Originally Posted by
Catch22returns
Indeed.
Most of the "concession" lodges are the safest private zoos in the world. The only true game spotting in my opinion is in the Park proper but this can be a hit or miss affair depending on the season, the place, the time and a good dose of luck. Most of the private concessions will almost guarantee sightings of the big 5 which is useful for people who are under time constraints.
Am I missing something? Because I'm baffled by these statements.
Since there are no fences between the concessions and they are part of KNP, how can they guarantee sightings or be called zoos?
Yes, they have radio contact and will share information (which often results in any worthwhile sighting being mobbed by vehicles). But I have seen the rangers at Londolozi mortified that they couldn't track down a leopard for me over several days - despite Londolozi being touted as
the place for leopards. A ranger at Sabi Sabi also told me about how he had failed to produce any of the big five for a group of Italians for 2 days and was mightily relieved when he finally spotted some rhino. Hardly supports the idea of a "zoo" where animals can be produced on demand.