agswimmer

We have made a sudden change in vacation destinations and are now planning on returning to South Africa for the 3rd time. First trip was just husband & myself, 2nd trip was with our 2 sons who were 12 & 14 at the time, and now returning for a 3rd time with 16 yr daughter and 2 sons, 21yr & 22yr. Since this may be our last chance for a family vacation (the 5 of us)--(sons will be graduating next May and heading off into the working world), I'd really like for us to stay together as much as possible. On our last trip we were able to get adjoining (interleading) rooms at all of our destinations, including Mala Mala. This trip of course we are really running into problems because we have 5 instead of 4 and thats basically 5 adults. Does anyone know of a luxury lodge, preferably in the Sabi Sands area that will accomodate us without us being spread out into 3 different rooms? I'm not as concerned about the expense issue of 3 rooms as I am about us being split up like that. I was hoping that we could get the adjoining rooms at Mala Mala again and just pay for 3 rooms but just stay in 2 of them but just found out today from the TA (after 3 weeks of planning Grrrr....) that MM is booked by a SA company during our entire 2 week trip.So now where? The rest of the trip will include Cape Town and Sun City but I am most concerned right now about the game lodge.

Safari_Craig

since there are five of you and mm is sold out, i recommend you take half private use of 1933 at lion sands. i stayed there in march 2008 with my wife and kids it would be totaly perfect! i stayed at 1933 again in december 2008. it is totally private and reasonable for a faily your size with half private use. there are sixteen beds total, but you could take half use and the kids would be in the 8 person bunk and you and your husband would be in one of the four suite. there is not really a rate for this lodge at half use so you agent would have to negotiate. there is no published price for half use.

http://www.lionsands.com/lodges/1933.php
http://www.lionsands.com/lodges/rates.php

$4,000-$5,000 per night would be a good price (all inclusive and private vehicle/guide/ranger/butler). if this does not work, you could all stay in the one suite at ngala main camp in the timbavati. private pool and plenty of room. i was also there in december 2008.

craig beal

Safari_Craig

I wish i would have previewed my last response before submitting. My spelling and grammar belies my education.

craig

agswimmer

Craig, I had already looked at the 1933 Lodge at Lion Sands but at $7,500 per night I was picking my jaw off the floor! It does look absolutely perfect though! If there is a possiblity of partial use that would be great. Where is the bunk room located in proximity to the rest of the suites? I just mean, all under the same roof I assume? I have sent them an email asking about availability. Thanks so much for the response!

KayeN

Hi agswimmer

Being a huge fan of MalaMala, I can understand why you would be disappointed with how it is booked out! Is the 3 camps of MM booked out - Main Camp, Sable Camp and Rattrays'? If only Main Camp is booked out I would be trying to book two rooms at Rattray's - they may allow 3 in the room - daughter and two boys or parents and daughter or Sable Camp's Lion Suite I think that has two bedrooms either side of a lounge area that the 5 of you may fit in.

Hope you find something that you are very happy with!

Kind regards

Kaye

agswimmer

Thanks Kaye, I will definitely check that out. I just assumed the TA had checked all of them but maybe not. I'll see if Rattrays is an option.

cary999

I think I know of only three camps with guest house facilities. But not positive about this. 1)Kruger Park; 2)Kings Camp, Timbavati Reserve, South Africa; and 3)Robin Pope in Zambia. I'm sure there are others, somewhere.

regards - tom

Safari_Craig

malamala is absolutley fabulous but they only allow kids at main camp. one of the selling feature of sable is "no kids". rattray's would cost more than partial use of 1933 ($875 per night per person) and they don't take kids.

you can take partial use of 1933. the bunk room is in the center of the main house along with one of the four suites. the other three suites are off on different pathways. the bunkroom has double doors opeing directly to the pool.

back to malamala. room 27/28 (the physically impaired client room) would easily accomodate all five of you if available at some point.

craig

KayeN

Hi agswimmer

Your daughter being 16 years old is not considered a child at either of these camps, so Craig would be mistaken on this point.

Kind regards

Kaye

GDKSS

We are booked this coming June at Londolozi and Motswari camp. We are also a family of five, including three teenagers (two boys, and a girl 17,16, 15) Both have accomodations for three adults in one room.

agswimmer

Thank you all SO much! I was judiciously sending out email inquiries regarding this all night and I've actually got 2 options that sound wonderful.The 1933 Lodge is available although Craig, its $1,100 per person per night not $875. (That increased price could have to do with the recent Rand/US dollar shift.)Also,a Singita Family Suite is available. The price is about the same for the 2 options but I think I'd prefer the 1933 Lodge at the Lion Sands. As far as game viewing is one better than the other? Singita vs. Lion Sands?

Safari_Craig

hi there. the $875 figure i wrote was for rattray's on malamala. 1933 is indeed priced in rand so it will fluctuate and has likely gone up 18% in the past six weeks (in dollar terms)! hopefully your equity accounts have gone up even more... since 1933 has no published rate, you can likely negotiate with your agent.

i have been to singita and lion sands. they are both fabulous. both have permanent water (the sand river and the sabie river). both have resident lion prides and plenty of leopards. i would say singita has more "plains" and less forest. one thing i always see at lion sands is plenty of hippos out of the water.

if they are the same price, i would go for lion sands. you will be totally private and never see any other guests. the "butlers" are derek and lucas and they are both wonderful. 1933 also has a private boma.

tough choice. my kids were 10 & 12 last year when we went to 1933. they loved it!

kayen is totally correct. i mis-read the ages of your kids. sable camp is 13 or older and rattrays is 16 or older to get in.

craig

agswimmer

Craig- I have reserved the 1933 Lodge. I'm so excited! It is way more than I ever intended to spend but I think it will be worth it. I am curious as to the other 3 suites. Where are they located? Upstairs? How does the "chef thing" work? Does he/she really come to your kitchen & cook? Does that feel awkward? Which meals? As long as they can make macaroni and cheese my family will be happy!

Now that I have the most important reservations out of the way I have to work on Capetown and Sun City.I have been advised to stay in one of the 2 bdrm suites at the Cape Grace because they have such fabulous winter rates but I've been scoping out the De Waterkant 3 bdrm Cottages as they look spacious and economical.

Safari_Craig

i have used all of these place in cape town. i stayed in the two bedroom suite at the cape grace with my family last year. quite adequate! kids liked the wii. you could also go to the more quarters hotel which is owned by the same people as 1933. i have never been to sun city on 25+ trips to south africa.

i am off to south africa thursday so off the forums for a while!

craig beal

Safari_Craig

The other three suites require you to leave the main house and walk down a path. All suites are MASSIVE. Your agent will collect from you information on your diet and food preferences. To be honest, one of the few things that bother me about luxury safaris is the obvious food wastage. Anything you tell them ahead of time will minimize the amount of food wasted and mazimize you getting the food you want. 1933 has a private kitchen but the cooking does not take place inside your unit. The kitchen is outside the main house. You still have a full kitchen inside the house too.

craig beal

agswimmer

Craig-thanks for the info and the advice! Have a great trip!