Ngala walking camp or ngala tented
 

Am planning a June trip to SA; has anyone done the walking safari CCA offers at Ngala; and has anyone stayed at Ngala tented camp..my sig. other wants to stay in tents while in SA and thats all I have found. Also what is mid-day temp that time of year..heard chilly am's (used to that) but hopefully will warmup for midday??Thanks!

Hi Dana,

We stayed three nights at Ngala Tented in September. We loved the camp and the tents. They are canvas but are so large and nicely done, that I could have lived there forever. The pictures on CCAfrica's website don't do them justice. There were buffalo outside our tent a couple of nights, when we were escorted "home," and a resident bushbuck was often seen nearby during the day. We were in tent 1, closest to the Sand River bed.

We really enjoyed our game drives there, and though the animal sightings were not as over-the-top as in the Sabi Sands, we did see a couple of breeding elephant herds and a large buffalo herd passing through, along with quite a few lions, including cubs. We also saw rhino, hyenas, and the usual game. I liked the openness of the reserve and the fact that we (actually our tracker and ranger) had to work a little harder sometimes for good sightings. I would definitely return there.

We liked the laid-back atmosphere and the flexibility a small camp gives you. It was in the low 50sF in the mornings in September, but warmed up considerably mid-day. We were never really cold but wore layers early and late (including to dinner).

I loved staying in the tent and would go out of my way to find tented camps in the future.

My trip report is here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34898193

There is another tented camp in the reserve adjacent to the Timbavati area as well. Their website is: http://www.honeyguidecamp.com/

CW

Correction: though the river bed is sandy--it's the Timbavati (seasonal) River, not the Sand River at Ngala Tented.

Did the walking at Phinda. I'd think Ngala is perhaps wilder and nicer for a walking experience. I say go for it........

Hari

CC Africa run very professional operations in South Africa and elsewhere, and both Ngala Walking Safaris and Ngala Tented Camp are no exception! You will have the time of your life! June is a great time for walking safaris, because it won't be as hot and humid as our summer months, and chances of rain spoiling your activities are very slim! Day time temperatures will be pleasant, with evenings and early mornings being a bit chilly. Enjoy!

Hello cw, thanks so much for your review and pics! Did you book through CCAfrica directly? Would you mind sharing your cost of this camp (if they broke it down?) again, thanks for a great reply Dana

Hari and Tanya, a great thank you to you both also. I feel like it is something we should add -- too many lodges for a three week trip, so the tent addition should add another dimension. Thx! D..

Dana,

I don't have the breakdown of costs (I was new to all of this then, and didn't ask). We stayed nine nights at CCAfrica camps and I know we received a long-stay discount. Air transfers added to the costs. (The nine nights including four air charter transfers, and ground transfers at JNB cost ca. $12K US, I think). We were fortunate that at the time we paid the balance due, the ZAR conversion v. US$ was more favorable than when we paid our deposit.

We did book through CCAfrica and there were no hitches--everything ran smoothly. That said, I will definitely talk to some TAs for the next trip. I do have to say that the CCAfrica lodges/camps were all wonderful, and our guides were very impressive.

CW

Dana,

I booked my Phinda trip directly with CCA also. First class service and response from them. I dealt with one of their reps, Leigh. She is brilliant!!!

Hari

Thanks all, I have read so much on CCA; I guess it is safe to do business with them through internet; I live in a town where most travel agents book Hawaii and Europe; not many African trips --so this forum has helped immensely! D.

Related to Ngala,we are staying at Ngala Main Camp in October, and we are still trying to hear from other people who have been to the Main Camp.Thanks for any feedback.

we stayed at main camp and loved it - the food,accomm. and staff were fantastic and we had good game viewing. We flew in from Jo'burg which was also a terrific experience. My husband and I both lead busy lives and felt that we have never relaxed so quickly on a holiday. we booked this and trip to Capetown and Fancourt golf resort on Garden route through CCA and found service and pricing good.

Hello Dana,

I'd second the recommendation of Ngala Tented Camp -- I've stayed there and those tents are incredible! Definitely the poshest tents I've yet to stay in. You have the experience of being under canvas without any sacrifices in comfort whatsoever.

Honeyguides is a small camp which emphasises walking safaris. It's not as posh as Ngala and has a more rustic, bushy feel to it.

You can see some photos of both camps in the Safari Photo Album. Honyeguides is in the Manyeleti Reserve and Ngala is in the Timbavati Reserve (the camps are arranged alphabetically by country and reserve).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasher/sets/

June in SA should be mid-20s C (70s F) during the day.

Cheers,
Julian

Thanks all for your suggestions and recommendations on Ngala Tented. We've decided to go for it and will end with a few days in Sabi Sands. Reading all the posts has become such an addiction. I love it; thanks again! Dana

Jasher, your photos were unbelievable; makes me want to start all over with my itinerary! Great job; I hope to see as much beauty as you did. Thanks for sharing..Dana

Hi msd!

We were so happy to read your enthusiastic response about Ngala Main Camp! We had almost given up hope that anyone had ever stayed there. If you have a chance, we would love to hear any details about the size and accomodations, dining experience and setting, and especially game drives:
(how many passengers in vehicle and type of vehicle, guide and tracker, etc.) Thanx very much in advance for any info you are able to share!

Hello,

Thanks for your compliments on the photos. Though the Ngala Tented photos do happen to be mine, credit for many of the photos must go to the Fodorites who have generously contributed to the Safari Photo Album. Please keep the photos coming!

Cheers,
Julian

Will do...a big thank you to all the fodorites who contribute to these forums with their expertise, photos and many suggestions. So helpful to those of us planning our dream trips! Dana