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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Help - Safari holiday

53 replies

BlackDressingGown · 02/09/2023 21:34

Hi, looking to book a once in a lifetime safari holiday for me and DS aged 7. Have had a little look about and can't see these provided by the usual travel companies I book with and scared of giving my money to a company I've never heard of . Just wondering if anybody has any personal recommendations?
Research says that Kenya is the place to go for safari but open to suggestions

OP posts:
House4DS · 02/09/2023 21:40

We were reminiscing about our Kenyan safari earlier. Definitely once in a lifetime.

CatherinedeBourgh · 02/09/2023 21:41

I used these guys

https://www.travelbutlers.com/safari/andbeyond/

For Tanzania. Was definitely the holiday of a lifetime, but I wouldn't do it with an 8 year old.

For a child that age I would probably go to South Africa, outside the malaria zone and where you don't need yellow fever vaccines to go.

&Beyond | Formerly CC Africa | World-Class Safari Experience

&Beyond are one of Africa's leading luxury safari companies, with over 30 exceptional lodges in some of Africa's most breathtaking locations.

https://www.travelbutlers.com/safari/andbeyond/

ThePoshUns · 02/09/2023 21:46

Ah we did a Safari to Kenya for our honeymoon.
It was amazing.
We went with Hayes and Jarvis who still do Safari holidays now. It was a great itinerary including a night at Treetops.
We followed with a week on the Mombasa coast which wasn't so good as we were both ill.
I'd probably have done a longer safari or gone to the Seychelles if I was doing it again.

ThePoshUns · 02/09/2023 21:46

Meant to say this was 25 years ago though, sorry!

orangelotus · 03/09/2023 09:48

we did a safari in south africa in september but they didn't allow under 12's i wonder is that normal?
you are up v early and out for hours at a time. We just booked it independently but i guess that is risky

TeenDivided · 03/09/2023 09:56

We used Go2Africa ~10 years ago, also with a (animal mad) 7 year old and a 13yo.
We went to South Africa (though I think it was stable then).

We flew to J'Bourg and safaried in Pilansberg and Madikwe. One of the reasons we chose that area was it meant we didn't need to take malaria tablets.

We were amazed that both DDs did all the game drives with us (8 days worth) despite early mornings and late nights.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 03/09/2023 10:00

Explore! Worldwide do a couple of safaris aimed at families, I think there are options in Tanzania and South Africa maybe? SA is great with kids as there's a lot of interest on top of the safari itself.

TeenDivided · 03/09/2023 10:14

People have been sniffy about this when I have said it before, but we did 2 days Sun city resort, 4 days Pilansberg, 4 days Madikwe and 2 days Sun City at the end.
Sun City helped us 'acclimatise' to being in South Africa, my DDs loved the breakfasts, there were things like Segways and Jet skis, and pools. Maybe not very 'African' but a way to recover from/before the flights.

Holidaysareessential · 03/09/2023 10:24

We went to Kenya last year - booked direct through Sophia rose travel. Was the best holiday we have ever done and youngest was 4.

Whichwhatnow · 03/09/2023 10:26

We're doing this in a couple of weeks OP - https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/kenya/road-zanzibar-144810#reviews-45

I would have been happy to not go through an agency but my DH is a nervous traveller haha. I chose this one because it includes Zanzibar at the end so we get a few days of beach/snorkeling/watersports etc (and the island basically looks like paradise!). Obviously haven't done it yet but the reviews are great! Not sure if kids are allowed though but it overall looks pretty easy (some safaris we were looking at involved lots of trekking which might not be great for a 7 y/o!)

Road to Zanzibar | Intrepid Travel

Experience the beauty of the Ngorongoro and Serengeti, Usambara Mountains and Zanzibar on a 12-day trip to Africa.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/kenya/road-zanzibar-144810#reviews-45

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/09/2023 10:26

Oh I’d love to do this one day! It’s a dream of mine but I’ve never been able to afford it with the kids as well.

Also felt worried about not being familiar with the companies whenever I’ve looked so following with interest

Soubriquet · 03/09/2023 10:27

Me and my Nan did a 9 day safari in Kenya. We left Nairobi, and did a big circle to go back to Nairobi. It was an amazing holiday. We saw so many different animals

gingercat02 · 03/09/2023 10:30

We did a safari for our honeymoon (21 years ago) and I think we booked with TUI. We did Kenya in September and it was brilliant. Saw all the big animals apart from a Leopard, just a tail disappearing into the Bush.

Madcats · 03/09/2023 10:37

Have a look at Aardvaark Safaris.

One of the directors, Alice has travelled extensively with her (now 12) triplets.

[we met Alice and her husband on a safari in Namibia].

https://www.aardvarksafaris.com/about/meet-the-team/

Tracker1234 · 03/09/2023 10:47

I chose a safari that was Adults Only. A friend did a safari with a six year old a few years ago and said on reflection it was too young. You do need to get up for 0600 every day to see the animals which the six year old wasn’t keen on. On the jeep she kept playing up. Standing when she shouldn’t, screaming out when she saw an animal and generally annoying the other passengers.

In the end they didn’t go on as many drives as they expected. I honestly think 12 plus is the right age.

Sorry…

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/09/2023 10:52

As per PPs the age of your child limits your options.

Two companies I can recommend are Expert Africa and Yellow Zebra Safaris.

gingercat02 · 03/09/2023 11:10

TUI still do safaris. www.tui.co.uk/destinations/africa/holidays-africa.html
You don't get more mainstream travel than that OP

RockaLock · 03/09/2023 11:18

We went with Rainbow Tours to S Africa, and it was amazing.

TeenDivided · 03/09/2023 11:41

Make sure everyone including the 7yo has binoculars and a camera.

There was a 6yo on our trip for part of the time who was bored and poorly behaved.
My nearly 8yo on the other hand was fascinated and engaged the whole time. However as I said above, she was/is animal crazy.

countrygirl99 · 03/09/2023 11:47

We took my 2 to Zimbabwe when they were 6 and 9. We did a self drive camping trip so we didn't have to worry about other people but they loved it and even though they are now in their 30s it's still their all time favourite. But if I was on my own with 1 DC I'd look at something like Intrepid or Explore for one if their family trips.

GCAcademic · 03/09/2023 11:52

If you have a look at Aadvark Safaris and Expert Africa, they have experience of organising safaris for families and will know which lodges and parks are best for a younger child.

Solotravelleragain · 03/09/2023 14:49

Also recommend Travel Butlers - I used one of the itineraries on their website as a starting point, and they tweaked it to suit our needs and budget. Would book with them again in a heart beat.

DaleTremont · 03/09/2023 15:13

Newmarket Holidays, Somak, Rainbow Tours, loads of reputable options out there. Find a proper travel agent and get them to sort it for you.

ProfessorLayton1 · 03/09/2023 15:14

We recently went to Tanzania and loved it. If this is going to be a once in a life time trip, why not wait for few more years ? Your son will be able to remember the trip well and you will have more choice in choosing where you go.

If you decide to go, do something else before and after the safari trip and keep the safari days to 3 days or so.