What destination to add to trip to SA?
#16
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Nashville,TN
Programs: AA Gold Elite
Posts: 600
Was in SA and Mauritius last June/July.
Mauritius was pretty but not really warm enough to enjoy the ocean so your kids may not like that.
Cape Town will likely be fairly cool,windy and rainy as it is much further south then most of the safari places you are looking at. That is their winter since it's the southern hemisphere.
Morning game drives on safari will be VERY cold usually. Think several layers to peel off as the sun rises, definitely a warm hat,gloves and a scarf for the morning drives.
Hope this helps in your decision.
Mauritius was pretty but not really warm enough to enjoy the ocean so your kids may not like that.
Cape Town will likely be fairly cool,windy and rainy as it is much further south then most of the safari places you are looking at. That is their winter since it's the southern hemisphere.
Morning game drives on safari will be VERY cold usually. Think several layers to peel off as the sun rises, definitely a warm hat,gloves and a scarf for the morning drives.
Hope this helps in your decision.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
The best lodge in Madikwe by far is Mosetlha Bush Camp, for two reasons:
- It is almost right in the middle of Madikwe, which puts the entire reserve within comfortable game drive distance. Madikwe is very large, the other lodges are more or less restricted to their side or corner of the reserve.
- Best and most experienced guides.
However, Mosethla is not a family destination, nor is it the place for those who value creature comfort or expect luxury. It is a bush camp.
Johan
- It is almost right in the middle of Madikwe, which puts the entire reserve within comfortable game drive distance. Madikwe is very large, the other lodges are more or less restricted to their side or corner of the reserve.
- Best and most experienced guides.
However, Mosethla is not a family destination, nor is it the place for those who value creature comfort or expect luxury. It is a bush camp.
Johan
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
The best lodge in Madikwe by far is Mosetlha Bush Camp, for two reasons:
- It is almost right in the middle of Madikwe, which puts the entire reserve within comfortable game drive distance. Madikwe is very large, the other lodges are more or less restricted to their side or corner of the reserve.
- Best and most experienced guides.
However, Mosethla is not a family destination, nor is it the place for those who value creature comfort or expect luxury. It is a bush camp.
Johan
- It is almost right in the middle of Madikwe, which puts the entire reserve within comfortable game drive distance. Madikwe is very large, the other lodges are more or less restricted to their side or corner of the reserve.
- Best and most experienced guides.
However, Mosethla is not a family destination, nor is it the place for those who value creature comfort or expect luxury. It is a bush camp.
Johan
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
Was in SA and Mauritius last June/July.
Mauritius was pretty but not really warm enough to enjoy the ocean so your kids may not like that.
Cape Town will likely be fairly cool,windy and rainy as it is much further south then most of the safari places you are looking at. That is their winter since it's the southern hemisphere.
Morning game drives on safari will be VERY cold usually. Think several layers to peel off as the sun rises, definitely a warm hat,gloves and a scarf for the morning drives.
Hope this helps in your decision.
Mauritius was pretty but not really warm enough to enjoy the ocean so your kids may not like that.
Cape Town will likely be fairly cool,windy and rainy as it is much further south then most of the safari places you are looking at. That is their winter since it's the southern hemisphere.
Morning game drives on safari will be VERY cold usually. Think several layers to peel off as the sun rises, definitely a warm hat,gloves and a scarf for the morning drives.
Hope this helps in your decision.
#23
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Metro west Boston
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards, American Airlines, Delta Skymiles, Jet Blue, SAA
Posts: 55
Hi pinklighter!
Love Jaci's. I was there when my boys were younger. Lovely operation! Also love Tuningi. Another excellent and very suitable option.
Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
Love Jaci's. I was there when my boys were younger. Lovely operation! Also love Tuningi. Another excellent and very suitable option.
Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
Can you help me compare Jaci's vs Tunigi? Our sons will be 5/6 and 3 next summer. Plus we will also have my 76 year old father.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Metro west Boston
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards, American Airlines, Delta Skymiles, Jet Blue, SAA
Posts: 55
Tuningi is located in an excellent part of the reserve and management really goes above and beyond to welcome families with children as well as manage the needs of a multi gen group but either lodge will serve you well.
I think combining Madikwe with Cape Town is a fantastic idea! So many awesome things to do in that city. I have crafted many itineraries for families and have lots of great ideas to showcase the city and the surrounding area. There's something for everyone and if you are into nature and the outdoors, it is bountiful! Please let me know if can assist further.
Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
I think combining Madikwe with Cape Town is a fantastic idea! So many awesome things to do in that city. I have crafted many itineraries for families and have lots of great ideas to showcase the city and the surrounding area. There's something for everyone and if you are into nature and the outdoors, it is bountiful! Please let me know if can assist further.
Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
Last edited by Dianne_AfricaDirectUSA; Jul 7, 2017 at 6:54 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
Tuningi is located in an excellent part of the reserve and management really goes above and beyond to welcome families with children as well as manage the needs of a multi gen group but either lodge will serve you well.
I think combining Madikwe with Cape Town is a fantastic idea! So many awesome things to do in that city. I have crafted many itineraries for families and have lots of great ideas to showcase the city and the surrounding area. There's something for everyone and if you are into nature and the outdoors, it is bountiful! Please let me know if can assist further.
Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
I think combining Madikwe with Cape Town is a fantastic idea! So many awesome things to do in that city. I have crafted many itineraries for families and have lots of great ideas to showcase the city and the surrounding area. There's something for everyone and if you are into nature and the outdoors, it is bountiful! Please let me know if can assist further.
Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
#28
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: AA, DAL, blah, blah, blah...The usual.
Posts: 646
Do consider Swaziland for a day or two.
If the Reed Festival is going on (end of August), the entire country is buzzing.
A day driving through Swazi, overnight at a B&B/game reserve, then finish in Drakensberg. A helicopter tour of Drakenspeek is money well spent.
If the Reed Festival is going on (end of August), the entire country is buzzing.
A day driving through Swazi, overnight at a B&B/game reserve, then finish in Drakensberg. A helicopter tour of Drakenspeek is money well spent.
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
Thanks for the rec. Is Swaziland non-malarial?
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
Hi all,
I'm back. Our current thinking is:
- 5-7 days in Capetown
- 4 days at Jaci's or Morukuru
- 3 days at Ant's Hill or Ant's Nest
Home.... If we were to add another week to visit Swaziland (airmotive's itinerary of overnight at a B&B or game reserve, finish in Drakensberg wiht a helicopter tour of Drakenspeek) and/or Namibia, how would you integrate them into the above itinerary?
I'm back. Our current thinking is:
- 5-7 days in Capetown
- 4 days at Jaci's or Morukuru
- 3 days at Ant's Hill or Ant's Nest
Home.... If we were to add another week to visit Swaziland (airmotive's itinerary of overnight at a B&B or game reserve, finish in Drakensberg wiht a helicopter tour of Drakenspeek) and/or Namibia, how would you integrate them into the above itinerary?