Singita or Mateya in February?
 

I am planning to visit a safari camp in late February '07 for 4 nights for our anniversary. I've ordered many brochures and tried to read as many reports as possible trying to decide which safari camp is the best choice. I originally narrowed it down to ten, then 5, now I'm down to 2. Both Singita (Boulders or Ebony) and Mateya (in Madikwe, Maleria Free Zone) sound wonderful and get glowing reports for top shelf luxury.

My husband is more into the game rides and although I'll do some rides, I'm more into the comfort and relaxation, food, spa facilities at the lodge itself. He's happy with my two choices and is letting me make the final decision.

I'm leaning towards Mateya (TODAY) because it is less $ per night and ever bit as nice as Singita. It only has 5 suites and gets glowing reviews. On the other hand TOMORROW I may say well Singita is more established and also gets rave reviews so maybe worth the extra $. I can't figure out why Mateya is less $ than Singita? Is
Singita just over priced? I'm sure we can't go wrong with either, any opinions? Flip a coin?

Thanks for taking the time to read my first post and help me make a decision.

Hi jilllybean,

Personally, I think Mateya LOOKS fantastic. However, after the looks of it, there is no comparison between the gameviewing experience of Madikwe and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, home of Singita.

I did stay at Singita in early March (2002) and it was an incredible experience. Although I have been on safaris many times since, Singita remains the most luxurious lodge I have visited and has offered amongst the best gameviewing I have experienced.

During a short stay at Singita, I saw lions on a fresh buffalo kill, a mother cheetah with three young cubs, numerous leopards, and of course elephants, giraffes, buffalo and more.

Plus another thing to consider is that Singita has its own sizeable private tract of land that only Singita's vehicles are allowed to traverse (I don't know how much offhand, but I am guessing it is 15,000+ acres). Meanwhile, it is my understanding that other than the minimal amount of land that lodges in Madikwe occupy, that vehicles from all over the Madikwe reserve, are allowed free access to all over the reserve. What this means, from an exclusivity standpoint, is that vehicles from any of the 20+ lodges in Madikwe may go wherever Mateya's vehicles go.

The biggest factor, however, is the gameviewing. While Madikwe has an impressive number of species, the overall number of animals does not seem to measure up well in comparison with the Sabi Sand.

As far as luxury goes, both of them are excellent, but due to the gameviewing and the exclusive traversing rights, Singita would get my vote. Singita was my very first safari lodge in Africa and it has led to a passion for me that finally culminated with the creation of my own tour operation. If not for Singita as an introduction to Africa, I don't know if I would have continued to visit year after year, so I do think very highly of Singita.

If you do decide on Singita, I would urge you to not lose too much time in booking, as I have had clients unable to book almost a year in advance for exact dates, and with this being an anniversary visit, you are obviously looking for precise dates. Just remember that anybody who lives in cold areas, be it Europe or anywhere in the U.S. with cold winters, favor going on vacation in wintertime.

Best of luck.

What a wonderful decision to be making. You are correct, you can't go wrong with either. I would give a slight luxury edge to Mateya with only 5 suites but Singita is also great, just more guests and will likely be full. I also like Mateya because the rovers only hold 4 people instead of the usual 5-6. We had numerous Cheetah sighting at Mateya if this is important.

Roccco is more of an expert about safari and particularly Sabi Sand. During the stays I had at both Mateya and Singita the game viewing was plentiful at both. Maybe I was just lucky the days I stayed.
I didn't use the spa at either location so can't offer any opinions there. Food was scrumptious at both camps.

Either choice, you will not be disappointed. Such a great way to spend your anniversary. Roccco is right, you'd better decide and book soon.

All I can say about Singita is it's amazing. On one of our earlier African safari's I ran into some friends who were staying there [they said next trip make it Singita-which we did] The staff and food/service were great- And most important the game viewing! We saw everything 3 times over. It's always rated #1.

Thank you all for your replies. After going back and forth between the two camps and losing sleep over making a decision, I finally made up my mind today to go to Mateya. My TA has been to both and said for the time of year we'd probably be better off in Mateya plus no Malerone meds needed. (not to mention the same luxury at much less $). Thanks again! I'm feeling relief just booking it before it filled up. Thanks everyone. As time gets closer I'll probably have more questions and I'm so thankful I found this website.

jilllybean,

You really cannot go wrong with either. While at Mateya and when coming across Wild Dogs, just know that Wild Dogs are a spectacular sighting and they are the second rarest predator in Africa, after only the Ethiopian Wolf. Basically, they are the rarest predator that you will come across on your safari.

Just make sure that you don't pay rack rate or more for your stay. Any good travel agent/tour operator will be able to discount from rack rates.

Have a great time.

I just checked out the Mateya website for the first time. I am so tickled by their photo gallery! Chameleon, Mamba, Dung Beetle - that's what a safari is really about. Everyone always shows photos of predators and the big 5 but it is so refreshing to see more of the real Africa.

Ericka, You may want to get the brochure on Mateya loaded with color photos. This place looks amazing and the reviews are excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing the very rare wild dogs that inhabit this area. As far as ultra luxury camps go, this seems to be the best bang for the buck from what I've found. Shhhhh....don't tell anyone or they may raise their prices!

jillllybean,
You will love Mateya! The place is beautiful...African artifacts, amazing artwork everywhere. Food and service was outstanding. Annette, the massage therapist, is wonderful...be sure to get a reflexology foot massage. Delightful rangers and trackers who found anything and everything. Since the place is small you have the luxury of creating your own experience. It's mesmerizing just to watch the animals come and go to the water hole just a long stone's throw from your deck. And the rates may be lower only for the reason that it is a newer property in my opinion, because I found it was comparable to and/or exceeded the most exclusive lodges. We've visited many places in SA and felt very comfortable at Mateya. I hope you'll post a trip report when you return.

erika,
You are right about the Mateya photos...they love the big guys ofcourse...but I found the rangers to be thrilled at the site of the lesser known or more elusive creatures. After you have been to Africa more than once or twice, the real excitement begins...btw, the dung beetle is one of my all time favorites!

Thank you gogo13! I really am getting excited and know it will be the best anniversary trip ever! You reinforced me that I made the right choice! I'll definitely visit Annette in the spa.