Would you fly 11 hours for 7 nights?

[rear]

We want to do a Safari in Zimbabwe or Botswana. We have a week's annual leave, and are not particularly interested in hanging around after the safari. The bonus is that there is only 2 hours time difference.

So we are looking at flying into Johannesburg and doing the safari from there. At a max we can do 8 nights if we fly out late Friday and back over Sunday night into the Monday. We'd probably fly in premium rather than economy.

@AnotherCunningPlan We often do purely safari holidays! Not remotely tedious if you really love the wildlife. There are certain places to go to see animals you won’t see anywhere else and if you really like wildlife that’s quite important. If it’s just part of going to SA, and the wildlife isn’t the main reason for doing the holiday, I assume you are not a massive wildlife fan. For some of us, going to Africa is all about the wildlife. Although not necessarily in SA where there’s so much else to see. In Botswana, Zambia and several other countries there isn’t a developed tourist industry in the same way. For a week a safari is pure escapism. Full board, in the wild with bush sounds all around, others doing the driving and hopefully good company.

Our Botswana holiday is about trying to see wild dogs. Hopefully we will but they are very elusive and we have seen them only once before. In Zambia. We are also going to the Okavango Delta which is like nothing else in East Africa. So a week in Botswana should be amazing!

We travel 12 hours to Scottish island for 3 nights sometimes....

Travelled to Hawaii for 6 nights. Was brutal but really enjoyed it.

I've flown 13 hours for 4 nights. Tough but worth it

11 hours flight yes. 11 hours flight then a transfer into another country (unless I have misunderstood) probably no. What is the total travel time from door to door?

I wouldn't.

Definitely.

Going to Southern Africa is a doddle. No jetlag.

Wouldn't do it if it involved a time difference more than 6 hours as jet lag really makes me feel like crap.

Yes I did LA for 4n and 4 full days. Jet lag was a nightmare day 1, but acclimatised and had a great break, had a great itinerary and did everything i intended. Met friend who was there for work and didnt want to be away from children for too long. So i went for it. Worked out brilliantly and I'm so glad I did it. Flying business was a treat and meant I could sleep both ways. So I would recommend...

Yes.

This is ridiculous. What average person can take three weeks holiday off for a holiday.

Just home from Vegas we stayed for 4 nights! Slept on plane. Was wicked.

Definitely. I’ve done 5 nights in Tokyo, Hong Kong, LA & Jo’burg before. It’s not an issue.

Yes of course

I'm about to do 4 flights over about 16 hours for 7 nights. I like to go to really obscure, off the beaten track places and so here we are!

Feeling like shit in paradise is worth it I think.

@SKG231 Teachers? They often can. As can lecturers or anyone where their industry closes down for long periods! Can’t think of many others but there must be some! The self employed can if they earn well.

It's very difficult- takes lots of planning. Which means long-haul travel is very rare, and very very special and we truly make the best of it.

Respecting flying more would be better for our planet. Make sure if you flay long-haul, you really make it worth it.

We have not gone vegetarian either, but we now eat much less meat and always have one meat free day. If everyone took small steps, it would all add up and make a difference. I was in my late 40s first time I flew longhaul.

I flew 11 hours for 6 nights including my grandmother's 90th birthday party.

It's easier if you don't have to factor jetlag in.

Absolutely! We did an 11 hour flight to LA for 5 nights, although of course we would’ve preferred a longer trip it was still fabulous and we had an amazing time. No jet lag issues at all

We are all different, and we have to respect it. But, honestly, I don't get it. We planned and planned our first ever long haul to Hawai. To LA for 2 nights- then on to Kaui for 1 week. Maui for 10 days, then back via San Fran and 3 days. I would have been sooo frustrated to go all this way, such a long flight, and then just see one location?!?

@fleurneige I know someone who went to Hawaii for a week but they weren’t paying. It was a work thing. They found it brutal too! The time difference and two flights makes it hard. SA and East Africa is much easier by comparison.

Ah, yes, been to Cape Town twice. Evening flight, sleep though the night, wake up there for breakfast, easy peasy. My main point however, is about more respect for flying- and if you are going to fly, then make sure it is really worth it and special.

I did LA for 2 nights - a cracking trip...

7 nights is definitely doable

Yes I would have done similar twice and fine.