Have been watching Africam for years & am quite taken with Nkorho Bush Lodge. Looking for input - is it - and the Sabi area - as wonderful as it looks on the web? Friend & I are planning a trip in 2011.

I know nothing abouat Nkorho and I don't watch the webcams for fear of getting hooked and getting nothing else done...but the Sabi Sands is an excellent wildlife habitat with amazing sightings.

Please share the details of your trip as they emerge.

Will do; watch for more questions about safaris - we're just getting started w/the planning!

Sabi Sands in general is a greatb pleace particularly for big cats! Not so much cheetah but leopard and lions.

I have no info on Nkorho - but you should consider the following:

- the bigger the concession the better. Or it should have traversing right with neighbors.
- a stream flowing thru the concession is definitely a PLUS as far as the wildlife is concerned! Also it's adding to the cat experience!
- make sure they grant every passenger in the car a window seat if you are very much into photography! Occupying the middle seat is extremely unpleasant particularly in rough terrain and when taking photos!
Also the more people on board the more movement - which also is embarrassing while taking pictures!
Generally speaking: More than 6 pax in a car (3 rows!) is a deal breaker for photographers.

Happy planning!

SV

We spent three days at Nkorho last fall and loved it. Its true that they have a small property but they share traversing rights with Djuma and Elephant Plains and a couple of others so its really quite large after all. In fact most of those lodges cover the same ground, except for the really exclusive ones like Londolozi. We had leopard right in their "driveway" and leopard and lion sightings on every drive. They only have about 7 cabins so there was never an issue with overcrowded vehicles, although I have to say their vehicles weren't as comfortable as Elephant Plains'. Their property is quite out in the open which was great as you actually had a bit of space to walk around, and their pool was lovely. So I give a thumbs up! More of my comments here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...omment-6084613

These replies are great! Thank you so much.

You can't go wrong anyplace in the Sabi Sands area. You will have an amazing time!

Wow! So much information! Wish I had a year and gazillions of dollars!

Another question - has anyone ever been on safari with the Virginia Wildlife Center (http://www.wildlifecentersafaris.org)? It being a fenced private reserve, I'm thinking it's more like a zoo than other areas. But - I understand they are very accommodating to people w/mobility issues, which includes me!

I am soooo appreciative of all your participation!

MOBILITY issues is nothing which you should worry about!

Just let the Camp/lodge know in advance so they allocate an accommodation close to the main restaurant/meeting point for drives!and they will even put a lader for you to climb the car!
So please don't worry about that one!

I don't know the VWC safaris - never heart of but I am German so that doesn't mean anything ;-)

Fenced is always an issue as it means they have actively MANAGE their wildlife - particularly cats - and the question which arises is HOW they do it means hunt/let hunt the surplus or exchange with other reserves in order to increase the blood lines.

Happy planning!

SV

I know Mala Mala, a Sabi Sands lodge, had ramped wheelchair accessible rondavels (little cottages) in their Main Camp because the person next to me rolled in and out of her rondavel in a wheelchair several times a day.

Game viewing from a vehicle is a fine activity for anyone with mobility issues because you can be assisted in and out of the vehicle. Once you are in, you stay there and observe. You can also be given assistance getting around the camp. Nobody wanders around very far on their own anyway because there are strict rules limiting everyone's mobility to just the lodging grounds, for safety sake. After dining in the evening, the typical routine is for a staff member to personally escort every guest back to their room/tent/rondavel/whatever. So staff are assigned to that duty anyway.

Unless you specifically arrange an active safari with walking, trekking, canoeing, tracking animals, etc. it is a sedate type of trip with minimal locomotion.

You can also request accommodations nearest the dining areas to minimize the distances.

Never heard of the Virginia place, but I think you can widen your horizons to include any spot that fits your budget, which I am sorry to learn is less than a gazillion dollars. Join the club!

Thank you, "spassvogel" and "atravelynn" for your reassuring comments. While I don't need a wheelchair, (hopefully it'll stay that way!), I don't walk real well & don't want to hold the group back in any way. But your nice responses encourage me to take it on!!