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 sometimes wonder what people mean by luxury too. Or 5 star. Often tour companies don’t offer either of these in the truest sense. So what money is available matters, I could recommend Necker Island or hostel backpacking! Both are undoubtedly enjoyable for the right clientele.

I'm going to throw in the idea of Sri Lanka - fabulous safari destination. You wont get Lions but it has one of the highest Leopard populations in the world. Elephants, croc, bears, leopards, birdlife, antelope and the beaches are better than Zanzibar and without the long transfer imo. My DC loved it - they picked tea, rolled cinnamon sticks, saw temples and the food is amazing and very reasonable.

We had a fantastic family holiday in Kenya when the kids were aged 12 to 16. Safari in the Masai Mara followed by Diani Beach. Loved both Zanzibar and the Caribbean too, but Kenya is the one I'd choose unless you want total relaxation (safari is amazing but quite tiring).