I need help in deciding where to go in RSA in June 2006. It will be my 2 kids (ages 9 & 11) and me for 5 nights. I want the best game viewing for the smallest price and don’t care about the rooms or the food. I’m working with Rocco on this and the camps I’m considering are:

Elephant Plains in Sabi Sands and they share traversing rights with Simbambili and Chitwa Chitwa. According to their website, the price for the 3 of us would be appx $490 per night.

King’s Camp in the Timbavati area, appx $830 per night

Mashatu Tent Camp (owned by Rattray’s) in eastern Botswana, appx $540 per night. Mashatu does have a hide behind the camp that is very close to the waterhole plus they have other activities. http://mashatu.com/activities.htm

I believe the transportation to each will be around $500 per person, round trip.

The problem in deciding is I can’t find many reports about these camps. I found only one here on fodors about Elephant Plains and it was good. I was in Mashatu for 2 nights in Aug 2003 but I don’t know what it will be like in June.

The only place I have been in SSGR is MalaMala and the game viewing was awesome. Although I would love to go there again, we just can’t spend that much on this trip.

Anyone have any bright ideas? Or other camps to consider?

I'd stick with Rocco if I were you, he seems to know the lie of the land and has expressed his ability in matching desires/needs with budgets in previous posts.

From what I can gather he has visited most camps and certainly seems to have strong opinions on the ones he has visited, both positiive and negative.

I'm still working with Rocco. He hasn't been to these camps and I was hoping to find someone with first hand knowledge of them. Thanks.

sundowner
Elephant Plains is a good choice. As you noted it is nect to Simbambili and Chitwa Chitwa and will provide excellent oppurtunities for leopard sightings.
As for Kings Camp, it is outstanding. The game viewing is on a par with the Sabi Sands and Timbavati is not as commercialised as the SS. I have had many good times in the Timbavati and the feeling of being in the wilderness is really great. Also the lions in Timbavati are awesome.
Hope this helps

I agree with Gizzy, between the Camps you have mentioned, go for Kings Camp, you will not be disappointed, and the kids will be well looked after by the Ranging Team, they will love it. Check it out on www.kingscamp.com

Well, if nothing else, I sold MYSELF on Kings Camp and have changed my November/December itinerary around to allow a visit!

Unfortunately, Kings Camp was not available for all 5 nights that Sundowner was looking for, but a couple excellent alternatives were found.

Sabi Sabi have purchased a camp from Londolozi called Little Bush Lodge and they accept children. Their rates should fall within your budget. Also try Nottens Bush camp but I am not sure if they accept kids.

Zenz,

Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp:

R3575 for one adult. R850 for each child up to 12 years old. Total price is R5275 or about $850 per night, which is pretty reasonable considering it is a highly regarded lodge like Sabi Sabi.

http://www.sabisabi.com/bush_camp.php