South Africa, April 11 - April 26, 2009
May 6th, 2009, 06:20 PM
#21
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Thanx everybody for all your enthusiasm! I really enjoyed writing my report and reliving our wonderful trip this past week right after our return, while it was fresh in my mind. Again, thank you all very much for your advice and help during the planning stages of our 1st trip to Africa! We appreciate it.
Rizzuto - Yes, those phrases for the various groups of animals are fun. (journey of giraffes, dazzle of zebra, etc.) My husband made up one for the tons of impala we kept seeing - a "lot of impala", which became an "in joke" in our vehicle in Ngala.
Wildlifepainter - We used every minute (just about) of our days in Cape Town, a beautiful city. We could definitely have used at least 1 more day, and 2 would have been even better, in Cape Town. Then we could have enjoyed some free time there and had some more time for shopping and sightseeing. We were fortunate with the weather and were able to go up to the top of Table Mountain and to Robben Island on the scheduled days.
This was our first trip to Africa. We felt that 7 full days on safari (14 game drives, actually 15 b/c one day the ranger took us out for an extra 1 hour drive after breakfast) was very generous, and we were glad that we indulged ourselves with that many days. We enjoyed every one of these exciting days! Afterall, this was what the trip was all about. For our 1st safari, this was indeed a great treat! We were told that the average stay at a game lodge is just 2 or 3 nights. We chose Mala Mala and Ngala Tented b/c we wanted a taste of 2 completely different safari experiences. So this combo was excellent for us, just what we expected, a great contrast. It is difficult to decide which one was our favorite, as they are so different. On the one hand, we would love to go back to these lodges; but on the other hand, it would be wonderful to try different places the next time. There are so very many places from which to choose! So I guess what I am trying to say is that we really, really enjoyed MM and Ngala Tented, and with hindsight, we would redo it the same way. MM almost guarantees seeing the Big 5 daily, and Ngala Tented offers a very classy, personal touch. Plus staying in that fabulous tent was our final memory of this trip to Africa.
Tom - Choosing to go back to just one (MM or Ngala Tented) is a very difficult question, I suppose a "good problem" to have one day! I cannot decide; they were both special and such very different experiences. Please see what I wrote just above this.
CW - Had sundowners 1 evening at MM. We were fighting off some sort of cough/flu situation, and we were just glad to be
up and out daily at 6am and to be out and on the go until the end of the evening game drive each night. Luckily, we were improving each day....
Sundowner - Yes, we really did see lots of good stuff on our 1st trip to Africa! And it was very, very sad to see the dead leopard, such a beautiful animal, and to be standing so very close to it, a hand's distance away, very moving and memorable. Everyone loved the leopards (and all the animals we kept frequently seeing) at MM. YES, we will go back to Africa; but we don't know when. Prior to our trip, I just didn't get it. Now I can understand why so many people on this board find the Africa experience to be so very special!
Carole
Rizzuto - Yes, those phrases for the various groups of animals are fun. (journey of giraffes, dazzle of zebra, etc.) My husband made up one for the tons of impala we kept seeing - a "lot of impala", which became an "in joke" in our vehicle in Ngala.
Wildlifepainter - We used every minute (just about) of our days in Cape Town, a beautiful city. We could definitely have used at least 1 more day, and 2 would have been even better, in Cape Town. Then we could have enjoyed some free time there and had some more time for shopping and sightseeing. We were fortunate with the weather and were able to go up to the top of Table Mountain and to Robben Island on the scheduled days.
This was our first trip to Africa. We felt that 7 full days on safari (14 game drives, actually 15 b/c one day the ranger took us out for an extra 1 hour drive after breakfast) was very generous, and we were glad that we indulged ourselves with that many days. We enjoyed every one of these exciting days! Afterall, this was what the trip was all about. For our 1st safari, this was indeed a great treat! We were told that the average stay at a game lodge is just 2 or 3 nights. We chose Mala Mala and Ngala Tented b/c we wanted a taste of 2 completely different safari experiences. So this combo was excellent for us, just what we expected, a great contrast. It is difficult to decide which one was our favorite, as they are so different. On the one hand, we would love to go back to these lodges; but on the other hand, it would be wonderful to try different places the next time. There are so very many places from which to choose! So I guess what I am trying to say is that we really, really enjoyed MM and Ngala Tented, and with hindsight, we would redo it the same way. MM almost guarantees seeing the Big 5 daily, and Ngala Tented offers a very classy, personal touch. Plus staying in that fabulous tent was our final memory of this trip to Africa.
Tom - Choosing to go back to just one (MM or Ngala Tented) is a very difficult question, I suppose a "good problem" to have one day! I cannot decide; they were both special and such very different experiences. Please see what I wrote just above this.
CW - Had sundowners 1 evening at MM. We were fighting off some sort of cough/flu situation, and we were just glad to be
up and out daily at 6am and to be out and on the go until the end of the evening game drive each night. Luckily, we were improving each day....
Sundowner - Yes, we really did see lots of good stuff on our 1st trip to Africa! And it was very, very sad to see the dead leopard, such a beautiful animal, and to be standing so very close to it, a hand's distance away, very moving and memorable. Everyone loved the leopards (and all the animals we kept frequently seeing) at MM. YES, we will go back to Africa; but we don't know when. Prior to our trip, I just didn't get it. Now I can understand why so many people on this board find the Africa experience to be so very special!
Carole
May 7th, 2009, 01:27 PM
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Wonderful report. Whetting my appetite for our upcoming trip, May 18-June 4. We finally finished our itinerary, kept adding more days to Cape Town so we will be able to do an overnight in Winelands. You inspired me to keep a journal because of the detail of your wildlife sightings. Thanks.
May 7th, 2009, 10:48 PM
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Hi! I loved reading your story, I went to Cape Town and South Africa a year ago with www.southafricaonline.com.au and it was wonderful. Isn't Cape Town a great city? Especially the Table mountain and the views: wow! Hope to go back soon!
May 9th, 2009, 09:59 PM
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wkwb,
Thank you for a wonderful trip rport. My family (me ,
hubby and our 10 year old daughter) are going to SA in late Sept for a month. I especially liked your report of MalaMala as we'll be there for 3 nights, immediately before returning home.
Thank you for a wonderful trip rport. My family (me ,
hubby and our 10 year old daughter) are going to SA in late Sept for a month. I especially liked your report of MalaMala as we'll be there for 3 nights, immediately before returning home.
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