Safari - first flight in 12 years…what, where, how? Im clueless.

[Safariquery]

I think my marriage is ending. He has a ‘zero flights’ policy so DC aged 12 has never flown. I agree that we need to cut our carbon and we all have responsibility to do so from individuals up to governments. But, my policy would be to fly minimally but not never.

So freedom awaits. It’s one perk in this gut wrenching miserable situation.

A safari is on my top 5 bucket list things. But I don’t have a clue. I will need to start saving because my disposable income is going to nose dive and he’s going to take me to the cleaners.

So I’ll be travelling alone most likely, with my DC. I think it will need to be 2026 to give me time to save and I expect next year will need to be a cheap simple holiday as it will be a tumultuous year.

I want to start fantasising about it and planning it to help get me through the dark days ahead.

So please please please;

Has anyone travelled alone to do a safari? Where? How? How much is it likely to cost? Are there companies that do trips that might be a good fit? What time of year is good if you don’t want too much heat? Is there a cheaper time to go?

Any ideas to start me planning and dreaming would be much appreciated.

Yeah. Very strict policy. He’s right - those beautiful places will not be beautiful for much longer if we keep going as we are but I don’t eat meat, drive and EV and don’t buy much unnecessary stuff so my personal policy wouldn’t be so strict.

For general overview to see what you want, maybe DK eyewitness or lonely planet? Just some fun ones to leaf through to make a bit of sense of it all.

That sounds great!

I’ll check it out.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/first-timer-safari-destinations

Well that’s what I’ll aim to save then. It’s doable. I need a goal.

Oh dear, you’ve got me looking too now op!

Thank you. Looks great.

It can’t really be done cheaply.
it is a once in a life lifetime thing though and was the most incredible experience for me.

some are family/kid friendly, most aren’t.
we slept in a tent listening to lions roaring around us, we were quiet safe but I’m not absolutely sure I’d want to take my own kids to that environment

we used Rainbow tours to organise it for us- they work with lots of local operators in Africa. I’ve had a Google and they’re still going. It was years ago but they organised everything for our honeymoon, hotels, flights, safari, transfers. You absolutely can DIY though and organise a safari directly with the operator

Ps we went to Kenya which I think has fallen out of favour for safety reasons in recent years but we felt perfectly safe at all times.

Thank you all. Super excited now. I’ll start thinking about how to make and save the money and start thinking about where to go.

To the ‘it’s too expensive for you so you can’t’ posters’ - that’s what STBXH would tell me too. I say ‘I can, and I will!’ I could actually easily double my earnings by going full time. I could work privately and save it all. I’ve passed on three promotions because I’m psychologically and emotionally drained but once I’m free…

I will check it out. I guess the way the world is going it might all be too unstable by that time but I’ll assume not and plan, dream and imagine. ☀️🐘

See you there!!

We booked through a local independent travel agent but after having done some research.
The safari was part of a longer trip but we stayed in Madikwe (South Africa but on the border with Botswana) because we didn’t have to take malaria tablets and was smaller. Lots of choices of accommodation and prices.
This was 16 years ago though!

We did our safari with Kicheche, worth looking up, still get emails from them. Not top end but pretty comfortable. Not aimed at families (well at least not the one we went on) but I do recall there being teenagers

the food was amazing. There will be cheaper options.

I am in SA OP. So that is where I would suggest as I think you can get better value for money as you can double up if you like, doing a bit of beach (if you like that sort of thing) as well as safari. I think you can have too much safari personally.

You can very easily do the flights yourself, in fact you could book the entire trip yourself but it can be quite daunting as it is a huge country with many many options.

Perhaps look at a local travel agency rather that one in the UK, as I am sure there will be a cost saving there already. Look at Flight Centre, Pentravel, Sure Travel and then if you don't see what you like, then look for the Safari Agencies here.

I did just want to say, it sounds like your life is going to open up so much more now that you are losing some deadweight along the way. And travelling here just you are your son will be quite fine. Of course normal safety precautions have to be followed, but that is the case anywhere you go.

I agree that something like an Explore family trip would be a good option. We did a couple (though not safari) and the SC really benefited from other children giving them a break from their parents (and vice versa!).

Have you considered Namibia? It seems safer to me than some destinations and looks so beautiful.

I had friends go to Zimbabwe and had a staggeringly amazing holiday doing safari there, and it's cheaper than some of the more well known countries for safari

And my daughter and son in law had their honeymoon in south Africa which included a fantastic safari

You do need a goal OP. I have been in your shoes, and what an amazing goal you have.

I know people are going to talk about carbon/footprint and flights, but my goodness it sounds like you have most certainly had to factor this consistently during your adult years. You also need to see some of the world though, there is a balance.

Great thread. Good luck op! The world is waiting for you 😃

Sorry meant to add, if gorillas are really important for you to see, you are not going to see them in SA. You will see the Big 5 though.

We used a company called Africa Travel Resource to book our honeymoon safari. They were great and have budget options all the way up to super luxe.

Thank you so much. Things feel dark at the moment but I can see the light!!!

Actually SA might be a good plan because you can also see whales I think?