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

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.

A pet sitter, even