.::lyndausvi::.

AlexiaANDRobert

I read this on poli's HM post:We went to a small lodge in the bush of South Africa. We booked our lodge 8 months out. There are only 10 rooms so they book up fast. It was amazing.We booked our airline about 3 months out.When you have a few minutes, if you don't mind, would you either post more about this, or email me?I've always wanted to go to S Africa.  A few people I know have gone, but with huge groups and things were booked/planned for them so I've always wanted a different perspective.ucfalexia27 @ hotmail . comTIA!

aMrsin09

NO!  Post more for the rest of us too!  Any pics?

lyndausvi

Hopefully this works.  Here are a few pictures from Africa.. Here is how close we were to the animals.  You can see the bar from our open air Land Rover  

lyndausvi

The leparod is sitting on the wall.  So we could not go down the driveway until he moved for fear he would jump  on the tracker.  He is the one sitting on the front of the jeep.  To the left of the wall are rooms.  The lepoard was heard walking our roofs at night and she drank from our swimming pool.Here she is sitting on the wall.

kate51485

OMG Simbaaaa!Those are amazing, Lynda!

aMrsin09

This is going to sound like a silly question, but were there bugs? Tripsl ike this always sound amazing and then I get there and find out about the rampant insect problem that everyone "forgot" to mention.

lyndausvi

We stayed at Ulusaba lodge. It was amazing.  We were not in tents but actual rooms.  They were so romantic.  I could take a bath in the lion claw bathtub while watching animals down below.www.ulusaba.com    

lyndausvi

We were there in the end of winter.  So bugs were not bad.  We did sleep under a net everynight.

lyndausvi

We you get back from you AM drive your room is made up.  After your PM drive your bedroom is  turndowned.  They lower the nets and put out a bunch of candles.  It was really pretty.

vallyhoo

Those pictures are breathtaking.

AlexiaANDRobert

That looks amazing!!! What's the exchange rate?  How much (if you don't mind) did that cost in dollars and what did you get/do?

lyndausvi

Yikes.. Back then it was 10 Zar to the dollar, not sure what it is now.  Not including airfare to SA it cost about $7k.   That included a plane to/from Ulusaba, 5 nights, all your food and booze, 2 drives a day, 2 massages.  This lodge is 5 star (owned my Sir Richard Branson).  Food and alcohol were all high end.Typical day:5:30am - wake up call5:45-6am - coffee and biscuits6am - 9am - safari 2 hours in you stopped for coffee/tea and some snacks9am - breakfast. normally will your driver and everyone in your Land Rover.  Talk about what you saw during the drive.after breakfast until 3:30pm. - on your own. Most people did massages, went to the local village, took naps, watch movies, etc.Lunch is served at leisure between noon and 1:30pm.3:30pm - Tea time with cookies4pm - 7pm - PM safari.  2 hours in you stop for happy hour drinks in the middle of the bush7pm - 7:45pm - get ready for dinner7:45pm - pre dinner drinks.8pm - dinner.  Although we never had dinner before 8:45.  Everyone goes to the bar has a few drinks.  The chef comes out and drinks with you. He tells you the options for dinner.  Normally 3 apps, 3 entrees and a few deserts.  If you have dietary restrictions they work with you (or even if you do not like a certain ingrediant)After dinner you are on your own.  Normally  you are so tired you retire for the evening because 5:30am comes quick.  But sometimes we just hang out at the bar with other guests.Dinner is a group event.  But they do private dinners in your room if  you want.  They are so romantic.  We also had a dinner out in the middle of the bush with village dancers and stuff.The bar is open all day/night long.  The staff will stay up with you as long as you want.  They even drink with you.It was well worth the cost IMO

aMrsin09

Hmm, you almost have me convinced to ignore any insects ;-) What was the weather like at that time of year (since our anniversaries are very close)

lyndausvi

typical end of winter/ beginning of spring unpredictable weather.  Our first day it was 90 degrees and sunny.  The next 3 days were in the 50's with a little bit of mist.  This island girl had to wear a lot of layers, plus 2 fleece ponco (they provide them), I took DH hot water bottles, I had to wear a scarf for my ears.  I was so cold.  But nothing was going to stop me from going on the drive. The last day was back in the 80's and sunny.

aMrsin09

Ugh, This East coast girl would love it, but unfortunately her Southern Hemisphere H would be even colder than you were.  insects or warmth...such a toss up.

Andrea_Lea

It sounds like an amazing trip, and those are some beautiful photos, lynda!