Bush and Beach: South Africa and Mozambique in 10 Days

I was planning a South African Safari for my family of 4, and the information and options I researched were overwhelming and complex for someone that has no prior knowledge or experience with Safari's.  I came across the Zicasso website and they matched me up with this safari travelcompany.  My agent provided insight into the planning and options that I would have never identified myself.  I had many questions both before and after booking this trip and communicated with this agent by email (from the US) due to the time difference.    She responded immediately and thoroughly ever time. We just returned and the trip was Amazing and could not have gone better. 

  Upon hearing our goals, my agent suggested two private game reserves (3 nights each) in two different locations so we could get two different experiences. We stayed at Kapama Southern Camp in the Kapama Game reserve near Hoedspruit, and Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge in Sabi Sands.  It was a two hour drive between the two lodges.  We originally had reservations at Lion Sands which is next to Sabi Sands, but about three months ago, the Lion Sands burned down.  Fortunately, our agent notified us just hours after the fire letting us know what happened and informing us that she was able to book the Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge - which turned out to be amazing.  I've read that some folks had to receive refunds because they could not get reservations on such short notice in the area.  We were really glad our agent was looking out for us and greatly appreciated all of her efforts and recommendations!  We definitely got two different experiences that you can read below - each amazing in its own way and the recommendation to split the trip with two camps was perfect!

At Kapama, the brush was very dense with trees and bush so off roading was not possible.  We frequently saw animals everywhere as we drove and there were differences in the quantity and frequency of some species at each location.  There were interesting and fun excursions (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Center and Elephant Encounter) here that we could not get elsewhere.  We could only do a hot air balloon flight at Hoedspruit but were disappointed that the winds were too strong while we were there so never did this.   Kapama Southern Camp has a fence around it and ony the entrance is always open. Each morning we would come out and see wart hogs, Nyala, Kudo, Impala,  and other animals near our room.

At Sabi Sands, the bush was not as dense with trees so we could go off road to track down big five which was amazing.  It is a large area so we could drive for 20 minute or more withouot seeing any animals.   Sabi Sands Camp is completely open (no surrounding fence) and there was a leopard sighting at camp for three consecutive days. This added an element of danger and excitement. Once at 0400, we were awoken by the monkeys in the trees indicating that the leopard was probably close by.

This review reflects our 10-day vacation to Cape Town, SA, and the Sabi Sands private game reserve in early November 2018.  Our arrangements were made through this travel agency, and our travel consultant.  Overall, our trip was outstanding and we were very pleased with the services offered by our travel consultant and this company.  I can recommend them, without reservation.

I’m typically a hands-on travel planner, so when we first started thinking about our SA trip I figured I’d do it myself and I attempted to do the research via the internet.  I quickly came to the conclusion that there was just too much information out there and too many options to consider, and attempting to make sense of it all would just take too long so we should engage a local expert.  I somewhat reluctantly reached out to Zicasso (and a few other safari planners); Zicasso put us in touch with this travel agency, and I was contacted by our travel consultant within a couple of days.  I was candid with her and explained that we had not yet settled on her company and were simultaneously considering itineraries provided by some other agents, but our she was extremely accommodating and worked with us to refine our requirements and settle on an itinerary that fit our budget and schedule.  Ultimately it was this travel consultant's responsiveness that won the day.  She kept in touch (e-mail and phone) with us as the date of our travel approached, talked with me briefly on the phone during our first day in Cape Town just to check in, and has been in touch several times since we returned.  

Our travel consultant selected 5-star properties for our consideration, and we were very happy with the choices.  In Cape Town we stayed at a boutique hotel (in the penthouse suite!), an amazing place in trendy Camps Bay.  Service and accommodations there were excellent.  Based upon our travel consultant's recommendation we chose Dulini Lodge for our safari experience, and could not have been happier; see below for more comments about Dulini.  The travel company also took care of all transfers to/from airports, three days of guided touring in and around Cape Town, and internal flights to/from Sabi Sands.  All went off without a hitch.

A word about international airline flights: our travel consultant offered the services of a US-based partner travel agency to help us with our international flights.  I engaged with that agency a few times, but frankly was underwhelmed with the responsiveness of the service and the prices they found for flights.  In the end we booked directly with Virgin Atlantic, found flights that fit our schedule, and (I believe) got at least as good a deal as the other agent would have been able to find for us.  As I noted, however, I’m a hands-on traveler so don’t mind doing this kind of research; if you would rather not do the legwork yourself, then this company does have at least one option for assistance.

My daughter and I spent 4 days at a Sabi Sand safari lodge. We were will pleased with the Lodge and the Wild life viewing . We got great pictures and the food was very good. The travel company did I great job setting it up for us.

Our agent at this Safari tour company has been a pleasure to work with. Knowledgeable, competent and with an outstanding follow-through and personalized attention to every request made and every detail was taken care of.

 The itinerary flowed seamlessly and trouble-free.

 Here it is: 2 nights at the Residence in Johannesburg. a 6 star hotel (if this rating existed) attention to every detail, impeccable cuisine and definitelya "keeper" for our next trips.

 in every one of the next 6 lodges we stayed 4 nights.

 next we flew to  Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge (a repeat for us) a lavish lodge. I was astonished at being recognized by our past  Ranger, named Surprise. He did rememeber every detail of our request s from a trip 4 years before! a true Surprise!  luxurious  accommodation, great service and my only complaint was the quality of their breads. They MUST hire a pastry chef! .

 on to Exeter River Lodge- gorgeous accommodations, great food, no complaints. definitely will go back again!

next we were at Founders Camp in Londolozi portfolio. we had been previously at one of their other lodges, Tree.

 this camp alhtough a bit larger, was equally comfortable, the suite was quite large, food was great and no complaints. again, will keep on going back!

afterwards we went to Lion Sands where we had stayed previously at Ivory Lodge, this time we stayed at River Lodge.

Gorgeous and luxurious suite, attentive on site managers, good food although larger than Ivory (Tawny suite previously), most comfortable and luxurious, expansive suite # 14

following was Little Bush- a bit of a disappointment although a small lodge (certainly the smallest of the Sabi Sabi portfolio) Food was not what we expected although the staff was most pleasant and eager to please. a knowledgeable and enthusistic ranger and tracker wonderful sightings, but I must confess it was the smallest suite we had in this trip. I guess it should be up for updating in short term.

Last was another "repeat": Dulini. we had stayed here 4 years ago, when it was part of the  &Beyond group. Again our ranger and tracker recognized us. They "upgraded" (remodelled) the lodge apparently last year after it changed ownership, and I must praise them. It is even more beautiful and large then I remembered it. Great food, great location and great food, managed extraordinarily by Chef Jessica. We had requested a special type of bread to be prepared for us for Friday night (a Challah) and she delivered a beautiful and tasty hand made challah. It made us feel very special! Besides, whatver we requested from her, our wishes were fulfilled, Nothing was too much (or any , as she said) trouble.

 Definitely will go back!

Our trip to South Africa was planned and booked through this Africa safari tour operator. After lots of discussion and planning we spent 3 days in Cape Town, 2 days at Victoria Falls, and 3 days at Dulini Lodge in Sabi Sands game reserve. Our travel agent did a great job helping plan everything. She also was extremely helpful when we had inbound flight delays. This required juggling our schedule in Cape Town and rearranging our in country flights.

Overall, it was a great vacation.