plambers

Considering a 2017 safari with kids. We can either go Christmas week or in summer (June-Aug.) Would prefer 2 weeks in summer if possible.

I am getting confused with all the areas so wondering which time is better and if we do summer, which area do we need to focus on?

thanks

Gardyloo

Because of heat and bugs (also possibly the need for anti-malaria meds) I'd go with June-August, which is both the winter and dry season in southern Africa, and I'd probably look at South Africa, either in the greater Kruger area (Kruger National Park, or the many private reserves surrounding it) or possibly the Madikwe reserve over near Gaborone and the Botswana border. The kids' ages will make a difference; not all lodges are all that welcoming for little kids.

plambers

kids will be 14 and 15 so old enough to appreciate. so Tanzainia area out then?

TravelBeyond

Dear Plambers,

Each season is different and offers something so unique that it really depends on your goals for this trip. If you wanted to combine the safari with a city visit, South Africa is great as Cape Town offers so many age appropriate things for your kids. The city is easily combined with the Kruger Region. The weather is fantastic over Christmas albeit the raining season for the Kruger Region – game is still abundant and down pours are usually heavy and over quick. South Africa is known to deliver the Big 5 along with many other plains game, so it would officer a well round game viewing experience. The weather is less favorable in June/July in Cape Town but you are still able to do all activities and it is the start of peak season for the aquatic Big 5 – so Shark diving with Great Whites for example would be good at this time of year and for the safari region it is considered peak season. Botswana is also a great safari destination and can be combined with Cape Town and/or Victoria falls quite easily although this would likely be more pricy.

East Africa on the other hand is amazing at this time – Tanzania has so much to offer and don’t forget to look at Kenya. The Migration would be in the Serengeti over this period and all the babies start dropping so traveling with your own children would be extra special as they would get to see all the young babies. I just spend a month in Kenya and Tanzania in January this year and my 2 year old travelled with me. We had an amazing time! I highly recommend this region of Africa! Kenya offers a wonderful combination of culture and game viewing – my 2 year old still talks about the Masai almost daily! Either way, Africa is such an amazing destination, your children would be very lucky to see any part of it with you – and it would be just as special for you sharing it with them!

I hope this helps – Marguerite Smit, Travel Consultant at Travel Beyond.

plambers

Marguerite, thanks for this info. I was just reading a trip report in Kenya during July. I'd prefer summer as we can perhaps stay a bit longer. The great migration sounds so special.

Can you explain the differences between Kenya and Tanzania as far as what we might see on safari? Is there a price difference between the 2 areas?

I think I'd rather spend as much time on safari and not worried about city visits. My son watches shark week and swears he will never swim in the ocean in S Africa bc of all the shark attacks!

christabir

I'm a Southern Africa safari lover, so I am biased towards S Africa. Christmas is rushed, expensive and hot. Our summer, their winter, is quiet, not as expensive and cool (sometimes cold). I always travel in their winter. The game viewing is best too, because the grass is lower. Right now is a great time to plan with the currency (Rand) at the lowest vs the dollar ever.

I have planned a safari for my niece and her teenage kids that includes safari, beach and water activities, community work and more safari. Maybe it will work for you, too. It's doable with domestic flights and private transfers, cheaper but some long drives if you self drive. I'm a fan of more affordable, longer (and more often) safaris, so I use smaller, lesser known lodges. They have been great - much more personal and excellent service and wildlife viewing. The high end lodges are great, but don't fit my style. You can mix different lodges in for your preferences, but these are ones that have family units and welcome kids.

If you choose to visit Cape Town, do that first. Two things great with teens are the Penguins at Boulder Beach and Robben Island. Hiking Table Mtn, if you are interested in that. I don't include CT in the two week timeframe.

Start with a flight from JNB (or CT) to HDS airport near Kruger and rent a car there. Drive (or get a driven transfer) to Gomo Gomo in a private reserve adjacent, no fences, to Kruger. Spend three nights min on safari. There are MANY lodges to choose from, so pick one that fits your budget and traveling style. Gomo Gomo has a waterhole, so the animals visit during the day. I like that. Arathusa is another lodge that I like, but I don't think the family units are on the waterhole - but two bungalows next to each other would be fine. It's a little more expensive, in Sabi Sand private reserve.

Drive south through Swaziland - it's an easy drive. Great passport stamp!! Stop for a night in Mbabane (excellent golf and pool at the Royal Swazi/Lugogo Sun) or one of their wildlife reserves and then continue on to St Lucia on the gorgeous and warm Indian Ocean in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is the most fun town I've ever been - every water activity you can imagine, horseback riding on the beach or with impala, wildebeest and zebra, kayak with hippos, sit on the beach, scuba/snorkel, whale watching. So much more! Rent a condo right in town (it's nice to have access to a kitchen for a few days - not for every meal, but a few) and arrange any activities you want. If no car, fly HDS to Richards Bay, get a road transfer and stay in a condo on mckensie st. No car required - everything is walking distance and activities include pick up. Stay as many nights as you want, depending on your interests and time.

Drive or transfer to Rhino River Lodge in Zululand Rhino Reserve. You can arrange community and conservation activities through them - they really do great work. They have two bedroom cabins that are very comfortable. The staff is so friendly and the wildlife viewing is great. You may be able to arrange bush walks - inquire before you go. Check RRL's and ZRR's Facebook and Instagram - they post some great info, pics and stories (like poor brave Lucky). We did a rhino conservation project there last year that may have been our best day ever. We brought gently used kids books for the crèche (school) they work with, using our luggage allowance on the airline. Lots of things you might be able to do. Stay three nights min.

Drive or transfer to Richards Bay airport, drop off car if applicable, fly JNB.

That's the trip my family will take when the kids are the ages of your kids. I wanted to mix lots of wildlife with a few other things so they wouldn't get overloaded with game drives. It's also a trip I have done and will do again. I hope it helps you figure out yours.

Enjoy your planning.

diannelovestravel

Hi plambers!

If given a choice between Dec or our summer (June - August), I would recommend you go between June and August. As others have said, our summer is their winter which is best for game viewing because vegetation is thinner and dryer and there are fewer permanent water holes for animals to gather. The nights and mornings are chilly but it warms up beautifully during the day.

While I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing and experiencing the migration and spending time in Kenya and Tanzania, I would highly recommend you consider South Africa right now. The Rand is at a historic low so your dollars will stretch your budget. Often this means that you can either extend your trip or splurge on better lodging or fun activities. Or it can mean that you can do both!

In South Africa, there are many reserves and national parks for a safari but, without a doubt, the Greater Kruger area (Kruger plus its surrounding private reserves) is teeming with game, including the leopard the most elusive of all. The area is outstanding for game viewing and there are lodges to fit all budgets and different styles of accommodation.

An aspect of going on safari that is often not clear to travelers until they are on game drive is the difference between private reserves and national parks. Private Reserves, such as Timbavati and Sabi Sand, share an unfenced border with Kruger so the animals flow freely. Driving off-road is allowed so that you can stay on track with an animal. I thought I'd mention this to you because kids get such a kick out of driving in and out of river beds as well as over bushes and small trees to keep up with an animal or to track an animal. Night drives are also allowed in private reserves and it's quite fun to hear the nocturnal sounds of bush and enjoy sightings of animals that are not active during daylight.

I have put together many family safaris and, for those families with more than 4 nights in the bush, I recommend staying at more than lodge so that they can see some different areas as well as have the opportunity to switch up the style of lodging (tents ranging from moderate to luxury tenting vs rooms/suites at a lodge or camp). It makes for great variety and it keeps it fresh and exciting along the way. Kids love to meet the staff at different lodges and experience different kitchen and dining styles. There are family suites available at certain lodges and, with both children under 16 at the time of travel, you will benefit with the child discount at many lodges.

If you consider staying in different areas and/or different lodges, certain lodges offer a long stay discount for stays longer than 3 nights. This can really extend your dollars too! So depending upon your budget, overall length of stay as well as interest in seeing different lodges/areas, you could combine lodges in different reserves in South Africa and even across different countries.

As an extension to a safari, one option would be to visit Cape Town for a 3-4 night stay. It's a vibrant and trendy city with an active waterfront. It has a real vibe that teens love. Even with shark cage diving off the list, there is still plenty of great activities and fun things to do! Whale watching from land or boat, visiting Robben Island, climbing or taking the cable car up Table Mountain, visiting the penguins and Cape of Good Hope, going on a Township Tour or even learning to surf are just a sampling of ideas. Whether it's culture, food, history or natural beauty, there is truly something for all ages and all interests in Cape Town. Even though temperatures will be cooler than in the bush and you may get some rain in Cape Town at that time, it certainly wouldn't take away from experiencing the area.

If your kids like adrenalin activities, then you might want to consider a trip to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls in the world! August is a great time to see the Falls and the area is the epicenter of thrill seeking activities. White water rafting, zip lining, bridge swinging, canopy tours, sitting in the iconic Devil's Pool at the edge of the Falls and touring the Falls by helicopter are just some of the activities available to you.

I think you'll find that there are many options available to you to experience Africa in terms of where you go, where you stay and how you get from one place to another. A solid first step is to identify a budget, your total number of days, and preferred style of travel. From there, your trip will start to take shape. If you find yourself overwhelmed with options or unsure about the logistics of your trip, consider consulting an experienced safari planner/agent.

There is nothing more incredible than to go on safari! Even better is to share this experience with your children and see it through their eyes - truly magical!

Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA

Nidhi124

Hi, That time temperature is very high in June. so i will suggest you don't go in June.

christabir

No it's not, Nidhi.

HOSYSAFARIS

Dear Plambers,

As many have said i will always recommend between June and August, its winter during that time in Africa and the temperatures really drop and there is no much rain so the grass shorter and animals hide in the smaller thicket shades.

The difference between Kenya and Tanzania, no big difference but the facilities like camp lodges in Mara are so many compared to serengeti. But the animals and the migration takes place from serengeti crossing to Mara. The prices tend to lower in Tanzania but also reflects their level of service. Kenya has much high luxury camps compared to Tanzania. Other than the northern Tanzania circuit that is rich in game drive than Kenya but Kenya boast also of many other national reserves and private ranches that provide extra personal services in game drives, you have black rhino sanctuary, in lake Nakuru with the pink flamingos,

may be you can also inquire or request something similar to below itinerary.9Days/8nights Nairobi, Samburu, Aberdare (Treetops), Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara.

What's included?

• Accommodation in 3 and 4 Star lodges
• English speaking driver/guide
• Minibus safari vehicle exclusively for Hosy booked guests, with a maximum of 6 passengers, all guaranteed a window seat and standing space through the roof hatch when game viewing
• Game drives and sightseeing as detailed
• Park fees and transfers
• Bottle of water each day on safari
• Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• All specified flights.

Highlights

• Accommodation in superb locations
• Spot rare species in Samburu
• Look out for birdlife and rhino in Lake Nakuru
• Seek out the big cats of the Maasai Mara
• Optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara.

Excursions

Optional excursions this safari is designed to allow for some free time or take some optional excursions at extra cost.
Day 8 Hot-air balloon safari from £367 per person.

What to expect?

• A guaranteed window seat in an exclusive minibus vehicle
• Time to get you know your guide and hosy representative.
• Road journeys can be long (typically 3-6 hours) and bumpy due to distances and road conditions, but are scenic and rewarding
• We recommend tipping your driver/guide at the end of your safari.



ITENARARY



Day 1: Home to Nairobi Depart for your overnight flight to Nairobi.



Day 2: Nairobi On arrival in Nairobi, transfer to your hotel to relax before your safari experience begins tomorrow. Stay: Villa Rosa Kempisink.



Day 3: Nairobi to Samburu Drive to Samburu with lunch en route at the Trout Tree Restaurant – a unique dining venue set inside and around a giant fig tree. On reaching Samburu, you’ll have an afternoon game drive to reach your accommodation on the banks of the river, the Samburu Game Lodge, where you can freshen up before dinner. Stay: Samburu Game Lodge. B, L, D.



Day 4: Samburu Head out into the Samburu reserve on morning and afternoon game drives, looking out for this relatively small reserve’s rare species that include the long-necked gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. Stay: Samburu Game Lodge. B, L, D.



Day 5: Samburu to Aberdare Drive south to the Aberdare Mountain Ranges. Have lunch at the Outspan Hotel, then drive on to the famous Treetops, your spectacular viewing perch for the night and the place where Princess Elizabeth was staying when she ascended to the British throne in 1952. Game is attracted by the waterholes and salt licks around this unique tree lodge. Stay: Treetops. B, L, D.



Day 6: Aberdares to Lake Naivasha Have breakfast at Treetops before driving via Thomson's Falls – a scenic waterfall on the Uaso Nyiro River – to Lake Nakuru National Park for lunch and a game drive. The park is a haven for bird lovers, with over 400 species of bird, including flamingos, and also provides habitat for lion, leopard and Rothschild giraffe. It also offers fantastic chances of spotting herds of white rhino. Continue on to Lake Naivasha for the night and the Sopa Lodge, which has resident monkeys, giraffes and hippo inhabiting its 150-acre grasslands! Stay: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge. B, L, D.



Day 7: Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara After breakfast, drive to the incredible Maasai Mara, home to the residents of the BBC's 'Big Cat Diary' series and a whole host of other wildlife amongst its rolling plains and open savannah, including elephant, giraffe, hyena, impala, wildebeest and buffalo. Arrive for lunch at your lodge, that dates back to 1962 and sits in the heart of the Mara with sprawling lawns and lovely river stone and cedar wood bungalows. Then head out on an afternoon game drive Stay: Keekorok Lodge. B, L, D.



Day 8: Maasai Mara This may be the last day of your safari, but it could be the most thrilling, as the vast Mara plains provide some of the best game viewing in Africa. You’ll head out on morning and afternoon game drives into the heart of the reserve – a fitting end to an exciting safari. There’s also the option today to take a hot-air balloon safari. Stay: Keekorok Lodge. B, L, D.



Day 9: Maasai Mara to Nairobi Depart after breakfast, arriving in Nairobi in time for lunch at Lord Erroll. You’ll then be taken to a central hotel for the afternoon where you may like to prebook a day room before your return flight to home, arriving the following day.



• Accommodation in superb locations
• Spot rare species in Samburu
• Look out for birdlife and rhino in Lake Nakuru
• Seek out the big cats of the Maasai Mara
• Optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara.

Wishing best

Director - Hosy Safaris

plambers

wow! thanks all. will start researching all this info and come back with more questions.

we want to do private tours rather than the public reserves (or maybe one public reserve.)

so from the sounds of it, south africa is the preferred safari venue?

Deborah_WH

Hello Family Plamber,
If I were you I would definitely choose the two weeks in summer option, and I would definitely look at South Africa.
South Africa is a very versatile country and has so much to offer, it is not known as the Rainbow Nation for nothing

Your summer, is winter in South Africa and is a great time to visit ... the weather is milder, pesky insects are less, and (with less foliage on the trees and drier watering holes), game-viewing is fabulous.
As an additional bonus and incentive, June is often considered 'shoulder season', with special rates offered by many operators for this period.
I actually recently wrote a rather pertinent article here -
https://www.southerndestinations.com...oulder-season/

There are many outstanding Reserves in South Africa, but if you have not been on safari before, I would strongly recommend the world-renowned Kruger National Park, it is everything you have heard it is and more, it will not disappoint.
You can either fly in to the Kruger National Park, or you can drive in (roughly 5 hours), but either way it is reasonably easily accessible from Johannesburg International Airport.
To get a really good and diverse feel for the bush you could split your stay between two or three lodges.

As a finale I would head to Cape Town, there is so much to see and do, the City is truly beautiful with a smorgasbord of activities to suit all ages and tastes.
Day trips to visit the penguins and to see our local and very special fauna 'fynbos', day-trips to the tip of Africa, wine-tasting on our front-door step, cable-car rides up Table Mountain, stunning scenery, whale-watching, world-class cuisine, fabulous shopping, and so much more ... I promise there is absolutely no need at all to swim in the sea.

I hope this somewhat eases the confusion.
Happy Planning,
Deborah - Travel Guru, Southern Destinations

Deborah_WH

Hello Again Family Plamber,
Apologies, I was penning my response as you submitted your last post so didn't see it.
In addition to my previous post, let me quickly clarify re. Kruger National Park.
Whilst portions of the Park are operated by SANParks (South African National Parks), and I think this is what you refer to as public, there are numerous private concessions within and bordering the Park which are operated independently, and which make up the Greater Kruger National Park.
The private concessions offer outstanding lodges, outstanding game viewing, and the more private tours/safaris you mention.

Hope this is helpful,
Deborah - Travel Guru, Southern Destinations

TravelBeyond

Hi again

To answer your question, there are so many uniquely different aspects to each country. Yes the Migration does move between the Serengeti, Grumeti and the Maasai Mara between June and September depending on weather patterns. In Tanzania you also have Ngorogoro Crater which is so special, just dropping into the Crater floor is spectacular in itself. Tanzania also offers great hiking - Empakai Crater Hike will take you through the beautiful forests that surround the Empakai Crater walls and promises an up close experience with nature. This is an energetic hiking adventure which takes you to the Empakai Crater floor and the waters’ edge where you will explore this birdwatcher’s paradise, with potential sightings of barred tailed trogon, grey headed negro finch, greater and lesser flamingo, steppe eagles and crowned eagles. The hike into and out of the crater is on a steep grade at high altitude, and is only suitable for those comfortable with the relative requirements for fitness and agility. How active is your family? This region also offers the Olduvi Gorge and Shifting Sands - This archeological site, discovered by Mary Leakey, is the cradle of mankind - home of the earliest known homo sapien remains. You also continue on to the crescent-shaped volcanic ash dunes with this walking option, known as Shifting Sands, which slowly creep across the desert floor in response to prevailing winds. This excursion is less intense and so amazing to see. Let’s not forget Kilimanjaro…as you can see, so many things to do and see!

Tanzania also offers a unique look at monkey species, amongst other plains game at Lake Manyara for a varied experience. You can sit for hours watching them interact and the scenery is really stunning. I’m just touching on a few things in Tanzania to give you an idea. Gibbs farm is a great option in this region – a working coffee plantation where you can milk a cow in the morning, bake your own bread for breakfast, pick the vegetables for dinner & while that gets prepared you can day trip to Lake Manyara for a day filled with game viewing. In the evening they have resident bush babies that come down to feed, the options are just limitless.

Kenya on the other hand – You will likely spend time in Nairobi – there again things like the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage are worth a visit. Giraffe Manor is a great place to stay if you want an “up close” experience with Giraffe – I would check arrival/departure times if you are looking at this as an option to make sure you can spend time there for breakfast to experience the Giraffe coming up to the house. Emakoko is another great option and in Nairobi National Park, which is the only national park in Africa adjacent to a major city. It is actually a big five park (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard) and makes for a nice arrival in Kenya. Depending on your arrival time you may be able to do a game drive there – like with Giraffe manor it’s important to check arrival and departure times. You may want to add a second night depending on how you route your itinerary, which country you do first and how you enter Kenya for example. For the first safari I would suggest Lewa Wilderness. This lodge is family run and located on Lewa Downs, the best rhino habitat in East Africa. You can game drive, hike, or conduct horseback safaris here. They have their own stables. Lewa Wilderness is in the north central part of Kenya and the lodge is within visible range of Mt. Kenya!

June through October is the cooler dry season, so peak tourist season. Excellent game viewing with average temperatures of around 78 Farenheit. The road can be dusty in certain parts of Kenya but the temperature is just perfect. This is a really good time of year to see Wildebeest in the Maasai Mara. There are so many camp options to choose from, it really depends on your budget for this trip. I would look at something in the Mara proper and perhaps something in a private conservancy in the Mara, Rekero and Naboisho combine nicely. Naboisho offer great walking options to get you out of the vehicle. Both lodges are in the Masai Mara ecosystem which is the most animal dense place in East Africa. They are both owned by Asilia Africa and often have a long stay special rate, so stay 4 pay 3 for example. Naboisho is on private land adjacent to the Mara National Reserve so you can game drive and enjoy general animal viewing away from any crowds. There is no fence between the private land and the Mara. After two days you will move into a remote location inside the reserve at one of the closest spots to the Mara and Talek river crossing points where the Zebra and Wildebeest cross the Mara in August and September. You have the highest odds of anywhere or anytime in Africa of seeing the migrations from here (of course the activities of wildlife can never be guaranteed). Naboisho is currently ranked #1 or 114 safari lodges in the Marai Mara ecosystem on Trip Advisor. Rekero is of equal quality!

Kenya is filled with opportunity to meet the Maasai tribe in various parts of the country and many people find this experience unforgettable. I could go on and on here but I don’t want to flood you with information – I hope this gives you some idea of combining the two countries – the season you are thinking about it considered peak so it’s a great time of year to travel to both countries.

Marguerite Smit – Travel Consultant, Travel Beyond.

plambers

Question-if we don't see the great migration in the Seregheti, does that point more to S Africa and Kroger?

Gardyloo

I will circle back to this thread with some comments on the South Africa options.

First, no idea of your budget, but because of the vastly more numerous safari opportunities in South Africa, and a very broad range in accommodations, my guess is that it probably would be a cheaper trip, day for day, than in some other areas.

Second, with two weeks you're going to want to do more things than just be on safari; the price alone will likely be prohibitive. The virtue of South Africa is its incredible diversity.

For example, an hour's drive or so from most of Kruger National Park and the surrounding reserves puts you on the "Panorama Route," a stunning collection of mountains and canyons offering hiking, rafting, and many other activities. http://gardyloo.us/africa10J%20027a.JPG

Or a day's drive from Cape Town gives you penguins, vineyards, stunning coastal scenery along the Garden Route; continue another day and you can visit Addo Elephant National Park - http://gardyloo.us/africa13J%20026a.JPG - having stopped on the way at Jeffreys Bay ("J Bay") one of the prime surfing spots in the world. http://gardyloo.us/africa14J%20022a.JPG

Or a couple of hours from Cape Town puts you in the Winelands, with scenery that will stop your heart, and food and wine that will re-start it. http://gardyloo.us/902JS%20071a.jpg

The point being, a couple of weeks will allow you to experience astonishing variety, all very affordable and easy, in addition to superb animal viewing on safari.

Carolee1058

Hi! I am planning a safari for August 2017 also. And my kids will both be 15 at that time.
Anyway I was undecided between South Africa and East Africa also. After a lot of research and soul searching I chose East Africa. It has been my dream since I was a child to see the Serengeti and the Great Migration. I was hoping to combine a 2 week tour in both Kenya and Tanzania. But because of time constraints and budget I've decided to stick to 2 weeks in Kenya only. August is a good time to see the migration in the Mara and the Mara is part of the Serengeti ecosystem, so I will be fullfilling my dream. I also must see the David Sheldrick Orphanage in Nairobi and the Ithumba Camp in Tsavo East. What those people are doing for orphaned elephants, is beyond amazing!
So my advice is to read as much as you can about the destinations and see what area/country "moves" you the most. I think the ages of 14 and 15 are perfect for a trip to Africa!

plambers

Carolee, you are way ahead of me! I wanted to go on a safari for our honeymoon 23 yrs ago and don't want to wait anymore!
I have not even looked at budget yet-why is Kenya more reasonable? I think it was answered above as not having quite the same infrastructure but have just started looking into this.
What have you found to be the best resources?
Thanks so much.

Deborah_WH

Hello Plambers, in terms of budget, South Africa definitely comes in cheaper.
Our ZAR (Rand) is rather weak against the USD, and even more so against the Pound. For the foreseeable future this is not going to change.
This is however most fortuitous for visitors, and does mean fantastic value for travelers visiting on either of the above-mentioned currencies (as well as the Euro).
I think you will find, in terms of value for money, and budget, South Africa cannot be beaten!

Happy Planning,
Deborah - Travel Guru, Southern Destinations

progol

So glad I found this thread! What a great resource of information.

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about a 2017 trip in South Africa!