40th destination: Zanzibar v South Africa v Carribbean

[Needtobestrongxx]

Hi looking for general advice/experiences of anyone who has been to Zanzibar, South Africa/ safari.

we have my husbands 40th next year and are hoping to do a bit of a trip of a lifetime with the kids. I’ve been to Carribbean before st Lucia/ Mexico/Dominican.

But this time hoping to go east and do a wildlife based holiday with some nice beaches so a mix of 50% beach/pool time and 50% excursions for 2 weeks.

Will be going with x2 girls (11&14) so need to go in school holidays.

Im after people’s experiences of going to safari type destinations, where is best to go, budget (we are looking at approx £12k budget) who to book with etc.

I’ve thrown in the point about the Carribbean as I’m aware they have the beaches and some people may have insight to some wildlife we could see going west as an alternative option eg costa rica

Thanks in advance! 🏝️

I have always wanted to go to Zanzibar. I say that because I am nonetheless going to suggest that between Zanzibar and South Africa, you choose South Africa.

South Africa is a really great place to go with children of this age. There are a lot of things to do, and you will get a fantastic mix of beach, city, safari etc, depending on what you're looking for (I don't have opinions on the Caribbean, sorry).

To fly out there in school holidays will be the most expensive part - you will be looking at flight costs of probably £4000-£5000 in total. But once you're there, everything else is relatively inexpensive, particularly considering the quality.

A good time to go is over the Easter holiday. Weather is still good and you can get the two weeks .October, if your children get 2 weeks, is also nice.

Depending on timing, that might impact what you do. If you go October, I'd suggest going up to somewhere like Sun City and doing the Pilanesberg for Safari. Or you could do a few days at Sun City and then continue on to one of the private game parks around the Kruger National Park for the safari bit. Either way, then fly back and spend a week in Cape Town.

I suspect you could do similar at Easter but it might make more sense to do safari in the Eastern Cape. Somewhere like Shamwari, and the rest of the time in Cape Town.

I’m not a fan of Sun City. There’s many better places to go.

In the summer holidays here, it’s winter in SA. So not really beach weather. Easter would be better. There won’t be whales around Hermanus but Kruger would be ideal or the concessions next to it. I’m not sure how you do day trips as I’d strongly recommend you don’t do a “zoo” experience. Always stay in the park. There’s lots to choose from, but the best places are not cheap.

The company I would highly recommend and might well be in budget is Families Worldwide. They have various options in SA. Take a look at their itineraries because they are well thought out.

If you need August, consider Namibia. Perfect for teens and self drive is easy.

Zanzibar isn’t really known for wildlife. Tanzania or Kenya are. Caribbean is great at Easter - we liked the BVIs. Rent a villa!

The best safari I have ever been on was in Zambia. It might be cheaper than the places you have looked at because it is less popular. They country and the wildlife are spectacular. You can stay in lodges built in South Luuangwa National Park. We stayed in one built around a hippo lake! We then went to a beach on the shores of Lake Malawi. Again, spectacular.

We used a specialist travel agency to plan the holiday for us. I think they were called Imagine Africa. Definitely worth giving them a call to see what they can put together for you.

@StrawberryEater Zambia is fantastic. Cheap it’s not. Lodges are small and mostly quite exclusive.

You may be right @TizerorFizz because it was about 5 years ago but at the time it was cheaper than the alternative one that the agent put together in SA.

You now have two flights to get to Zambia as I don’t think BA go direct. We have stayed in fairly basic bush camps there in the past but they have gone. Zambia has always been a favourite though due to night and walking safaris which were pioneered there.

I have been to Zanzibar. We went for our honeymoon and loved it and would go back but not with kids. It’s just so desperately poor. You can’t really explore without it being in your face and it’s an awfully long way to go just to stay in a resort

we went in safari in Kenya (same holiday) and it was absolutely incredible. I can’t compare with SA or Zambia or other places though.

been to some parts of the Carribean and just not sold at all. Dull, tacky.

ps you don’t go to Zanzibar for wildlife unless you mean mosquitoes. It’s beach. But can be combined with wildlife in Kenya/tanzania readily

heading in the other direction have heard things about Costa Rica and want to take my kids there when a bit older

Costa Rica in summer holidays will be very wet. Best times to go are Nov-April.

I've done safari in Tanzania with a few days in Zanzibar at the end. Was amazing but it was not cheap.

Personally I love Botswana (Okavango Delta) for wildlife, but again, this is not cheap.
Suggest you try a specialist company list Expert Africa to explore your options.

I’m going to do a mobile camping in Botswana this summer. Again it’s two flights and no safaris are cheap there. Kenya can be a bit cheaper because there are lots more lodges outside the parks. I’ve been to Botswana twice before and the Okavango is expensive because you normally fly in and out. Again most lodges are small and many have been upgraded.

Costa Rica is missing off your list OP.

Zanzibar is wonderful. And Tanzania will satisfy the safari bit. I'm confused by a pp being horrified by poverty in the former. I'd say that relative to other east African countries, Zanzibar isn't that bad. Anyone who struggles with the idea of poverty probably shouldn't go to sub Saharan Africa.

My first African trip was to South Luangwa, staying at a very budget and wonderful lodge, and then to Malawi.

We went to Barbados for mine , primarily for cricket but there were days when we saw various wild life,.

I haven’t been to either for over 15 years, but loved Zambia for safaris. Zanzibar was beautiful, but I remember it as quite grubby. Tanzania and Kenya are lovely, Kenya great for safari too. Uganda was always my favourite African country, the people were so lovely.

Well Zanzibar isn’t a safari destination. It’s an add on to a safari in East Africa. South Africa has it all.

Costa Rica is usually much cheaper. A different experience where there’s no big game! So if you want to see elephants, lions, cheetahs and hippos, Costs Rica doesn’t hack it! However I’d go there over Zanzibar.

We did an 8 day safari in Tanzania and then 8 days in Zabzibar - was lovely.

Tanzania was beautiful and we stayed in some some stunning places - somewhere different most nights but managed two nights at Ngorogoro Crater Lodge which was INCREDIBLE and I would highly recommend.

Zanzibar was glorious - white sand and crystal seas. We did some great diving and mad made the most of the water and beaches. The caveat is that we were in a very nice hotel on a very nice beach and we didn't wander very far. We went into Stone Town twice and it was good to sightsee by day - lots to look at in a day - night time was definitely a different vibe and both DH (who grew up on an estate in Central London so pretty streetwise) and I, were quite happy to leave and go back to the hotel.

I would say it depends on time of year. All of these options have wildlife plus beaches but weather very different

Broadly speaking:

Costa Rica would be best Dec-April.

East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania) and Zanzibar in our summer (June-Sep). Another option for this time of year: Borneo

South Africa plus Mozambique or Mauritius in our winter (October to March)

M@minipie Tanzania has seasons where wildlife migrate within Tanzania. Plus out of Tanzania into Kenya! Therefore Tanzania’s Serengeti can feel quite empty by Sept when the wildebeste have migrated to Kenya. Earlier they are on the move . The Mara in Kenya is hugely busy in our summer holidays and expensive. Other reserves are of interest all year round. As is the case in Kenya. Seasons also revolve around short and long rains in Kenya and Tanzania, which are autumn and spring. It’s therefore very important to do your homework and speak to a specialist who can recommend a camp in sync with migration routes if you go to Tanzania.

I lived in Tanzania. Zanzibar is beautiful but it is now a very popular tourist destination so you do need to book well in advance.
you can go on safari to the Ngorogoro crater and see all of the big 5 in one day. I’ve been on a SA safari too and the Serengeti is way more authentic.
If you’re on a budget I’d definitely do a 2 day safari in the crater and then go to Zanzibar for 4/5 nights.
We still have family there so fly regularly. KLM is pricey but convenient, but do look at Turkish airlines too as they have some good deals.

I can also recommend a reputable a local tourist company who can tailor to your safari and Zanzibar trip to your budget so please feel free to DM me.

I agree it depends on time of year. I love SA, but as much for Cape Town peninsula and Winelands as safari. We actually went to Safari in Botswana from there )combined with Victoria falls) but means extra flights.

We went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. It is fantastic- fabulous wildlife and beautiful beaches. Loads of activities for kids age v safe/friendly. I wouldn’t say it offered much in the way of luxury beach resorts though (a bit more rustic). No doubt they exist but not prevalent. It’s more focussed on nature and activities.

if you want a bit more beach/luxury in the balance check out Tobago. Stunning beaches and beautiful rainforest with lots of birds, wildlife, waterfalls etc Will be plenty of activities for the kids too

Having heard of two UK based friends who have got dengue fever recently from Antigua and Barbados I would swerve the Caribbean.

Went to Zanzibar many years ago and it had the most incredible mix of culture and beaches. We stayed in Stone Town for a bit then Nungwe and Matemwe. We ventured out to the south of the island and swam with dolphins. Back then the roads were unmade and it too hours to get anywhere - not sure if this has changed. It’s not like anywhere else I’ve ever been, and I’ve safari’ed in Zimbabwe etc. There was a problem with bandits raiding hotels that was hushed up because of tourism - again I assume this has improved.

Agree Tizer my post was a general steer, would definitely want to research usual weather patterns/wildlife behaviour per area before booking anything (or even better ask a specialist agent).

@Needtobestrongxx The Caribbean can be wonderful if you choose the right Island/trip. For a big birthday one year, with DC , we went on a yacht around the BVIs. We had a captain and his wife prepared the meals. Just for us. We sailed out of Tortola and its deserted beaches, swimming, boat toys like paddle boarding, and generally going to less visited places. Nowhere is a long sail and its gorgeous

The second week was spent in a rental on Virgin Gorda. It’s a group of islands that are loved by yachting people but there aren’t huge hotels. Islands like Necker Island and Peter Island plus Little Dix Bay are very expansive but Tortola has cheaper places that are lovely. Our DC really enjoyed that holiday but it isn’t a safari! Turtles can be seen though. I would rather have a week on a boat than a luxury hotel .

I went to Zanzibar as a solo traveller. I thought Stone Town was so interesting, but the rest was very honeymoony and I struggled to find much to do that wasn't aimed at loved-up couples. I also struggled with people wanting money from me at every opportunity. I do recommend visiting Stone Town, especially to learn about the slave trade, but can't really rate much else there.
I have only been to Johannesburg on a work trip, and not to the Caribbean at all, so can't advise there.

I think it probably depends where you stay. I also travelled to Zanzibar as a solo traveller, and didn't get the honeymoon vibe at all. But I'm a backpacker and stayed in fairly budget places and not in the main coastal resort. I enjoyed Stone Town, and found hiring a bike and exploring the area around my beach stay (Jambiani) really interesting.

But these kind of threads are always tricky, as what appeals to one person doesn't appeal to another. And budget is a big indicator of of where and what sort of place can be safely recommended.