Hi Agustin,
I have been going to Umfolozi for more than forty years, I have been to Hwange in Zimbabwe, Kruger a number of times, Hluhluwe, Mkuze, Ndumo, Savuti, Moremi, the Okavango Delta and, my favourite, The Kgalgadi Trans-Frontier Park. I also spent five days in the Sabi Sands.
1. If you have limited time and want to be guaranteed of seeing the Big Five - especially leopard, you have to spend the money and go to the luxury private reserves in the Sabi Sands. I understand Tony's "No" in his one reply regarding Mala Mala - but those types of places deliver the goods! Keep in mind that the animals you see in places like that are as wild and dangerous as anywhere else, you will get closer with fewer other people around. These are NOT zoo animals! The fences between Sabi Sands and Kruger were taken down long ago so there is free movement of game between those reserves...
2. We South Africans have the luxury of spending time in the game reserves without the pressure of having to see everything, if we don't see it this time, we'll maybe see it next time... In the fifty years I had been going to "normal" game reserves I saw only one leopard, fleetingly... In Sabi Sands we saw five different leopards on seven different occasions...close up, with no more than one other vehicle at all times!
3. I would rather spend a little more money than waste a
moderate amount and be disappointed in a smaller reserve...
4. The Okavango Delta is a unique place, even in Africa. It is expensive, but two nights is sufficient...pure paradise! In terms of game, you are unlikely to see the Big Five though...keep that for a second visit! Everyone should go at least once in their lifetime!!
5. The "normal" game reserves are special in their own way. You go to the Kgalagadi for the game - but - also the beautiful landscape. You either love it or you don't.... the animals are a bonus and the lions are, by far, the most magnificent! Umfolozi is very special to us and is ten times better than Hluhluwe, even though they are now one park. The southern part especially....
So, knowing what I know, I would suggest, as a first visit, the cheapest lodge you can find in Sabi Sands. (In spite of what I suspect Tony and Martin think of these places, I had similar reservations until I went to one...!) Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the place I went to "Ula Lapa" in the Sabi Sands - it is privately owned and invitation only.
I hope I have not added to your confusion!
Regards
William
PS We spent over an hour with this leopard and her kill with no other vehicle within miles! Sabi Sands.
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