need help in comparing game lodges
 

my husband and I are beginning to plan a safari trip to SA. We've received several lodge recommendations and would like help comparing a few of them. Our priorities are good game viewing, privacy and luxury ,(although we are very casual people and don't want to have to dress for dinner) Can anyone compare the following?: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, King's Camp in Timbavati and Chitwa Chitwa.

I cannot comment on Kings Camp or Chitwa Chitwa, but I have been to Lion Sands Ivory Lodge 4 times. It is a combination of luxury, superb game viewing and possible the best food in all of Sabi Sands. You definitely pay dearly for this, however given that I am going back again in August, I think its worth it.

Dinner is extremely casual, you never have to dress up for anything. If you want to have meals in the privacy of your room by the small dipping pool, that can be arranged also.

Mike

... And we've only stayed at Chitwa Chitwa on the above list (also at Nkorho and Elephant Plains in SSGR.) Not as luxurious as some but a very nice place, benefiting from the pond/dam directly in front of the lodge. We would definitely stay there again.

I don't think it's in the same price bracket at the others, but maybe it has to do with specific timing?

Here is a website where you can check out the traversing area of some of the Sabi Sands lodges.

http://www.sabisand.co.za/

King's and Mala Mala are favorites here. I went to Arathusa last year and loved it, but it is not posh. Perfect for me and DH and the animals at the watering hole were amazing!! Can you go to two? Three nights in Sabi Sands and three nights in Timbavati would be awesome!!

Of those I've been to only Kings Camp - four times. And a fifth this year. KC is plenty luxurious for us. And casual dress. We also like its size, 11 huts, 22 guests max. Value is also excellent with their stay 5 nights pay for 4 or stay 8 nights pay for 6. I'm an 8 night kind of guy :-) . I also have heard many good things about Lion Sands. So here's what you should do, 5 nights at Kings Camp then 5 nights at Lion Sands.

But wait, you're from California, right? (Me too, Orange County). You're going all that way, two long flights, you have to stay minimum two weeks, three is better!! So for another week it's another safari camp :-) . Or perhaps a few days on our own in Kruger National Park :-)

FWIW, here's my Fodors trip report form last Sep 2009 at Kruger, Kings Camp, and Kirkmans Kamp
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...p-sep-2009.cfm

regards - tom

Tom - can you elaborate a teeny bit on how casual Kings Camp is? We'll be there in the fall & I was hoping for casual dress but the brochure photos make it look very posh.

Unlike the "posh" photos most sites show, guests usually stay in safari attire throughout. What some may do for evenings is put on a pair of dark slacks, a great sweater with some chunky jewelry or bright scarf... that's it. On occasion we've seen younger women in spaghetti strap dresses, but still casual. Men might wear a pair of dark slacks, open collared or golf-type shirt and sports/casual jacket.

Unless there's a group celebrating a special occasion, it's rare to see guests "dressed-to-nines!"

LS - Sandi pretty much got it. KC is very casual. I don't remember ever seeing a man with a tie. For evening cocktails then dinner even your regular safari cloths are ok. But I and most others put on a bit nicer garb. That is, basically just good looking slacks!! I even wear same shoes I wear on safari. Now Carolyn may wear a dress instead of slacks (sometimes) but she -will- have different shoes for sure :-) .

You've seen the photos of the KC bungalows, yes, they are large and very nice. Very nicely done in British Colonial. Posh library and bar. Dinning room for breakfast and lunch and for about half of the dinners is very nicely decorated again British. About half your dinners will be in a nice boma. And if your bungalow and other facilities are so nice the staff there, everyone, are even nicer. The manager Warren will come around each morning to your breakfast table, greet you and ask if you need anything. His wife Lisha is also likely to be around to say hello. And all of the staff are simply the best. Did I mention the food? Wonderful, there have been two different chefs since I've been going and both super. Will come out and ask you how you like you meal and if you need anything. Yep, that's all posh for me!!!

regards - tom

Thanks for the Kings Camp info-- sounds so amazing - can't wait until October! It's a relief to know dressing for dinner doesn't require a lot of extra clothes/effort.