South Africa, ie Safari, at 6 months pregnant?

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DH and I have really been wanting to go to SA for a very long time. We were undertaking a bit house project that we're just finishing and finally have time/money to go. Except that I'm pregnant. By the time we would be able to go in April/May, I'll be about 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 months. I don't really see any point in going if we can't do the safari. Is that something you would do in your early 3rd tri?

Absolutely!! The long-haul flight might be a killer, so take flight socks and walk around lots (make sure you go direct!!)
As for the safari bit, I'd recommend going to one of the malaria-free areas instead of the Jruger National Park or Sabi Sabi - that way there's no risk of getting sick before the birth.

Places I've stayed and can heartily recommend -

amazing five star luxury near Port Elizabeth

fab tented accommodation and brilliant service, only 4 hours drive from Cape Town

my absolute favorite, not the Big Five but a really beautiful place

All of these are malaria-free so you won't have to take nasty tablets! Good luck and happy planning...

Personally no way!

I don't think travelling to malaria areas is advised in pregnancy but your GP can go through this with you.
Depending how long you go for you'll also be getting close to the cut off for flying - some airlines it's as early as 28 weeks, again your GP can provide a letter assuring you can fly for the various cut off times of different airlines.

My friend was due a safari honeymoon but discovered she was pregnant - I think she was about four or five months by the time she got married, they had to cancel the safari and went to Mauuritius instead, not sure if it was to do with her travel insurance, malaria or whatever but she was definately advised against it.

Agree with Lotster. Absolutely no way would I risk it!

I went on safari to Kenya pre-children and it was hard-going. I was bitten to death and was exhausted at the end of every day due to the early morning starts. It was a fantastic experience and one I hope to repeat when my children are old enough.

Go and chill out somewhere else

I wouldnt actually at that stage. When I was pregnant with DS 3 years ago we went to South Africa on safari when I was 4.5 months pregnant (we were very careful to go to a non-malarial area as definitely not advised to take malarial tablets when pregnant) and it was really exhausting due to the early starts - and I was REALLY worried about the baby due to the really rough terrain when the guide was tearing about the place trying to get to where there were great things/animals to see in time (I know they're fairly protected in there but I felt bruised and concerned - at 6 months you're much bigger and is more of a risk of bumping the baby hard if jolted around - and there are no seat belts for you in the jeep). Cape Town and the coast were lovely though.

I wouldn't. I went on safari on my honeymoon and I would echo what's been said about early starts and being bounced around in the jeep - I remember bracing myself in the seat used a lot of stomach muscles that I definitely don't have now! I also wouldn't want to travel so far at that stage - I'm 5 months now and I'd hate to spend 10 hours on a plane.

I wouldn't there was a lady 6 months pregnant when we went on Safari she wasn't very comfortable in the jeep. FWIW we stayed here and if you go I would thoroughly recommend it. I want to go back

wouldn't even consider it personally - I did far too much on the parasites that can get you in places like Africa and South America to think it's remotely a good idea. I'm not even convinced I'd go if I wasn't pg, and DEFINITELY not if I was. There are far more things out there than just malaria you know.

Hmm, I did the flight back from SA when I was 30 weeks and it was awful...I puffed up to about twice the size I was before I got on the plane, I kept nearly fainting for a few days afterwards and I just felt awful and really tired for ages afterwards.

I'm not sure about the safari either tbh...they are very bumpy and you have to really cling on and brace yourself at times. Not that I think it would be dangerous, just that I think it could really exhaust you.

But if you do go I can recommend here

DH and I went here while on honeymoon, which is non-malarial and a couple of hours drive from Jo'berg airport. Very definitely luxurious, and I don't remember getting many fly/mosi bites at all (although I did manage to walk through a tick nest while out and about - TCP baths are NOT fun). You'd see a lot just lying by the waterhole in the camp, but you'd miss a lot too.

I had a wonderful time and would love to go back, but I'm not sure I'd want to go at all while pregnant (let alone fairly pregnant) for all the reasons stated above.

If you can stand the flight, then go go go! We stayed at Kwa Maritane in Pilanesberg, as Tangle said about 2 hours drive from Jo'b and non-malarial. The drives didn't start ridiculously early (first one at 8, I believe) and the early evening one was fabulous. Also, Pilanesburg is self drive, so you can rent yourself a big comfy SUV (let's face it you'll have already blown any pretentions of environmentalism on that flight) and just drive nice and slow, which is really the best way to see animals anyway. There are conveniently placed loos around the park, too! It can all be very plush and comfortable.

Kwa Maritane also had a GP on call (as we found out when our daughter came down with an ear infection). His office was 15 minutes away outside the park gates.

BA lets you fly until 36 weeks (though I wouldn't suggest you leave it THAT late!). Don't know what Virgin or South African Airways say.

If you don't end up doing the safari now, don't be put off doing it with a young child. We took out 2 year old and everyone told us we were mad, but he (and us) had a great time. We had a priavte guide, so we didn't upset anyone else and could go at our own pace. I was inspired by my mother who took my brother on a 4 week safari in Kenya when he was 6 months old (they did live there though!).

I was chatting to a woman at work yesterday who was 7.5 months and about to go skiing!!!! I think a safari is much more preferable to that. Enjoy!

We went on a holiday to SA when I was 25 - 28 weeks pregnant and it was no problem at all. We went on a wonderful safari to a non-malarial game reserve (Madikwe which has been recommended in a post below) and I would thoroughly recommend it

I loved our honeymoon on safari in South Africa. But we did have early starts (4am early!) and loads of bumping around in a jeep. Not something I'd fancy at your stage of pregnancy to be honest but maybe there are alternative ways to safari that you would enjoy (walking safari maybe?).

Safari is the most amazing thing ever! We went for our honeymoon in Kenya and I loved it and can't wait to do it again! I wouldn't consider it whilst pregnant though personally. The early starts and bumpy driving would put me off. However everyone is different so it's what you feel comfortable and able to cope with. It would be hard going but you'd definitely have a great time. We combined it with a week chilling out on the beach afterwards which was much needed afterwards so maybe that's something you'd want to consider for a few days to relax before the flight home. If you don't go now then definitely do it at some point!

I'd deffo go... I think wether ur going over bumps or sat at home walking, if that baby was gunna come it would come!! Ur pregnant not ill (that's hat I always say to my partner) I'd love to go on safari xxx just keep hydrated xxx

Key us self-drive so you're guaranteed no bumps and a seatbelt. Anything else would be horrdenous. Also to non-malarial area such as Pikansberg, Madikwe. .

This thread is from nearly 5 years ago!

Wow! Well maybe she can go with her 5 yr old?!