mtonio

taking a group of 3 to south africa
safari 1
mala mala adjacent to kruger for 3 days, little makalolo in hawange , zimbabwe for 3 days, Victoria Falls for 1 day
with city stops in JB & CT
2- Kruger- Sabi Sands Kirkland for 4 nights
Pfinda for 3 nights
VF for 2 nights
with stops in JB & CT
total trip 14 days in africa

christabir

Both sound great, but a lot of travel. It would depend (for me) how many nights you have to spend in JNB for transit. The MM/Phinda option has more safari. 1 nt VF is plenty for most of us, depending on arrival time. I understand why you want to go to VF, but it adds a lot of travel time. First time to southern Africa? It likely won't be your last! Many start planning their return while on the plane going home.

I am not planning on Zim until their political situation changes, but that's a personal choice. The camps and VF are perfectly safe.

atravelynn

How about cost? Is there much difference?

If there are die-hard cheetah lovers, I'd go with #2.

What time of year are you going? If it is dry season and there are ele lovers in the group, I'd go with #1.

I'm ok with Zim as long as it is not during elections. If you can be sure you are avoiding them, #1 is looking good. If not, I'd lean toward #2.

Both are great.

Treepol

I'd be inclined to #2 as there is more safari and less travelling. Did you know that Phinda have a pay 3, stay 4 special offer? If you have a spare night this is good value for the amount that you are already paying.

Regards,


Pol

mytmoss

Easy choice for me, Kirkland and Phinda combo.

Mike

mtonio

Thank you for your tips. yes, it is the first trip to SA. And it is the dry season.
I am uncomfortable with the Zimbabwe gov but not as worried about safety issues.
thanks for pointing out the travel time.
we plan to go to JB for 2 nights, then CT for 4, then pfinda, then Kruger then VF. The agent suggested going from pfinda to ngala then kruger then VF because of flights. I can still take advantage of the 4th night free. And i am sure you are right about 1 night in VF. we spent 1 night in Iguasso Falls and that was plenty. We saw both sides of falls in 1 1/2 days.
f you have any other thoughts I welcome them Thank you.

christabir

Here's what I'd do:

Skip the two nights JB (is there something you are planning to do there?)
Go right to CT for four nights
In any order:
VF and take the two nights for JB and go to Chobe - easy transfer (no flight) That way you are doing more with the flight to VF than just VF and leaving.
One of your Kruger options - MM or Kirkmans
Phinda or Hwange

The transfer from VF to Hwange is easier, and MM gets nice reviews here. Tough call. I have not had good luck in Timbavati, so I might lean toward MM, but I seem to be the only one!!

If you do ngala, tented is significantly better.

mtonio

Understand your suggestion to skip JB , however, we are set on seeing the Constitutional Court, Apartheid Museum, Soweto and one print workshop. Want to see the works of several SA artists
Problem is we have not been able to book a place in Chobe at this late date which is how Hwange became an option.

mtonio

why was Mala mala better than Timbavati?
is MM better game viewing? how is the landscape different?
did anyone go to the Indian Ocean from Pfinda? And did anyone tour Zulu communities outside Pfinda?

christabir

Any availability at Mashatu? It's owned by the same co as MM. It's my favorite place. Combines well with MM because it's a different ecosystem. It's in SE Botswana. Definitely a place we will return to. Great elephants!!

http://www.mashatu.com/itineraries/2...ss_2012-13.pdf

We had bad weather (wind) the two times we've been to Timbavati - just luck of the draw (bad luck). Very frustrating when you hear about the great stuff we missed a couple of days before. It would have been the same anywhere in the Kruger region. The animals hide when it's windy as they can't smell danger. MM is huge compared to most camps in the Kruger area. Mashatu is huge, too.

Haven't been to Phinda, but we stayed at a camp nearby. We did not do Zulu culture (just not my cup of tea), but went to the ocean. Gorgeous - and warm! We are self-drivers, so we did it on our own. Great.

cary999

Firstly, let me state my 3 interests when I go to Africa. Those being - safari, safari and safari. If I want culture, I'll go to Europe, for scenery the Western USA, etc.

Safari game viewing involves a LOT of luck/serendipity. If you have 3-4-5 days to "spend" on safari, go to where your chances of seeing the big 5 are the greatest. And that would be MalaMala. I know you will ask why so answer is - location, location, location. Check out MM website if you haven't yet.

regards - tom
pa - Have I been to MM, yes three times. Have I been in Timbavati, yes five times.

Treepol

I've been to St Lucia on the Indian Ocean coast and will be returning again this year. The town of St Lucia is peaceful and relaxing and offers opportunities for visits to nearby Hluhluwe-Umfolozi NP, estuary cruises and some last minute souvenir shopping. A wide range of accommodation is available.

Mashatu Tented Camp is one of my favourite places in Africa, however if you are considering booking this wonderful property you may be interested in the comments about the present drought in this thread, including a statement from David Evans, the Director of Mashatu Game Reserve, http://safaritalk.net/topic/8565-dro...atutuli-block/


Regards,


Pol

mtonio

thank you. I think mashatu is full, all the camps( wilderness safari, and beyond & others ) I wanted in Botswana were full for August which is why we considered Zimbabwe.
mala Mala is more expensive since there is a 4th night free option at Kirkland or Pfinda. My budget is a consideration.
I am waiting to hear from the agent as to where there is room.
I will keep you posted anad appreciate all the advice.