As the Spiegelcjs pointed out in the original posting, MalaMala isn't available; hence, my recommendation for adjacent properties. In 2001, I stayed at Harry's Camp in MM in when Kirkman's was a part of MM. We went south to the Kirkman's area as often as any other direction. It was in that area that we saw a large lion pride on a kill and wild dogs.

In February, we had MM vehicles coming into Kirkman's area to see the game we were finding. One can never say what they will see on any given game drive. During my 10-day stay at MM, we had "Big 5" drives and "Mouse" drives (that little furry creature being about the only thing we saw.) Kirkman's has the Sand River running through its area and has traversing rights to about a third or fourth of the original MM property. For a Sabi Sand property, it's reasonably priced (low season rates are currently advertised at ZAR2300, or about $350.) Being a CC Africa camp, you could also combine it with other CC Africa camps for a "long stay" discount rate.

Hari,
Then with respect, don't make the statement that the game is better or worse if you cannot back it up. If you stayed at a lodge and had a pleasant safari experience I believe that is the endorsement that people on this board are looking for, well those that are serious about their travels and not supporting other agendas.

I (as you might have gathered) get frustrated with people offering up misleading non-information in what appears to be an attempt to dissuade from poster x from a choice that might not pair with theirs.

OK, so I have had a rant, sorry folks.

Back to the S/Sand: I worked as a guide for fifteen years betixt and between the Sabi Sand and others. I have seen almost all of the sabi sand properties in my capacity as a ranger as well as a guest. Frankly and quite honestly there is NO difference in the game quantities across the sands. Seasonally there is some minor change but not dramatic. And no the Sand river is not a barrier to any migration, there is no longer a migration in the southern Kruger.

Hari,
Travel safely in these turbulent times & above all I hope you have amemorable vacation.

Mkhonzo,

I fully respect your views and will take great care in what i have to write in here.....sorry, if i offended you in anyway. However, FYI...i do not have any agendas (personally) in favour or against any of these camps. Just what i hv heard and i'm sorry that they aren't my personal experiences....

However, i will say that during my stay at Lionsands in 2003, there was hardly any general game. Lots of impalas, no wildebeest, one zebra sighting, one buffalo bull right by the lodge...However, the viewing of Leopards, Cheetah, Ele, Rhino were all very good. One brief glimpse of Lions inside SS territory.

Game viewing at MM, was very good in 2004. Those are my only 2 personal visits to the SSGR. MM is the only place where i hv personally seen Nyala. Sure, i will see more at Phinda this week. I will add my thoughts about Exeter after my visit this upcoming week.

Take care,
Hari

I've been to MM 9 times and Sabi Sabi 0, MM must be better, because as everyone knows I have impeccable taste.

Either that or you are saving the best for last?

mkhonzo:
You obviously have a great deal of knowledge and experience in this area. We have added Kruger to our list and cut back a little on the rest of the trip as I wanted to make sure we saw the most we can as we are not going at the prime season. We are traveling from June 5 to June 23 and are planning on this area from June 17-and leaving June 20 for Cape Town. Re: Mala Mala vs Sabi Sands Bush Lodge, I am more concerned with the game viewing than the accomodations. If I wanted high end luxury I could stay in California and go to the Ritz Carton and drink Martini's. What confuses me the most is the issue of traversing rights. Are there fences up that divide the various areas. Does Mala Mala have its own area and Sabi Sands another. Friends are staying at Jock SAfari Lodge as we speak and is this a different area also?When researching the Botswana portion of the trip I understood the time of year and issue with the flood waters and different camps; I do not understand this part . Please help.

No fences, the guides know where the property lines are and respect them. Who is your agent? they should be able to explain in great detail all your questions and concerns.

The Sabie-Sand Wildtuin is an entirely private Game Reserve that adjoins the Kruger National Park along its western boundary. The name is derived from the two prominent rivers, the Sabie & the Sand.

Up until 1993 the reserve was isolated from the Kruger by a low fence, which was kept in place simply to restrict the movement of cloven hoofed animals in an attempt to use the Sabie-sand Wildtuin as a buffer between the Kruger Park and the agricultural communities to the west, this was hoped to reduce the spread of foot and mouth disease. In 1993 the Sabie Sands dropped the fence between intself and the KNP consequently becoming an extension of the park.

Within the Sabie Sands there are numerous lodges that have their own land, which they utilise for exclusive safaris. Many of these lodges come up in discussion, Sabi sabi, mala mala, londolozi, exeter, Idube, dulini, singita and so on.

Then more recently the kruger offered concessions to tenders to operate "private styled" lodges within the gtreater park. Although the Jock Camp is one, it was however a camp long before the tender process having been built by the Cecily Nivens family(she's the late grand daughter of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, auther of Jock of The Bushveld) and used by the public. It was later sold and is now what it is. Actually in a great area of the park.

Hope that helps clear the muddy water?

I agree completely with Mkhonzo. I have also stayed in most of the lodges in the Sabi Sand and because we are dealing with wildlife - not a zoo, the game differs from time to time. All of the lodges are in much the same area and the animal roam freely. MM has a bigger traversing area and is one of the oldest lodges.

All of the lodges in the Sabi Sand offer an excellent game viewing experience because there are no fences between them.

Regarding the MM ranger's comments to Hari about the game-viewing not being as good in the Kirkman's area: There is a rivalry between MM and Kirkman's because of their previous association. Think cross-town rivals in football... The rangers and trackers often put down the "other guys", usually in a good-natured way. When we were on a game sighting with a MM vehicle, our Kirkman's ranger (who used to work at MM) said, "Don't get their vehicle sign in your photo!" Still, they willingly communicated with MM to tell them of good sightings in the shared area.

Shaytay - didn't see that. At Rattrays earlier thsi year, we ran across the Kirkmans guides a few times and there seemed to be a very good rapport. In fact when we were broken down, a Kirkmans vehicle picked us up, took us to see some Lions then dropped us back at our vehicle.

My word Napa, you broke down while on safari in a mala mal vehicle, that is very bad news indeed! thought they were too good to break down!
(If I new how to do those yellow m&m things, it would be a winking one)
Cheers, MKZO

You mean like this

:@ b( =; >:-) :-[ :)>-

Showoff! :-D

As I said, napamatt, the rivalry is good-natured. The rangers at each property no doubt take pride in their area. However, when one has a problem, I'm sure the other would not hesitate to help, as you experienced.