Mala Mala
Sep 27th, 2007 | 04:21 AM
#3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
Hi Rhoda
I have been to MalaMala in the following months - Jan, March, May, June, July, Nov and Dec. Certainly June and July can be cold, but if you are prepared, they are my preferred months as longer gamedrives. But I also like the warmer months, even though the gamedrives are shorter, do not like that, but you see different things! So every month has its own rewards, just find a time that isn't fully booked that suits you!
When booking a few months ago for Dec 2008/ Jan 2009, Main Camp was fully booked for two different nights, so that was a little surprising when booking so far ahead, but I got around that by going to Rattray's for a few nights!
Kind regards
Kaye
I have been to MalaMala in the following months - Jan, March, May, June, July, Nov and Dec. Certainly June and July can be cold, but if you are prepared, they are my preferred months as longer gamedrives. But I also like the warmer months, even though the gamedrives are shorter, do not like that, but you see different things! So every month has its own rewards, just find a time that isn't fully booked that suits you!
When booking a few months ago for Dec 2008/ Jan 2009, Main Camp was fully booked for two different nights, so that was a little surprising when booking so far ahead, but I got around that by going to Rattray's for a few nights!
Kind regards
Kaye
Sep 27th, 2007 | 05:24 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,779
Likes: 17
I've been in June and it was cold during the mornings and late afternoons and in September which was cool in the mornings but warmed up early (maybe 9ish) and was warm through the day until evening. Game viewing was great both times. Did you email them about availablity or look at their booking website? Sometimes rooms they have blocked out as reserved on their website do open up.
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Sep 28th, 2007 | 02:57 AM
#8
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
Hi Hari,
Yes, not too long, as I leave Australia 15 Dec, and will be gameviewing pm of 16 Dec. But still too long to be waiting, especially when I look at the cyberdiary and see all the great things that are being seen!
I will need to put some thought of what I would like to see this trip, certainly the lion cubs would be top of my list - and I would love the Styx Pride to have some cubs by then, although the idea of one male with two prides and young cubs is really testing his strength, as he will need to rule for close on two years to see them through. Apparently that may not be enough either as a pride I saw at Londo, has vanished through Eyrefield Males and starvation, and they had around 7 subadults, which was just awful as well past the age where you would expect them all to be dead!
Kind regards,
Kaye
Yes, not too long, as I leave Australia 15 Dec, and will be gameviewing pm of 16 Dec. But still too long to be waiting, especially when I look at the cyberdiary and see all the great things that are being seen!
I will need to put some thought of what I would like to see this trip, certainly the lion cubs would be top of my list - and I would love the Styx Pride to have some cubs by then, although the idea of one male with two prides and young cubs is really testing his strength, as he will need to rule for close on two years to see them through. Apparently that may not be enough either as a pride I saw at Londo, has vanished through Eyrefield Males and starvation, and they had around 7 subadults, which was just awful as well past the age where you would expect them all to be dead!
Kind regards,
Kaye
Sep 28th, 2007 | 05:21 AM
#9
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
2 weeks from today and we will be headed to Mala Mala....
Also I called Delta and asked if we could get on the Air France flight back home. They allowed us to move so we will spend 2 days in Paris. It will be a good down time after 6 days of safari.
Also I called Delta and asked if we could get on the Air France flight back home. They allowed us to move so we will spend 2 days in Paris. It will be a good down time after 6 days of safari.
Sep 28th, 2007 | 07:45 AM
#10
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
Rhoda, I would email or call them with the dates you are interested in for August right away.
Kaye, the lion situation is so intriguing to say the least. I have been seeing the Styx pride on the Africam (Nkorho Lodge)off and on lately and the other day there were also 2 males spotted there. They really get around! I hope those little guys make it!!!
Cary999 (TomG) is back from MM and working on photos and trip report, he told me he saw the cubs on 3 different days.
Kaye, the lion situation is so intriguing to say the least. I have been seeing the Styx pride on the Africam (Nkorho Lodge)off and on lately and the other day there were also 2 males spotted there. They really get around! I hope those little guys make it!!!
Cary999 (TomG) is back from MM and working on photos and trip report, he told me he saw the cubs on 3 different days.
Sep 28th, 2007 | 11:04 AM
#11
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 0
Yes, I saw the 9 cubs on 3 different days of the 6 I was there (Sep 14-20th), or, 3 times out of 12 game drives. Not often enough for me 
During the day when the three lioness and male are out hunting or more likely sleeping, the cubs hide in the very tall dense reeds in the Sand river. Impossible to find. Five were about three months old and four about two months old. Noticeable difference in size and look. The young ones still have that round face while the older ones are beginning to develop a lion face, big jaw.
regards - tom
ps - I have done very little towards reviewing photos and writing trip report. Spending a lot of time helping my sister (who is not local) in her trying to view her digital photos and videos. Her first step into digital photo water and a learning opportunity. (She has been dunked only once so she has not yet drowned. Bless her heart). Give me a least two more weeks.
During the day when the three lioness and male are out hunting or more likely sleeping, the cubs hide in the very tall dense reeds in the Sand river. Impossible to find. Five were about three months old and four about two months old. Noticeable difference in size and look. The young ones still have that round face while the older ones are beginning to develop a lion face, big jaw.regards - tom
ps - I have done very little towards reviewing photos and writing trip report. Spending a lot of time helping my sister (who is not local) in her trying to view her digital photos and videos. Her first step into digital photo water and a learning opportunity. (She has been dunked only once so she has not yet drowned. Bless her heart). Give me a least two more weeks.
Sep 28th, 2007 | 03:17 PM
#15
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
You are so lucky Tom to have seen the cubs - so no whinging about not see them all the time! In March, they saw them (this was the Eyrefield Pride cubs, but a different lot of cubs), the morning I arrived, but we heard them a few times in the reeds but they were not seen again in the 25 days I was there, and we saw the adults a fair bit. By the time I got home I really did know they had all died! Tom, I will be happy to see them half the days I am there as well!
So I would be really pleased to see them a couple of times in my next visit! Carla, MM are seeing a bit of the Styx Pride again as well, and they are, my favourite pride of lions!
No, will not be there until December, but have already booked for June/July 2008 and Dec 2008 into Jan 2009, and have booked for 5 or 6 nights at Mashatu in the middle of our time at MM for something different, and because I can now do it, without missing a gamedrive!
Kind regards
Kaye
So I would be really pleased to see them a couple of times in my next visit! Carla, MM are seeing a bit of the Styx Pride again as well, and they are, my favourite pride of lions!
No, will not be there until December, but have already booked for June/July 2008 and Dec 2008 into Jan 2009, and have booked for 5 or 6 nights at Mashatu in the middle of our time at MM for something different, and because I can now do it, without missing a gamedrive!
Kind regards
Kaye
Sep 29th, 2007 | 05:50 AM
#17
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
Hi Tom
I believe it is a charter plane, which goes from MM airfield to somewhere to refuel in Botswana, then onto Mashatu -no need for customs if I remain at the reserve and I return the same way. We leave about 10.30am and get there in about 90 mins, in time for lunch.
While it was a bit expensive, it wasn't ridiculous and with the very reasonable price of Mashatu, I really want to see eland and ostrich again! I shall have a niece with me, and Becky will be 18 then. We very well may have other passengers, I do not know, and as it is so far away, I am not sure of the flight costs at all. We return the same way, with a further stay at MalaMala.
I very well may have seen, what you saw - the Styx Pride on a zebra - as it was on the cyberdiary. Who was your ranger/tracker team at MM, Tom?
Kind regards
Kaye
I believe it is a charter plane, which goes from MM airfield to somewhere to refuel in Botswana, then onto Mashatu -no need for customs if I remain at the reserve and I return the same way. We leave about 10.30am and get there in about 90 mins, in time for lunch.
While it was a bit expensive, it wasn't ridiculous and with the very reasonable price of Mashatu, I really want to see eland and ostrich again! I shall have a niece with me, and Becky will be 18 then. We very well may have other passengers, I do not know, and as it is so far away, I am not sure of the flight costs at all. We return the same way, with a further stay at MalaMala.
I very well may have seen, what you saw - the Styx Pride on a zebra - as it was on the cyberdiary. Who was your ranger/tracker team at MM, Tom?
Kind regards
Kaye
Sep 29th, 2007 | 06:41 AM
#18
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
Rhoda, I was holding space for the single room at MM in August but just released it as I will be going to Mala Mala and Mashatu in July with Sundowner (Cindy)!! Just imagine me doing cartwheels right now 
Kaye, maybe we will be crossing paths? That would be awesome. We haven't decided on whether to drive or fly to/ from the camps. But it sounds like there are interesting things to see if you drive. We have 276 looonnnnggg days to work on it.
Kaye, maybe we will be crossing paths? That would be awesome. We haven't decided on whether to drive or fly to/ from the camps. But it sounds like there are interesting things to see if you drive. We have 276 looonnnnggg days to work on it.
Sep 29th, 2007 | 01:23 PM
#20
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
Nancy,
Will you be renting a car or hiring a driver? Any details you can offer would be helpful. Company? Cost? Feel free to email me if you like. What made you decide to stay in Makhado vs Tzaneen?
Sorry Rhoda about piggybacking. Will continue on my own post.
Will you be renting a car or hiring a driver? Any details you can offer would be helpful. Company? Cost? Feel free to email me if you like. What made you decide to stay in Makhado vs Tzaneen?
Sorry Rhoda about piggybacking. Will continue on my own post.
