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Original poster

To consider spending a LOT of money on a safari holiday ...

132 replies

lilybetsy · 30/08/2017 21:35

My three kids will be 19, 16 and 13 next Summer, I am a single parent and really thinking this is likley to be the last oppportunity for us to go away as a family together,

It's a 3 weeks trip, very nice, and pretty expensive. But amazing. Will see stuff and do stuff together that we will always remember,

What are memories worth ? Is it worth the debt it will be for me ( but I can manage) .... I can't make my mind up ...

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 30/08/2017 22:13

Believe me, they still come on holiday with you in their twenties if it's free!

ImperialBlether · 30/08/2017 22:15

I wouldn't go into debt for a holiday. There will be other expenses over the years and you'll be paying off a memory.

BumFlapBob · 30/08/2017 22:15

Not great for the environment. Or the animals.

Ironmanrocks · 30/08/2017 22:15

We spent 3 months in Southern Africa and could have stayed for longer. 3 weeks sounds amazing. We flew to Jo-berg, hired a car and travelled Kruger for a fraction of the cost. We travelled and drove ourselves around lots of other game parks as well. We camped but you can stay in the lodge rooms that are available. (you can book them online) The cost of hiring a car for 3 months was less than a 3 day trip into Kruger. We had a ball. I can't wait to take my DS. Research it carefully and do what is right for you but you don't HAVE to book the fully organised lodge/company/safari trip thing. We paid extra for night drives as you aren't allowed to be out after sunset and we also paid to be driven in a jeep around a sandy game reserve that our car wasn't allowed into. This time we had two men who drove/set up camp and fed us as much as we wanted and it was less than hiring a 4x4 for the same time. Just check out everything. But it's one of the best things I ever did. Good luck!

blackberryeater · 30/08/2017 22:15

I've been on safari in Zambia (Kanyemba Lodge). It was honestly exceptional, really great fun and very sociable as all the guests at our lodge had lunch/dinner together.

Top tips- invest in a semi-decent camera, and make sure you bring something dressy for dinner (I didn't and was a little embarrassed).
I would go for it- provided the debt is manageable!

Ivymaud · 30/08/2017 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

peachgreen · 30/08/2017 22:16

Personally I don't think anything is worth going into debt for (bar student loans and a mortgage). But I'm pretty much always in the minority with that opinion!

I just think it's dangerous to assume you could pay something off in the future when that future is unknown. But that's probably very boring of me.

NC4now · 30/08/2017 22:16

Do it! My once in a lifetime was as a single mum. My boys were 7 and 4 and we'd sold the family home. I couldn't afford to buy on my own so put my share of the equity aside - minus a trip to Lapland to see Santa.
I thought 'in the future they will remember the holiday and won't ever know my mortgage could have been slightly lower.'
Sure enough, they still talk about it eight years later. Priceless.

squirreltrap · 30/08/2017 22:18

I thought safari was a bit of a letdown. Just like a really big British safari park. After the initial excitement of seeing giraffe, oryx, zebra, elephant, lion....you just kinda have the same reaction as you have to a cow or sheep 😳

And it's much better on the tv for the detail of what's going on.

We went to Namibia and enjoyed the tour of the incredible dunes, desert and general African culture much more than the safari days.

Namibia was an incredible country and cheap as chips compared to Kenya.

tuliparcher · 30/08/2017 22:19

In South Africa you can incorporate a safari, with some beach time too. Ive been to the Kruger twice & driven myself. Its amazing!!

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 30/08/2017 22:22

What! Why would you get into dept to go on holiday?? It's inconceivable to me, a magical childhood stems from stress free (as possible) parenting.

DreamingofItaly · 30/08/2017 22:25

Do it! Stay a couple of days at Salt Lick in Tsavo, Kenya. They have this incredible underground bunker type thing so you can get up really close safely, I took some fab elephant pictures! They also do a "big cat wake up call" so if any big cats come to the watering hole at night they'll call and wake you!
We did this trip 8 years ago and are going to safari again for our honeymoon, it's was just perfect.

To consider spending a LOT of money on a safari holiday ...
Newtssuitcase · 30/08/2017 22:28

how much is it?

SpornStar · 30/08/2017 22:29

I did Kenya in 2009 (Tsavo East and West and Amboseli) and got absolutely hooked on Safari. As I was busy planning my next one I got pregnant and have resigned myself to not doing another until DC is old enough to appreciate it. Botswana is top of my Safari bucket list.

travailtotravel · 30/08/2017 22:34

Absolutely do it. I've visited all bar 5 countries in Africa so just ask if you want any info.

Makemineacabsauv · 30/08/2017 22:35

As I am planning a blow out in 2.5 years in Australia as our potentially last family holiday, I'll say go for it. Life is too short., enjoy it!

ScarletSienna · 30/08/2017 22:36

No don't get into debt for it. I've been on tens of safaris and can honestly say that they were amazing but I wouldn't go into debt for it. Save and go.

DingDongDenny · 30/08/2017 22:36

I was coming on to say the same as Ironman. You don't have to pay for an expensive all inclusive trip. We flew to Cape Town, spent a few nights there. Than a cheap flight to Johannesburg, car hire and we drove to Kruger and stayed in lodges in the park. Its what all the South Africans do

We much preferred it, because you set your own schedule and weren't in those safari vehicles, where you won't always get a good view if you are sitting in the wrong place. Then BBQs at night in the park

Original poster
lilybetsy · 30/08/2017 22:39

The trip is to Zimbabwe, Botswana and SA.

There willl be Victoria falls, safaris in two different parts of Botswana and then time in Cape town , ....

I can save 1/2 the cost by the time we would go, and the next half then in the following year.

I know we don't NEED three weeks but in my experience, going slower , staying for two nights in places makes for a more relaxed holiday ...

OP posts:
imokit · 30/08/2017 22:40

I'm 27, dad took my 16 year old brother and I for a family holiday this year. It was amazing! Plus we're all old enough to do things together most days but occasionally go off on our own.
Family holidays are better than presents!!!!

thenightsky · 30/08/2017 22:41

Tanzania! Do it.

altiara · 30/08/2017 22:42

Yes! But you do have time to save up, and they will still come with you for an amazing FREE once in a lifetime experience!

LondonNicki · 30/08/2017 22:46

Hi - I've been on a few safaris.....they are amazing but there is a lot of waiting around and just thinking of your children ages I agree with the poster above 3 weeks is far too long. A week's safari combined with a city visit like Cape town would be a great combination.

2017SoFarSoGood · 30/08/2017 22:47

what kind of money are you talking? I think that's a big part of the decision - or would be for me. How many years will it take to pay off?

abbey44 · 30/08/2017 22:49

Oh God, yes, do it!

We took our DC on a safari in Kenya to watch the migration when they were 6 and 9, which was probably a bit on the young side, but it was an unforgettable experience. They still talk about it now, 16 years later. We saw the herds of zebras and wilebeeste sweeping across the Masai Mara...the noise they made was something you just don't get when you watch it on TV. We saw all the Big Five too. Magical.

It's so much more than a holiday - you won't regret it.

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