Trans Africa Safari
 

Has anyone ever heard of them or used them? I am planning a trip to Africa the last two weeks in March. Flying into Jo-burg, then to Singita Boulders for two nights. Then we are going to Thornybush, Londolozi, Tintswalo or Sabi Sabi.....any thoughts on which is better? Then we are going to Victoria Falls @ the Royal Livingston for two nights and on to Cape Town @ Cape Grace Hotel. Also what do you think about pricing?

I have known of Trans Africa safaris for many years. Herbie Rosenberg used to be one of the owners and he was friends with my Mom and Dad (close enough where he has stayed in their home in South Africa). Trans Africa is a competitor of my company but I will admit they should do a good job for you. They work directly with clients from the US and act as a middle man to book safaris. Herbie used to work for Sabi Sabi so they have a close relationship with that lodge.

I think Singita Boulders is one of the best safari lodges in South Africa. My other favorites are MalaMala Rattrays and Lion Sands. Singita does have the best wine cellar with over 10,000 bottles! I was at the lodge last December. I do not think you should go to another lodge in the Sabi Sands after Singita. The game viewing experience will be too similar and you really would be going only 5-25 miles away. For example, Londolozi is right next door to Singita and the same river that flows through Singita flows through Londolozi next!

Victoria Falls - I also love the River Club, Toka Leya, and Tongabezi. Royal Livingstone has a great location right at the Falls.
Cape Town - I LOVE the Cape Grace. It is my favorite hotel in the world (along with the Oberoi Amar Villas at the Taj Mahal).

If you are looking to save a few books, the Royal Livingstone is owned by the same company as the Tabel Bay in Cape Town. If you stay 2 nights at Royal Livingstone and 4 at the Table Bay you get a price break. I still love the Cape Grace but the Table Bay is close to the Cape Grace as well.

The pricing offered by Trans Africa should be similar to the rack rate/internet rate of all these properties. They operate of the same contracted rates as many other companies. The difference you experience with various safari companies will come more from their service, knowledge, listening ability, and responsiveness than it will from price.

Craig Beal

correcting two spelling errors:
"few books" should be "few bucks".
"operate of" should be "operate off"

What else do you think after Singita Boulders? Is three nights in Cape town too much? We leave the US 3/20 leave Jo-burg 3/31. I am traveling with my husband and two well traveled teenagers..(16 and 18). Is $45,000 excluding airfare (to and from US) outrageous?

That's expensive but you are staying at the priciest places. I agree that Londolozi and Singita Boulders will be too much the same terrain/animals. You seem to be doing way too much hopping about for two weeks. Three days in Cape Town is definitely not too much. If anything, its too little IMO. But if you have only two weeks spend more nights at fewer camps or you'll be exhausted. I would spend 3 nights at Singita and skip Londo (or vice versa, which I 'd choose; I question the agent putting you in both), but I haven't stayed a the other camps.

I don't see people talk price on the forums too much but here is a "stab" at the per person costs:
Singita - ZAR 10,950 per person per night = ZAR 43,800 per night per family.
Cape Grace - a two bedroom suite should be about ZAR 14,000 per night (for all four of you). I stayed in one of these suites with my wife and two daughters last year.

So - three nights at Singita and three nights at the Cape Grace should be about ZAR 173,400. At today's exchange rate this is about $23,400. I have no idea how you could spend $45,000 in ten days without using private jets?? Perhaps you need to ask for a price breakout. I provide a price breakout to any client if they are skeptical. It puts them at ease.

If you want more safari after Singita, then I would suggest Phinda Vlei Lodge which is about 12 hours away by road. There is also a charter every day from the Sabi Sands to Phinda so you can fly in about 75 minutes. Phinda was just voted #2 safari lodge in the world by Conde Nast in November. It is often considered to have the best cheetah and rhino population in southern africa. I went to Phinda in May 2009 and saw 31 rhino and five cheetah on one game drive. Phinda is an excellent compliment to the Sabi Sands because there are very few cheetah in the Sabi Sands because leopard and lion are so prolific. In fact, I have never seen a chettah in the Sabi Sands on many safaris.

If you want a different experience altogether I would suggest the Rovos Rail or Bushman's Kloof. My Mom was South African so I grew up traveling to South Africa. She was also in the safari business so I went on the Blue Train many times as a kid. I always loved trains and I think your kids would too.

Now days, I really like the Rovos Rail which runs a two day trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg (and many others as well). I took my kids on it when they were 10 & 12 (March 2008) and even at that age they loved it. I have been on Rovos Rail five times and it is always excellent.

Bushman's Kloof is a nature reserve (no big five) about four hours north of Cape Town in the Cederburg Mountains. You can drive there in a rental car or fly on the daily charter flight. They have a family room you could use.

Phinda Vlei Cost = ZAR 6,525 per night. This is about $880 per person per night or about $10,500 for a three night stay for the family at today's exchange rate. They also have stay4pay3 prices for next March so a fourth night would cost NOTHING more. With your overall time, I think four nights may be too much.

Four nights is better for Cape Town in my opinion given the overall length of your trip.

In summary - if you are concerned about cost, the Singita is the most expensive safari lodge in Southern Africa only compareable to Mombo and Chiefs (both in Botswana). Londolozi Founders, MalaMala Rattrays, and Lion Sands Ivory are all less expensive and offer excellenet animal viewing.

Craig Beal

I cant tell you how much I appreciate all of your imput! Here is the proposed itinerary..

Arrive Jo-burg 4pm Stay overnight at Westcliff Hotel

Mon Air transfer to Londolozi Tree Camp (2 rooms/2 nights)

Wed Air transfer to Singita Boulders (2 rooms/2 nights) I agree with your comment on being too similiar and am doing some research now.

Friday Air transfer to Nelspruit/commercial airline to Livingston Airport. Royal Livingston Hotel (2 rooms/2nights) Victoria Falls..our choices are microlighting, jetboating or elephant camp.

Sunday arrive jo-burg and on to Cape Town for 3 nights. Cape Grace Hotel. Tours and winetasting included.

Currently a quote for almost $50,000!!!! For four people. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Since we are limited on time. I think we prefer flying instead of driving or trains.

Hi Blonde,

OK - that is good information so now I can be a bit more helpful.

You arrive in Jo'burhg on a Sunday which will be fine for traffic. Without traffic the Westcliff is 20 minutes from the airport. With traffic it can be 90 minutes. There will be traffic Monday morning as you head back to the airport because of World Cup construction and normal Jo'burg congestion. I love the Westcliff but you may want to be closer to the airport as you will not get to enjoy what the hotel has to offer in such a short stay. Perhaps consider the Intercontinental at the airport or the D'Oreal Grande which is only five minutes from the airport WITH traffic.

I have no idea why you would take a charter flight from Londolozi to Singita. The lodges are five miles apart. I drove from Londolozi to Singita in 25 minutes last year. If you go to both lodges, I would not transfer by this method. Londolozi and Singita also have a limited traversing agreement so you could even go from one lodge to the next in a game drive vehicle.

Flight to Livingstone: warning - the flight from Nelspruit to Livingstone leaves at 1100 AM. It is an international flight so you have to be at the airport no later than 0930. It is 2-2.5 hours by road from the lodges in the Sabi Sands to Nelspruit so you have to leave for the airport at 0700AM! You also have to pay for a driver to stay at the lodge with his vehicle the night before because they cannot enter the reserve earlier enough to be there on time. The only way around this is to charter a private plane to fly EMPTY from Nelspruit to the lodge and then fly you back to the airport. This may be a huge part of your expense if they included the flight to Nelspruit as a private charter. Also - you miss all or most of the final morning game drive. At Singita, if you miss all the morning game drive on the last day that is like throwing away half the nightly rate in accomodations costs or $800 X 4 = $3,200!!

It is better to go to Cape Town directly from safari and then fly to Victoria Falls from Cape Town. That way, you do not miss any game drives and you do not have to overnight in Jo'burg again.

Train: the Rovos Rail is much more than a means of transportation. It is an experience all to itself. You get off the train each day and have tours. Anyway - that was just a thought. I love it!

I recommend you call your agent at Trans Africa and talk these things through.

Craig Beal

I would definitely price with another tour company. You seem to be getting ripped off. I agree you shouldn't spend such a limited amount of time on a train. Or hopping all over the country, but you should make sure someone chooses the right array of camps that make sense money- terrain- and wildlife-wise, if animals are your primary goal in visiting SA. Phinda is great, but quite a distance from the Sabi Sands area. And you'd have higher flight costs, and a bit more of a logistical problem. Londo's Tree camp is very intimate and upscale and at least one report on this board seeemed to think Singita isn't as good as it once was, but I have no idea. What about 4 nights at Londo Tree and 4 nights in another not-too-far-away camp. Mala Mala's Rattray's is a place everyone on this board continues to tout. Lion Sands as craig also mentions, also gets consistent raves.
You could try Africa Adventure Company and Premier Tours to get other quotes if you prefer U.S. based companies.

Both Mark Nolting and Julien Harrison are highly reputable. These guys, respectibely, are the owners of Africa Adventure Company and Premier Tours. Both are also Conde Nast travel magazine designated South Africa experts. I know both of them and and I can happily recommend them as friendly "competitors!". You should get a second quote!

Craig Beal

Thanks Craig, I agree with your suggestion about staying closer to the airport. I am also considering skipping Victoria Falls..what are your thoughts. I just need to figure out what two reserves I want at as well. I also am having a hard time finding anyone that has used Trans Africa Safari which I find a little strange. (except the US travel agent I am dealing with). I am definitely getting another quote since my agent was not too receptive when I suggested a breakdown of costs instead of one price for the entire trip. Thanks again for your imput.

Given the length of your trip and you are not going on safari in Botswana, if you were my client, I would suggest skipping Victoria Falls altogether. Given the season, I would also suggest staying within South Africa. If you are looking for a second reserve, then my suggesiton for Phinda still stands. But, if you do go to Victoria Falls, then I suggest Chobe as an second game viewing destination. It will definitely not be in peak season yet (June-October) but you can have a good experience. You may even go all the way into the Okavango Delta. If you go to Phinda & Sabi Sands & Cape Town you could use the fourth "free" day at Phinda to do some of the option beach activities on the Indian Ocean.

How about this.
3/21 Jo'burg
3/22 Sabi Sands
3/23 Sabi Sands
3/24 Sabi Sands
3/25 Jo'burg
3/26 Vic Falls
3/27 Vic Falls
3/28 Chobe National Park or Linyanti Wildlife reserve. Camps: Savute Safari Lodge, Savuti Camp, Muchenji
3/29 Chobe/Linyanti
3/30 Chobe/Linyanti
3/31 Fly to Jo'burg and go home.

Or how about this.
3/21 Jo'burg
3/22 Sabi Sands
3/23 Sabi Sands
3/24 Sabi Sands
3/25 Phinda
3/26 Phinda
3/27 Phinda
3/28 Phinda "free nights"
3/29 Cape Town or Zulu Battlefields (you said boys!)
3/30 Cape Town
3/31 Fly to Jo'burg and go home.
This option is short in Cape Town.

Another destination for the second safari would be Mashatu but it does have its own accessibility issues on such a short trip.

You could also opt for a seven day safari in Botswana, two days in Vic Falls, and go home! This could be done for less than $6,000 per person (excluding commercial air).

Have you at all considered Tanzania? The migrations will be leaving the Southern Serengeti and beginning the movement northwest to the Western Corridor. I often say that ten days is perfect for Tanzania because there is less to offer outside the safari experience when compared to South Africa. Lodges like Serengeti Serenna would put you right on the migrations path during this time. Mobile programs like Serengeti Under Canvas would but you right in the middle of it!

For $50,000 you could go to Tanzania in March and back to Southern Africa in August after the World Cup!

Too many choices. A second quote is deinitely my recomendation given the reluctance to provide any price breakdown! Keep in mind, your agent is probably not the stumbling block here - Trans Africa may be reluctant to assist him/her. It sounds like you are in a business relationship with a trusted agent and that is important to you. I respect that. Your agent probably has a preferred supplier and in the case of his/her agency it is Trans Africa. There are many other options and many other tour operators your agent could work with to organize this.

Craig Beal

At the beginning, I thought you were working directly with Trans Africa. Given that you are working with an agent, then I would guess your agent is a member of Virtuoso. Virtuoso is an organization call a consortium. A consortium is an organization of travel agents formed to collectively negotiaite better prices on behalf of the members. They also help the travel agents signficantly with marketing and in the vetting of service providers. Several years before I bought the the travel consultancy I own now, we were a member of Virtuoso so I know a bit about them. Some of the preferred tour operators for Virtuoso agencies are Micato, A&K, and Trans Africa. I don't think a quote from any of these companies will result in a lower price.

The other major consrotiums are Signature & Ensemble. Vacations to go is pretty much cruise only. I hope this is not too much information!

Craig Beal

Have you inquired of the upscale tour companies Micato, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), Cazenove & Loyd? Or are you after even more "upscale" than they offer. (I wish :-) ).

regards - tom

What would you choose Singita Boulders or Londolozi Tree Camp? Also I am now considering skipping Victoria Falls. My teenage girls are interested in visiting an elephant park to ride an elephant...love any comments or suggestions. Also is Mala Mala Rattray or Lion Sands a good second safari if my first stop is SB or LTC? I think the second itinernary that Craig suggested is something more I am interested in doing..two safaris (maybe 2 nights at one/3 nights at another safari) and Cape Town. Or maybe do a second safari in Botswana and see VF. I do think the family is more interested in safari and not so much the falls. I feel like I am starting to get a better vision of this. Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

Also what do you think about doing Londolozi and then Thornybush? Are they to similar?

Mama Blonde,

If you want to ride elephants then you can do that in Hazyview or at Camp Jabulani or Kapaman. Kapama uses the elephant stables at Jabulani. Keep in mind, Jabuloni is not in the Kruger ecosystem and it is a fully fenced/enclosed reserve. Hazyview elephant whispers is more like a lunch time activity.

We have sent several clients to Thornybush recently and they all liked it. I have not been there so I keep my comments to a minimum! I would not go to Thornybush at the sacrifice of a Sabi Sands Lodge.

LTC is only five miles from MalaMala. MalaMala borders Londolozi to the east and Singita borders Londolozi to the west. I do not recommend two lodges in the Sabi Sands. The experience will be too similar. LTC is fantastic. I was there last year and Matt, Pam, and Sue from my office where there two weeks ago. I LOVE Rattrays and Ivory Lodge.

You won't have enough time to do the Sabi Sands, Vic Falls, Cape Town, and Botwana. Of all these experiences, Cape Town is the least unique. It is a city created by European settlers similar to San Diego and San Fran. I would suggest dropping Cape Town in favor of safaris and Vic Falls given the relatively short trip.

Craig Beal

Craig

How many nights have you spent in SSGR? You've never seen a Cheetah there. I've seen Cheetah at Mala Mala on 75% of my visits, including a sighting with 5 adult Cheetah at one time. And my one visit to Singita produced Cheetah also.

FWIW, for a visual perspective, here is a simple little map showing most of the South Africa safari camps, nearby towns, and Kruger National Park, we're discussing. Johannesburg if on this map would be way off to the left bottom about 300km, 200miles.
http://tomgraham.smugmug.com/MAPS/Ma...077_HnkFD-O-LB

Note for instance that Thornybush is in the Timbavati reserve while MalaMala-Singita-Londolozi are in the Sabi Sand reserve perhaps 20 miles from Timbavati. Also FWIW, the better game viewing and "luxurious" camps (also more $$$) are in the Sabi Sand reserve.
regards - tom

Hi Matt - that is interesting.

I have probably spent 50+ nights in the Sabi Sands since the fences went down in the 90s and about 50 more nights during the 70s and 80s.

Cool that you have seen cheetah. Our company has sent 250+ guests to MalaMala, Lion Sands, Singita, and several other lodges in the Sabi Sands this year and no client of ours has seen a cheetah since about 2004. We have had Kikman's and MalaMala booked full with groups this year on two occasions with no sightings.

Matt, Sue, and Pam from our office just did a self drive safari two weeks ago in the Sabi Sands (i.e. they drove themselves to camp). They saw Leopard and Lion every day but no cheetah.

I think you must have been very lucky at MalaMala or maybe you went there a few years ago?? MalaMala keeps pretty good stats on cheetah. As you know, they have about 50 guests when they are full. Assuming, because of the recession, they are at 50% occupancy then they would cycle 750 guests per month. There was six cheetah sighting in November 2009 and one in October so I think the odds are pretty low these days. Theoretically, October should be better than November because of the grass so the odds were basically 1 in 750 of seeing a cheetah. Here are their online stats:
http://www.malamala.com/MM7/cheetah.htm

Matt - this may be a recent change in the ecosystem. I really don't know. I will ask the guys at MalaMala when they come around. When did you travel? Are you friends with James Weis? I thought you said you were once. Either way, I think this 49ers or the Raiders have a better chance of winning this year's super bowl than you will for seeing a cheetah in the Sabi Sands.

People are seeing lots of cheetah at Phinda and Savuti and Mombo now days.

Carry99 - you have been to MalaMala in the past two years. What is your experience?

Craig Beal

I looked closer at the stats. There were zero cheetah sightings at MalaMala in June and July 2009. I think things are changing in the ecosystem and that may explain it.

Craig Beal

I was at MM in Sep of 2007 (5 nights) and at Kirkmans (a part of MM) in Sep of 2009 (5 nights). Only one cheetah sighting there (in those two visits and 2 previous stays). That only cheetah sighting was two males atop a termite mound, taking it easy. Put another way, in 3 stays at MM totaling 15 nights, I've seen only those two cheetah once. I don't expect to see cheetah at MM, but lots of leopards - that look a lot like cheetah :-) . (If you sort of squint your eyes).

regards - tom

I am enjoying this thoroughly for "info purposes" (if only I had to decide whether to go to Singita or not) BUT I wanted to add my own thoughts on Vic Falls - we went in 2007 because my husband wanted to Bungee jump - which he did -
and while so, I was attacked on the street; traveling with two teenaged girls I'd skip Vic Falls as that experience still haunts me when I am in a crowd.

Of course it may not happen if you are careful, but I will never forget the man who grabbed me, pushed me into a stall and swore at me for being, white, rich and not buying anything (and blonde on top of that- but I did have a cap on!) Another vendor pulled him off and held him until authorities came; but I cannot tell you how it affected my thoughts of Vic Falls. This was over two years ago so I have no idea what it is like now, but I would not ever recommend taking teenage girls there. That is my personal opinion and I am sure others will disagree, but I did not want you thinking it was like going to Singita!

I'd forget Vic falls and ride elephants at Camp Jabulani, which friends of ours did before their 3 night stay at Singita. We rode elephants at a camp near River Lodge where we stayed (and loved RC) but the experience in our view was definitely not worth the cost of flying from Jo'burg and staying near Vic Falls just to bungee and ride an elephant.
Sure the falls are awesome, but I'd rather see wildlife.We also did the ultralight over the falls and it was so-so.
Spend your time on safari!

I also saw cheetah on this trip - and have quite a few pics. We were in Timbavati and Ngala Tented camp when we saw them. Just lucky I guess in that respect.

FWIW, I would definitely check other ta's out for picing. For that amount, you have a right to know where the money is going. I always ask for a breakdown and have always received one. That way you can add/subract activities, air/lodging knowing what prices you have in front of you.

As mentioned, there are plenty of places to stay; the experts have mentioned the best. We loved our trip to Sabi and Timbavati and because of those memories we are returning to East Africa for the migration. But you won't get me near a market!

Just wanted to share my experience as I never ever thought a middle aged women would be attacked in mid-day, full view. I would worry about teens.

Fp

OK I agree with the reasoning for not staying in two lodges close together. So if I am picking one lodge in Sabi Sands...which one? Also where should the second one be if not in Sabi Sands. Craig has suggested a Phinda Vlei Lodge. Is that my best option? Also does anyone know anything about Elephant Back Safari?

If Phinda is an ..AndBeyond (formerly CCA) lodge it should be lovely and seems quite luxurious..gets great reviews.

The only elephant safari that I've heard good things about is at a really exclusive lodge called Camp Julani(sp?) where friends of mine just raved; and thought they could not find a better camp...until they arrived at Singita!

I agree though from previous trips - spend at least 3-4 nights each property - 4 is best!

With your budget you can pretty much chose it all!

FP

Camp Jabulani, sorry - that is the spelling. Although you might find a lot of folks here are not positive about elephant riding - as there is thought that the training could be a negative(cruel) for the elie. I regret that we were talked into our elephant ride; however, it was a small outfit that encouraged education about abused, neglected elephants that would never make it if left in the wild, so at least we felt they cared about their elies. BUT, I did not know of this forum before I went- or I would have researched it a bit more. Just my thoughts.

I'm sure you will bet plenty of great advice here!

FP

My favorite lodges in the Sabi Sands are MalaMala Rattray's, Lion Sands Ivory, and Singita Ebony.

With the exchange rate, MalaMala Rattray's is a really good value right now. They don't take kids under 16 so your kids are old enough. Also, they have four people to a vehicle maximum so you will get a private vehicle.

Craig Beal

OK after the comments about the elephant riding, I agree and may skip it. Thanks Craig for all your great imput! I am still trying to figure this whole trip out and what would be best... :)

Good luck. Holler if you need anyting!

Craig

Thanks Craig..You have been extremely helpful in making me rethink this whole trip!

The reason why MalaMala Rattrays is a good value is because they are priced in dollars not rand.

Craig

...and the dollar is weak right now making rand priced properties relatively expensive. Craig

$$$ vs Rand, a 5 year history
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=USDZ...=on&z=m&q=l&c=
the 7.4 today exchange rate is pretty much overall 5yr average. With low of 6 and a blip high of 10. The $$$ may be weak against Euro, Yen, etc. but little changed against the Rand.

regards - tom

Hi Tom,

Good point! I guess a better way of putting this is:

Rattray's rates, since they are in dollars, are relatively better than their neighbors if compared to the converted dollar price the day that 2010 rates were published back in May/June 2009.

Craig Beal