South Africa Travel Forum

Greetings,

I would like to surprise my husband in May 2009 for his 50th birthday by taking him on an African Safari...a dream for him.

We are avid animal lovers and want to work with a tour company or game reserve where all proceeds go to the preservation of the wildlife.

Although we do not mind roughing it in anyway, we would not be opposed to luxurious accommodations if we are able to enjoy a true safari experience. I have been reading about Singita Game Reserve and wondered what everyone has heard about this company.

Also, does it makes sense to include a trip to Cape Town? We would allow a two week stay.

Thanks in advance for everyone's advice!

That would be a nice surprise! Probably my favourite game reserve in South Africa is Hluhluwe-Umfolozi in Natal. It is not the biggest and therfore your best chance to see the Big 5 during one safari. HU is most well-known for saving the white rhino from extinction; therefore you will see lots of rhino! During our trip, we also saw huge buffalo herds (very impressive!), elephant, lion and leopard.
There are two parts: Umfozoli, which has more modest rondavels, and Hhluhluwe, which has a world-renowned and luxurious hilltop camp.
We stayed in a rondavel, which was unfenced with hyenas scrounging on our verandah during the night. The smell of sizzling meat from BBQ fires attracted them!
Visting Cape Town would be a real plus. It is simply stunning! one the one side you have imposing mountains and on the other side the pounding ocean. You also have the West Coast National Park nearby where you can see Eland - largest antelope in the world, Springbok etc.
Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth is another option you may want to research.
Enjoy!

We stayed at the Inyati Lodge in Sabi Sand reserve area near Kruger, and booked thru Thompson Tours. Highly recommend. Not the most expensive even though it was a lot of money and worth every penny. Flew in to private airstrip from JoBerg. Three nites there and saw all the animals on the morning/evening game rides.
Gary

Hi We had our first adventure into South Africa May of 2007 with a 4 day stopover at Sun City in the Pilanesburg National Park approximately a 2 hour drive inland from Johanensburg. We had a great time and saw many animals on safari. The weather in May was outstanding, total blue sky each day. Some web pages which may help.We took a package which included pick up at airport and transfer in car with driver to the Sun City resort and return.

www.tourismnorthwest.co.za
www.gametrac.co.za
www.parksnorthwest.co.za

You are welcome to view my pages, I also have a tip with web addresses for local safari lodges.

Good Luck,
Mike