To anyone who has gone there - Did you go any of the extra excursions? Costs?

Were the plunge pools heated? Were there any children when you were there?

Did you see bush babies or genets? Favorite guides?

Clematis-
Can't remember if the plunge pools were heated. Didn't get in. But the water was warm enough when I stuck my hand in.

No children while I was there.

Didn't see any bushbabies or genets but I wasn't specifically looking for them either.

I did a couple of the extra excursions. "The flight of the fish eagle" and did the horseback riding at Sodwana Bay.
I don't remember the cost either but I don't think it was too bad.

The flight of the fish eagle was awesome. I do recommend it if you have the time.

Wanted to dive and do the river boating but ran out of days.

We had a great guide, Tuhlani and his tracker Peter.

Hope this helps.

We stayed at the Forest Lodge at Phinda, so I can't answer your Vlei question. We took the trip to Sodwana Bay for snorkeling. I can't remember the cost but CCAfrica had sent a list of all of the side trips with their cost.

It was a windy day so the snorkeling was not great but we enjoyed our time there. The beach goes on forever and the views from the plane coming and leaving were terrific. We had the option of staying as long as we wanted but returned early afternoon so we could go on the afternoon game drive. The pilot flew over the St. Lucia Wetlands on our return.

We took the afternoon boat trip one day and afterwards on our return drive to camp after dark, we saw a genet (and a white-tailed mongoose, mother cheetah and three cubs, and rhinos and wildebeest on the runway).

Our guide was also Thulani--not sure how common a name it is--maybe the same person? He was terrific.

CW

Wasn't at Vlei, but saw quite a few bush babies at Forest in the same area, one made almost nightly appearances over the boma.

If you want to see a genet, there is one living over the bar at Mountain. She raised a family there last year.

Divewop, I couldn't imagine how the plane could get low enough to see sealife in that excursion?

Can you say a little more about it? How easy was the horse ride and for how long if you recall? Thank you and to CW for the guide info.

Tuckeg, maybe we'll have to see if we can go over to the Forest bar one night.

Divewop,

Where did you go on the horse and how experienced of a rider must you be?

Guys-
The horseback riding I did was on Sodwana Bay Beach. Up and down the dunes and on the beach near the surf. I think you might be able to ride somewhere else. And I believe the ride lasted for an hour.

They will put you on a horse to match your skill level.

My ex had never really ridden before so we opted for an easy ride. I would have liked to do something a a little more challenging and a little longer. Oh well, maybe next time.

Clem-
You would be amazed at what you can see from the flight. I would say we were no more than 1000 ft up when over the water. And knowing that the whale sharks were 30+ feet long made them easy to spot. As were the turtles and dolphins etc. They were pretty close to shore and the water is pretty clear.
They regularly use the planes to monitor the count of the whale sharks as well.

The land around Sodwana Bay and Kwazulu Natal is wondrous to see from the air.

Thanks, Divewop. Maybe I'll ask for you ex's horse.

Clemastis1,

The genet is over the bar at Mountain, and she only spends the daylight hours there. At night she goes hunting. When you meet at the bar for coffe before morning game drives she is just going to sleep.

Forest has the bush baby, but he/she is not regular enough to justify a visit. I mentioned it to show they are commo in the sand forset area. I don't know when you are going, but in the November-Feb? period the turtle night drives are really interesting. We saw a leatherback laying her eggs. Have a great trip. Tulani (sp?) is an excellent ranger as others have mentioned. Have a great trip!

I'll be there in June, so no turtle drive for us. But it sounds like there are so many other things to enjoy anyway.

Were you all able to book the excursions on site or did you reserve these ahead? And what room did you stay in if you recall? We like to request one with a good view when there are differences and the more private one rather than one closest to the lodge.

Clem-
We booked the extra excursions upon arrival after we chatted w/ the managers about the choices, so no worries about booking anything in advance.

All the rooms at Vlei have superb views and are spaced adequately apart. Three on each side of the lounge/restaurant. I think we had either room 1 or 3, the furthest away on the right side, when you are standing in front, facing the lounge.