jenwo,
that's sad..........

anyway - start all over again...

have a look at


http://www.garonga.com/rates.php
12 bedded lodge greater Makalali Conservancy west of krueger.
here bernie smith (the owner) might give you special conditions when you book the entire camp.
as i don't know the time your are going to travel i have no clue whether that's an option as it's all depending on general occupancy!


just have a look - calculate whether it fits into your range and request a provisional booking which will be held for 10 to 14 days without deposit payment.

if you find something which suits you better - you can cancel the prov.

another one:

http://www.djuma.com/rates.php

bigger lodge with different venues.

good luck!

div

thanks--I will check on both of those places. We are going to be there in June (winter) so do you think it's too cold for a tented room? Should we look for a place that would have a heater?
jenwo

june can be really cold in the early morning hours and late evening for game drives (wear like onion layers, gloves, hat, scarf and fleece/windbreaker.
cmaps/lodges also privide blankets for game drives.

regarding tent accomm:
you get hot water bottles into your beds

it's a matter of personal preferences. i ALWAYS prefer tent accomm because i feel closer to the bush - more authentic feeling.

but of course a lodge provides better accommodations for really cold winter nights. the days should be fine with around 25°C midday.

just visit occasionally i might come up with some more lodges ;-)

div

jenwo
you are quite lucky as my husband is on business and i have no nerv to read....;-)

i copy in only the rates for you to evaluate. further research can be done if the rate fits into your budget...

http://www.chitwa.co.za/Information.htm

here is something in thornybush

the pricetag is for 4 rooms/8 adults/ from 10 to 16 june 09/5 nts - just a trial....

http://eresweb.hti-systems.co.za/tho...?method=submit

simbambili lodge - no rates. you have to request
http://www.simbambiligamelodge.co.za...ain&Page=5

i am reall curious with what you are going to come up ...

good luck!

div

forget about simbambili - they charge mid june for 5 nights/4 rooms/8pax almost 20.000€ means almost 30.000US$
in case you win the lotto...go for it

div

http://www.mohlabetsi.co.za/

http://www.pondoro.co.za/rates.html

tinga lodge:
http://www.queensgate.co.za/tinga.php

div

There are how many private game lodges in South Africa, seems like I heard the number of 600. You will find your price and availability at one of them. Question is, will it be worth it? How can you tell from the web site?

Unless divine54 or someone else has personal experience with the lodge, I'd be hesitant to go. Example, in Sep of 2007 we went on a lion walk at the Tshukudu Game Lodge near Kruger, near Hoedspruit. They are a fenced in property that had a few animals and a lodge. And a morning breakfast walk with a lion. No where near, not even close to the experience of a proper safari camp or even Kruger.

regards - tom

tom
i hesistantly have to agree ;-)

sabi sands is my favourite reserve as i am mad about leopards.

but we have to face reality here:
budget, time of travel and experience/expectations.

the first two facts are to match which is not easy.
based on my experiences which is almost 20 years of safaris in southern and eastern africa i would definately give one of the above mentioned a try.

oh jenwo
have also a look at tanda tula

http://www.constantia-uitsig.com/pag...two-worlds.php

it's also tented but also very good value for money but almost double or even more than EP.
tented!

i must stress that the request (?) to lodge accommodation limits the whole thing.

don't yu think you can make it "part of the adventure" to get them all into tents?
believe me - it's so different from lodge experience!

if i were in your shoes: i would go for it and get them that experience. they won't hang you on to the highest tree in your village. for sure

div

jenwo
if you want to contact me privately:
divine12atwebdotde

div

jenwo - recommend you also read the current thread titled "Green season advise please".

regards - tom

jenwo
i support tom's advise in view to the "green season".
reading these posts enables you to evaluate some posters and their advises ;-)

div

thank you both SO much. You have no idea how much I appreciate the help.

Yes, I think I could get the group to stay in tents. I just wasn't sure since we'd be there during winter, but I think it would be a great experience. I'm open to anything!

I will look at the places you suggested and get back to you with any questions.

THANK YOU!!!

jenwo
but you realiser the "green season" thread is not meant to give you some advise for your very own evaluation in view to camps!

i would really appreciate you read the posts there to enable you to evaluate some posters here ;-) in order to not get trapped in to some old boy/girl network here ;-)

div

ps
have a look at GARONGA. it's an amazing place for all your senses!

and despite there is one fodorite who claims to know i am a TA - may a assure you that i am NOT!
i would love to be one and could get promo-stays but i have to pay as you and others

the green season postings are...interesting. Regardless, I appreciate all the time you've spent helping me, div...and everyone else. Granted I am new to the forums, but, all advice is appreciated. I certainly wouldn't book anything without being sure of it myself. But thank you to everyone.

I did look into Garonga--already booked up!!! So sad. The good places are going fast. I'll keep looking...

jenwo -I'm guessing that the hard part for doing what want is that there are 8 of you? Camps are saying we are full or we only have availability for 2-4, is this what you are finding? How far out are you going, you may have to plan for 2 years out!!!!

One last thought, you may have better luck going to a Travel Agent that specializes in Africa. That might get you there quicker. And save you a lot of "shoe leather". However, TA's are in business to sell so you might also get a lot of sale pitches. If you're in Orange County California, I can recommend one. If not, maybe someone else will offer one. My TA every year has his own group tour to Africa, usually about 20 persons I think. So getting in on that type of arrangement might be easier for 8 of you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

regards - tom

We are in fact going almost 2 years from now (June 2010). It's during World Cup, so I assume that's why it's getting booked so far in advance. I am located in San Francisco, but, the rest of my group is actually in Orange County, so the TA recommendation would be great.

Thanks!

My TA in Orange County, beautiful sunny Southern California, is VIP Travel, Brea CA, 714-529-1581. Ask for Karen or Horst. They have booked five safaris for me since 2005, next one in 9 days .

regards - tom

TWENTYTEN..............gosh
jenwo - good luck! your'e not one day too early!
for that a TA might be really a good choice as they do mostly block bookings. but i doubt any TA has got any blockage for that period.

anyway - hurry up with whatever you do - all of southern africa is a outragously sought after destination around june/july 2010...........

div

one more idea:
if you are not soleyl focused on to krueger have a look at madikwe reserve - north of joburg.
that area is not so well know yet and might have capacity desite the fifa circus:

http://madikwegamereserve.net/

http://www.madikwe-game-reserve.co.za/

http://madikwe.safari.co.za/

if that's an option...........just post