African Safari

Brenda · 08-03-2008, 01:09 PM

I REALLY want to go on one. I was talking to dh and the kiddos and they all thought it would be fun. We're thinking maybenext year since it will probably cost us an arm and a leg. But has anyone been on one? Or what about just going to Africa? Would it be to tiresome for the children at such a young age since there is a lot of just sitting and driving. I saw that some companies have family lodging in the open.??
We are headed to the bookstore to get info on Africa and the Serengeti.
Any advice would be great! Thanks!

mrs767er · 08-04-2008, 09:11 AM

Hi, Brenda! I've been on one luxury safari and plan to do another next month (if recurrent doesn't mess it up--otherwise we wait until next June)
First, take a look at tripadvisor.com--there are 2 major contributors, jasher and bwanadave who can really give you direction. It may take a lot of reading thru posts, but great source of info.
I wouldn't consider taking such young children on an expensive trip. The flights alone are staggeringly long. Our ATL/DKR/JNB is20 hours in a tube. (a few ont the ground in DKR)
There are malaria free zones in South Africa, but I would not go anywhere in most of Africa without yellow fever shots and they are expensive (kids have any allergic reactions to eggs?). Of course, tentanus, hep A and B are advised in most areas, too. Then there's malaria risk in other countries.
Kruger is not a MF zone but is considered safe in certain seasons.
Go to your local library first--they should have videos and plenty of guides--Eyewitness, Lonely Planet, Frommers and Fodors. Buy a book when you're really ready to start plans.
FYI--if you connect thru DKR, the total fees and taxes for our flights were nearly $150/pax.
Most safari pkgs are for 3-4 nights, with 2 game drives/day, all meals and lodging (which varies from tents to luxury "huts") A lux safari pkg for 2 will cost $500-1000/day in a private reserve. Kruger has private sections (I almost said "parts"!) but the main park requires you stay you on roads so you're out there with everybody and their uncles.
I was fortunate enough to find a great buy on Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel Auctions, Resorts - LuxuryLink.com and went to Madikwe Game Reserve. We stayed at Tuningi Lodge and will go to Mateya Lodge on the next one. Our pkgs were less than $1200/2 and we were treated like royalty--private villa, sunken tub, fireplace, wraparound deck--outdoor stone shower--animals walk right by while you try to nap in a kingsize bed draped with mosquito nets--romantic, too!!There is every price level out there. The only additional costs while there are alcohol bevs and tips for guides/drivers/scouts. Add your hotels before and after and side trips?
I guess it depends on where you go. I understand the game viewing is Botswana is great but the charge nearly twice what SA costs. I don't know about Kenya prices--I do know there are some major problems politically and now with recent animal poisonings from pesticides, it could be a bit tricky.
I recommend the SA option because you can rely on the only US carrier, Delta. I will admit, I did not have to sit in coach on any of our trips. I've been to Joburg and recently to Cape Town (fabulous!!) so you could combine the two and see a really interesting country. We rented a car and drove on the wrong side of the roads just fine! The drive from Joburg to Madikwe is about 4 hrs. I really hope you decide to go--it's an amazing trip of a lifetime!
Please ask away--I'm sure Ive only scratched the surface of your questions.
Mateya Safari Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa
Mount Kenya Safari Club, The, Nanyuki, Kenya
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaai, South Africa

Brenda · 08-04-2008, 10:04 AM

This truly would be an adventure of a lifetime! If anything I think we would leave Victoria at home with the grandparents, unless they decide they want to go too.
Last night I was watching something on either discovery of travel channel and they were talking about these nasty killer ants in Africa. They attack anything! They showed a couple talking about an outdoor lodge and how they had just put their baby to sleep under netting. Well, about 45 min later the ants had covered the baby and the baby then screamed. If they would have waited a few minutes longer she would have been dead!

We did get a book. I would love to go to Madagascar with the boys, but I would love to see the beautiful Victoria Falls. Actually there are so many places I would like to see. We would like to go for 1 week if possible. Depending on costs, and I really don't want to skimp since we are flying all that way. We will not be doing any non reving, so of ourse I'll have to take a look at all the websites. I'm not sure if driving is something we would really want to do while there, I kind of want to stay where I can feel kind of safe, esp with children. You know? Would hate to make some sort of wrong turn and end up who knows where.
Let me look at my book and then I can pick your brain! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

mrs767er · 08-04-2008, 03:09 PM

Talk About Africa - Luxury Link Community
here's the link to the discussion page at LL
I respect JasherMD and his opinion about many types of safaris all over Africa. You have your work cut out for you to make some of the simple decisions (not!) like where? when? how and how much??!!
Keep us posted as you start making plans--next year isn't that far off! If I have any "little grey matter" left, you're welcome to it--pick away!

mrs767er · 08-10-2008, 02:51 PM

Brenda--I just found this in my travel folder. A Delta FO passed on this recommendation to us, but we haven't used them personally:
The Africa Adventure Company
His contact there was Milissa (dunno if that's a pilot/guy spelling or if she's Melissa) but he underlined the i's...

Kristie · 08-14-2008, 11:42 PM

how long did it take you to get your africa visa's for those areas??

maybe we should do Ghana together since i have to go back (I got sick the first time, it wasn't pleasant).

mrs767er · 08-21-2008, 07:05 PM

no visa required for stay less than 90 days. there are the typical passport expiration limitations. must have full page empty upon arrival for stamps, etc.

The big deal would be the yellow fever vaccination for most but I assume you already have yours, Kristie.

Accra has the high visa on arrival fee, right?

08-03-2008, 01:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brenda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EVV Posts: 1,184 Recipes: Thanks: 11 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	African Safari I REALLY want to go on one. I was talking to dh and the kiddos and they all thought it would be fun. We're thinking maybenext year since it will probably cost us an arm and a leg. But has anyone been on one? Or what about just going to Africa? Would it be to tiresome for the children at such a young age since there is a lot of just sitting and driving. I saw that some companies have family lodging in the open.?? We are headed to the bookstore to get info on Africa and the Serengeti. Any advice would be great! Thanks! __________________ - Brenda, wife to Eric, Capt for Shuttle America.

08-04-2008, 09:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
mrs767er Jetgirls Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincy Area Posts: 187 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: African Safari Hi, Brenda! I've been on one luxury safari and plan to do another next month (if recurrent doesn't mess it up--otherwise we wait until next June) First, take a look at tripadvisor.com--there are 2 major contributors, jasher and bwanadave who can really give you direction. It may take a lot of reading thru posts, but great source of info. I wouldn't consider taking such young children on an expensive trip. The flights alone are staggeringly long. Our ATL/DKR/JNB is20 hours in a tube. (a few ont the ground in DKR) There are malaria free zones in South Africa, but I would not go anywhere in most of Africa without yellow fever shots and they are expensive (kids have any allergic reactions to eggs?). Of course, tentanus, hep A and B are advised in most areas, too. Then there's malaria risk in other countries. Kruger is not a MF zone but is considered safe in certain seasons. Go to your local library first--they should have videos and plenty of guides--Eyewitness, Lonely Planet, Frommers and Fodors. Buy a book when you're really ready to start plans. FYI--if you connect thru DKR, the total fees and taxes for our flights were nearly $150/pax. Most safari pkgs are for 3-4 nights, with 2 game drives/day, all meals and lodging (which varies from tents to luxury "huts") A lux safari pkg for 2 will cost $500-1000/day in a private reserve. Kruger has private sections (I almost said "parts"!) but the main park requires you stay you on roads so you're out there with everybody and their uncles. I was fortunate enough to find a great buy on Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel Auctions, Resorts - LuxuryLink.com and went to Madikwe Game Reserve. We stayed at Tuningi Lodge and will go to Mateya Lodge on the next one. Our pkgs were less than $1200/2 and we were treated like royalty--private villa, sunken tub, fireplace, wraparound deck--outdoor stone shower--animals walk right by while you try to nap in a kingsize bed draped with mosquito nets--romantic, too!!There is every price level out there. The only additional costs while there are alcohol bevs and tips for guides/drivers/scouts. Add your hotels before and after and side trips? I guess it depends on where you go. I understand the game viewing is Botswana is great but the charge nearly twice what SA costs. I don't know about Kenya prices--I do know there are some major problems politically and now with recent animal poisonings from pesticides, it could be a bit tricky. I recommend the SA option because you can rely on the only US carrier, Delta. I will admit, I did not have to sit in coach on any of our trips. I've been to Joburg and recently to Cape Town (fabulous!!) so you could combine the two and see a really interesting country. We rented a car and drove on the wrong side of the roads just fine! The drive from Joburg to Madikwe is about 4 hrs. I really hope you decide to go--it's an amazing trip of a lifetime! Please ask away--I'm sure Ive only scratched the surface of your questions. Mateya Safari Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa Mount Kenya Safari Club, The, Nanyuki, Kenya Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaai, South Africa Last edited by mrs767er; 08-04-2008 at 09:19 AM. Reason: extra sources

08-04-2008, 10:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brenda Jetgirls Plus Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: EVV Posts: 1,184 Recipes: Thanks: 11 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: African Safari This truly would be an adventure of a lifetime! If anything I think we would leave Victoria at home with the grandparents, unless they decide they want to go too. Last night I was watching something on either discovery of travel channel and they were talking about these nasty killer ants in Africa. They attack anything! They showed a couple talking about an outdoor lodge and how they had just put their baby to sleep under netting. Well, about 45 min later the ants had covered the baby and the baby then screamed. If they would have waited a few minutes longer she would have been dead! We did get a book. I would love to go to Madagascar with the boys, but I would love to see the beautiful Victoria Falls. Actually there are so many places I would like to see. We would like to go for 1 week if possible. Depending on costs, and I really don't want to skimp since we are flying all that way. We will not be doing any non reving, so of ourse I'll have to take a look at all the websites. I'm not sure if driving is something we would really want to do while there, I kind of want to stay where I can feel kind of safe, esp with children. You know? Would hate to make some sort of wrong turn and end up who knows where. Let me look at my book and then I can pick your brain! THANK YOU SO MUCH! __________________ - Brenda, wife to Eric, Capt for Shuttle America.

08-04-2008, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
mrs767er Jetgirls Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincy Area Posts: 187 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: African Safari Talk About Africa - Luxury Link Community here's the link to the discussion page at LL I respect JasherMD and his opinion about many types of safaris all over Africa. You have your work cut out for you to make some of the simple decisions (not!) like where? when? how and how much??!! Keep us posted as you start making plans--next year isn't that far off! If I have any "little grey matter" left, you're welcome to it--pick away!

08-10-2008, 02:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
mrs767er Jetgirls Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincy Area Posts: 187 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: African Safari Brenda--I just found this in my travel folder. A Delta FO passed on this recommendation to us, but we haven't used them personally: The Africa Adventure Company His contact there was Milissa (dunno if that's a pilot/guy spelling or if she's Melissa) but he underlined the i's...

08-14-2008, 11:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kristie Admin/Owner Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 6,576 Recipes: Thanks: 7 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts	Re: African Safari how long did it take you to get your africa visa's for those areas?? maybe we should do Ghana together since i have to go back (I got sick the first time, it wasn't pleasant). __________________ www.jetcareers.com

08-21-2008, 07:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
mrs767er Jetgirls Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincy Area Posts: 187 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: African Safari no visa required for stay less than 90 days. there are the typical passport expiration limitations. must have full page empty upon arrival for stamps, etc. The big deal would be the yellow fever vaccination for most but I assume you already have yours, Kristie. Accra has the high visa on arrival fee, right?

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