Who's the Knottie/Nestie who has been to Ulusaba?

girlinchicago

I know you're around, but I can't remember who you are!  I'd love to pick your brain about it, hear what you thought, where else you considered and maybe see pictures if you have some! 

We are thinking about South Africa or Tanzania for summer 2013.  Willing to spend the money for an amazing safari lodge.  Ideas welcome! 

We will likely combine the safari with some beach time in Zanzibar or the Seychelles, so if anyone has any recs for those two areas, throw 'em my way!

MorganR21

Check out REI.com, travel tab for some awesome trips! Most are all inclusive, except for travel there. 

NotATotalBetty

Zanzibar is amazing: so laid back, totally different, GREAT FOOD. Definitely stay one night in Stone Town at least, to experience the food fest that is Fordhani Gardens. Just vendor after vendor with outstanding mishkakiki (grilled meats, kebob like) and fresh seafood. Wash it down with hand-cranked mua, which is sugar cane juice, or try their version of ginger ale, tangawizi. Head up to Bwejuu or Nungwi for beautiful blue waters and nice sandy beaches. When I went, I stayed in a mid range backpacker type of place, but thereare some great luxury hotels there too. If you want to blow the budget, there's Mnemba Island Lodge, a private island resort that's extremely intimate and very honeymooner friendly (but very very expensive). Go with the flow in Zanzibar. And a little Swahili helps too. My favorite greeting is "Vip mambo?" and the response is always "Poa!"

NotATotalBetty

Oh, and if you're considering Seychelles, maybe look into Mauritius too? I've never been, but it's very luxurious and has some amazing properties, plus an interesting history and culture. There are definitely some well regarded resorts there (Four Seasons, Oberoi, One&Only) and some nice independents too that would fit the bill.

Jells2dot0

If it's Mauritius vs Seychelles, the Seychelles win hands down. It's a longer flight from JNB (JNB-MRU is about 4 hours; SEZ is 6), but worth it. After having been, I would say to stay on Praslin (Raffles opened about a year ago) and I have to plug Denis Island. What a wonderful experience that was, though it's a 30 minute flight from Mahe and Denis is a coral island not granite. So, you won't see those gorgeous boulders that are in all of the pictures. Mahe was okay, but I probably didn't stay in the right places (both Le Meridiens) or long enough. Don't get me wrong, Mauritius was great, but the Seychelles were even better.

msaputra

We are leaving to South Africa in a month and I have done plenty of research so let me  know if you have any questions in particular!

Did you decide which area you want to go for Safari?

A lot of people recommend Kruger for 1st time safari, the only "downside" per se is that it is a malaria area, although if ou are going next summer (which is their winter), the risk for malaria is pretty low.

If you are going to kruger, some of the top lodges are the following (cost > $1k per night):

Lion Sands River Lodge/Ivory Lodge - this is where they filmed the Bachelor

Chitwa Chitwa

Singita

I like the look of Vulanli lodge and pricewise it's a lot more affordable.

A lot of people also say that Elephant Plains is great value (around ($750/night)

If you prefer malaria free area, Madikwe, Kwandwe, or Shamwari is a great alternative.

Madikwe: Morokuru Family, Makanyane

Kwandwe: Ecca Lodge or Great Fish River Lodge

Shamwari: Bayethe Tented Lodge (Tiger woods honeymooned in Shamwari, though not at the Bayethe) - and the Real housewives of Atlanta was recently at one of the Manor in Shamwari.

For our trip, we are doing Safari, Cape Town, and the Winelands.

Haven't been to Zanzibar/Seychelles/Mauritius, although it would be a great combo since you're already all the way over there. 

Let me know if you have any other questions!!