Phinda/Lebombo/3rd camp?
 

We're scheduled to spend 6 nights in Phinda (3 at Rock, 3 at Vlei), followed by 3 nights at Singita Lebombo in August. Now we're trying to pick a third camp in South Africa...where would you go?

p.s. I think I've read too much and am suffering from research fatigue. I just can't seem to pick a third camp; all of a sudden I have become totally overwhelmed by the options.

It would help to know what interests you.

I've been waiting for Mala Mala to be vigorously suggested here. Guess I'll have to do it. I picked Mala Mala as one of two safari camps for a June trip. Phinda is the other one. Both will be firsts for me.

Singita Lebombo is in Sabi Sands, right? Singita lists five camps and I'm not sure which is where. If so, how about another camp not in Sabi Sands but close by, just a little "lodge hopper" flight away. Maybe Kings Camp? (I have not been to Kings Camp yet).
If Singita Lebombo is not in Sabi Sands Reserve, then I'd suggest a camp in Sabi Sands, Mala Mala, Leopard Hills, and others.
Other camps may not quite match the opulence of Singita, so I don't know if that matters to you.
You could really rough it by renting a car and being your own guide in Kruger. Kruger is a do-it-yourself kind of safari and is fun in its own way and at about one-twentyth (5%) the cost of Singita.
regards - tom

Tuckeg, good question. By last night, I was so totally overwhelmed with the options that I did not ask my question very well.

I'm taking my parents - very adventurous 60-year olds. While not a diva, my mom definitely enjoys comfort and service at the end of the day, as well as good wine.

I am big into photography, so I am probably most interested in going someplace that would round out what I will see/shoot at Phinda and Lebombo - both wildlife and vista wise.

Atravelynn...me too. :-D

Lebombo is in Kruger, northeast of Sabi Sand, along the Mozambique border. We liked the idea of some opulence for a few days, but in a slightly "wilder" location. However, we definitely do not need (nor want to pay for!) that kind of luxury for our entire trip.

I would think a camp in Sabi Sands definitely (unless you have already been there and looking for something different). Sabi Sands will most likely be your best chance of leopard sightings. So maybe Singita Ebony or Boulders, or Mala Mala (Rattray's is their new most luxurious camp), or Londolozi. These three camps are sort of side by side along the river in the interior portion of Sabi Sands, and and are probably the three most well known camps. I've only been to Londolozi Tree Camp which I loved.

I don't think you have mentioned when you are going. If those camps are all full, then there are a number of other camps in Sabi Sands, many of them quite lux.

If you want to try a tented camp for a little more authentic feel, then maybe try Ngala Tented Camp which is in Timbavati reserve (north of Sabi Sands). Ngala is part of CCAfrica, the same company running Phinda. However, I'm not sure that the game veiwing there is supposed to be quite as good as in Sabi Sands.

How many more nights do you have, and why so many nights in Phinda? I believe that Phinda is supposed to have several other activities besides the usual morning and afternoon game drives, so I assume that you are planning on some of these since you have six nights there?

brandywine, did you ever write a trip report about your stay at Londolozi? If not, what did you love about it?

Thinking 2-3 more nights. With respect to Phinda, we are staying at two different lodges in the reserve. Plus, I understand there are several different ecosystems within the reserve and lots of activities besides the usual game drives, so we wanted to make sure we had enough time to experience Phinda fully. We once stayed at Explora in Torres del Paine for 7 nights and I wish we had a few more.

We're going in August. I think you all are probably right - our best bet is to go to Sabi Sands.

Definitely leave at least three nights in Sabi Sands.

I've only been on one safari (but leave in about two months for our second), so others here on the board have more experience, but Londolozi was my favorite of our four camps for a number of reasons. It was our first camp, and since everything there went so well, I think that left a special place in my heart. I liked the small size of Tree Camp, only six suites, and the camp was not full when we wre there in June, so only 3 of the 6 suites were occupied which made for a very quiet and intimate feeling. The game veiwing was probably better at Sabi Sands than any other place we went(including Botswana), but sometimes that's the luck of the draw of course. Night game drives in particular were better here. Two out of three nights were quite memorable. Our suite had its own plunge pool (too cold in June) and a nice private sala. The service was better here than any of our other camps. Our ranger and tracker were excellent at Tree Camp, but I'm sure that the rangers at Singita and Mala Mala are very good also. We were there for an anniversary, and some special touches were made at night in our suite one night, and another night a wonderful private dinner was set up and served to us in lantern light on our sala. It was all in all just a really nice experience.

Londolozi was still under the management of CCAfrica when we visited, and is now under the management of the Vartys (the owners), and I believe they have done some refurbishing. I can't recall any trip reports yet since the Vartys have taken over.

I think that Londolozi, Singita, and Mala Mala each have their own "style" so to speak, not just the rooms, etc. but the way they run the camps and the feeling of the camps. So some people are really happy with one more than another because it happens to fit them better.

Jasher (Julian) has been to all three quite recently, but did not finish his trip report, but he would be a good source of the differences.

Thanks brandywine, I really appreciate it. Can you tell me the name of your ranger and tracker?

Obviously, a ton of people on this board love MM. But for some reason, and I cannot put my finger on why, I feel turned off by it.

If you ever want detailed Peru, Chile, or Mexico information, let me know.

We stayed at Vlei (free upgrade from Forest) in late February and I envy you your upcoming trip. We loved Phinda and wished we had more time so that we could have taken advantage of scuba/fishing,sightseeing plane.Ah-the plunge pool, the food!oh that's right-animals too...4/big 5 sighted

Have you thought of Lion Sands also in Sabi Sabi? It ranks right up there with the best. If you would like contact information please let me know. Mike

hills,

I have been on only one safari--Phinda Forest, Londolozi, and Ngala Tented.

I think your third camp should be in the Sabi Sands, if you have never been there. You will see every animal you may have missed at the other lodges (although we did see cheetah and the big five at Phinda, and if one is keeping a scorecard, they ranked highest).

Lebombo may be similar to Ngala in sightings (good but not overwhelming) but for sheer number of animals (around every corner it seemed), I think everyone should experience the Sabi Sands at least once.

If I was to go back to Sabi Sands, I would probably try another camp just for the variety.

CW

SueHoff,
How did you manage the free upgrade from Forest Lodge?

hills27,
I've been to both Phinda forest and Singita ebony, both are amazing top camps.
I would try Ngala which I haven't stayed at but have heard good things about or try a camp not quite as Luxy for a change of pace. We went on to Duma Tau camp [Linyanti reserve] and Kwetsani [Jao reserve] wild dogs right outside the camp- both wonderful.

Wow, thanks for all the input everybody.

Ngala definitely interests me, but my mom is a bit leary of a tented camp for her first trip to Africa. She read a review on Trip Advisor that scared the living daylights out of her. While I think the person that posted was a complete ninny, I think we will have to save the tented camp for next time.

I'm definitely convinced - somewhere in Sabi Sands. My travel agent is going to check on availability.