les112

Could someone inform me of the shared traversing areas for the lodges, Motswari, Gomo Gomo, Mbali, Kings, Royal Lengend, Tanda Tula, Umlani, Kambaku.
I believe Ngala has its own exclusive area of 14,700 hectacres.
Is there a map similar to the one at
http://www.sabisand.co.za/ssw-map.html
that shows shared travering areas in the Sabisand reserve?

cary999

Firstly , Gomo Gomo is no longer in the Timbavati (since about 2009?). The camp that it was has new owners and named Simbavati. Gomo Gomo I believe, not sure, is now further west, not in the Timbavati, if it even is still named Gomo Gomo.

I do not know of a map of Timbavati traversing like the one for Sabi Sand. And FWIW that Sabi Sand map does not show MalaMala, the very large un-named block on the right.

I've been to Kings Camp four times and love it. Been to Ngala Lodge (not Tented) and you are correct it does not share traversing. FWIW, I'd not go back to Ngala Lodge. Anyway, I think all of those camps you mention share traversing areas. I recall seeing most (if not all) of those camp names on vehicles at sightings. Also, very large areas of the Timbavati are private property with no shared traversing.

FWIW (again) here is the best map I have of the Timbavati camps, shows also Sabi Sand camps-
http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/...70142f206g.jpg

If you'd like to see any of my trip reports for Kruger National Park and camps in the Timbavati and Sabi Sand, just ask and I'll put up my Fodor links.

regards - tom

les112

Thank you for your reply and map. I have been to Motswari and to Ngala. (I think it was Ngala tented camp in 1998), I liked them both. I am a photographer and for me, Ngala had too many cars. At Motswari it appeared they had sharing rights with all the rest but being at the far north of Timbavati the guides were reluctant to drive too far south as it took to long. So I was thinking about going to a lodge in the centre of the Timbavati region. Hence my question. If they all have shared transversing rights then choosing a central lodge I could can get to most areas in reasonable time. Is this true.

cary999

Motswari is at far north end and that would indeed bother me. Ngala Lodge is in a little sliver of land and for every game drive you go down into the Ngala Tented area which wastes about 20 minutes each way.

Kings Camp as shown is very central. So, sightings are close, 5-10-15 minutes. As I said, I recommend Kings, if you go there be sure and get either Patrick or Morne as you guide, or manager Warren. Patrick and Morne are very keen on photography, know the importance of vehicle position and light. And very willing work with you.

FWIW, heres a few snaps of my 2008 safari to Kings Camp and Ngala Lodge. I spent 8 nights at each. Also was back at KC in 2009.
http://tomgraham.smugmug.com/SAFARI-2008

regards - tom

les112

Thanks for that information.I have looked at your other postings and that helps as well.
I have one further question.
Is the density of game in the Sabi Sand reserve much greater than in the Timbavati which could be the reason for the much larger number of lodges and visitors in the Sabi Sands?

pixelpower

Gomo Gomo is now in Klaserie, at Buffeldam, and shares traverse with AOF/nThambo.

I'm going to check out Simbavati in two weeks. I'll let you all know what's changed.

Ciao,

J.

cary999

"....much larger number of lodges and visitors in the Sabi Sands?

Good question, not sure, but I'd guess it is because of two things. 1) The Sand river runs through Sabi Sand and this does attract a lot of wildlife. 2) Although the Timbavati looks as large as Sabi Sand, more than half appears to be private property, no camps. The camp density, camps per acre, seems to be actually higher in the Timbavati. But again, less land for commercial camps.

Johan, thanks for info on Gomo Gomo, I thought it was somewhere further out but I could not find it. Exciting you will be on safari in two weeks!! Eager to hear your report on Simabavati. What other camps are you going too? Also, please pay attention to the weather, what is it like in June? And the bush, is it green or already brown?

regards - tom

pixelpower

Hey Tom,

My name is Jochen, not Johan

I'll let you know all in a trip report on ST.

Weather; heard from friends (who run a lodge in Balule) that they had another downpour last week. So it should still be very green. Another friend (ex-AOF guide, now mgr at Kubu lodge) told me most perennial rivers still got water.

B.regs,

J.

cary999

Sorry Jochen, I'll just use J or PP

Green is nice. I was SA safari in May of 2007 and it was green, and grass/bush was not at all high or obstructive, very nice, very pretty. Also had a couple of rather cold nights which the camp (Leopard Hills) was not equipped to handle. My next safari to SA (2012?) will likely be in May-June. All things considered, I think May-June could be better than Aug-Sep.

regards - tom