Which game lodge? Expert help needed
We're trying to choose between lodges for a 3 night stay as part of overall itinerary. Our main priority is quality of game viewing followed by relaxed atmosphere and good food. We have narrowed it down to:
Simbambili Dulini Hamiltons Tented Camp Nottens Bush Camp Any feedback you can give us would really help. |
rochat,
Nottens Bush Camp is just that...a bush camp. Dulini is beautiful but a bit pricey and in a very busy part of the park. Hamilton's Tented Camp is in Kruger National Park rather than in the more exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Simbambili is, in my opinion, the best option of the four. Each room features a private plunge pool, the rooms appear to be very luxurious, and their rates are very reasonable, considering that similar lodging elsewhere in the Sabi Sand often goes for around $700+ pp per night. I am topping my Leopards Of Simbambili post that I wrote this morning and it will provide you with a link to the latest update (although for the update that I wrote of, go back to the May 01 - 04th report in the "Past Events" link). Also, if you need any further help, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck. |
Rocco
I know I'm senile but I seem to remember you stayed somewhere in this area - was it only at Singita or were you also at some other places too? Did you get a chance to drop into any of these places and check them out in person? I know their sites give a good idea but it's always nice to have impressions from people who have seen the camps in person? |
Kavey,
I have stayed at Djuma Vuyatela and Singita. Djuma Vuyatela is not far away from Simbambili, and they actually share some of the same traversing rights, just as do Singita and Dulini, if I am not mistaken (although Dulini is probably about 1/10 the size of Singita). So, I am familiar with the terrain of Simbambili and some of the terrain of Dulini. Because Hamilton's Tented Camp is not within the Sabi Sand, but rather in the national park, I don't hold it in the same high regard as Sabi Sand lodges. Notten's Bush Camp is a budget camp and really is the black sheep of the group, not belonging in the same mention as the other three lodges. Although it looks like a very nice place, its placement next to Sabi Sabi puts it in the most congested area of the park, even worse than Dulini which is in a pretty busy area of the park. Just my two cents. :) |
It is worth noting that Nottens Bush Camp appears to have experienced a major facelift (as well as a major price increase) and no longer appears to be a rustic bush camp. Wonder why they do not change their name, now that they have changed their image?
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Ah yes, Djuma Vuyatela, I KNEW there was another one, I couldn't remember it!
I hear what you're saying in terms of your thought processes but... I would just add the point that sometimes experiences can transcend level of luxury of accommodation and other concrete measurables such as that... One can find so much pleasure in excellent staffing, beautiful setting, quality guiding, what one sees and does that... the camp that sticks in memory the longest is the one that might least have been expected to when judged on paper... Not saying it would be so for any of these choices but... just a point. :D |
Thanks for this
We've now decided on Simbambili as first choice and Dulini 2nd depending on what is available for 3/4 nts and then travel down and stay at Mkuze Falls Game Lodge for 3nts. Although this may change! We only decided to go on holiday a week ago and are due to leave 30th May and I am used to spending months researching and deciding where to go, when the weathers best etc etc and having to do all this in 2 weeks makes me worry about making a mistake but they all look wonderful so I'm sure we'll have a great time. Again thanks for your advice |
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