nanciej

Hi folks
We are hopefully going to be in SA in Sept and right now are planning 3 nights at Mala Mala. Looks like we are able to get 2 at Rattray camp but they are booked the third. Are we better taking the last night at main camp or Sable camp? Also, is 3 nights a good?

Also, has anyone been to Phinda Mountain lodge since the renovation was finished? Have heard they did a great job...

thanks
Nancie

cw

I would try for three nights at Mala Mala, even if you had to move. The move would be mid-day and you wouldn't interrupt a game drive. Two nights is just not enough, in my opinion.

I can't help you with the remodeled Mountain Lodge. We stayed at Forest Lodge in 2006 and loved it, and loved the specialness of Phinda.

CW

matnikstym

There's not much difference between MM main and Sable. Smaller dinner/lunch seatings, faster internet. Traversing the same area. Rooms are farther down the path but basically the same. Same food, same dancers/singers same gift shop. Smaller pool. Ratray's is completely seperate, MM main and Sable aren't.

HariS

Dennis,

I do believe there is a HUGE price difference between main camp and sable? i doubt, if sable is worth the additional surcharge, though......

cary999

FWIW, the two out of three times I have booked Main camp I have been moved over to Sable. Maybe because they don't want me around the families at Main camp ?

regards - tom
ps - Sable would not be worth the additional charge to me.

KayeN

Hi Nancie

3 nights at MM is good, but 4 nights is better - so I would do two at Rattray's and then 2 at Main Camp. I love Rattray's and Main Camp and I have never stayed at Sable Camp since it has been Sable Camp.

Kind regards

Kaye

matnikstym

Agree Hari, don't see why anyone would pay the difference. We were sent to Sable for meals and our room was one of the last ones on the path, so basically we got Sable for main camp pricing.

napamatt

Go for Main not Sable.

nanciej

Thanks everyone. consensus is loud and clear! Not sure we can make it 4 days but am looking forward to 3. If anyone cares to give their opinion on Phinda Forest Lodge versus Mountain, I am all ears!

Thanks
Nancie

HariS

Stayed at forest lodge in Phinda - that sand forest is one of the most unique and pretty settings - i would recommend Forest, but, i haven't been to Mountain, so i don't know...........

atravelynn

One more cheer for Forest Lodge.

nanciej

Well it looks like we were able to move things around and we can get 4 nights at Rattray's! I keep hearing so many great things and this is here we will be ending our safari so very excited. This also enabled us to get 2 nights at Forest Lodge, which had no availability before. We are pairing this with either Rock Lodge or Mountain. If anyone has been to Rock Lodge (just 6 suites) I would love to hear.

Thanks for all the advice...now we just have to wait for September!

nj

wildcatzoo

I have been to Rock, Forest, and Vlei at Phinda, although about 7-8 years ago now. That was back when I was young and single and we partied with the rangers at night.

I loved all the rooms. I never stayed at Mountain because it was more hotel-like, Rock was much better. How have they remodeled Mountain?

Nancy

KayeN

Hi Nancie

I find it hard to believe that you will be disappointed with 4 nights at Rattray's. I am still going through our photos from Dec/Jan and as usual, I am amazed at what we saw, and we did have very unusual weather with a lot of rain and cold and windy overcast days.

Sorry I cannot comment on Phinda as I have never come close to going there.

Kind regards

Kaye