Why South Africa? A simple example! (page 9 of 12)

The ranger and his tracker were really motivated about finding animals and very interesting with their explanations. We saw quite a few animals up very close, including a pack of wild dogs with their pups and some lions.

We definitely went at the same time, since on the first drive we also saw wild dogs, lions, and a leopard.

We did the first two drives with a ranger who was really good—an ex-rugby player—but then he was off, and that’s when things went downhill. The other one was a tall, skinny young blond guy, a total disaster. Everything we saw was spotted by people in the car 🤪, I’d never seen that before.

After doing several game reserves, I’ve definitely become pickier about safaris than first-timers (no criticism intended).

Their downside—but it could also be an advantage—is that they’re alone on the concession, so when you get two bad rangers and one good one, it limits what you’ll discover.

You only get the experience of one game reserve, so it’s harder to compare. That’s the misadventure that happened to our friend Michel ;-)

As for eating together, it’s the same at every game reserve I’ve been to—it must be the case in almost all of them.

For me, what matters in a game reserve is the safaris; the rest is secondary. If the safari is great, the overall feeling will be good.

Yes, yes, it really was a compliment. With my deepest respect for all the knowledge gathered about these fascinating regions. I completely agree with your answer to your own question: Why South Africa?—echoed in the first post of this discussion. That’s exactly how we felt after our first trip in 2017, which made us return this year and seriously consider extending the romance in 2019 😎 For the travel journal, since it’ll be my first, I’m still hesitating a bit given the size of the task... Plus, there are all the photos to sort through

We were there at the beginning of August 2017. The ranger was young and blond and was called Jacu, but he was accompanied by an older tracker named Sam. But it’s true that it was our first game drive. This year we discovered Madikwe Game Reserve, where prices are a bit higher, as is the quality of the meals and accommodations, but when it comes to game drives, I didn’t really notice much of a difference. Except that the collaboration between rangers happens with all the lodges in the reserve. On the other hand, we weren’t seated together at the table.

That’s a huge plus—sharing information—we didn’t have a tracker with us.

At Madikwe, you didn’t even eat with the other people in the car? I’m crossing this one off my list 🙂

That’s the mishap that happened to our friend Michel ;-) ????

Madikwe offers a global and shared game reserve experience with many lodges. Some are even managed by the local community.

Services vary depending on the lodge. At Buffalo Ridge, there’s no tracker, but constant communication with other vehicles. Beautiful game drives. The price isn’t the same.

Shindzela is a small, exclusive concession right next to Kruger and Ngala... Known for its reputation and high cost. So, no sharing of info.

When I was there, their vibe was *wild wild wild* with two bush runners as rangers (we even got out of the jeep to approach rhinos). Limited comfort, average meals, and shared moments during mealtimes...

Very different from the many game reserves I’d visited before.

The pluses: the price, the super wild and bushy atmosphere.

The minuses: the small size of the reserve, warm beer (30°C) in a 40°C environment...

Things have changed since then.

I’ll have to go back!

No choice! 😄

Well, you explained it above—like at that reserve where you messed up, with the TripAdvisor reviews from people who’d only visited one reserve.

I’ll have to go back!

No choice! 😄

Like you needed an excuse 😆

In Madikwe, if you hit it off with others, nothing’s stopping you from eating with them—it’s just not automatically arranged. But no ranger at your table... unless you invite them.

In some of the more "posh" reserves... they don’t mix the napkins and the dishrags—it’s not what a certain clientele expects.

I’m still sharing a couple of photos with you

Note:

The Hoedspruit–Hazyview–Nelspruit road.

Eighteen years ago... a narrow road with no shoulders, little traffic, and plenty of shacks all along the way.

Today... A real highway, sidewalks or paved paths on both sides, heavy traffic, and... not a single shack in sight...

Things are getting better!

Final leg heading to Dullstroom via Sabie and Lydenburg.

A really beautiful road... except around Lydenburg... That part’s a bit sketchy.



They set up preventive fires.



Things improve.



Dullstroom

The perfect stop after a red-eye flight or for those who don’t want to rush to the airport. A small holiday town. A bit elevated. Local sport = fly-fishing for trout.

Our place to stay, Crichtley Hackle. The deal of the century. A private pond (where you can fish), surrounded by a restaurant and about ten "chalets" with a pretty Scottish style. Big bedroom, living room, bathroom with extras, security, etc... 80 € per night! What more could you ask for?





Well, after that it’s back to Joburg—the ugliest part of Gauteng... I’ll spare you the details.

Are shacks just shanties?

Personal conclusion.

I created this new travel journal to try to show how easy it is to go to South Africa and answer the usual questions. Car, traffic, roads, money, safety, accommodation, etc.

Often, forum users plan trips that seem either too packed or too complicated to me.

Is this your first time in South Africa?

Several questions come up.

What are you going for? How long are you staying?

Generally, it's for animals / landscapes / atmosphere...

The less time you have, the more choices you need to make.

Don’t forget that tour operators offering 15-day South Africa trips... exhaust travelers who end up worn out after rushing around without ever stopping... always on the move!

Cape Town or not? That’s a basic choice. For me, if you don’t have a long period, you need to choose either the West or the East of the country. The center and the north come into play more for a second trip.

In this case, you have a balanced route (a basic outline) with mountains, sea, animals, and landscapes. The essentials.

Alright... until next time! !

Township is a pseudo-city that became a city. Township doesn’t mean slum (example: Soweto).

Shacks = slums, the impoverished neighborhoods made of corrugated iron, cardboard, and whatever materials are available.

Gonna add one last thing...

In South Africa, city names are increasingly being changed to their "African" names.

Confusing on road signs when suddenly, the direction

Lydenburg becomes Mashishing!

Or

Dullstroom becomes Emnotweni! !

Oh man, this is gonna be a biiiig problem.

D’you think MAPS ME will update?

If not, we’ll do it the old-school way—asking locals whenever we’re unsure 😛

Have a good evening!

Christelle

What’s the problem with that? You tell him where you want to go, and he’ll take you there—even if the city’s name has changed.

Maps and other GPS? No problem. It’s for the skeptics like me. All old-school. Over a wood fire. Just road signs that change—it’s surprising. Surprising, that’s all.