That sounds like what I'd want to do.. a pre cruise safari..then Seychelles on cruise.. Don't think 2 weeks of just :eek: safari is for us.

This is a great idea as I would love to do it again. I did it with Silversea. We did a six night safari and then a 12 day cruise to the Seyechelles. Everyone is different so my following comments are only my personal point of view.

I loved the safari and we saw almost everything in that time period but the one big animal that was missing was leopards, the game drives were incredible. We actually saw a lion kill from the stalking to the downing of the zebra to bringing back the lion cubs to feed.

However I must say after 6 nights I was ready to return to the luxury of the ship. I am not sure I would enjoy a safari that is any longer. We went to Kenya to Amboselli and Masi Mara. Amboselli was a lodge and Masi Mara was a tented camp.(spelling not sure just finished about 3 glasses of wine. These were lovely places and very comfortable. We went with Micato Safaris (I recently saw a poll and they were rated number one) The tent was actually better than the lodge and had a concrete floor, full bathroom with toilet and shower. We also did a hot air balloon ride that was fantastic. The animals are truly awe inspiring. I was always "aware" I was in Africa. At night to get up to the bathroom I was not comfortable without my flashlight to "watch" the floor for critters etc. The truth was in the tent we never saw anything but the "thought" was still there. In the lodge we had small lizards everywhere.

When we hit that Silversea ship with all the normal surrounding and wonderful food we really felt fantastic. The comfortable bed and no thought of bugs or critters was pretty neat.

So I would definitely do another short safari, I would not do a long 2 to 3 weeks safari and I would want to combine it with a cruise. Many do long safaris and love it so I think we must recognize we all have different view points.

My hope is that in 2006 the RSSC World cruise has a segment in South Africa with a pre or post cruise safari. It is possible they have done it before and are not doing it in 2005. I also would check the Silversea schedule to see if they offer it. I think South Africa would be of the most interest to me as I have already done Kenya. I also hear that South Africa has incredible game reserves.

Something to think about for 2006.

Thanks so much for your input Ngaire. You're JUST THE PERSON I wanted to hear from most! I think we're all on the same page...a pre or post safari of 4-6 days and the luxury of a cruise, hopefully to include Seychelles. From what I've been reading, the luxury tents do sound better than the actual hotel/lodges. The photos of some of these look really nice and it is all inclusive.

Although I've never been on Silverseas...I'm open to ships, time of year and region of Africa. The only requirement that Tom Cruise will have is nice accommodations, decent food and wine. (he doesn't even know about any of this yet. I'm afraid if I mention the words safari and tents, he'll envision something other than what it actually is so I'll continue doing the research and wait until the final proposal).

Of course I know about animals and the survival of the fittest etc., but seeing it actually happen must have been amazing! (Knowing me, I'll need a box of tissues).

The Kimmis are in S.C. but Kimmi told me once that this is something they'd want to do as well.
BTW, an acquaintance who is a well traveled TA told me that her trip to Africa (Tanzania) was her most memorable experience in all her 65 years!

Well, here I was several hours ago, sitting home reading LCT with nothing better to do on this holiday afternoon. Got up from the computer to go put dishes in the diswasher AND THERE WAS NO WATER!
Thanks to Marcie, I got to spend my time when the mechanic was working to hear about a very exciting "plan" emerging for the future if we could ever work it out to suit everyone's timing, itinerary preference, price, etc. At my last, count, at least 12-15 seem seriously interested in what is out there for a safari-cruise combo, and please count me in as well, except maybe not 2005, as I already am booked for Norway in June and 007 in October! Did Ngaire mention South Africa as having the best safaris? What are the best months for safari? Somehow, I thought the Seychelles were in the Indian Ocean farther north in Africa, but I am geographically challenged in this area. Maybe when Ngaire gets home, she can provide some input. I think a short land-based safari followed by a cruise would fit the bill for me to satisfy a couple of my life's wishes!

Sherry, your early post reminded me of an experience one of the partners in my firm related. They had gone on an A&K or similar safari hosted by his mother in law for several of them, very custom arranged with tiny airplanes going to remote dirt airfields. One morning as she was sitting having coffee in front of her cabin/tent, she saw an elephant approaching. She was concerned (She was like Aunti Mame from the theater), and called out to the resident guard/ranger, or whatever, and said "where is he going???" as he was headed straight for her! The ranger responded "Mrs. X, he is going where ever he wants to go." Got to go now, I hear the fireworks in town and have to see what I can see from here! Next year I will be in Norway on the Voyager on the 4th!

Yea, Olivia! I'm thrilled if you can come with us. (but not thrilled about all the problems with your plumbing...sorry to hear about that).

I've spent quite a bit of time reading up on all this, I find it fascinating! Ideally, I'd like to spend a couple of days in Cape Town as well as the safari. I'm reading that the safaris are best on a "private game reserve"...pricer perhaps but better in all respects. I'm sure Ngaire, Irv, Betty, Claudia, Bette, Dixiechick and others can shed light on these things as well.

This may go down as the trip with the MOST TIME TO PLAN AND SAVE FOR!! (did you hear that Sheri?)

Will try this again! It would be great if we could find a ship that the whole group thought was a good one, and just do a separate independent safari pre-cruise. Most of the safaris I look at are so many more days than 4-6.

Huh?? Now say this in "one's" English language.

Olivia must have posted the above message after too many glasses of wine while watching the fireworks. :) We're interested as well and would rank this very high as a desired destination but would hinge on vacation time and cost. We'll be keeping an eye on this one!

Masaki

huh? <img border="0" alt="[Drinking]" title="" src="graemlins/062802drink_prv.gif" />

Here is a sight with info on all the game reserves ( and seasonal info too)..
I think Silverseas looks like it is the only line that has safari package and cruise..but it is a long one..maybe new itineraries will be coming out? The ships that did safari Seychelles combos also used to throw in Egypt..


http://www.game-reserve.com/kenya_masai-mara.html

That's a nice site Claudia.

For additional browsing, I also found this site which covers safaris, lodging, game reserves, countrys, weather...you name it!

http://www.e-gnu.com/

Hello everyone:
I am Irv's wife,Maria - better known to family and friends as OGGIA. Sorry we haven't officially introduced ourselves, Irv was supposed to do that. I guess he'll get around to it one of these days... not that our lives are all that fascinating. I am not much into posting, but I do read most of the posts on this board, and I have been following with particular interest this recent thread. An African safari has been one of the top items on my wish-list for all of my adult life, but (like your Tom, Marcie) Irv never wanted to hear about it. I guess he had a vision of trekking through the jungle in the heat, swatting tsi-tsi flies, sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag, and showering by way of a bucket of water poured over your head - we've all seen those old movies. He finally agreed to the S.Africa post-cruise package, at the end of our 55-day leg of Radisson's World Cruise, last spring: 2 days in Capetown and 3 in Singita. We arranged this land package with African Travel, Inc. (Radisson's operator, Micato, was not flexible enough to accommodate our preferences)and were very happy with the way they arranged everything. The 3 days in Singita were truly the experience of a lifetime. As you said, Sheri, it was like stepping into an episode of "Life of the Rich and Famous" (we are neither, alas). In fact, I found it even TOO extravagant, especially the accommodations, which we never fully utilized as we were outside most of the time. Also, and this may sound odd, I felt it detracted from the safari experience - I often had to remind myself that we were seeing animals really living in the wild, not in some man-made park like "Lion Country Safari". On our twice-daily game drives, we did see all the BIG FIVE, and lots of others, but sometimes we would drive for over an hour without seeing a single animal. The various rangers were in radio contact with each other, and whenever there was a sighting, we all converged on the same spot ... somewhat staged, no? I promised myself that someday soon I would return to Africa for a REAL safari, moving from place to place for a couple of weeks, of course staying in deluxe lodges or tented camps and dining on good food. Any outfit like A&K, Travcoa or even Tauck would probably fit the bill. I've always thought (and please somebody correct me if I'm wrong)that the best game viewing is in Kenya and Tanzania. My ideal safari would include Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli, Masai Mara, the Great Rift valley and Lake Manyara. My feelings about combining this with a cruise are mixed; a week or two of post-safari relaxation and pampering sounds good, but I would not plan the safari "around" the cruise, just the opposite: if the right ship comes along at the right time, fine (I agree, Ngaire, it would be great if RSSC would repeat the 2003 World Cruise itinerary and stop in Africa on the way back to Florida). One thing to consider is the time of year - which is best for safari? Also, luggage. If any small plane flights are involved, you are only allowed a VERY SMALL suitcase - actually, more like a carry-on. You would need to store your cruise wardrobe somewhere (African Travel did this for us, in the Johannesburg airport, but that was only for 3 days). I'm sure these details can be worked out. Keep the thread going ...
Oops, I've "talked" too long - did I say I was not a poster?
P.S. Karen, thank you for the nice compliment - judging from you picture you deserve it more than I.

Maria, How nice to see your post! (not that I think Irv is chopped liver ;) )

I love hearing all these Safari experiences, they make me all the more eager to experience it for myself. My goal is to see my favorite animal in the wild, the giraffe!

Welcome Maria....I'm so glad you joined this thread. Although I started it all, I probably know the least about it all, but I'm learning!
I really appreciate all your great info, since we've never been there, it's all new to us.

Maybe Singita is too over the top. We want something nice but it doesn't have to be anything outrageous either. I like the idea of a cruise (if it works out) just because I don't see any safari activity for more than a few days yet it's too far to fly for just a few days. I would also like to see or even stay in Cape Town as well. It sounds so nice.

You have a good point about the luggage restrictions. This had also occurred to me as well since the clothes for the land trip will be so different than the clothes needed for a cruise.

What I really don't want is too much bouncing from site to site with a night here, a night there over and over. Ideally, what sounds the most appealing to me is perhaps 2 nights in Cape Town and 3-4 nights at a game reserve, then board a cruise (in my perfect world).

BTW, the cat is out of the bag here. Yesterday I left the computer on with this thread showing and Tom (who never reads LTC) read this whole thread. He actually seemed OK with it all, just gave me an eyeroll which is a good sign around here...

Again, I value the opinions of others so much! I'm so glad you chimed in Maria...please don't stay a stranger!

We had looked at this company once upon a time:

web page

Of course, it would be the absolute opposite of roughing it, which was what Mark was looking for when he found it.

Dear Marcie..
I love the eyeroll :rolleyes: from hubby..
Get that alot over here
Welcome Maria ( and Irv).. keep those great posts coming. To me that "camp" Singita sounds fabulous..
My kind of camping!
Just read something on A & K about a Spafari.. that's game reserves game drives and spa package...
loved the name!

http://singita.go2africa.com/experience/awards.asp

Had to look it up to see what it looked like! PERFECT!
We could always book the cruise w/out Africa ( Seychelles) and then go to this place seperately- they have game drives inc. in room rates... check out the site..
Or maybe the ship would have this hotel on their pre- post cruise package? Ngaire?

Oh wow!

Claudia, I clicked on the Singita web-site that you posted. Are you aware what these rates of 6,100 Rands PP, per night amounts to? About $2000.00 per couple per night. They went up. It was only about $1500.00 per couple per night when we stayed there.

Silverseas uses Londolozi (it looks there are 4 together). I read an article where Londolozi Private Game Reserve received Travel + Leisure World'd Best Award 2003 for small hotel (editing to add that this is suppose to be the best place for seeing leopards....Ngaire would love that!)


http://www.go2africa.com/accommodation/safari_lodges/londolozi_lodges.asp?campaign=Google15

Marcie, those look great, too, but some of them are really small. Treehouse suites only has six, I didn't think to check if they are close to each other. I noticed when I was wandering around on some of the other websites that some places seem to just have a few.

<img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />
OMG! Now we know why it looks so fabulous!
Assuming all inclusive at that rate? :)

Marcie, we are all getting our Africa safari education...thanks for thinking of this idea. Really sounds so exciting.. I looked up these lodges at Relais and Chateau website ( as they are all part of the group) they show 6800 rand as 683EU so alot of mulah $$$$ but closer to $900US not the 2000..in any event all these places look fabulous. Wonder what Silverseas charges/includes in their package?
Also, top 100 places 2004 by
Conde Nast has Londolozi rated 87.9,Singita got 94.8 and something called Phinda Private Game reserve got 90.5

Marcie, we are all getting our Africa safari education...thanks for thinking of this idea. Really sounds so exciting.. I looked up these lodges at Relais and Chateau website ( as they are all part of the group) they show 6800 rand as 683EU so alot of mulah $$$$ but closer to $900US not the 2000..in any event all these places look fabulous. Wonder what Silverseas charges/includes in their package?
Also, top 100 places 2004 by
Conde Nast has Londolozi rated 87.9,Singita got 94.8 and something called Phinda Private Game reserve got 90.5
http://www.relaischateaux.com/site/us/FicheAdherent?RcCode=londolozi

oh- just saw Singita has 2 places and the other is the one that is more expensive..( near that 2000-range)..

Yes, Claudia, the rate of $2000.00 per night is all inclusive except for gratuities for the wait staff, the rangers, the spotters, etc. I think the $900.00 price of the Relais and Chateau is per person.The Singita rate of $2000.00 is per couple. Their prices are really about the same.

Interesting! I prefer the "Tents" over the lodges...they look amazing! (some even have private "plunge pools")
It's a good thing this is a LONG ways away...looks like a LOT OF SAVINGS is in order!

OK I think we are interested too! I will just follow this info and looks like I don't have to think about money for some time - I agree with the folks who like short safari(4-5 days?) and then cruise - Joanna

I just like the outfits! Now what about shoes? ;)

On the CC board there is a post where the Silverseas post cruise was at Royal Malewane:

http://www.besthotelsresorts.com/royalmalewane.htm

This sounds REALLY OVER THE TOP and talks about private butlers, private chef, private masseuer. Many of these camps sound so small...it sounds like we could take over the entire camp.

Ahhhh...catching up after a long weekend...

I agree with just about everything everyone has said...I CAN swing a 2.5 week-er...I just don't think I can swing 3 weeks.

I really like the idea of a shorter safari and longer cruise.


Yes, I realize this is one I need time to save for. :D

So far, I am booked on MINT, 2004...PIP, 2005...and if nobody talks me into anything else before then, I think 2006 could work for the safari.

I am NOT sure about $2000+ a night at Singita though!! It looks beautiful...but 4-6 nights x $2000, and we are WAY out of my budget!! ;)

This sounds great! I hope it materializes!!

Sheri

Marcie, that one seems to like the thought of somebody taking the entire camp. Do you think I'm reading it right, in six suites for two and one for four?

I don't see anything about air conditioning, just a fireplace.

I can't imagine any of these places NOT having air conditioning...I can live without the Ralph Lauren sheets :D , but not without AC! Maybe we'd be better off booking a package type deal with an independent company pre-cruise and forget the cruise line package. From what I've read they will all hold our cruise luggage for us and they all offer transfers etc. Maybe we can just go to Walmart and buy cheap safari clothes to just "leave behind" :D . I guess we'll have to wait to see what our options are and weigh the cost vs. the value.

I've even been exploring airlines that fly into Cape Town and/or Johannesburg and there are quite a few. Delta has a non-stop from Atlanta (codeshare with South African Air), KLM goes through Amsterdam (Sheri, they are partners with USAir if you want to use f.f. miles), Virgin Atlantic through London, British Air through London, Air France through Paris, Swiss Air through Zurich...lots of choices!

We will need to find a place that is nice but also gives us the most bang for our buck. Right? Yikes, you'd think I was going next week!

Editing: Pam, I found a different site and yes Royal Malewane's suites are all air conditioned.

Oh, good! Life for a female over 50 includes a built-in heating system, ya know.

We've been hoarding Mark's Delta miles and AmEx Membership points for something like this, I guess. He's covered up with them; I spent most of mine, but have a few. Non-stop, yikes! Can we talk about being crippled for life? But I don't read really good things about Air France.

Mark is feeling guilty, I think, since we've been talking about this. He came home yesterday and told me about a SilverSeas cruise to the British Isles that he had found. I had seen it and discarded it because I had better things to do with our travel $$$ next year, but I appreciated the thought.

Mala Mala looks good....70% of the guests are returning guests. It's $574. per night all inclusive and gets VERY high marks from what I've been reading....(so many options!) From what I've read, we should select a place on a river bed for best viewing. Also, we don't want to go in "our winter"...too hot there. Our late Summer, Fall or Spring sound like the best times
http://malamala.krugerpark.co.za/mala-mala-accolades.html

And the Mala Mala "main camp" talks about a location for 20 that can be taken by a group. That could prove interesting.

Fifteen and a half hours non-stop from Atlanta. Ouch! There doesn't seem to be a non-stop back, there are two 8 1/2 hour segments to JFK. Some of the segments from JFK to ATL seem to be from LGA or EWR; how do you get from one airport to another when you are a hick from the boonies?

Pam, I'm learning that there doesn't seem to be any easy way (I haven't explored options too much). Living in So. Cal is really tough for us. For this reason I'm almost leaning towards flying to the east coast with a stop over, then flying on to say Amsterdam where we'd overnight in an airport hotel, then fly on the next day.

Like you, I think we'd use our AmEx points which we've been saving for something BIG like this. I really hate long flights....thank goodness I take a little sleeping pill for really long flights.

(found another website for Mala Mala) A group of about 20 of us would seem great!
http://mala-mala.go2africa.com/default.asp

If you scroll down this page it list many places to stay according to Deluxe, Luxury etc.
http://www.go2africa.com/top_destinations/kruger.asp

Do these places take short reservations of 4 days or so that could be combined with a cruise leaving from Capetown?

I have learned at FlyerTalk that South African Air is pulling out of the alliance with Delta. That's not good.

Pam, It looks like South African Air will become part of the Star Alliance with United Air Lines when their current contract is up.
Not to worry, if you want to use Delta miles you will have the opportunity to use either KLM or Air France. I've flown on both with no problems before. (Actually on the return flight, the time isn't that much difference connecting in Europe since South African makes a fuel stop).