Originally Posted by
airbus320
Interesting reading on private concessions.
As I stated above, I recently spent three days at Lukimbi Lodge.
I did not feel that I was in a zoo-like experience.
I enjoyed the solitude of the game drives and particularly enjoyed the fact that we (three Land Rovers dispersed over the concession) had the exclusive run of the concession. We did not have to compete with the multitude of vehicles that I previously experienced in Sabi Sands.
To each his/her own safari experience.
I can only speak for myself, but when I'm using the word "zoo" in connection with an SA safari experience, what I mean is that there is a significant aspect of "make-believe" to the whole thing. Granted, Kruger is as close as it gets to the "real thing", but it still takes a lot of human intervention to maintain a proper balance in the park and, after all, there IS a fence. I'm using the word "zoo" to differentiate Kruger and other venues from "true" wilderness, something that you won't find in SA IMO and probably not at too many places anyway. Mind you, I'm all for a "touristy" element in my safaris, I appreciate the luxury and have never even been to a safari outside SA (and my next one will be in SA again). I don't see anything offensive (only realistic) in using "zoo" in that sense, and I can't see anybody attempting to "talk down" your experience, OR Kruger.