Conde Nast.
As I said in another recent thread here, Conde Nast lost all credibility with me when I used their recommendation for a safari camp in 2005, Khwai River Lodge. I think they do rate game viewing and give it the same, or less, scale weighting as the camp's wine list :) .

Spotters/trackers help, I've seen it many times. Especially when they take a portable radio and walk off through the bush. (Sometimes much to the worry of the guests). Seen them do this often and find the game objective. And they are also very helpful when the guide/driver is new to the area. Seen this often also. But at like MM where they have what, 7?, vehicles out with radios, the tracker is not so important. So, answer is IMHO - it depends :)

regards - tom
ps - is there difference between IMO and IMHO?

Tanky - Wow, good to hear from you again. Fortunately, I don't need to justify why MalaMala does not have trackers. That seems like something their marketing people need to do. I do need to explain to clients the differences between camps that do and do not have trackers. Going back a few comments, can you provide more details about your night drives with trackers at MalaMala?

Yip - I take Conde Nast with a grain of salt (as previously mentioned).

Tom - The version IMHO is a bit more emphatic than IMO I suppose.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

Hi Craig

Up until MM stopped using trackers a few years ago, I have always had trackers on night drives though I have only being going there since September 2001. The only place where trackers are usually there and once, when our tracker was given a choice if he wanted to join us one evening after dinner, was a leopard specialist drive at Londo! And what a surprise, he choose not to go on a gamedrive!

I have had quiet gamedrives with trackers and without - on a really windy day for example, a lot of game is hard to find regardless of having a tracker. Having no tracker at MM has really made minimal difference to my gameviewing, which is still exceptional!

Kind regards

Kaye

KayeN,

From my understanding, the trackers at MalaMala could not be made to go after sunset as it was a violation of the union contract. Many of them chose to go out after dark especially if they had repeat guests or if they knew they would get a fat tip.

Hope this helps.

Off to Morocco... Ciao.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

Hi Craig
Have never heard that and have never experienced that. Interesting who you heard that from as I think that it was incorrect info!

Enjoy Morocco!

Kind regards

Kaye

I have been reading these post with much interest, we are going on our first safari in a few weeks. Are you suppose to tip the trackers and drivers, guess I need to know some of these tips.

Some of you have seen my opinions about about Mala Mala in the past. I will not go into any details here about my reasons for not liking Mala which are many. I believe that Mala Mala may indeed have the best game viewing and they may have great rangers, however I will never set foot on their property as a paid guest. If anyone wants to know why, they contact me directly via Fodors. There are been long contentious posts about this subject here on Fodors and I do not want to drag down this thread.

Mike

rtys- Yes, tip the staff. This is my standard response:

Re tipping. I always pay cash (can't guarantee the right people will get it if paid by CC) in US or preferred in Rand. I overtip - I used to rely on tips. I do 20 (min) for guide, 10-15 tracker and same for housekeeping, pp/pn. We (DH and I) have been the only people in a vehicle by chance, so we give a little extra. I give all tips in a thank you note and give personally after our last game drive. Housekeeping I leave note in room before final game drive. When figuring the budget, I add 10-20% for tips. I also lose a bit in conversion, as I multiply USD by 7 or whatever is the closest number at the time, and round up to the nearest 20 Rand. If I can afford to be there, I can afford to overtip by a few dollars.

You're going to love it! Please tell us all about it when you return.

OK. My two cents. Sabi Sabi if you have to choose from these two. Honestly tho, do not do it. We were in that region this summer, and stayed at Rattay's on Mala Mala (http://www.safariguideafrica.com/rat...n-malamala.php)

It beats MalaMala main and sable hands down.

Hope I did not throw a spanner in the works.

MalaMala
Rattray's beats Main camp?
Hope it would since costs twice as much!!!!

regards - tom

Rattray's isn't twice the cost, though. It is 50% more expensive, which buys you:

no kids in camp under 16 years old
max 4 people per vehicle (versus 6)
amazing accommodations, including private plunge pool
elevated dining menu
more flexibility with dining times and other services

You're correct Andy, I did not check before posting, Main is $625 pppn, Rattray's is $925.

regards - tom