turtle78

Hi Everyone,

Planning a trip to SA in November. We are planning on doing a Tented Safari with Honeyguide (anyone used them before?) and then going into Sabi Sands for a bit of affordable luxury. I've checked with Elephant Plains for availability, but they don't have any for our dates. Can anyone please suggest an alternate lodge along the same price line.

Also, I do not know much about the panoramic route, but is that enroute to Manyeleti Game Reserve? And is that a self-drive or something you have to do with a tour group? And roughly how many hours should we allot to travel on the panoramic route?

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Poppins

Hi Turtle

Honeyguide is a superb safari experience. I have been there a few times and am going back at the end of the month. Great value for money.

if you have kids, Khoka Moya is arguably the best kids safari lodge in South Africa.

If you don't have kids, then stay at Mantobeni. It is more romatic and doesn't take kids.

You are going to love the friendly atmosphere and great rangers.

Alternatives to Elephant Plains are Arathusa or Nottens.

Why don't you fly into the Kruger Airport, hire your car there and do the Panorama Route. Less tiring. You need a good few hours though.I would say 4-5 hours. And that without any dilly dallying.

You need to get to your lodge by 2-ish to do the afternoon gamedrive.

SA_Guide

Nottens in the South of the Sabi sands reserve is great but if you don't mind a reserve that is fenced then the best value place i know of is Tangala in the Thornybush. If you are doing the Garden Route then maybe consider a private reserve in the Eastern Cape.
You should spend a whole day doing the panorama route and it is easy to do on your own.

Ngwenya

Hi Turtle

The Panorama Route is one of SA most beautiful regions. Visit the three rondavels and the Blyde River Canyon. Carry on to Bourke's Luck Potholes where you can spend an hour. It is a magic place, especially the area behind the potholes where the Treur River forms rock pools. There are many waterfalls close to the road. Unfortunately they charge an entrance fee now, but you should visit at least one. Skip God's window. From there you have only a restricted view and do Wonder View instead. It is a few hundered meters away on the same road. Skip Pilgrims Rest even it is mentioned in all the tour guides. It is very tourist orientated and not worthwhile. Rather stop in one of the other small villages in the area. Depending on how much time you want to spend everywhere you need half a day.
Enjoy

safaridude2000

Well done Ngwenya. You sound very familiar with the area. Are you a guide? But I would suggest to spend a whole day there. Wouldn't you agree?

Ngwenya

Safaridude, I am a guide indeed and I am very familiar with the area. Concerning half day or full day, it depends. I always do it in 5-6 hours incl. lunch. But of course you can spend a full day there and I am sure turtle has got more time we have.

turtle78

Thanks for the info everyone! Really looking forward to our safari with Honeyguides! No children, but Mantobeni was fully booked. I'm sure we'll fare well at Khoka Moya!

Thanks for all the info and tips on the Panoramic Route! Really looking forward to it!

pippa13

try tanda tula - part of constantia uitzig.
excellent tented camp, good food, good guides and "almost" affordable