This is a bit confusing. How can one party claim to have paid $1000 per day and the other party charged $217.20 - those figures are not even close! Also if Lion Sands did not send the nasty response as stated by Mr More, then who did? Is this through a travel agent Erly or is this directly from Lion Sands?

I have stayed in a few lodges within Sabi Sands, some more than others, and I always thought that whichever guest stated their choice first, that was what the ranger should follow through with. One time we were watching an African Rock Python killing a male Steenbok, then move it to a safer position and just when the python had positioned the Steenbok to be swallowed, Brazilian guests in the vehicle said they had seen enough and wished to leave. I desperately wanted to stay, but I did not feel I could say that, as what was the ranger to do? I would also add that seeing a kill is never on my wishlist.

I rarely enter these she said/ he said messages, but then we rarely seem to hear from the second party and this time we did! So I guess it is upto Erly to respond and maybe check with the travel agent if correspondence has come through them and not directly with Lion Sands.

Kind regards

Kaye

Robert_more,

Off topic question, if you possibly write again. How is the global recession affecting bookings at the moment? Not specifically Lions Sands, but SA safaris in general?

Isn't the usual practise on game drive to find predators and then follow them?
For me the best parts of the experience are seeing intr and intra species reactions. Impala babies and moms don't quite do it for me the same way the Styx pride and their cubs did on my last trip. I love seeing the Impala, but you can't watch their play behaviour for hours like you can with Lion Cubs.
So most guides follow predators, in some cases that means you'll see a hunt, and even maybe a kill (I've seen from start to finish as it were, 3 in over 100 drives). I've seen a few more carcasses and almost seen a couple of kills. But I can't imagine tracking a Leopard at 4:30pm, finding it around 5:00pm and not following for a while. But at Erly's request you'd have to, because if you find a mobile Leopard and follow it and it makes a kill, then you've violated the rules! Think about how extreme that is, and how difficult it would be to follow that guideline. You'd become the person who ticks the Leopard then moves on, you can't risk staying in case they kill something.
I don't go on safari specifically to see a kill, if I wanted that I'd take a rifle and go "high fence hunting". I accept that the kill is all natural and if I'm there then I see it.
As for seeing Dogs - I'm surely not the only one who spend hours watching sleeping dogs in the hope that they would do anything even yawn. To see creatures that are balanced on a knife edge and to know that they will survive at least another day always gives me some kind of hope for the future. To have seen dogs two days in a row and to not want to follow them for as long as possible is a position I can't imagine being in.
Summary - IMO, if your not prepared to see a kill, don't go to Africa except in a private vehicle.

Regarding the recession we are seeing a constriction of the areas visited by tourists which means areas located in core parts of the majority of itineraries are being less effected. The core areas - cape t; kruger; winelands and products who have brand or been in market plus 5 years. Generally effects started to be felt in Jan 09 for the first time and are between 10% and 15% off. market remains very uncertain and volatile. the weakening rand has offered the market value however value is not the problem it is the fact of less people are travelling. SA competes against the rest of Africa which is predominately $ based so that is also in our favour. 3 to 4 star market has been mostly effected. The year ahead - I think the destination, in the 5* market, will be off about 15% and then with 2010 this will assist, not just the event, but the awareness and pre and post travel will keep the growth. Hope this is of value and thanks for changing the subject!

Thanks, Robert! I hope I did not offend with the comment about the manager above. We had an excellent visit to Lion Sands Ivory in 2007!

Keep up the good work!

Robert and Napa
Today we got the figures fr Febr: German Travel Agencies have reported a decline by 9% compared to the same month in 2008.

I requested at a camp in Tanzania for October 09 and got the information it's "pending" because by now it's the only request and they might stay closed.

ekscrunchy
?

SV

Robert_More,

Thanks for the info on the current global economy and their impact on destinations. Appreciate the facts.


Napamatt,

Well said, couldn't put it any better!

I guess it just means that a safari means different things to different people. Things some of us never even considered are of paramount importance to others. Interesting world.

Well, that was weird. I clicked on the preview button and it went straight to post. Glad I didn't say anything rude!!!!

Yes, thanks Robert_More.
And thanks also nappamatt_2, very well said.
Maybe camps don't make it clear enough to guests what they might see on a game drive? Put it on the indemnity form we all sign? On the other hand, how can you get around oblivious ignorance?

regards - tom

I am returning to Africa on another Safari, and just happened upon this old post.
I didn't follow through, as I felt it would be too stressful.
To the owner of Lion Sands
I still have the Paper.
Would you like me to scan a copy to you??
Just give me your name and e-mail address.
We had only a half day left, as we were leaving the next morning.
Your Manager called after we declined the fee, and offered to cut it in half, and the lodge would do this favor for us.
The half price was really the full and proper price.
I am an honest person.
I also received an e-mail telling me that I probably should not go on Safari.
Well we are, and I won't have this problem, and i have a guarantee in writing and signed from one lodge after this experience.
I don't condemn anyone who seeks the thrill of the kill, but I seek the thrill of seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild.

Forgot to add for the owner of Lion Sands,
I also have copies of e-mails from Lion Sands saying that they would honor my request.
Would you like a copy of this as well??

Dear Erly, I am happy for you to send me all the information which I will again review - my personal email address is [email protected] however I feel we should rather leave "Sleeping Lions" and keep the memories of, as you have mentioned, the incredible wildlife which one gets to interact with in this area. I am sorry that it all went wrong on your last visit and hope that your recent safari to Africa was outstanding. Robert More.