not tend to stay in the same area as lions, and since lions are territorial, they are more prevelant at Mala Mala, while leopards are more prevelant nearer to simbambilli(which wont take kids), or Chitwa.

If I spend 3 days at MM, and 4 or 5 days in Camps Bay, where would you suggest I head after camp bay. Also, any thoughts on Sun City?

ellene,

Leopards, like-wise have territories too just like lions. They are very cleaver animals and will find a way to avoid the lions......

some leopard related documentaries that you may want to watch:
Eye of the leopard(Mombo, Botswana), leopard son(Serengti) and many many leopard documentaries filmed on location at Mala Mala and Londolozi........do a search for "Favourite wildlife documentaries" and you will find an extensive list.....

Hari