I think you two would really love Botswana. It's my favorite country in southern Africa. I'd suggest contacting Bill Given at "The Wild Source". He's a wildlife biologist who is also a safari planner and is a specialist in Botswana. www.thewildsource.com

I would recommend South Africa for your first trip.

a) Different enough to be interesting, but similar enough to the US so that it is somewhat familiar.

b) Southern part of South Africa ( Western Cape and Eastern Cape) are malaria free, so you won't have to worry about malaria prophylaxis. Other parts of the country can be low risk depending on the season

c) South Africa has a fantastic range of options for accommodations with something that would suit the budget and style of just about every traveler. Also a wide range of activities including cultural, wildlife, gastronomic, etc

d) I feel that South Africans genuinely care about you enjoying your time in their country. Even those in the industry that must see tons of tourists do not seem to be jaded.

Fly into Cape Town, spend time visiting wineries, Robben Island, Cape Point, Table Mountain.

Lots of scenic walks/areas along the Garden Route of the Western Cape.

Safari with the Big 5 available at a few lodges in the Eastern Cape.

If you're ok with Malaria prophylaxis (fewer side effects with Malarone, generic version may soon be available), you could visit a lodge at Kruger National Park, the quintessential safari destination. There's also Blyde River Canyon nearby.

I love Botswana as well, but think SA would be a better introduction to a first timer.

Are you ok with renting a car and driving? How much time will you have? Budget?

The Fodorites will have you packed and ready to go tonight!

You could (depending on time and budget) visit both South Africa and Botswana!

I understand your concern. I too was pretty apprehensive about going on safari, but loved it:

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/bruce-and-marija-say-jambo-to-kenya-and-tanzania.cfm

And the next year we went to Botswana:

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/how-dental-floss-saved-bruce-and-marijas-trip-to-namibia-botswana-victoria-falls-and-capetown.cfm

Can't wait to return!

I wasn't apprehensive at all before we went, but my mom was, and she LOVED South Africa.

We're planning our 6th trip now, that's how much we loved it. Both South Africa and Botswana are amazing. You will love either/both, for different reasons. SA is vibrant, diverse, electric, changing fast, multicultural, urban,...and Bots is supernatural, laid back, quiet, peaceful...can't explain completely but either way you can't go too wrong.

Hope you relax and enjoy!

Melissa,

What a great trip! The guide books will probably just add more confusion. When do you want to travel (when is the birthday? What I recommend and the itinerary construction will totally depend on the time of year.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

My mother was nervous (not petrified) to go too. Like Lisa's mom, she loved it!

Botswana is a relatively wealthy, peaceful country. That's why it's never in the news. S Africa is truly a world in one country. I can't visit often enough. Cape Town is a lovely city and the nature reserves are world class. It is beautiful with wide open spaces and gorgeous beaches.

Please share why you are afraid, and we will do our best to reassure you. (if it's the snakes, go June - August when they are dormant).

As the author of one of the two books in question, I certainly hope (reading Craig Beal's comment) that it doesn't add *more* confusion!

Melissa, if I were you, I would focus on the Western Cape and the Garden Route, which has superlative scenery, good infrastructure and enough wildlife to give a good taste of the extraordinary riches further north - but which also come with greater poverty and contrasts.

Richard

Funny Richard! Julian Harrison also works as a writer for Fodors. He owns Premier Tours in Phili and is a friend of mine. Let me clarify what I wrote above. The books only add to the confusion because there is such a plethora of information. A google search for "Africa Safaris" returns 106 million results! I can't imagine sorting through the options as a first time traveler trying to avoid a bad safari or getting ripped off.

Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond

I had some of the same apprehensions and I went to Botswana and now I want to visit all of Africa....you will love it...going to Tanzania next. Best trip of my life!

First of all, please stop being petrified! South Africa and/or Botswana will be a wonderful vacation—perhaps a “best trip of a lifetime.”

I recalled the title of this trip report, which is contained in the link
http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/trip-report-just-back-from-south-africa-and-botswana-the-best-trip-in-20-yrs-of-international-travel.cfm

The “best trip ever” is a very typical comment from a first trip to any of the Eastern or Southern countries in Africa. There are two companies that have lots of properties in South Africa and Botswana (Wilderness Safaris and AndBeyond) whose slogans are: Reawaken Your Soul and Our Journeys Change People’s Lives. Those are not just hype and most people come back re-awakened and a little changed from their first trip—or subsequent trips. I know that’s true for me, based on trips to both Bots and SA, along with other Africa destinations.

Here’s a question for you: Were you thinking more of safari activities coupled with some cultural interactions or more diverse activities that cover the spectrum from vineyards to scenic ocean drives to world class attractions in cities?

Whatever your answer, you could consolidate your travels (not sure how much time you have) by just staying in South Africa. South Africa has billed itself as “a whole world in one country,” and I’d agree.

Second question: How comfortable are you driving yourself? That is an option in South Africa, but certainly not a requirement. I don’t do self driving, personally.

Based on what you said about scenery and alps, here is something I’ve thought about, using a driver. You could drive yourself though. The drives are scenic and include mountainous regions.

http://www.mashatu.com/itineraries/2012/THE%20CLASSIC%20SAFARI_2012.pdf

I would stay 4 nights at Mala Mala (South Africa) and the Mashatu (Botswana) for more relaxation and for better wildlife viewing. If not 4 nights, then 3. But I’d DEFINITELY stay longer than the 2 nights suggested. (FYI, Mala Mala is one of the most famous lodges in Africa with a wildlife reputation to match. While not inexpensive, Mala Mala is not the highest priced, especially if you stay in the rondavels, which I thought were great. Mala Mala is in the Sabi Sands reserve next to Kruger. There are many other great lodges in Sabi Sands as well.)

The above can be booked directly or you can use a travel agent. My experience with Mala Mala is the cost is the same.

If you have time, I’d add the following:

1) Phinda, an AndBeyond sanctuary in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. You fly there round-trip from Johannesburg and the flight is part of the arrangements. Phinda has some nice cultural activities and activities beyond traditional safaris, plus they have 7 distinct habitats that add to the scenic beauty. Phinda is a cheetah sanctuary, so you have a better chance seeing cheetah here than other places. There are 4 places to stay in Phinda. I spent a week at Forest Lodge. You can book direct or use an agent. My experience is the cost is the same either way.
http://www.andbeyondafrica.com/luxury_safari/south_africa/phinda_private_game_reserve/and_beyond_phinda_private_game_reserve

2) 3 or more days in Cape Town. A great local guide that I used was Wayne of Take2Tours.
http://www.take2tours.co.za/ We designed our days just the way I wanted to spend them with lots of input from Wayne. If you used a travel agent to plan the whole trip, they could set up Wayne or use their own local guide.


If you choose to use a travel agent, I’d pick one that specializes in Africa. You can use some that are listed in the Fodors guide. The ones I’ve used for Southern Africa are Eyes on Africa in Chicago and The Africa Adventure Company in Ft. Lauderdale. I’ve had positive contacts and consultations with Fish Eagle in Houston and Go2Africa in Cape Town. There are many agents you can use and I’d contact at least 3 and discuss your options.

There is one thing you should be petrified of when visiting Africa and it happened to me. You will catch the highly contagious disease for which there is no cure: Mal D’Afrique. Symptoms include wanting to go back to Africa and diverting all travel funds to that end.

Great info from all and resources from atravelynn, so contact them and/or others to get the ball rolling.

Next you'll know, will be questions about packing

Bye the way... we all have Mal D'Afrique.

Everything Femi says about South Africa is something I would say too.

I went to South Africa 31 years ago, because my husband got a short-term job there. We had no thought of ever going back. How wrong we were! We've been back 13 or 14 times. It's a wonderful place. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE PETRIFIED!

Celia

Mal D'Afrique, indeed. 10 trips to Africa since 2002 for me.

Right now you see this trip as a gift to your husband. I hope after you return you feel you have given yourself a gift, too.

I personally prefer the wildlife viewing and would spend the whole trip on safari. MalaMala and Mashatu is a trip I have done more than once. In 2008, we self drove to both and enjoyed the other sights in the area that I had never seen because of flying between camps. I was really glad that we drove. I've also been mobile camping in Botswana twice which I also greatly enjoyed (non-participatory camping). But others have given several other choices if it's not all about the wildlife.

Of all the trips I've been on to Africa, I've never been scared or worried while there. It's all a big unknown and kind of scary until you get there and discover that you are well taken care of and the details have all been worked out by your travel agent.

Take Malerone for malaria. Plan a good itinerary with help from the Fodorites. Don't overpack. Have fun. That's it!

This is a dream trip for me. Can I go in your place? You can hang with my husband while your husband and I are travelling.

Both destinations are so fantastic that you will remember this trip in detail for the rest of your life. One thing you might want to consider is that many Botswana trips require flying in tiny planes to reach the camps. If this is a concern, choose SA. You certainly can't go wrong with either, and I say that as someone who ranks a Bots/SA trip at the top of a lifetime of travel.

Melissa5,

All great responses to your post and I hope you have started packing

I just got back from touring around SA and some neighboring countries including Botswana and "LOVED IT".

Would recommend Yellow Fever vacation before you go. Although you won't need it if you stay in SA, you will need it if you visit some surrounding countries and then return to SA.

For me, the only side affect from Malarone was the self inflicting headache and grief I gave myself when I realized how silly it was to wait so long to visit South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland!

Here's just a taste of the fun and adventure that awaits you: http://youtu.be/_hZYg5RiYxg

WOW thanks everybody! Your replies are exciting, informative, intriguing...and funny as well!

I am currently SWAMPED with family holiday preparations and life... As soon as I'm caught up I'll have lots more questions!

Someone asked WHAT I'm afraid of...no it's not snakes, ha ha... my husband is a biologist/herpetologist so we ruled that one out when we were dating!

I've narrowed it down to 2 terrors...death from malaria and death from violence. It took a lot of deep thought to figure that out!

I know there are anti-malaria drugs you can take...but I'm worried about that because I have a super-sensitive digestive system, and any meds which can affect the digestive system tend to wipe me out totally. I CANNOT take NSAIDS for example...not even motrin, makes me sick. Some antibiotics make me sick as well. So I'm wondering if I can tolerate the side effects of the anti-malaria meds. This worries me a lot.

Violence scares me a lot. I want to feel safe in Africa.

My husband feels that a trip to Botswana would be the trip of a lifetime for us. I think I see his vision in my mind...but not sure if I can get there...with the malaria pills and their side affects being a problem...

The southern coast of South Africa has a lot to offer...and no malaria. I think I might be able to overcome my fears of violence by planning the trip well and researching well. Right now I sense that Botswana is my husband's first choice and South Africa (southern coastal areas) his second choice.

I can't wait to have time, after the holidays, to enjoy your trip reports and the links you have all provided!!!

QUESTION: Is there anyone out there with a DELICATE Digestive SYSTEM...AND HOW DID YOU TOLERATE THE ANTI-MALARIA DRUGS? (Both my stomach and intestines are affected by many meds so that I cannot take many meds).

One of the guidebooks I bought (Rough Guide) is much too scary for me...seems to go into graphic detail about malaria and other unsettling topics.

Can anyone recommend the best guidebook for South Africa which is informative but also motivating instead of petrifying?! I also have a slightly older book...Fodors See It South Africa 3rd edition...but will probably want to get a newer Fodors book.

We tend to budget according to what we think an experience is worth...

We have driven ourselves in Costa Rica...but I'm not sure whether I'm comfortable letting my husband self-drive in Africa. We also had a local driver for 1 day in Costa Rica and it was a relaxing experience and gave us an insiders view of the country.

Regarding flying...I don't like the claustrophobia of being "trapped" in airports and crowded planes...but I was amazed to find I relaxed and enjoyed a Nature Air flight on a 12-seat plane down to the Osa peninsula in Costa Rica...the plane had nice big windows and I think my real fear isn't of flying...its' claustrophobia...so the smaller plane with big windows was better for me. But I'm willing to tolerate flying the big jets to get to my destination...

We cannot travel between March and May. But we can travel almost any other month...and would like to be in Africa when the season is best in a particular area...

Thanks for listening.

If for viable physical reason you can't or won't take malaria meds, then you have to follow the precautions during 'mossie biting time' - dusk-to-dawn - wearing long pants, sleeves, socks and applying repellent to exposed sking (not face or behind neck). Sleep under a net where provided.

However, I'd get the script for the meds, take them as the protocol indicates, i.e., with food (never on empty stomach. If for some reason you have a reaction, stop taking them. It's your system, you know it, so decision has to be yours.

For your next* trip, taking into account your husband's interests/profession, consider a canoe trip around Momella Lake in Arusha, Tanzania. I saw 8 snakes in 2 hours without really trying.

*It is not unusual to start planning a 2nd or 3rd trip before departing on the first African safari.

Back to this trip...You've done well in identifying your fears. Caution in health and safety issues that you mention is reasonable and would be foolish to not consider.

I certainly would not repeatedly return to a place that jeopardized my health or my well being. I want to have fun and relax, not defy odds or take adrenaline rushing risks.

Malaria--The risks are low, especially in the dry season June-Oct. Doesn't that work well with your travel dates?! The risk goes down as you get further into the dry season.

Many repeat and longterm travelers take nothing for malaria and are fine. They use bug spray and cover their skin when the sun goes down. Hardly any mosquitos anyway.

Advice from US healthcare providers tends to be on the aggressive side in preventing diseases and medicating for them. Other places are not as big on malaria prevention drugs for travelers to common safari destinations.

I've always taken malaria prevention, except for one late season Botswana delta trip with very low risk. My innards cannot tolerate caffeine, merry-go-rounds, Imax, more than 3 oz of alchohol at a time, Nutrasweet/Equal, and numerous prescription drugs. But I've had 0 problems with several types of malaria prevention. Currently I use Malarone. If you can afford it, purchase a trial perscription and see how you react to it at home.

If you choose to forego malaria pills, just be atuned to symptoms when you get home, like fever chills, etc. and immediately get tested for malaria if any of these crop up. What often causes death is lack of medical access once malaria is contracted. I once went to the ER after returning from Africa and getting a fever and chills in August. Two tests and $350 later, I found out it was just flu. Odd for August, though, so I did not delay.

Most of the residents I encounter in Africa (and other tropical locales) have contracted malaria a time or two. And they survived.

An international travel clinic can assist you in warding off malaria and all sorts of diseases. The biggest risk of contracting serious infections or fatal diseases while traveling results from sexually transmitted diseases and you can control that one.

Violence--To put things in perspective, gather some stats from your own city or region on violent crime and deaths. Then compare to how many tourists visiting the whole of Africa are victims. I think you'll find you are in more danger locally than anywhere as a visitor in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a sad fact that local African residents are not as immune from violence as visitors.

It is a good idea to arrange your travel with a reputable and knowledgeable agent who can advise you on what to avoid. I'd give that same advice to foreign tourists coming to the US if they don't have personal contacts or friends to stay with.

In Africa I personally do not travel during election times; I do not wander around on my own in most cities (Simons Town and Cape Town's waterfront are exceptions); obviously I do not wander around outside of the camp grounds in the bush; I do not invite strangers into my hotel room; I have never joined a demonstration; I get the hotel to arrange taxi-cabs for me; I wear no flashy jewelry; my valuables are inside my clothing. Such common sense measures greatly reduce your odds of being a victim of violence.

In your initial contact, mention to your agent, your private city guide, the camps you book with that you are concerned about protecting yourself from violence.

Also mention that this trip is for your husband's birthday. Often special surprises await.

Good advice from Atravelynn. Some people use Doxycycline, an antibiotic, instead of Malarone or Larium (yeah, I still use it with no side effects.) As mentioned, a lot of frequent travelers to Africa (safari planners) don't use anything. On a recent trip to South Africa, our leader (a South African) thought it was crazy to be taking the drugs.

I've never felt threatened by violence in Africa, especially while I'm out in the wild. I think Botswana is an especially safe destination. Traveling through Jo'burg, you can stay at one of the airport hotels such as City Lodge, or nearby at a hotel with a shuttle.

While some visitors self drive, many (even Fodorites who would never usually sign up for tours) do take private or group tours in Africa. Having a guide who knows which areas are safest would provide me with an extra feeling of security. In my own city I know which areas are safest but it is harder to know these things as a tourist!

atravelynn, as always, gives great advice.

My husband and I travel to S Africa/Botswana June-Sept and don't take the anti-malarial meds. We know to tell our doc if we do come down with symptoms that we may have malaria. As atravelynn says, it's treatable. Both S Africa and Bots are doing very well in reducing the malaria mossies and the cases are WAY down from just a few years ago. My husband has a very delicate tummy, too. He takes a Pepto tablet twice a day no matter where we go. He can't handle the water change even from state to state. It might help you, too.

As for violence, there are few instances of tourist incidences. If you remember the World Cup, the whole world thought it was a terrible idea to have the WC in SA. Except for the vuvuzellas, it was above and beyond everyone's expectations. Few problems. Very few.

We arranged for drivers on two SA trips. It was nice to have a guide instead of self driving and seeing the country without worrying about driving. We are now comfortable self driving.

In Bots, the Sefofane planes from camp to camp are usually 12 seat Caravans. Nice big windows, but pretty noisy. More pleasant than the teeny-tiny planes and have an excellent safety record.

Our first safari included Cape Town, Vic Falls, three Wilderness Safaris camps in Botswana and a camp in Timbavati near Kruger in three weeks. It was very busy, but great. Best advice is to stay at a camp for at least three nights so it doesn't feel rushed. Of course it was a once in a lifetime trip. Ha!!

Go. Enjoy. I hope Africa gets into your soul like the rest of us! Really-you're fears are real, but likely won't be felt. I will post some info on vector control (mossies killing) when I find it.

Best month for South Africa is September, perhaps from the 16th onwards. Highlights if you are in the Western Cape would be a day trip or an overnight up the west coast to Clan William. Chances are pretty good that you'll be there in time to catch the flower show. (Cape vygie and sundry others bloom in the spring). You'll also be around to see the whales that move into the various bays to breed. As this is out of the regular Cape School holiday season you'll find plenty coastal accommodation in B&B type places as well as most beaches reasonably free of the maddening crowds (Dec - Jan). If you opt to head up to the Kruger Park you'll be spared the anxiety of anti malarials as this falls outside the malaria season (Nov - Mar).

Then Botswana: Peak tourist time is from August through until October. Prices are astronomical and virtually every lodge is full. Ok, so they are small properties but buzzing with bodies and planes. definitely not my favourite time to be in Bots. I would suggest that you aim for April/May to enjoy Bots. Less pricey, game rich and the Kalahari areas are teeming with game as well. Also not really a malaria season, but if you head into the delta, the jury is out on that so as a precaution I'd recommend the anti malarials. This is also a great time to make your return a little circuitous by heading up to Zim for two nights to see the falls before returning to JNB and heading home.

Melissa,

I am concerned you will not be able to enjoy the time leading up to your trip as you really seem to have excess fear. You may want to reconsider Africa or perhaps consider letting your husband go on his own or with a friend. But please believe that your greatest chance of death will be on the car ride to the airport in the USA.

In case you do want to continue planning, I have re-read the information on this post. I have some ideas that I think will minimize all your concerns but there will be a cost in two ways. Expanding the destinations a bit for discussion purposes… Although Zimbabwe is one of my favorite spots in all of Africa, I don’t think you will be able overcome the fear induced by the media in the time period leading up to your trip. Something will happen and you will be afraid. In your situation, the same may even be true in South Africa. You will likely see some stories in the news before your trip and I would hate to be the safari agent having to comfort you after this. So, perhaps you should focus on the two countries that are hardly ever in the news and where there is absolutely nothing going on that will likely draw media attention in the next year. These two would be Zambia and Botswana. KLM (Skyteam with Delta) has announced direct service into Lusaka, Zambia starting in May and BA already has flights there. You can land in Lusaka and connect on ProFlight to Livingstone/LVI on the next day. After seeing the Falls for a day or two you can head into Botswana.

I suggest you do this trip in July. The reason I say this is that July is cold and also peak season. There is a good chance you won’t see a mosquito at all during that time of year. I have been to Southern Africa 29 times and I have never taken a malaria pill in my life. On two safaris I took my daughters now 13 & 16. When we were in Zimbabwe for eight days this past July 2011 the girls stopped taking malaria pills on day two after we saw no insects at all. It was 40 in the morning. It was also 40 in Hwange and got down to 32 one night. I am from Minnesota which has the most mosquitoes of anywhere on earth and I have never seen a mosquito after mid-September. They can’t survive in the cold. Traveling in July will have cost vs May or January for example because it is peak season. Flying into Lusaka may be slightly more expensive than Jo’burg depending on if it forces one or two nights at a hotel at Lusaka.

Keep in mind, doctors and travel clinics make money selling pills (I make money selling safaris so take my advice with a grain of salt as well). I am sometimes very frustrated by what these travel clinics try to sell to people and the fear they create. I have clients booked on South Africa Airways/SAA from Dulles to Jo’burg next month. They walked into a DC travel clinic last week and were sold yellow fever shots for $150 per person. The clinic insisted they get it because the plane makes a one hour stop in Dakar, Senegal. They never get off the plane and the SAA web site even says they don’t need this shot. I can’t tell them not to get it as I cannot legally give advice contrary to a doctor or travel clinic. I suggest you search these forums and try to find any story in the past five years of anyone that got malaria while on safari in Botswana. In South Africa, there has been one case of Malaria in the Sabi Sands since 1975 and it is not know if this person got malaria there or came there infected. My company has been in business since 1975 and we have sent over 2000 people to Southern Africa this year. Nobody got malaria. I have a lot of friends that have worked in the safari industry and three people at our US offices have worked for Wilderness Safaris at lodges in Zambia and Malawi. They DO know people that got malaria in the summer months while spending time in the major cities. You can easily avoid this.

Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond

We just spent two weeks in October doing South Africa using Friendly Planet's tour- The Best of South Africa. Although it was an escorted tour, there is plenty of free time and you get to see the very best the country has to offer. Prices include airfare from NYC for about $3100 a person! The hotels were the best we have ever stayed in on a tour and we thoroughly enjoyed the small group. It included several safaris and options to do more. I can't speak highly enough about this tour!

Sherry, how many optional tours were there? I don't mind paying for a few extra optional tours but I don't like it when there are too many. And did you do the Vic Falls extension? Thanks.

As a Southern African and biologist I will give my perspective.

First I will say South Africa can be scary. However, if you stick to driving during the day and be cautious you will be fine. Once you arrive in National Park you are completely safe.

A lot of your trip depends on what time of year and how long you want to go for. Regardless I think you would be mad to stick to the Southern Coast of South Africa.

Internal flights are relatively cheap in South Africa ( roughly 100$ two way using https://www.kulula.com/.

You could easily spend a week on the coast and see some other things as well like the Kruger National Park or Kgalagadi National park(great landscapes, very wild). For South Africa national parks go to sanparks.com. When I book lodges I often use wheretostay.co.za. A great option if you book in time is a walking trail in the Kruger National park where you walk 3.5 hours a day for 3 days usually, although i am not sure how your hip will feel about it.

I would not do guided tour personally. South Africa is easy enough to get around. You could hire your own car and transit on your own schedule.

Depending on your schedule I would fly from Johannesburg into Vic falls and do that as well. If you have the Money in Botswana Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta are must do's. Here a guided tour is likely a must unless you feel comfortable in driving 4x4 roads by yourself.

I never have had Malaria in South Africa and if your not there in the summer I would not worry about it.

If you want to give some more details on your time of year of travel and length of travel I could give more advice.

If you want more details or advise you can always email cas_6_40@hotmail.com. Id even be willing to help organize an itinerary for your (a bit of a hobby of mine) . I love travelling South Africa and always take my friends for long trips throughout the country (I now live in Canada).

Hi Melissa, you haven't been back here in a while so I wasn't sure if your plans are still on? Here is my 2 cents for what it is worth:

1) Stay out of the cities and focus your attention on the safari part of the trip - so either South Africa or Botswana would be fine for this (or both). Hire a car and driver to take you from place to place (or fly) so that you don't have to drive yourself (just extra worry that you don't need).

2) Malarone has no side effects for most people, but if it bothers you, stop taking it and just make sure you take precautions in the evening. Nothing is 100% anyway - you could take malarone and still become infected. Be aware of the side effects but don't obsess over them or you will be imagining you have them. But I have to tell you - I don't think I was bitten by one bug in either South Africa or Botswana (Tanzania was another story!) and the bugs **love** me! I was there in October.

3) If you are really worried about this trip, you may seriously want to consider letting your husband go with a friend instead. If you are not going to be able to relax and enjoy Africa, then it is probably best not to go because no vacation is worth so much stress Having said that, I think once you get there, you will be fine. I am a single woman who usually travels alone and I can tell you that Africa is not somewhere that would make me feel uncomfortable, but we are different people and you need to do what is best for you.

You can very easily do both South Africa and Botswana on this trip. I would say that the less you need to worry about the better so having someone to help you plan the trip and make sure everything goes smoothly once you are on the ground there is of utmost importance.

I hope that if you decide to go that you are able to you enjoy it. It really is a magical place! I often dream about going back(often - meaning every day!). Let us know how you're doing with your plans and if you need any more suggestions as things firm up, this is a great place for advice.

CJ

I'm ready to plan our adventure to South Africa or Botswana! THANKS for the fantastic fountain of info!

I'm intrigued by the responses of the folks who have gone on safari to Botswana and NOT taken anti-malaria pills...and NOT gotten bit by mosquitoes. Can I hear more about the seasons & areas in Botswana where this is a reasonable choice? As far as safaris go, my husband is most interested in a safari to the Okavanga Delta in Botswana.

I will also ask my doc if I can try out Malarone at home and see if I have side affects. I'd really prefer NOT to take this during a trip because I already have a delicate digestive system, and taking this may make me more vulnerable to other digestive upsets during the trip...which wouldn't be fun. (But of COURSE I don't want malaria either.)

We are also willing to go the southern coast of South Africa (Cape Town etc.) as an exciting alternative.

I'm always nervous before trips but I always have a great time! Just got back from the big Island of Hawaii where I was nervous about the altitude but I went up to 13,000 feet...the highest I have ever been! Gorgeous island!

Your favorite guidebooks for South Africa and Botswana? I have a Fodors guidebook but have to check the year...not sure if its current.

THANKS!

I don't recommend not taking Malarone, but we don't when we go in winter (June to early Sept). Mossies are much less active. We just make sure we use DEET liberally (well, that's not true either but you should), especially dawn and dusk. Spray before you go to bed. If you have flu-like symptoms within six months of going, tell your doctor you were in a malarial area and you will be treated for it. You can't give blood for a year after being in a malarial area. I can't find the new vector-control info for Botswana, but maybe you can google it. The mossie control is significantly better over the last few years. Again, I'm not recommending it, but it's a personal choice.

My husband takes a Pepto pill in the morning and evening whenever we travel to prevent tummy issues.

I used this co for my first time to Botswana. They have a lot of good info on their website. They are high end, but do a good job: classicafrica.com. The guidebooks have similar info, the Internet has much more than any book. Plus, you have us!! Fodors and Frommers both have a guide book. I got them at the library. Not much has changed, so a book that is a couple of years old will be fine.

I don't get bitten by mosquitos in Bots in July-Aug. I have taken Malerone, though.

Not a guide book, but you might want to get one or more of the McCall Smith Ladies No 1 Detective Agency series, set in Botswana. Bradt is always good too,

I love those books, and the mini-series on HBO.

Hi Melissa

I would be seeking proper advice regarding malaria medication. We know nothing about your circumstances/medical conditions so you really are best to speak to a travel doctor and let them decide what they think you should have.

Obviously it is up to you what you decide to get but at least you are dealing with people who know all the current drugs and what medications or health issues you have, WE DON'T!
Here in Australia, I would certainly go to a Travel Doctor Specialist rather than my normal General Practitioner.

I also had to decide if I would get rabies needles to work in an animal refuge in March and once I visited the travel doctor, it was not the answer I wanted, but she gave compelling reasons for me to go ahead with the series of rabies shots. She also wanted my niece and I to have Typhoid needles and this I did not do as I felt the food preparation where we are going will be good and I have never had this issue in previous trips.

I got dengue fever in the Sabi Sands in 2003 and although very rare in Southern Africa, clearly not impossible to get. I now have to be ultra careful with mozzies as I have been told if I get either the same one or one of the other 4 strains (can never remember which one), I could be in serious trouble. But has it stopped me going back twice a year ever since? Absolutely not, I just make sure I am very careful.

Once you have decided on this issue, I think you will be able to decide on the rest of it.

With regard to violence - I have been coming to Southern Africa for 11 years, twice a year. Sometimes by myself and other times with nieces ranging from 8 to adults. I have never been on an organised group tour and have driven myself a few times. Have been to some cities but I am a gameviewing addict so mainly am in the bush. At no time have I been worried about our safety and I take my niece's safety very seriously. I take care, but then I do at home as well and I don't think I live in a particularly dangerous city, but certainly it has areas where I would be foolish to go around by myself at night!

Happy Planning!

Kind regards

Kaye

Hi Melissa5
You have a lot of good advise on this post and all I can say is come on safari and have a life changing experience. It will simply blow you away. With regards to Malaria I would not be too concerned if you came to South Africa but Botswana is a little bit more serious. As has been said you can take precautions from dusk to dawn and I will probably be lambasted for saying this but a good few G&Ts do keep them away. Otherwise as Sandi says keep yourself covered at night and use spray.
I live in South Africa and travel around quite a lot so come and have that amazing experience that your hubbie wants.
DON'T BE SCARED!

I wish you all the Best.

Mark

Southern South Africa is a dream trip. We have been there 5 times.
Just remeember where you are and you will be fine. Taxis are inexpensive and self drive extremely easy. The people are wonderful and in no time you will be looking to return.

Melissa - You should not risk NOT taking malarone, even though malaria is less of a problem in Botswana and S. Africa than some other parts of Africa. I was in Botswana last year late Aug and early Sept. I came home with about 50 mosquito bites on my legs - no exaggeration. Now I admit I was not paying attention much and did not use the insect repellant wipes that I brought with me and I had shorts on every afternoon because it was bloody hot. You'll have a wonderful time!

lucillehumair: I'm inspired by your statement "Southern South Africa is a dream trip." That makes me feel excited! I'm going to post a separate question about South Africa, since my husband has indicated he wishes me to start planning our 1st trip to South Africa, (and we are saving Botswana for a possible 2nd trip someday.) I'm going to post a separate new question focused on South Africa right away! I'd love to hear about the highlights of your 5 trips to Southern South Africa. Perhaps if you have the time you can post your reply on my South Africa question.

THANKS for so much fantastic info everybody! I'm saving this whole thread which is so full of great advice and info.

I've only skimmed the previous replies, so apologies if I'm repeating myself.

Firstly, regarding malaria meds... I would suggest you visit your doctor and explain your concerns, and ask if he would be able to prescribe you some test doses of the anti-malarial he would recommend, and you can try it at home, now, and see whether you react poorly to it. He may suggest malarone, which I believe causes side effects in far less people than other options, though some people do, of course, still get them. Another advantage is that you don't have to take it weeks in advance or afterwards. Take it with food, as directed. If you do react, go back and ask if you can try an alternative. I think chances are pretty good you will find one of the anti-malarials suitable for you.

Most of the cases of people getting malaria that I've come across have been people who've not taken any anti-malarials at all, or, one further questioning, have not been consistent about taking them, so missed several days out because they forgot...

Combining your meds with careful behaviour - full sleeve shirts, trousers and socks, closed shoes, insect repellent and mosquito nets at night (if you're travelling in season) really reduces the risks VERY much indeed.

The other fear factor is car jacking...

We did a 5 week self-drive in South Africa and felt very comfortable throughout, though a little simple research ahead of time on a few areas to avoid, helped us reduce risks hugely. And we didn't drive in the dark much either.

In your case, I'd simply not choose a self-drive trip, and go for a fly-in safari - that means you take small planes directly between camps, so there's no chance you'll get carjacked. And even if you book car transfers, when you're driven by experts/ locals it's again highly unlikely you'll be jacked. They won't even take you through dangerous areas, and their vehicles aren't likely to be targetted anyway.

If you have the budget, I'd recommend that you book a private itinerary taking in a number of luxury camps in either Botswana or South Africa. My preference would be Botswana, and the camps are so isolated and secure that you will really relax and be able to enjoy the experience.

There are US-based agencies such as Fish Eagle Safaris and many others, that folks here can suggest, who know the best places to go, and can design perfect itineraries based on your budget and the wildlife you and your husband would most love to see, whether that be elephants or cheetahs or giraffes or dikdik...

Wilderness Safari is a Southern African luxury safari camp business with many excellent camps, offering high levels of comfort, great game viewing, very professional on all levels. You also have Kwando and other companies, I haven't yet experienced them personally.

My husband was nervous about the idea of African safari before our first trip, and he couldn't really see the attraction either. He's now at LEAST as addicted as I am!