July/ August - Big trip for 50th

[Panicovereveryone]

Where would people suggest? Would Galapagos be good at that time? At other suggestions? I like the less obvious destinations. Recently went to Namibia and loved it, but not sure more safari would appeal. I feel a bit stuck for good ideas as it’s a bad time in lots of places.

You could consider Canada. We went on a small boat to the Great Bear Rainforest in September (August would work) and it was stunning!!! It would be very special for a significant birthday.

We have also been to the Galápagos Islands in April and it’s a year round destination. I would look at web sites run by Audley Travel or Ultimate travel. You would see July and August are peak season with prices to match! So perfectly doable.

July and August are great months for the Amazon basin and Peru would work too. Look at the “when to visit” sections of the brochures and you won’t go wrong. We also went to the Arctic in July - to the Svalbard peninsular. That was a stunning holiday.

July/August is the wildebeeste migration into Kenya and it’s a great time to visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana as well as the Luangwa valley Zambia. You really do have lots of options and fantastic places to consider.

Thanks Bubbles a few to investigate

@BubblesBuddy out of interest who did you travel to Botswana with? We would be taking our 2 DD’s but they would be 13 & 11 by then so a good age I think.

It’s quite a while ago now! I usually recommend Expert Africa. Lots of good advice and details about camps. We combined Botswana with Zambia - Zambia is also great for safaris. Namibia might suit you too. Fly drive is very successful there.

We have taken DC on safari holidays and they loved them! At around the age of your DC. There are certainly camps in Kenya that are very good with teens. Abercrombie and Kent did a family safari to Kenya and we have also used Families worldwide to Peru in the summer holidays. They are quite good as other teens might be on the trip as you can choose teen departures. We also took ours to South Africa and I’m sure you would all enjoy there too.

Thanks @BubblesBuddy I’ve been looking at Expert Africa. Some of the Botswana locations look amazing. We’ve used Families WW a couple of times, but tended to avoid the group trips - perhaps I should work on my tolerance for the kids sake!

We used FWW so it gave our DC other DC to chat to! However I agree there are drawbacks! One being when my elder DD ended up being a quasi baby sitter as some parents sloped off and left DD in charge!

I really liked Botswana. It has land and wet based camps so great diversity. Zambia is great too. You can add in Victoria falls to Zambia holidays.

South Africa is good too. KZN around the St Lucia wetlands and Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park are gems. Then go into the Drackenbergs.

Lots to consider!

Vietnam! Glorious place. Lovely people, stunning scenery, luscious food.

I think you would need a wetsuit in July/August in the Galapagos and waters can be choppier. So whilst it is advertised as an all year round destination, it's probably not the best time of year.

Another option to consider is Borneo - combine wildlife, culture and beach.

my elder DD ended up being a quasi baby sitter as some parents sloped off and left DD in charge . That’s quite a drawback!

I think we’ll have to reserve an Easter break for Vietnam and Galapagos.... I must not wish my life away between trips!