Anyone interested in looking into this new resort? THe NYTimes said great things about it last week. Ngaire, how is Tanzania to travel to and within?

I would like to hear about it.
After enjoying south africa this year I am looking at going to Kenya and Tanzania next year.
Miriam

I read that writeup as well and it sounded great. I'd like to hear more about it too. I've been so impressed with the reports from Ngaire and the ROAR folks re: Singita.

We did a tour of Tanzania and Kenya in 2002 and really loved it. I would definitely go back. Tanzania was more appealing to us than Kenya in a lot of ways. More unspoiled, I guess, would be the way I would have described it. Although maybe some of it was that we loved the tented camp we stayed at - Kirawira. And I'll be honest and say I would have been just as happy to skip Nairobi.

We haven't done South Africa yet but folks I know who've done both say the SA trips are definitely more luxurious overall. And I think perhaps less unrest in SA. We flew in a day early to Arusha and stayed overnight at the hotel. The next day we saw lots of folks walking along the road and found out that they were going to the market in the village just down the road. We wanted to go but the guards at the hotel practically had a stroke and just about pulled us back in. They didn't even really want me to walk a few yards outside the gate to take pictures of the coffee plants. When we questioned our guide he said that the guards probably over-reacted but that a very small element of the population resented what they saw as "wealthy tourists". Reading the ROAR reports, I definitely did not get that same feeling about SA. On the other hand, we never experienced anything of that nature after the first day. And we never at any time felt insecure or unsafe in any way.

Everyone has their own opinion on this issue. I have been to East Africa and there is a world of difference between South Africa and East Africa.

I personally do not want to go back to East Africa and never seeing Nairobi and Mombassa again will be just fine with me. I loved the animals of course but was not jumping up and down to return. The infrastructure of East Africa leaves alot to be desired.

Once I found South Africa I really feel in love as I can enjoy the animals, and have the comforts that I seem to require as I get older. I also feel very safe in South Africa and did not feel that way at all in East Africa.

What makes the world go around is we all have different opinions which is a really good thing. No one is right or wrong just different perspectives.

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.

Thank you Ngaire for your insight and thoughts on this matter. I am alwasys comfortable in your hands.

We are going ahead with our plans for 2007 in East africa. I know the safari experience in some ways will be secondary to south africa but we are going for the migration and really only doing that and the crater with one day only in Nairobi.
Anything I have seen on the migration fills me with awe and I hope the experience is good.

Miriam

The animals will be great Miriam and if you can time it to see the migration that must be an awe inspiring sight. I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

Miriam,

We spent 3 weeks in Kenya & Tanzania in 1984 when they were safe & South Africa was not. Tanzania had just opened up to the west & some of the lodges that were once beautiful had been neglected under communist rule. We spent all our time on safari & no time in the big cities. The Ngorongoro crater & the Serengeti are amazing. We went in March at the height of the wildebeest migration. We saw everything plus a thrilling lion kill.

You will have a wonderful time & great animal viewing.

Best of Luck, Jackie

Things are always changing. What a difference 22 years make. Who knows what the future holds.

There are some well established game reserves in Tanzania and Kenya and new camps or renovated camps that offer good accommodation. I have not been there for about five years and things can change a lot in that much time.

Actually anytime you can be on safari the experience is fantastic!!!!

We are going in late August 2007. Little Governors in the Masai and Sayari in the Serengeti. Neither are the most lux but have good reputations.