AIBU for being nervous about going to South Africa

[Ripeberry]

I've not travelled abroad for years and this February my DH wants us to go to Cape Town for 3 weeks to visit his best friend who emmigrated 2yrs ago.
I've heard South Africa is a very beautifull country but also it is quite violent in places and i'm worried about being mugged.
Another thing is that my DDs have not been in strange places for ages (i.e not their own bedrooms) or our trailer tent that we have been using for holidays in the UK.
Last time we went abroad was 4yrs ago and DD1 used to refuse to sleep.
The plane journey will be over 8hrs and my DDs are very restless and i know they will spend all their time running up and down the plane (daytime flight).
Our two cats will have to go into the cattery but they don't get on that well so i'll have to have two seperate kennells and it will cost over £300!
Work are going to be a bit miffed about me going off for so long, but my DD1 school are OK about it as its over the school half-term anyway.
I know i'll enjoy it when i get there, but its just so FAR AWAY.
AB

[Acinonyx]

A pet sitter, even

[Acinonyx]

I can see your POV - I am very well-travelled and lived in Africa/ME (including Zimbabwe) but I think many of us becaome nervous ninnies when we have kids. It's supposed to be that way I think. I would be anxious too, now we have dd - just needs a lot more thinking about than before.

Africa, like so many other countries, is very family/kiddy friendly though. And Cape Town is no Joburg (which even I would me relutant to visit with dd). Friends of ours go to SA every year - including 2 couples with toddlers.

Wrt your cats - it would be about the same cost to get a pit sitter as we do. She vivits the house once or twice a day as arranged, to change food, water, and pet them. Waters the plants too - picks up mail. Our 2 cats can't cope with catteries - they get ill.

[Cam]

Ripeberry, we just got back last night from 16 days in South Africa. Stayed in Joburg and Cape Town and a fab private nature reserve called Grootbos.

We had the best time, 34 degrees of sunshine and went to all the significant places.

Blu, how cool is Soweto ? It made me want to cry.

[staryeyed]

I have been to cape town and loved. It was sooo beautiful. Please go don't miss the opportunity. We were very careful stayed in the very populated areas at night. We didn't have a problem at all. Go and be safe!

[theBOD]

as far as safety goes the depressing reality is that as long as you are not a south african who is black and use your common sense the dangers are minimal. unfortunately as with most violent places across the world 99% of the violence is in house amongst the poorer communities. the rest of your worries are too personal to you for me to comment on and only you know how you would cope with them.

i will say this though, S.A. is one of the best places i have visited on my travels.

[jellies]

I do long haul flights with my boys all the time... aged 4, 3 and my newby 5 months. If you need any tips on packing or travel entertainment... but getting the night flight is a good idea, even if you're wrecked you wont have to deal with the tired strung out kids!

[Mum2b2BabyRoo]

Being a South African myself, I am SO envious you are going to SA - PLEASE, PLEASE go and enjoy yourself. You will have an amazing time and all the planning, etc. will so be worth it!! I promise! There is so much to see and do and I bet your kids will love it!

[TheIceQueen]

You MUST go - Cape Town is simply AWESOME.

But get a nighttime flight,,,,,,,

[TheIceQueen]

You MUST go - Cape Town is simply AWESOME.

But get a nighttime flight,,,,,,,

[Blu]

KM - well yes, but on that basis she'll spend the next 10 years at home with the cats!
You have t break an egg to make an omlette, you know!

[ComeOVeneer]

Of course there is planning and long travel but it is well worth it. It takes planning for any holiday wherever you go. Less so if going to visit someone already there.

[ComeOVeneer]

Kerry parts of London can be very dangerous. As long as you take advice and don't act stupidly (eg flashing wads of cash) you will be fine.

[jellies]

Take me! Take me!!
My mum and sister went 3 months ago and went on a safari... {envy]You are going to someone who lives there and can help you stay safe!

[Blu]

KerryMum is right - stay at home in the Feruary grimness and look after the cats.

[ComeOVeneer]

We trasvel to cape town every 2 yers this time of year to visit dh's family. The journey is tough with little ones (ours are now 3 and 6) but a long haul flight isn't exactly fun for anyone. However because the time difference is only 1 hour no jetlag (either way). As long as you are sensible when out and about, stick to well light popular places, don't flash cash/jewellery etc etc it is fine. TBH the same as any where in the UK or most other places you would go on holidays. The coast is spectacular, lovely fish/seafood, one of my favourite places in the world to visit. Wish I was off there this year

[wannaBe]

cape town is actually one of the safer parts because of the huge amount of tourists - the police have cracked down on the crime. Just be aware and don't go into obviously dodgy areas.

It is a 12 hour flight so tbh I would seak to go at night so the dd's would sleep through most of it.

Alternatively if you really don't want to go I'll have your ticket - I grew up in South africa and would love to go back, my adresss is ... .

[MuthaHubbard]

It really is a lovely country, but it is, on average, a 12 hour flight (my hubby is there at the mo and I've been once before).

Your dh's friend will be very aware of safety if he is living there I'm sure and I'm sure you will be just fine when you get there.

[Ripeberry]

Thanks for all your replies, yes maybe i'm being a wimp, but i'm usually OK when i get there, it's just that i have to worry about every little detail!
I'd love to have a cat sitter, it's just that our cats are always fighting.
The worst one is our 6 month old female torteshell, she beats up our 4yr old Bengal cat! .
At night they have to be kept apart and anyway our Bengal keeps bringing in mice and things.
Left a nice pile of sick for me to clean up this am!
My DD1 is mad on Lions and we are going to visit a couple of Game parks if possible.
Will be great to feel some warm sun.
AB

[Gumbo]

Definitely go!

Why don't you rather choose a nighttime flight? Most of the flights go at night anyway, and as it's a 12-hour flight it means that after the initial excitement your DCs are likely to sleep for most of the trip.

[Mum2b2BabyRoo]

It's not really THAT far - especially if you are on a direct flight. It will be over before you know it. Air stewardesses are very good to kids and really try to keep them entertained, and you know what - we all expect to see kids on a flight running around or crying! Hopefully DC won't have a problem sleeping - especially as there is not that much of a time difference. As for being mugged - well you have as much chance of that anywhere in the world really. Just stay out the obviously looking dodgy areas and keep alert. Re. cats - well I know you can get cat sitters these days and I think it might be cheaper than a cattery (and nicer for your kitties to stay at home!)

Cape Town is BEAUTIFUL and I am sure you will love it! Feb is a great time to go - lovely weather there when it is awful here! Just relax and enjoy!!

[pooka]

Even though the flight is longish, the time difference once there is minimal, so less sleep disruption than you might expect.

[Blu]

I went to Johannesburg last year amid dire warnings, walked freely on the streets of the city during the day, was surprised how normal it all was, walked round Soweto and another township, met many brilliant young people, just followed advice about where and when to go. There has been a problem with armed robberies of people's houses, but everyone has cctv, alarmed fences etc. I know loads of people, including my brother, who jhave been to cape town and the coast fro holidays, and all have been very safe and absolutely raved about it as a hol destination - so much to see and do.