Sabi Sands & The Bachelor
 

So, I'm not a fan of the show, The Bachelor, BUT I have to watch tonight because they are on a date in South Africa at Sabi Sands.
We are in the middle of planning our first trip to the continent. I am so excited for our first safari. We are considering South Africa in the Kruger Park area or Kenya and Tanzania.
This show is sure making decisions harder for which country but easier that I definitely can't wait to go!
Anyone else watching?

I'm watching and it's SOOO gorgeous! I wonder if the fantasy suite in the tree is there all the time or was set up special for the show.

I love it! Yes, they have the tree house. Here's their link.
http://www.lionsands.com/experience/treehouse.php

I have been to all three properties at Lion Sands in the past two years. Brad & Chantel where using a suite at 1933 and the tree house. Brad & Emily were in a luxury room at River Lodge and Brad & Ashley were at Ivory Lodge. The rose ceremony was at 1933.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

Happened to see this post just as the show was about to start on the west coast. Going to SS in Sept. so quickly tuned in -- saw just as quickly that it was going in a direction I did not want to go in (never heard of it before) so turned off sound and looked up periodically to the great shots of scenery & animals. It just adds to the excitement!

Flipping thru channels, stopped to see what this was all about, coming in at the promo before they showed the Fantasy suite. Immediately knew Brad had "issues" and I'd have no patience, but did wait to see the Fantasy suite. Quite lovely, but the program wasn't going to be to my liking, so was out of there!

shouldbewriting-that is a great way to watch it. My 21 yo dd was here. She had never seen it before either. Family consenus was the same. We only watched for the South Africa scenery. That part was mesmerizing.

Some of the shots were also at Tinga, which is in Kruger and managed by Lion Sands. It sure made me feel home sick watching it, although the show itself....well... enough said :)

Mike

Here's the observation I made when reading that that program is recorded at that lodge in SS;

1) I cannot afford to go there
2) People who basically don't give a rat's a$$ for nature and for the lowveld in particular, they DO get to go there, as long as you have the money and/or get the money from someone else.

Don't interpret the above as jealousy. I am not jealous, as there are other places I can go to, even in that same reserve (for instance, I'll be at Umkumbe in a couple of months). The only thing I'm trying to say is; I wonder how many people go there for the right reasons.

B.regs,

J.

<i>"I wonder how many people go there for the right reasons"</i>

... for those that do, I'd have to assume it's the right reason for them.

Not all travelers have the same goals, interests or budgets, nor might want to travel/stay where others might select; why there are so many choices to fit those who do venture anywhere!

Pixelpower, since I have been there, are you saying I do not care about nature? I would prefer if you do not speak for me or about me in that manner. You do not know me or what I care about. Generalizations like that are at not a good way to make a point.

I think you need to get some facts before you express your expertise in things you know nothing about.

Mike

Mike,

WHERE did I say that everyone - which would mean including you - goes there for the wrong reason? I said I wonder HOW MANY. That is not "everyone".

Sandi puts the finger in the wound; "for those that do, I'd have to assume it's the right reason for them". I guess that's what it comes down to, yes.

But that's all I wanted to point out; their reason may be to soak in a bathtub full of flower petals, or to dine & wine like a king in an airco'd restaurant, or in the case of "the bachelor" to exchange bodily fluids with as many bimbos as possible (I assume the format is the same over there as it is here).

Now I hope everyone can forgive me for not liking the fact that the little prime habitat we have left sometimes goes to waste to people who's main reason for being there is NOT nature?

B.regs,

J.

You said "People who go there..." and I am a people. If you added the word "Some" in front of it, would have been better.
For the most part, the many times I have been there, the folk I have met have been there for the right reasons.

Mike

No I did NOT say that.

I said "I wonder how many people go there for the right reasons". Exact words.

You took something personal for no reason. End of story.

J.

There is another good thing about the private game reserves aside from excellent accomodations, great food, generally newer vehicles, long time experienced guides, etc; Most of them run profitable businesses and therefore sustain the natural environment and the animals in perpetuity.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

Who's to say what "the right reasons" are? It seems to me to be completely subjective, and those who go have the right to determine that for themselves. Just because you may not agree with why they're going doesn't make it the "wrong reason."

@Craig; I agree 100%.

Whether we like it or not; in time, the only remaining wildlife we will have will be the areas that generate sufficient $$ to justify it's existence.

@althom1122;

There may indeed be a plethora of reasons, but it seems to me the top reason should be the wildlife itself, should it not? Or do you think it is OK to (ab)use this prime habitat merely as a decor for, say, a casino?

In the case of the bachelor, the biggest reason for being there was NOT the wildlife. And all I wanted to say is; I wonder how many more bachelor-like type of visitors pass by there. My concern is all that luxury-spa-and-bubble-bath stuff attracts the wrong(*) kind of visitors.

I can't believe the heat I'm getting for just voicing this opinion, nota bene on a website that should be full of nature-lovers and eco-travelers.
(*) Yes, I dare say "wrong" and I'd hoped everyone on this board would agree with me.

B.regs,

J.

While I am in agreement that the show most likely was shallow and silly, I didn't watch. The reality of it was probably many who were watching and don't watch discovery channel said, Wow this is an incredible place. I am going on a safari to naturally see the animals but I honestly will not mind having a bubble bath or two along the way. Wonderful about this world (in most places) we have a choice, whether it be in a 5 star resort or a tent in the bush, you would go away with with memories and I think that is what most of us travel for. Aside from catching a bit of heat Pixel you have contributed very good information, we all open a few can of worms from time to time on here. Some of my friends back home watched the show and said to me, please bring back lots of pictures, case in point - I think everyone who goes on a safari at the end it will all come down to the animals.

MY ONLY TWO CENTS IS THIS: the fantasy suite that Emily and what's his face shared was REALLY BORING. How much did they charge for that? Did anyone else think that? They had a little tiny wicker couch to sit on, for the two of them. Really strange.

I was really surprised to see that lodge displayed in such a boring manner, and had been looking forward to this episode to see the scenery/lodges. Call me lame, whatever.

ALSO- God's window looked spectacular.

@returntoyourseat;

True! You may actually have pinpointed the only positive aspect about this bachelor-in-the-bush (sic) thing. That is; the beauty of nature in Sabi Sands may have reached some people who would otherwise never have known about it.

And indeed, one may hope some decide to visit, and in doing so; support the existence of all animals there. I'd like to add my hope to that; I hope some of these people decide to return multiple times, each year with a focus more on nature itself, and less on the excess luggage called "luxury".

After all, choosing "greener" options each year that one returns; it's also a process. I know it happened to me. For my first trip I also was afraid of "getting sick" or "being too hot" or "not safe", so I looked for the "five stars" venues. Simply because I did not know better.

B.regs,

J.