Tanzania or South Africa

[PoppyW09]

We're stuck on trying to decide whether to go to Tanzania or South Africa for our holiday next year. The main focus being the safari but then want to follow it with beach (Zanzibar for Tanzania, Mauritius for SA). We are aware that Tanzania is in the malaria zone whereas SA is not and we would rather not take the medication but have been told that wildlife is better there so will if necessary. We also know about the climate difference (we want to go in July) and have been told that SA is better value for money (with safari lodges etc.). The main benefit of SA is Cape Town which we would all like to go to. We have two kids aged 15 and 11 who are very interested in their wildlife and would love to do either.

We went to Zambia & Botswana for safaris, followed by Cape Town. This was last May, & C.T. was already very chilly.
Didn't find medication a problem, & Botswana was particularly good as they take a pride in not fencing in their animals.
I think you'll enjoy whichever option - seeing animals in their natural habitat is wonderful.

If the focus is the Safari then Tanzania would be my choice. I loved South Africa and I’d always choose above most other places for general sightseeing/city/history etc but it’s hard to beat the Serengeti for game.

I've never been to South Africa, but I loved Tanzania - went on a Safari for 5 days (I think) with my then 5 year old, visiting the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crate and Lake Manyara.
We've also been to Zanzibar some years before that and it was beautiful!

Whereabouts in SA would you be thinking of for your safari? They can vary greatly - and actually you do need antimalarials in some parts of SA. Cape Town will be miserable weather in July, however Durban area will be dry and pleasant (it’s like a different climate!).
Personally at that time of year I would probably go to Tanzania.

DD did a medical placement in Tanzania last year, which included a few days in Zanzibar and on safari in the Makumi National Park. She went in July. Had the best three weeks of her life.

She took malaria tabs throughout, wasn’t a problem and stayed healthy.

We were thinking Kruger NP in SA and Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. We were worried about the anti-malarial's as the side effect can be bad and we don't want it to effect the experience.

We were only thinking CT for a couple of days to do penguins and whales etc.