Wildlife

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

Any ideas where we can go? Dc all want to see animals! I’m thinking Thailand, Canada, Africa... but need flights in summer holidays for under £800 pp, preferably less. I’d like somewhere warm. Any suggestions where to look? Oh, and must be safe to travel (dh vetoes turkey etc)

Canada, South africa, Kenya, Tanzania. Are your children old enough for game drives? Can they sit in ajeep for 2 x 3 hours per day? Or would somewhere with a good zoo dot the bill?

Youngest is 5 and they all travel well. Zoo wouldn’t cut it!

I don't know about costs, sorry, but Costa Rica is amazing for wild life. Its also very friendly and very tourist focused and safe.

What's your total budget as safari can be really expensive

British Columbia? r. Vancouver island area? bear watching. Whale watching. Cougars.

And you could go to the Great Bear rainforest and see the spirit bears.

We did Borneo last year. Flights came in pretty much at £800 late July. Bit less if you go for late August.
Stayed in basic but clean family rooms for £20-30 a night.
Dead easy to travel round independently.
Kids aged 8+ but would have had no qualms taking them younger.

Most safaris do not take them that young. Understandable as it is a lot of money and little children can’t stay still and quite.

Friends went to Yellowstone in August last year and enjoyed it.

You have possibilities in Europe, monkeys in Gibraltar and dolphins and whales in the Street of Gibraltar.

How about Sri Lanka? We’re going next month so not experienced it yet but there are a good number of national parks with elephants, water buffalo etc as well as temples, ancient cities, great beaches etc. I think the flights are a bit more expensive in summer (our Easter ones were £1390 for the 3 of us) & the east coast would be better weather wise. The hotels are really not expensive & we’ve got a private driver at a great rate. Costa Rica is another good option - we went in August 3 years ago. It is rainy season but usually that was one thunderstorm a day & there are lots of national parks & abundant wildlife. It is a pretty outdorsey place though & your 5 year old would be too young to do the likes of ziplining. I lived in Kenya till I was 10 & in terms of wildlife & beaches, I’ve never been anywhere better (could partially be nostalgia though!). I’m not entirely sure quite how safe it is though unless your on a guided tour. Costa Rica did in contrast feel very safe.

Ps - our flights from Gatwick to San Jose on BA were about £2300 for the 3 of us - that was booking on release though & if you’re thinking of this summer they might already be more than £800 a person but I’ve not looked!