Sarah

Hi there!<BR><BR>You all are so helpful on this board, so I figured I would enlist your advice regarding my upcoming honeymoon - Sep. 21 - Oct. 5, 2002.<BR><BR>We have researched so many destinations, and really want to go to South Africa for one week, and the Seychelles for another week. Here are our details...<BR><BR>1) We are coming from New York - is this too much for 2 weeks?<BR><BR>2) We plan to spend one week split up in SA -3 nts. Sun City, 4 nts. at a Luxury safari Lodge (we know we don't have time for Cape Town the "right way", safari is more important to us), then the next week at Banyan Tree Seychelles (we also want tropical for our honeymoon).<BR><BR>3) We are so torn as to which lodge we should stay at! Our choices are:<BR> a) Ngala Tented Lodge<BR> b) Londolozi (don't know which part of the camp we should stay in)<BR> c) Singita (same goes for here)<BR><BR>I would appreciate any advice or comments from you - we have been saving for ages, and want to make the right choice. We won't be taking another vacation any time soon, so we want to do this right, and stay at the best places! <BR><BR>We love animals, so definitely want to be at a lodge with great game viewing, and great accomodations.<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the help - it's very much appreciated!! :0 Sarah and Adam<BR><BR><BR>

Simba

Hello Sarah:<BR>Two weeks is such a short time and the best thing would be for you to concentrate on South Africa. There is so much to see and do. If you love animals you won't see any in the Seychelles. Besides this place is highly overrated and highly overpriced. Anyway with two weeks only and coming from New York you should consider staying in only one country

TC

It is a destination only for those with lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ <BR>Didn't you say you have been saving for ages, and want to make the right choice? <BR>In this case I have to burst your bubble. Seychelles is not for you. Sorry but we made this mistake

Lisa

I lived 4 years in SA and is a very beautifull country. I also have been twice on holidays in Seychelles.<BR>I've been several times in SunCity but it is a place I will not recommend to you when you have just 2 weeks in total. There are many much more interesting places in SA. A luxorious safari logde will be find, there are many, also Seychelles have very beautifull beaches (rent a minimoke car at Victoria airport) otherwise it is very boring to stay at your hotel's piece of beach.<BR>In my view the best hotel in Mah&eacute; is The Plantation; The Sheraton have a very small beach, there are some others very good but without sandy beach.<BR>Please think about SunCity, there should be many similar "fake" and artificial places like this one in the USA. It is good if you leave in SA for a weekend but not after making a long trip from USA

local

Yes, Sun City doesn't do it for me either, and I stay here.... More so if you come from far. If you really have to go that way, I would rather recommend places such as KwaMaritane (sp?) or Bakubung (sp?) in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Otherwise, I would rather go to Kruger Park, there is much more to see in the vicinity as well, eg God's Window, Bourke's Luck potholes, Pilgrim's Rest, etc.<BR><BR>I have not been to Seychelles yet but Mauritius was not bad the time we went (many moons ago.) <BR><BR>Hi Lisa, Hey, you mussn't make djokes about our Souf Effrican English (previous posting), we speaks the English tale veRRy deliciously..... [In Afrikaans we a very harsh "r" and the "g" sounds as if you are clearing your throat....]

Lisa

I agree. Sun City is a great place but I would definitely not go there for 3 nights.Be aware that hthere is a range of accommodations at sun City ranging from the more budget accommdations at the Cabanas, to the main hotel, to the Cascades which hopefully has finished being refurbished to the very extravagant and luxurious Lost City. By staying in any one of these, you have access to any of the facilities at any of the places so you are not restricted. Min hotel and cascades are very central and conveniently located. Accommdoation obviously varies aas does the price of food and drink.<BR><BR>If you are going to singita or Londolozi, then I would not go to Kwa Maritane etc as the game viewing experience is superior at the former choices. At Kwa Maritane, you are taken on large truck that can seat up to 20 people and you do not go off road. the ones you ahve metnioned, -onan open landrover with up to 6 -8 others. And you get taken off road.<BR><BR>I cannot speak for Singita or Ngala but if I was on my honeymoon at Londolozi I would go for the part of the camp which has private outdoor showers (in addition to the indoor showers and baths) and a private treehouse deck. I'm sorry I don't remember what they are called. the whole camp is very luxurious but that part is just that extra bit more romantic and special.<BR><BR>Can't speak for Seychelles, but if you are looking for tropical you could go to Plettenburg Bay, Knysna area and the garden route or to the Natal south or north coast. Lots of beautiful areas there.<BR><BR>But I can't believe you would go to SA and not go to Cape Town. I would rather skip Sun City and do 3 days in CT. What about Victoria Falls (Zambian side)? It is also an amazing experience - 1 night Sun City, 2 nights Vic Falls?Or as Local says, once you are already in the area of Sabi Sand reserve and Mmpaumalanga, go to the <BR><BR>And Local, you have a case of mistaken identity going on here. Stop picking on the innocent Lisas of the world.

asdf

THe Banyan Tree is most assuredly now the best resort on Mahe, no question. The Plantation Club is still good but showing its age. There is no Sheraton any more, they got out when it no longer measured up to their relatively low standards and is now a Berjaya.

Chantal

Having grown up in Cape Town and with parents-in-law in Zambian near Vic falls I would agree with the thread that a trip to vic falls is a must instead of Sun City. Furthermore cape Town and the garden route - Kynsna to Plettenberg Bay have so much more to offer than the Seychelles.

Sarah

Hi everyone!<BR><BR>Thank you SO much for your help and advice!!<BR><BR>We are going to leave Sun City out now, and are debating between roughly one week Cape Town/Winelands/Garden Route and one week on safari (we will adjust a few days here or there, maybe 6 days safari, etc) or one week safari and one week Seychelles. Whichever one we skip, we will try to make up for on an anniversary trip! <BR><BR>Thanks again!!!

Martha

Sarah, I just read your post and three years ago for our honyemoon we did the same thing what you are planning to do, to split two weeks between two places. We actually went to South Africa for one week and then to Seychelles for another week. I would never recommend anything like that to anyone. Just too much moving around and we missed so much in SA. I strongly suggest you rethink your plan. Being on your honeymoon, coming all the way from NY (we did too), going through customs and immigrations everwhere, being on the planes too many times is time consuming. Instead waisting our time transfering to the Seychelles we should stay in one country and go to Cape Town and do Garden Route. We wlearned when we were there how fantastic Cape Town is. We do have regreats that we planned too much but at that time we wanted to see as much as possible. Well, that was a big mistake. Also my husband and I agreed that Seychelles is one of those places where we go once and one time is enough. <BR>Last Friday we returned from Mauritius and this is a place we will retun as soon as we have enough money. Maybe in 10 years. Anyway, please let us know when you decide.<BR><BR> We are planning to go to Cape Town in about 3-4 years. We are dreaming to go there since our trip to SA.

Lisa

One thing to remember is that Sept is not really warm enough for swimming in CT, (correct me if my memore fails me, Locals). You'll be doing more sightseeing. It may be OK to lie on a beach but the Ocean in the CT area towards Clifton, Llandudno, Camps Bay Beaches is cold all year round as it gets the Antarctic Currrents. The ocean by Muizenberg, Simonstown, False Bay is warmer.<BR><BR><BR>If you are from the NY area, it would be a lot easier (and cheaper airfare)to go to islands in the Carribean or to Bermuda and Bahamas than to go to Mauritius and Seychelles.<BR><BR>My vote is if you are going all the way there, go to SA.<BR><BR>I guarantee you, the safari experience will be one of them best experiences of your life! And Cape Town is breathtaking. You can't go wrong.

local

I must agree with Lisa (Waverley) about only SA. You can do Cape Town/Winelands/Garden Route in a week, although it is going to be a rushed job, maybe one or two days extra is better. <BR><BR>September/October must be one of the best months to go to Cape Town and it should be OK to swim at the warmer beaches. Beautiful views of Table Mountain from Blouberg beach but the water is freezing.<BR><BR>Open question - Is anybody going to the Drakensberg? I only see postings about Cape Town, Kruger Park, Vic Falls, etc. but nothing about the Drakensberg? Just curious.<BR><BR>You see, Lisa (Waverley) what you made me do: Lisa(aesquin), my unconditional apologies but I did not pick on you, I wanted to speak to Lisa (Waverley) once upon a time and not to you both twice together.... [I actually did see my mistake after I have posted it, but then it was too late.]

tracy

Hi there Sarah,<BR>I have just recently returned from South Africa, and I must recommend the tour operator that helped me, they are called Wild Sensations Tours & Safaris, contact them on [email protected]<BR>I did a n amazing 3 day safari to the Kruger Park with them, they also helped me with all my accommodation bookings at Sun City and Cape Ton. I know they can arrange flights and car rental, give them a try<BR>Tracy

G-G

Please be aware that Tracy is a travel agent trying to promote her business

jackie

Sarah - we just got back from honeymoon in S. Africa for 2 weeks and 1 week in Mauritius. If you have only 2 weeks, I would skip the Seychelles - the flights kill you and south africa is too beautiful and unique to do in a week. While Seychelles and Mauritius are beautiful, you have the caribbean and mexico here (although the islands are beautiful). Spend more time in africa and instead of staying at one lodge, split between 2 so you get two different experiences (ie. a tented camp and more luxury camp). I haven't been to Londolozi but the Andrew Harper Travel report (a luxury travel newsletter) said the service recently has declined. I can't praise Singita enough. We are trying to figure when we can go back just to Singita. I highly recommend La Couronne (a small leading hotel of the world property) in the wine country. It was incredibly romantic. Phinda Vlei lodge (the newest of PHinda lodges) was great too...

[email protected]

Hi we went to South Africa last year for our Honeymoon. We loved it! We are now planning our return trip. I agree with Everyone I love to visit as many places a s possible however we spent 21 days in south africa and there is still a lot more to see. This time we are planning to go to Mauritius. My advice is to spend a minimum of three nights at a game reserve sometimes the animals are hit or miss we went to mala mala. It was nice but frankly we enjoyed a small game reserve outside of port elizabeth called shamwari better. Look at Bushman's kloof outide capetown for another nice expierence. The Blue Train is worth the money it was great. no more than 2 nights is necessary in the wine lands area. I would be happy to send you our schedule from our trip[ email me i you want it.

Jackie

Id skip Mauritius if you only have 2 weeks (if you must have beach, there are several in south africa) b/c you will waste one day just traveling to seychelles on the plane. Africa has so much to offer, you can always go to the beach. If you are set on Seychelles, I hear Lemuria is the best. On Mauritius, the best place for young honeymooning (and American) couples is Oberoi. The others, while all gorgeous and probably better swimming, cater to a European crowd or are similar to what you would find in the caribbean (casino). We loved the oberoi for our honeymoon last month although it is VERY quiet. Make sure to ask for their honeymoon special (on their web site) which includes a free dinner on your terrace, upgrade (villa with pool - great) and free massages. The beach is a little hard to swim in b/c of the reefs - our only disappointment.

stephanie

WOW...I am brand new to this, my friend Beth introduced me.<BR>I am too planning a honeymoon to SF & I thought Mauritius but it seems a bad idea now that I'm reading everyones responses.<BR>I hear only amazing things about Singita, I too am planning to go there.<BR>Pinda is supposed to be great as is Landolozi.<BR>My travel agent that I'm using reccomends Sabi Sands Earth lodge too.<BR><BR>I didn't plan on spending much time in Cape Town.....who is going to convience me that I should? Any hotel recco's? Remember, it's my honeymoon.<BR><BR>BTW, we are going in late Nov., it's summer there right?<BR>

Jackie

Beth - I just came back from our honeymoon in SF and Mauritius. Cape Town is worth a day or two b/c you really get the feel for what south africa is like. THe city itself is not much but the beaches, wine valley and mountains are unbelievably gorgeous. Do 1 day in Capetown and stay one night at La Couronne in Franschoek in the wine valley. <BR><BR>We stayed at Phinda and Singita and both were amazing. I don't think its worth doing Sabi Sands and Singita as they are both in Kruger Park I believe. Though I have seen brochures of the new sabi lodge and it looks gorgeous. Singita was the best place I have ever stayed and Ive travelled quite a bit. You will have an unforgettable honeymoon. Invest in a good camera and binoculars!

Sarah

Hi again -<BR><BR>Well, thanks to everyone's help and input, we are going to stick to South Africa - one week Cape Town & the Winelands (maybe try to include a couple of days on the Garden Route), one week on safari.<BR><BR>Now we just have to figure out which hotels and lodges we are going to stay at!