Lisa1224

We are finalizing our plans for our trip to South Africa for Jan 04 and for the dates we originally planned, Singita Boulders and Ebony are full but Lebombo is available for the same price. We wanted to stay at Ebony. Our dates are flexible so we could change or dates to try to get Ebony but I wanted to know if Lebombo was better in terms of game, accomodations? Do you have your own plunge pool like at the other lodges? Any information would be very helpful.

sandi

Lisa -

Try logging onto Singita site for- information on Lebombo.

I don'[t recall if they have plunge pools, but do know that Lebombo is inside Kruger. But if you're flexible with your dates and really want Ebony - if the Lebombo doesn't come across the way it should, then wait.

However, another poster mentioned back a few weeks ago that the ranger we had when at Ebony, Colin - the best, greatest - is now at Lebombo.

Sorry I can't help you with more.

Lisa1224

I looked on the website earlier and it doesn't give much information. I was hoping someone had been there and can give me some first hand advice. Thanks

sandi

Lisa -

Are you doing these bookings on your own? or are you using a tour operator?

If the latter, they should be able to provide the information you're looking for. They should know about the pool, accommodations, and other services and how Lebombo compares to Ebony/Boulders.

If the former - well, I don't know what more, unless you email Singita directly and ask them specific questions and see what info they provide.

When we were there last, Lebombo had just or was about to open.

alicoll

We stayed 2 nights at lebombo in june. It was absolutely wonderful, I would give it 10 out of 10. We have not stayed at ebony or boulders.
They were having freak weather in that it rained solidly for 2 weeks, it just started drying up on our 3rd drive. As a result for the first 2 drives we saw very little, however once the rain stopped we saw a lot, particularly lion. they have a pride of 21 which were amazing.
the ranger we had was very good. the food, service and rooms were wonderful. We then had 2 days in leopard hills in sabie sands, and in comparison that didn't seem so authentic as the animals were so used to the vehicles they just sat there. In lebombo they are not used to people and it seems more like the real Africa, also tracking skills play a much larger role.
Any more info needed please ask

Lisa1224

What were you rooms like? Did you have a plunge pool and fireplace like Ebony and Boulders do?

Lisa1224

It sounds like it's less touristy (as far as game drives go) than the Sabi Sabi area. Is that correct? Will there be less people in that area?

alicoll

There are no plunge pools or fireplaces. However the rooms are fantastic. They are very modern and light, all outside walls are glass floor to ceiling. There is an outdoor shower, also a large balcony area with loungers and a bed with mosquito net, which they make up for you to sleep outside on. However it was too wet when we were there.The rooms are open plan with the bed area at one end, then a sitting area then a bath and dressing area. Each area can be separated by curtains.
It is definitely less touristy than sabie sands. The only vehicles you see on the dives are others from lebombo, and that didn't happen too often. Only when we found the lions.A lot of the time not everyone went out on the drives, so there were never many vehicles,no one else has access to that part of the kruger other than lebombo.

Lisa1224

Alicoll

Have you stayed at Ebony or Boulders? How do they compare with Lebombo? I've seen pictures and read about the different lodges, but I would like to know the opinion of someone who has been to both.

alicoll

Lisa1224

I haven't stayed at either boulders or ebony, so can't help you there

sandi

Lisa -

Even when Ebony & Bolders are at full capacity, each camp only has 3 vehicles for the 18 people. Most games drives we never saw another vehicle - the drivers/rangers arrange ahead of time where they will be to avoid all being together on the Singita section of the Sabi Sand.

Only on one morning were the vehicles together, maybe 4 when we came upon some Leopards, and that was for only about 10-minutes.

In fact when you arrive back at camp and the vehicles all seem to be driving in on the same road you wondered where they came from because you didn't see them out on your drive.

Clematis

Lisa, I was at Boulders in June and one day we visited Ebony, asked to look at a room and we had lunch there. The common areas are more exotic and interesting at Ebony (more Colonial/lodge/antiques/game room). But I like the beautiful, spacious guest rooms at Boulders better. There were few straight lines in the layout of the Boulders rooms. They are stunning and peaceful with an organic and private feel to them. The Ebony rooms are smaller and felt more like a beautiful golf condo to me. Boulders tends to be more popular and when I was there Ebony had rooms available. The Boulders wine cellar is famous and the manager is a wine expert.

I heard that the game viewing at Lebombo was unpredictable, that some days it was fantastic but other days more difficult. They were smart to send their good guides there to help balance that. That camp is very far, about 3 hours I believe, from the Boulders/Ebony complex (which are about a 3-5 min. drive apart). Hopefully we will hear reports from people who have been brave enough to venture out there. Maybe it will be you!

So have you decided on which camp?

Lisa1224

The only camp that was availabe for our dates was Ebony. So we have reserved Ebony and have been put on a wait list for Boulders. Thanks for all the information.