We want to spend 2 weeks on safari in August.
-Looking to spend about $6000 pp
-want ideas to maximize the experience.
-stay at for a variety of lodges etc.

What itinerary would you recommend.

Barry

How about a bunch of self drive in Kruger, which is pretty good for the budget, followed by a splurge at a private lodge or lodges.
There are many threads on self drive in Kruger which have lots of good information. I would recommend Mala Mala as my favorite place, others will recommend a whole range of camps at various prices.

What kind of experience appeals to you? Safari you say, so you're after the big 5 and wildlife in general? No interest in cities like Capetown, etc? On my first safari I told my travel agent I wanted to see the big 5, often and up close and personal. I still do (I still haven't been to Capetown).

Your budget includes airfare from USA? So that takes a bite of about $2,000 person. No? Leaving about $4,000 for safari camps for 12 days or so. Or about $350 per night person (pppn). This will somewhat limit your camps (many are well over $500 pppn) but still will get you a great two weeks. If airfare is in addition to the $6,000 then that will make a significant difference.

As napamatt says, Kruger is fun. We have been there twice on self drives and would go back any day. Also can be done on less than $150 per day per person. I also love MalaMala. It is in the Sabi Sand Private Reserve which borders Kruger. MalaMala is $575 per day per person.

regards - tom

Thanks for the advice.

The $6000 is the land only. As you said want to be up close with the big 5. Like to try a variety of lodges, on a river, hill, tent etc. Not interested in the cities. Seems to be so many lodges, so looking for ideas how people would organize the 2 weeks given the budget.

Thanks

It's a tough question because the flying costs can eat into that budget. I have for a long time been a supporter of mixing up the destinations to experience a greater diversity of game.

I would suggest:
1 x nt in JNB if you arrive in the afternoon as the connections to the reserves occur in the mornings.

To kick off the itinerary I would head down to KZN using Federal Air and aim for Mkuze Falls tented camp. x 3 nights.

Return to JNB again with Fed air, forcing you to overnight in JNB, I'd use an inexpensive airport hotel. then next am fly to Sabi Sand, my choice to comply with your budget would be Little Bush Camp x 3 nts.

next sector would be a jump from Sabi to Madikwe with Fed air, if you leave Sabi on their fisrt flight out you can connect to Madikwe on their 12h30ish flight. Again to manage the budget I would target Buffalo Ridge, for it's comfort and most reasonable pricing. If you have change you could upgrade at any of the three destinations.

You will need to pack light as the fedair flights arein light aircraft.

Just looked at the prices for you.. that would end up costing $5750.00 pp give or take a few pennies.

You could do a really nice trip for that budget.

You could do something like the following:

4 nights Mala Mala or Sabi Sabi/Londolozi
2 nights Garonga
3 nights Tanda Tula/Kings Camp/Ngala
4 nights Mashatu

That would give you a great game experiance

I'd stick close to Kruger area to avoid $400 pp round trip air to places like Madikwe. Mashatu on the SA and Botswana border might be reasonable to get to, I'm not sure. Poster CarlaM has investigated this recently and would have more info.

Anyway, to be specific. I'd fly into JNB, rent an Avis mid size car and drive to Kruger. Stay in Kruger for four days then drive up to Hoedspruit and into Timbavati Reserve and into Kings Camp. Leave the car with Avis at Hoedspruit. Cost so far - Kruger camps $400 with meals, car $600, total $1,000 per couple, that's $500 per person. Stay at Kings Camp four nights, total $1,600 per person. Then fly to MalaMala, $100 person. MalaMala 5 nights Main Camp, total $2,875 per person. Fly to JNB $150 person.

So, what do we have here. Safari camp nights, 4 plus 4 plus 5 nights, 13 nights total. Cost, $500 plus $1,600 plus $100 plus $2,875 plus $150 total $5,250 person. Leaves a nice little $800 for camp tips (maybe total $300 person) and other bits.

There is some variety of lodges and camps but not much. Non are rustic, tented, bucket shower type of camps. Although Kruger does offer camp grounds for you to pitch your own tent if you would like to.

regards - tom