Just back from a honeymoon trip that preceded her marriage, a friend shares notes and photos from an African odyssey that included multiple safari experiences. To see additional photos and view image at left larger, click on it.
Where I went: South and East Africa.
Why I went: For our pre-wedding honeymoon.
Who was on the trip: My fiancé and myself.
When: February 2007.
Who organized it: I organized it with the help of my spouse, friends and Micato Safaris, a high-end safari travel agent—they were fantastic, providing guides and cars and planes and hot-air balloons and helicopter tours, etc….
Where we stayed: In South Africa at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and the Boulders Lodge at Singita. In Tanzania at Tree Camp at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (www.ngorongoro-crater-lodge.com) and Singita Grumeti Reserves Sasakwa Lodge and Sabora Camp (buggy) at Grumeti. In Kenya at Bateleur Camp (www.ccafrica.com) in the Masai Mara. We had a horrible problem with bugs at Grumeti, when we stayed at Sabora, the tented camp. There were large holes in the mosquito nets so bugs covered the mattress. I liked Saskwa much better. It was more comfortable, staying there felt like living in the Ralph Lauren store. But my favorite place was Boulders Lodge at Singita. The rooms were spectacular. More important, though, the game viewing was better than at Grumeti. We could get much closer to the animals, which seemed very skittish at Grumeti. At Singita Boulders, we came incredibly close to leopards, cheetahs, even lions with cubs, as you can see in my photos.
What I’d go back for: More time in the Bush.
What I wish I knew in advance: How buggy and cold it can get. And to wear shoes in your room at all times in case you step on a scorpion as I did. Luckily it didn’t bite.
What to skip: The French haute cuisine.
What not to miss: The “cats” at Singita Boulders—Leopards, lions and cheetah. What we loved: Taking a walk through the bush—heavily armed and guarded, but it was exhilarating to be on the ground.
To book: Contact Singita directly (www.singita.com) or through Micato Safaris, 212-545-7111; in U.S. 800-MICATO-1; www.micato.com.
