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Original poster

Any suggestions for South African safari with 2yr old?

31 replies

FriedGreenTomatoes · 18/03/2008 22:16

I've got a work trip to South Africa in May and was thinking about getting DH and DD to com and join me afterwards for a week's vacation.
Can anyone recommend any good wildlife reserves for a safari? Need to be easy enough to get to from Cape Town (i.e. short flight or not more than 3-4 hour drive).
Thanks.

OP posts:
warthog · 18/03/2008 22:22

www.porfoliocollection.com has some good game reserves. i've used this website loads (not specifically for game reserves) and not had a single bad experience. i use it for all accommodation needs in sa now.

barnstaple · 18/03/2008 22:24

No suggestions right now, but my aunt is having lunch with us tomorrow; she goes to SA almost every year (born and bred there). I'll ask her.

wheresthehamster · 18/03/2008 22:38

I thought I read somewhere that safaris aren't recommended for under 12s. Can't remember why or where though.

lionbeast · 18/03/2008 22:41

oh how about,a stay at sun city then a stay at kruger park

or id it too far from aport

lionbeast · 18/03/2008 22:41

oh how about,a stay at sun city then a stay at kruger park

or id it too far from aport

warthog · 18/03/2008 22:51

watch out for malaria areas. i'm not sure whether may is ok to go to the kruger.

the cape should be fine tho.

Original poster
FriedGreenTomatoes · 19/03/2008 09:29

Thanks for the tips - and I await the advice from your aunt barnstaple.
That website looks great Warthog - thank you.
DH is still not convinced that a safari with a toddler is a good idea as he thinks she wills care the animals away. So maybe Sun City is a good alternative Lionbeast.

Hmm...have just noticed all the animalistic names replying to this thread!

OP posts:
mishymoo · 19/03/2008 09:34

I am from South Africa but have never been on Safari near Cape Town. I managed to find this website which shows a game park about 2 hours from Cape Town. This site also shows other day trip excursions you could do.

I am dead , wish I was going to SA.

Buda · 19/03/2008 09:41

We would love to do a safari trip with DS but are waiting this he is older - he is 6. I think you will find that most companies won't take a 2 yr old. I may be wrong and if so will await correcting with anticipation!

bluesky · 19/03/2008 09:42

sun city or jaci's lodge or combine the two

malaria free, jaci's is fenced each night and is very child friendly, butdont know at what age they take them from

mishymoo · 19/03/2008 09:46

Buda -you're right! There is age restrictions for safari trips for young children for obvious and practical reasons. see here.

No1ErmaBombeckfan · 19/03/2008 09:50

There is a park near Sun City called Pilansberg - I think the Kruger is along way from Cape Town (3 hour flight and then a drive) just for a week...

There is also a game farm somewhere near Port Elizabeth which is closer to Cape Town than trying to get up to Sun City...

I hope this helps...

Also

spammandchocolateeggs · 19/03/2008 09:54

You will find that most good safari lodges or hotels will provide a babysitting services.

But we have decided we will not do a safari again until ds is about 5, as before that, it is likely to be quite boring for los. There are plenty of other things to do in South Africa - what about just staying in Cape Town - it is a fab place with beautiful surroundings anyway.

spammandchocolateeggs · 19/03/2008 09:57

This website gives you an idea of all the attractions in the area: SA Venues

ajandjjmum · 19/03/2008 10:12

Kruger is a flight from Capetown, but perhaps more importantly is in a malaria zone.

The parks closer to Capetown are not in a malaria zone.

You would be able to pick up some useful info. on tripadvisor.

We're visiting SA in July - can't wait!!

Squiffy · 19/03/2008 10:14

TBH I would avoid sun city & Kruger for safari - you will have to fly up from cape Town to Joburg and then take either 7 hour drive or another flight and possibly a private flight as well which is a hassle with a toddler (though less expensive than you might think). also May is very cold (very sunny though) in that part of Africa - I remember being in Sun City at the top hotel there, and being given blankets to 'wear' whilst eating dinner inside the restaurant.

Lots of lodges won't take children less than 6, and Kruger is malarial.

On the other hand, Cape Town and surrounding area in May can be wet & windy (distinctly English in fact).....

If it were me I would be torn between the following:

  1. going down the Garden route instead to watch the whales who should still be around (check the timings), you can combine that with a visit to one of the samller parks near Cape Town (though admittedly they don't have the 'exciting' animals unless they are slightly 'fake' affairs (and you can go to Windsor Safari park for that). Garden route is lovely (but again, weather might be a mixed bag)

  2. Take a flight to Durban for some heat. I would head up along the coast about 20 miles to one of my favourite hotels in the world - Zimbali Lodge. Grabbing one of their horses to canter out along the deserted private beach at sunrise.... can't get much better (nor more pretentious) than that... Durban will be warm & sunny though you need to head northwards out of the city, because it gets humid (and malarial?) to the south.

  3. Fly back via Tanzania and get your husband to meet you there and head out to Zanzibar instead for beach holiday. Fabulous place to visit, great food and good hotels - the one I've been to three times is called the Ras Nangwi, kind of hotel where you take your sandals off when you arrive and don't put anything on your feet again until you leave.

If you are really really keen on a safari and on kruger then I would recommend chitwa-chitwa who do welcome children (they will look after them while you go on safari). the place was described in one guide book as the kind of place where you'd shoot an ad for a beer for very cool people, which about sums the place up. Beware though that you will need to take lots of toys as there isn't much for a toddler to do (I doubt they would let her go out on safari)

Squiffy · 19/03/2008 10:28

Oh, just remembered that Zanzibar is malarial as well, so that's probably out.

Original poster
FriedGreenTomatoes · 19/03/2008 11:59

Thanks for all your extra suggestions. DH and I have done part of the Garden Route and explored Cape Town & Stellenbosch before, which is why we were looking into something different like a safari this time. I have to say that DH is rather unconvinced that a safari with a toddler is a good idea, as he thinks she will shout and scare all the animals away .

Squiffy, you go ont he most amazing holidays. The Zimbali Lodge sounds great, as does the image of cantering along at sunrise. Oh, how I reminisce about the days of freedom before parenthood!

I'll do a bit more looking into the practicalities, but if South Africa doesn't work out, maybe I can get them to join me in Costa Rica in June? (though it is rainy season then)

OP posts:
GryffinGirl · 19/03/2008 12:13

I would definitely recommend a beautiful place to stay at Plettenburg Bay called Hog Hollow that is very child friendly and gorgeous. It is not close for safaris, but it very close to a monkey sanctury you can visit and a gorgeous beach with dolphins

For Safari, i don't know anywhere within 3-4 hours of Cape Town, but try the Shamwari Game Reserve (near Port Elizabeth) - it is non-malarial and absolutely gorgeous with a choice of lodges.

GryffinGirl · 19/03/2008 12:16

and you can fly into Port Elizabeth for Shamwari really easily, but I'd check their policy on younger children.

Original poster
FriedGreenTomatoes · 19/03/2008 12:35

Thanks GryffinGirl

OP posts:
Squiffy · 19/03/2008 14:06

Ah, now Costa Rica....another great place to go... if you can get out on the east side and avoid the west coast (too many american toooorists) you really are in my idea of heaven. Not sure if the journey down to Cahuita might be too much for a toddler (it might be paved now - was full of potholes when I went a few years back), but if you can make it down there it is magical -try to imagine a carribean island 50 years ago - incredibly laid back and relaxed. You can find sloths hanging around in the trees everywhere you go. Or the tortugero canals of course which are fab (you sleep in hotels in the rainforest itself)... ahhh, it brings back good memories. Rainy season there I think means a heavy thunderstorm for an hour or so every afternoon but fab weather otherwise?

FriedGreen - what on earth do you do for a living? Can I have your job?

Original poster
FriedGreenTomatoes · 19/03/2008 15:07

Squiffy, its my new job that I took - did I tell you about it when we met for lunch? I agree that Costa Rica is amazing. Was there last week but only got in 1 day of sightseeing. Damn being expected to work on a work trip!

OP posts:
GryffinGirl · 19/03/2008 15:17

hog hollow

shamwari

boudoiricca · 19/03/2008 15:17

To be completely honest I wouldn't recommend a safari with her until she's older. You'll all enjoy it much more then.

Kruger, Pilanesberg, Madikwe are great, but in malaria areas. Otherwise you could look at www.tswalu.com or www.bushmanskloof.co.za which aren't.

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