Roccco

Courtesy of www.xe.com

The Rand is finally back to over 7 to the USD!

7.03, officially.

Would like to see it get to eight and then, that's it, I'm putting a deposit for next year. Difference in price if the Rand is 6.7 or 8.04? 20 PERCENT!

www.e-gnu.com offers Singita at a small discount of 6,375 ZAR pppns (12,750 ZAR per room per night).

At 8 ZAR to 1 USD, Singita Lebombo drops from $1,900 USD per night (calculated at 6.7 ZAR to 1 USD), all the way down to $1,593 USD per night. Even at 7.35, it drops down to just below $1,750 USD.

For anybody staying 10 nights in South Africa, a 20% savings represents two free extra nights, so it really is a big deal.

safarinut

Roccco

This website offers the lowest pricing for Singita at R6 150pp/night.

http://singita.go2africa.com/lodges/lebombo_rates.asp

safarinut

Roccco

This one even better at R6120pp/night

http://www.rcjm.co.za/specials.htm

mgmargate

Roccco: I hope to god you are wrong. Kerry has no core,He decides what to do by poll and his stated policies would be a disaster unless you want the U.S. to be more like the welfare state, France.

Favor

People, you are truly ignorant if you think pure democracy (aka mob rule) is something to aspire to. It's one of the most base forms of governance possible. Thank goodness the founding fathers rejected it.

Roccco

Safarinut,

Thanks for that link. 255 ZAR pppns is a nice little savings (6120 vs. 6375) and over three nights should pay for my transfer between Mala Mala to Singita and then from Singita to the nearest airport.

On another subject, please tell me the difference between a standard room at Mala Mala and a suite. Thanks.

mgmargate and favor...why are you talking politics on a travel forum?!

mgmargate

Roccco: Are you in a fog. Read your post 4/30.

safarinut

Roccco

I've sent an e-mail to Mala Mala requesting info on the new Harrys so will soon report back.

The suites at Main Camp are in the Sable Unit:

The Sable Unit is a decentralised facility situated in the southern area of the Main Camp.
It caters for a maximum of 20 guests and offers all the privacy and intimacy of a smaller camp.
The Sable Unit is equipped with its own dining area, lounge, bar, boma, swimming pool and viewing deck.

The Suites are much bigger,all have a nice elevated view of the Sand River,wooden game viewing deck,separate lounge area,his and hers bathrooms,mini bar etc.So the difference I would say is:

1)Size
2)Location
3)Elevated view
4)Separate lounge area.

Keep in mind you are going to this GR for game viewing and the accommodation will surely not blow you away,whether you stay in a suite or not.

I really liked suite number 17 as you have a great view here.The Lions Den is also nice but too big for 2 people.

I will keep you informed on the new Harrys as soon as I get a response from Mala Mala.

Roccco

SSSCCCCHHHHHWWWWWWOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!

(The sound of my last post flying completely over mgmargate's head!)



mgmargate...thanks for reminding me but, yes, I am aware that I started in on the politics, hence the reason for the little winky guy at the end of my post.

Roccco

leopardman,

Do you know if Kwando and/or Wilderness Safaris have released their 2005 pricing yet?

Also, any idea if Kwando Tsum Tsum will be ready for 2005 and how far it will be from Kwando Kwara? If it is as close to Kwara as Lebala is close to Lagoon, then I would prefer one or the other and then opt for a third camp of either Duma Tau or Savuti.

Before I waste too much of anybodys time, I will wait for 2005 pricing and possibly first visit the Lower Zambezi to see how much I like it. If I like it enough, it would be perfect to next year start out with four nights at Chiawa or Sausage Tree Camp, two nights at Sussi Lodge in Victoria Falls (formerly Sussi & Chuma, but now Sussi Lodge and Chuma House, CH being the most amazing accomodations I have ever seen in Victoria Falls but for four guests or two very wealthy guests!).

A little more on Chuma House...you get your own chef, your own butler, your own patio overlooking the Zambezi River, and possibly even your own swimming pool. It is completely separated from Sussi Lodge, offering a very nice level of exclusivity. Rack rates start at $1,800 per night for the house, but I have a feeling that one could probably get it from $1,200 USD, when split by four people is a pretty good deal considering all the amenities and exclusivity.

So anyway, I could see an itinerary like this:

Chiawa or Sausage Tree Camp (4)
Sussi Lodge, or if a second couple joins us, Chuma House (2)
Kwando Lagoon (3)
Kwando Kwara (3)
Cape Town (4)
Mala Mala (3)
Singita Lebombo (3) - Great way to end a fabulous trip and to celebrate a 5th anniversary.

Roccco

mgmargate,

since we are on the subject of wind...

AIRHEAD

Roccco

Safarinut,

Thanks for the response on Mala Mala. I love the fact that Mala Mala has its own airport. Due to the fact that I will likely be flying in from Cape Town, it makes a really big difference, since I will already have to connect in Joburg and would hate to fly into Hoedspruit or Nelspruit and then have a one hour transfer on top of that.

How much, if any, do you have to pay for a road transfer from Mala Mala's airport to the Sable Unit?

Thanks.

safarinut

Roccco

The transfer from Mala Mala's airstrip to the camp is complimentary and won't take more than five minutes.It's more or less the same as Singita's scenario

Roccco

I do not even understand how this works. The stock market tumbles in the USA today, yet the USD is stronger against the Rand (7.05 ZAR to 1 USD) than it has been in 3 months?

Glad I have more South African Rand than I do U.S. stocks!

rubytwo

This is highschool civics ... The Founding Fathers felt that it would have been unfair to smaller states not to have equal representation in government. Therefore, the representation in the House is based on population. Equality was balanced by having only two senators from each state. And as to New York, New Jersey whatever??? Suppose someone said California, Wyoming...whatever??? That is a bit arrogant.