African safari or Rio de Janeiro

[Summersun2020]

Both bucket list trips and can’t decide which I’d prefer. I know they’re completely different and would love to do both but realistically I can afford to do one at the moment, possibly second in a good few years.
Would love recommendations from anyone who’s done either of these trips. I’ve previously been to Kenya but didn’t get the opportunity to do a safari and have always regretted this. Not limiting myself to Kenya, would consider anywhere else people could recommend (have looked at uganda, Tanzania and South Africa and would consider any).
Rio has just always been a dream place to visit but definitely once in a lifetime trips. Planning this trip in 2022 so plenty of time to plan! Thanks

Rio is an amazing place. I’ve been cabin crew for decades and it’s one of my favourites. Cape Town isn’t far behind it! You mentioned Uganda, that’s probably my favourite African country- so beautiful and lovely people. Also Tanzania, Zambia, Lilongwe.

Africa definitely! I would find locally owned businesses to support when organising the trip.

I really enjoyed Rio, we stayed at the Copacabanda Palace Belmond.

The roads are good and carparks are easily (and cheaply) available so you can get around easily yourself, uber cabs are plentiful and the metro is easy and cheap.

We did the sugarloaf, the tiled stair, christ the redeemer, a helicopter over Rio, we really enjoyed old Rio, Cafeteria Colombo in old Rio is really beautiful. Our favourite beach was Praia de reserva as it was very quiet, it was maybe a 15 minute drive from the main strip, Grumari beach is also lovely. There are some brilliant favela tours run by the local community that aren’t poverty porn focused. We also had a few days in the rain forest.

The night life is good, the locals were very friendly. If you want some local knowledge of things to do a common night time gathering spot for younger residents is the wall along Urca beach. There are some great little bars that do really nice pastels.

oooo the national library is worth a visit as well, the inside is absolutely beautiful.