Safari suggestions/locations for July
 

We are wanting to take our 17 and 21 yr. old kids on a special trip for their graduations. We are late in even considering this, I know! Would love to take them to Africa for safaris! Any suggestions? What should we expect weather-wise?

If visiting Southern Africa, you will be in high season in Botswana and Zambia, with cool weather and very good gameviewing. South Africa, however, will offer very good pricing as it is considered low season, although the gameviewing is considered at its best by some during this period.

There are many options to choose from, all depending on budget and level of adventure. My favorite destination is Zambia. While there are other destinations that have more animals, I have yet to visit anyplace else that has so much to offer in a safari from the typical morning and night game drives, to canoeing, to walking safaris, to river safaris and even fishing.

Starting with a few Zambian lodges and then including other lodges from across Southern Africa, I suggest you take a look at the following:

www.chiawa.com
www.luangwariverlodge.com
www.sausagetreecamp.com
www.starofafrica.com
www.kasakariverlodge.com
www.luangwa.com

BOTSWANA

www.kwando.co.za
www.wilderness-safaris.com
www.gametrailsbotswana.com (This would offer very good value if you don't mind camping, although it is a non-participation camping where everything will be done for you)

For all of South Africa and East Africa, CCAfrica is a very highly reputed company:

www.ccafrica.com

For Tanzania, where it will be warmer than Southern Africa, have a look at Nomad. I just returned from a Nomad safari and it was brilliant:

www.nomad-tanzania.com

There are countless lodges in the Sabi Sand in South Africa to consider, and the attraction here is close up encounters with predators, especially leopards. Here are just a few options:

www.elephantplains.com
www.leopardhills.com
www.sabisabi.com
www.malamala.tv
www.idube.com
(CCAfrica runs Londolozi in the Sabi Sand and this may be found on the website previously provided for CCAfrica)

Just remember...the further south you are, the cooler the temperature will be, as it is opposite seasons. One exception will be Phinda as it is near the Indian Ocean. This is a CCAfrica lodge and is very highly regarded and offers a lot of different activities. It does feature its own website, besides also being featured on CCAfrica's website:

www.phinda.com

You will all love Africa wherever you choose to visit.

You might want to try to go to Kenya and see the Migration in the Masai Mara. Most likely all booked up but you never know.

The best value operators I dealt with are Arican Serendipity, Southern Cross, or Eastern and Southern. (We are going in August)

Good luck, Kevin from California

If you want a total quality experience away from the high volume of tourists......head to Southern africa.

Hi trvlcrzy,
You must be the perfect parents! Go to Kenya for the migration and a thousand other things. The weather in August is cool at night and warm in the day - and dry.

July is a great time all over Africa. You would have no rain in most of Southern Africa and almost no rain in East Africa. I've had a brief shower or two in the Mara in July. Down to 40s at night in the coldest parts and up to 80s in the warmest. July is good weather, great game, high season prices, and lots of visitors. As a result, the suggestions made by others and by me here may ultimately come down to what is available at this time.

How active do you all want to be? Zambia or Zimbabwe offer the most active safaris with lots of canoeing and walking opportunites. Plus good game.

As others have stated, if the seeing the migration of wildebeest and zebras is important, then Kenya or Tanzania. In July either the Serengeti or the Masai Mara would work, as the animals are moving from Tanzania to Kenya at that time.

Botswana, as has been mentioned, offers the most seclusion with outstanding wildlife and accommodations. It also tends to be the most expensive. Luxury mobile camping, which is very comfortable, offers a bit of a savings.

Then there is South Africa (where I am planning a visit, but have not been). It has excellent game viewing and a variety of lodging prices. Not quite as wild as the other destinations mentioned. You can combine the safari with the vineyards and Capetown, if that is of interest.

Please don't delay. If you are flexible in where you wish to go in Africa, that will help at this late date.

I would love to visit Capetown, too, but I didn't know how trips to the vineyards would be in July.
Would probably prefer to focus on a variety of game rather than focusing on the migration. Keep those suggestions coming and I will be checking on availabilities!

While visitors may concentrate on the migration during their safari, there is plenty of other game in the same or surrounding areas. Also, though the migration may be in certain areas as certain times of the year, there are other parks/reserves in both Kenya and/or Tanzania worthy of a visit.

Search this board for the East African Trip Report Index (prepared by LyndaS) for an idea of the various types of safaris taken, time of year, destinations, etc. This will give you ideas and a place from where to start.

following is link to LyndaS's East Africa Trip Report Index, a marvelous resource:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34725679

"Would probably prefer to focus on a variety of game rather than focusing on the migration."

That comment of yours prompted two thoughts.

(1) The migration attracts predators so it is an excellent opportunity for lions, leopards, cheetah, hyenas, etc. Definitely not an either migration or predators situation. They go hand in hand.

(2) But since you mentioned the migration is not that important, then the attraction of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe or South Africa increases.

What can you tell me about Capetown in July? I was working on our airline reservations and the Lufthansa rep thought I was crazy when I told her I wanted flights to Capetown in July. Also, I know there are price differences, but can anyone tell me more about Table Bay Hotel, The Commodore, and/or the Rosedene Guest House? Thanks for the help!

If your kids are active,you might want to consider a couple places that will keep them busy instead of sitting in vehicles all day.

For starters you might want to include VF/Livingstone. Whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, flights over the falls, plus a slew of other activites.
Go to Mana Pools(considered one of the best parks in Africa) for Canoeing(Natureways is a good operator for this) on the Zambezi,fishing, game walks and drives-lots of wildlife, with game frequently passing through the camps. You can go on a guided multi day walks in a remote part of Mana Pools where there is noone else, starting out of Chitake Springs.
www.zimparks.com/html/manapools.html

www.africanbushcamps.com
www.natureways.com/docs/news.htm

July is the part of the high season normally, but at least you should be able to get reservations at VF and Mana Pools. Depending on how much time you have, I would add in maybe South Luangwa NP, Hwange, Bot destinations like the Okavango, Savute, Chobe....

Try flying into Lusaka and work your way down to Capetown-departing from there.

Jambo,

I would recommend you to take your kids to Kenya. There are nice national parks with sufficient wildlife.The weather is perfect and you will really enjoy your holiday while in Kenya. have travelled all over Kenya and i find it an amazing country to be.the annual migration of close to 800,000 wildbeasts and zebra occurs in the Masai Mara game reserve one of the most popular park in Africa. The animals move as a great mass in a follow the leader fashion. They migrate from serengeti in Tanzania when the grass begins to whither and arrive in masai Mara when there is new succulent grass. Its a wonderful scenery to watch as this animals cross the two rivers in Masai Mara game reserve and the crocodiles capturing them.

I took a 7 days safari with "The Eriksen Adventure" http://www.theeriksenadventure.com , its a company owned by a Norwegian and a Kenyan. Very reliable.

All the best, Kewit

Great advice from the above, but I'm surprised no one has asked by now: what is your budget trvlcrzy? Also, what kind of trip (packaged or self-guided tour) and accomodation (game lodges, guesthouses, camping, etc.)are you looking for?
I am 21 and have been on safaris to Kruger (South Africa), Moremi (Botswana) and South Luangwa (Zambia) and spent four months in Cape Town, so hopefully I can give you another perspective on this.
I would recommend that you do go to Cape Town- it's a beautiful city and will nicely complement time spent on safari. Now as far as the safari goes, I would second the advice on doing an active safari- ie. one that incorporates bushwalks, canoeing, etc. My first safari was to Kruger NP and despite it being an amazing experience, I got restless by the third day due to lack of activity. If your kids are like me and want to stay active while on safari I would recommend:
1) Do a trip combining Cape Town with Kruger. Stay at a private reserve off of Kruger or in the park, but somewhere that you can do bushwalks. 2) You could do a multiple-activity safari in Lower Zambezi NP or a walking safari in South Luangwa NP in Zambia (http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/...s/natparks.htm). Alternatively, you could do a tour of Botswana including Moremi, the delta and Chobe. This does not have to be prohibitively expensive if you go with a tour company like Phakawe or Bushways.
If you did a trip to northern Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe (if I may, I would recommend you stay clear of ZimBOBwe) you could combine this with adventure activities in Victoria Falls- rafting is a must!
3) Go to Kwa-Zulu Natal and enjoy Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, snorkel in Sodwana Bay, check out Durban, hike the Drakensbergs, etc.
I think you'll see that you are spoilt for choices- especially since you will be travelling in July- but your intended length of stay and budget may limit some options- more info please! :)

I HIGHLY recommend Elephant Plains in Sabi Sands. We were there for 3 nights in June 2005 and loved it. The weather was very nice - cool, crisp mornings and warm afternoons. I couldn't believe it was winter. We also spent some time in Cape Town and you might consider that if you are going all the way to South Africa. Your kids would probably love going diving with Great White Sharks (you don't need to be scuba certified or anything). We went with White Shark Ecoventures and had a marvelous time. The weather in Cape Town may be a bit more "iffy" than Sabi Sands - we ran into some drizzle (and downright rain) plus very low hanging clouds that made it impossible to even see the top of Table Mountain, let alone go up it. But the day we went out to the Cape Peninsula, the weather cleared up and was beautiful. We also went to Victoria Falls which was an amazing sight. There we were able to ride on elephants and we took a helicopter over the falls. We stayed at the Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and it was a fabulous place to stay. We could hear the falls at night and see the spray from them during the day. Botswana might be tricky to plan at this time since that is high season, but I can recommend CCAfrica - specifically Nxabega Lodge, which are the Hemingway style tents (floors, beds, bathrooms, etc). It was a very different experience from Sabi Sands and made for a nice contrast. Have fun planning!

Thanks to all who have responded thus far...and keep that advice coming!! GREAT input about making sure that we have an "active" trip. Right now I have air reservations on hold for July 11-19, and I am trying to build an itinerary. For the safaris I would prefer a package if possible so that I don't have to bother w/ the air and ground transportation. I would prefer to tour Capetown on our own or with the guide who has been recommended so much on this site (Selwyn); I know that my son and husband definitely want to do the Shark Adventure!
Two specific questions for this posting: (1) hotel recommendation in Capetown and (2) opinions on Sabi Sabi vs. Kapama vs. Tintswalo. (had a tour operator give me these options) We would love to also go to Vic Falls; I like the canoeing idea there!
As for budget, I'll call it "upper middle" range. Would rather make the experiences be the memorable part rather than spending it on a great view in Capetown, for example.
Thanks for the help!!

Hi Roccco,

Just tried to contact gametrailsbotswana on their site. The form "contact us" returns this:
Method Not Allowed
The requested method POST is not allowed for the URL /NewFiles/gametrails.php.

Apache/1.3.27 Server at www.gametrailsbotswana.com Port 80
:((

Suggestions?

I am from the US, currently residing in Tanzania, and have lived in Africa for a number of years and have been on many safaris. In Feb, a group of us went to the Serengeti for safari, and the end of July we are slated to do the Migration in Kenya with friends and colleagues from the US, Ghana and Tanzania. We are using a company that I've used for years, and are getting a group discount......email if you are interested in joining the group.
[email protected]

Thank you for your invitation to join the group, but I think we will continue working on a package.

Here is what we have so far:
Day 1 arrive in Capetown
Day 2-3 Capetown (activities we will plan on our own will include Winelands, Shark experience for my son and husband, Table Mountain and as much else as we can pack in!)
Day 4 Fly into Hoedspruit for safari destination (options are Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, Kapama, or Tintswalo; need help from this board about which location will have the best game viewing)
Day 5 Game lodge
Day 6 After morning game drive, fly to Jburg; overnight at Sandton Hotel
Day 7 Fly to Livingstone; possible sundown river cruise
Day 8 Vic Falls (activities on our own: will include elephant back safari and either canoe or rafting trip)
Day 9 We get to plan the day; maybe full day to Chobe Game Reserve
Day 10 Head home ... unfortunately

Please let me know what you think about the itinerary in general. Also has anyone stayed at the Zambezi Sun in Livingstone? (I have stayed at the Royal Livingstone and it was fabulous, but I'm trying to weigh the price vs. value when this trip is coming out of our own pockets)

If you arrive early enough, I would suggest starting in Victoria Falls. This would allow you to have one more day elsewhere.

I do think that you would be well served in considering a stay at Matetsi Water Lodge if you are going to stay 3 nights in Victoria Falls, especially if you want a daytrip to Chobe (you will already be halfway there from Matetsi).

Plus, if you mix an itinerary of Matetsi with one of CCAfrica's Sabi Sand lodges (Kirkman's Camp, Dulini, Leadwood or, for the time being, Londolozi), it would help you qualify for a long stay discount.

At Matetsi, you would have many activities included, as well as all food & drinks included. It is only about 50 minutes away from Victoria Falls and daily transfers to Victoria Falls are included (at least to the Zim side, but Livingstone would require a visa). However, it does eliminate the need for a Zim visa and if you go from Livingstone to Chobe, you will need to pass through Zim anyway just to get to Chobe.

Pricing for Matetsi will be about the same as for the Royal Livingstone but it is an all-inclusive luxury lodge rather than a hotel.

If you are able to splurge a bit, I would advise a third night in the Sabi Sand. Two nights is rushing things.

Something like this would work out well:

Matetsi Water Lodge (3)
Cape Town (4)
Kirkman's Camp (3) (this will be the most affordable of the CCA camps and this camp borders Mala Mala and even shares traversing areas with Mala Mala, as well as with other concessions).

Ending in Cape Town would make for an easier flight home, rather than ending at a safari lodge, checking out by 11AM, flying back to Joburg, and then likely not flying home until 8PM, after being stuck in the airport for a long time.

I do think 10 nights should be the minimum if you were to do Matetsi, but you should be able to get away with one fewer night in Victoria Falls if you do go the hotel route.

Finally, it is also possible to do your safari in either Zimbabwe or Zambia, and this would make it much easier from Victoria Falls.

Here are just a few options:

HWANGE NATIONAL PARK:

SOMALISA CAMP
http://www.africanbushcamps.com/camps/somalisa.htm

THE HIDE
http://www.thehide.com/

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

KASAKA RIVER LODGE & CHONGWE RIVER CAMP(these would be good family options and very good values)

www.kasakariverlodge.com
www.chongwe-river.com

CHIAWA & SAUSAGE TREE CAMP(luxury option within the national park)

www.chiawa.com
www.sausagetreecamp.com

I do think South Luangwa would probably be too far from Victoria Falls for a short itinerary and the transfer costs too great.

Mana Pools (across from Lower Zambezi on the Zim side) does not have many options at this time. Unfortunately, Chikwenya is no longer a Wilderness Safaris camp and some fear that it may now actually be a hunting concession! :(

If I were to recommend a Victoria Falls/Lower Zambezi/Cape Town trip, I would suggest:

Zambezi Sun, Livingstone (2)
Kasaka River Lodge or Chongwe River Camp (4)
Cape Town (4) (you would get into Cape Town about 6PM that first night).

The night in Joburg on your current itinerary just seems a bit unnecessary, especially given your limited timeframe.