PS: Agree 100% with your assessment of Exeter. Btw, i was told that the Western SSGR (amongst all the lodges) have a certain number of cars that are permitted on any given drive ...... hence the crowded vehicles. Was pretty frustrating being in a wait list to get to a sighting and then have to rush off soon as you get there in order to give someone else the chance.

Richard,

At Londolozi there are a maximum of six people per vehicle...2 per row. They are Landrovers so there is plenty of room. If you are the only single traveller in the camp you end up with a whole row to yourself.

For evening meals we sat as a 'vehicle' together with the guide bar the last night when he had a night off.

Cheers,
Gary.

Tom,

I've not been to any other camps in Timbavati but your recent trip made me consider another camp there. I found it wilder than Sabi Sands. I certainly noticed the elephants were given a far greater degree of space than those in Sabi Sands.

A couple of times we set off for the remoter parts of the reserve and didn't see another vehicle or any man made structure. Because Ngala is bordered by Kruger and surrounded by other concessions my ranger (who was doing the Lion Research project) like to explore the remoter parts to see if any prides had entered or moved through the reserve.

I use Canon kit. On this trip I was using a Canon 1D Mark III. IT's performance was mainly very good. It's exceptional at high ISO...the first pair of mating leopards at Londolozi were shot at ISO 1600. On the down side there were some shots that came out totally out of focus...as you may know Canon are now offering a recall to fix a AF defective part in the Mark III.

Cheers,
Gary.

Hari,

That's what I was told as well...there were 14 lions in the pride before the coalition appeared on the scene. There is research being done into lion and leopard genetics in Sabi Sands as there are concerns about inbreeding especially amongst the lions. Whether this research will include lions\leopards on Mala Mala I'm not sure as they have left the Sabi Sands association.

There was another lodge being built on Othawa...I'm not sure if this is going to share any traversing rights with Western Sabi Sands or indeed Singita or Londolozi.

Cheers,
Gary.

Thanks, Gary. I will be keen to see the five big male lions in MM in January if they are around. They are huge beasts!!!

I really am impressed by your Ngala pictures .... looks like a worthwhile visit for future.
Hari

Thanks Gary:

Very useful analysis.

Thanks Gary for more information on Ngala Tented Camp and for the comparison of camps and gameviewing at each.

to cary 999:

In the Timbavati I have been to Tanda Tula twice and to Ngala tented once and I would go back to both with great pleasure;
I think Ngala has just a little more game (although as you know it is always a question of luck) , it is slightly more luxurous, but on the other hand the atmosphere at Tanda Tula is very special, a lovely campand we had great sightings there too. Lots and lots of very relaxed elephants.
Friends of us did 3 camps in the Timbavati as they did not want to go to SS again and they thought it was great. I think the third was Tintswalo which I personnally do not know.
Ivee