To consider taking 2 DC (4 & 5) to SA

[Despirado]

It's DB's 40th next year and the whole family are planning a 3 week trip to South Africa. DH and I are are the only ones with DC.

The flights are extortionate and as much as we really want to go and not be the only ones in our small, close family not to be there, I just don't know if we'd be wasting our money taking such young kids.

From waking up to arriving at our accommodation we're realistically looking at (minimum) 19/20hrs. It's not just the travel time that's off putting though, how much will they be able to take part in at their ages? Can/should they do safari's, etc? I don't want to waste my time or money going all the way there just to sit by a pool which we could do in Europe for a fraction of the cost.

AIBU to even consider going?

I personally wouldn't, and I'm the queen of spending unnecessary money.

I just don't know what those ages would get out of that trip and would be much happier round a pool in Europe but hopefully someone more knowledgeable comes along and says I'm completely wrong and you'll have a blast.

Sounds great! My friends are from there and go back with their two twice a year (same age as yours). It’s great holidaying with family, the children love someone new and you get a bit of a break!!

I went with my almost two year old. It was amazing.

the flights are normally night flights plus no time difference makes it one of the better long haul destinations from UK with young kids.

we found it family friendly - lots of outdoor nature things to do even if they can’t do safari

very family friendly. Lots of big lunches in wineries etc

some challenges with security

What’s the planned itinerary while you are there?

I think a joint holiday to say Cape Town then a safari in a small, malaria free private game reserve could be wonderful with small DC. It would be extremely expensive though if that’s a factor. My main turn off would be the flight, but from memory, most of the flights are at night - if your kids are likely to sleep this could work out okay.

I personally wouldn't take children that age. Safaris often involve a long time driving about between the animal viewings. And they won't even remember it when they're older.

I think it sounds like an amazing trip, but I think for a big holiday like this I would want my children to be older to remember it (unless this is a typical holiday for you rather than a one off special occasion).

How are your DC with flying generally? Have you done long haul with them? If they are likely to sleep on a night flight then it will be a breeze - as pp have said, there is little time difference (only an hour) so no jet lag.

Also depends on the itinerary but a safari will be amazing and the kids will definitely enjoy it (even if they don’t remember all of it). Sounds like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your family - it’s a shame your kids aren’t a little bit older but I would definitely go.

I’ve done the flight to SA with 3 under 5 and it was simple enough. However, we were visiting family; not doing safari.

I have heard many safari trips have a minimum age - think it’s 7 or 8, so check that before committing to any travel plans.

It’s a great destination for a family holiday. Three weeks is a long time though. Do you know which areas they have in mind?

The flight is usually overnight so the kids sleep and there is almost no time diff so that helps a lot.

Def try and book flights with Virgin and book 4 middle row seats, put kids in middle two and invest in a plane pal x2 for the middle two seats, it creates a bed and your kids can easily sleep. You and dh have the aisle seats. BA does not allow inflatables of any kind!!!! Virgin allows Stokke Jetkids (not a fan) and PlanePal (great).

If your trip is in high season do direct LHR - CT, well worth it to avoid Jhb and internal flights

Rent a car, drive yourselves (totally doable) but take your own car seats.

We went for just over 3 weeks when ours were 4 and 6. They remember it now at lower secondary school age very positively. Which area are you looking at going to? We spent a few days in Cape Town then the rest of the time travelling around various parts of the Western Cape. Seeing wild penguins was incredible, they loved the runner ducks on a wine farm we visited and walking with an elephant in a reserve were their top events (they slept through the safari, as others have said, a long day and very hot). We only felt unsafe once, when we got lost and ended up in a township and there were a lot of people coming up to our car if we paused at junctions to check nothing was coming, but generally it was really friendly and we even had cause to visit a hospital due to a small fracture and had treatment way beyond the NHS standard.

Thank you for all of your replies and sharing your experiences!

To answer a few questions -

We haven't travelled long haul with the DC yet, 4.5hr flight is the longest they've done.

Eldest is happy enough on the plane but youngest isn't so keen (mainly during take off, landing and turbulence).

We'd be basing ourselves in Cape Town but not 100% where else we'd go/what we'd do. DB has been to SA several times (Cape Town & Johannesburg). He always does the game reserves and winelands. My parents have also done the garden route but it'd be the first time for us.

I'm just concerned we'd go all the way there and not be able to properly experience it. DC2 is lazy too, won't walk the length of themselves so can be hard work when out and about.