I am considering going back to Africa around March between POP and TAP to do a fast paced trip to see some new areas and lodges that I just cant squeeze in with my short trips before and after groups.

I was considering going to Tanzania to check out the new Singita property. Maybe this could be a good destination and although I am not fond of East Africa I should keep an open mind, with Singita in charge and many wanting to go to a different country other than South Africa before or after ROAR 2 I should check it out.

However, with just a little research I am not too enthusiastic.

This is a new area that just became a game reserve for photographic safaris in 2003. I found this on the internet from a company trying to sell the safari here. By what measure is it considered a "top rated exclusive game preserve".

"Until a few years ago, the area was used for Big Game Hunting and adversely affected by extensive meat poaching. Massive private investment in antipoaching initiatives, infrasture development and management have turned the area into a top rated exclusive game preserve"

The problem with this is that the animals will not be relaxed around vehicles and the thrill of photographic safaris is getting close to the animals. In Singitia's Lebombo it is taking quite some time to get the animals used to the vehicles and to my knowledge (I may be wrong) this was not even a hunting area but part of the Kruger National Park. It takes a LONG time for the animals to settle down and relax with vehicles.

The three lodges in this area are already there and Singita will simply manage the properties. I am sure they will be well managed and improvements made but it is not all about the lodge it is about the animals.

So I have scrapped this plan. This will take precious time away from seeing more in South Africa which is my primary goal,let alone the expense and hassle of getting there. Every instinct in my bones tells me this is not going to measure up to the experiences that can be found in a well established photographic game reserve.