'Budget' Family Safari...

[Dan_1981]

Seriously considering a family safari for next year...

However am concerned that we don't really have the budget for it..

Kids will be 7 & 10.

Seeing a few promotional offers for twin centre stays either Kenya - Maasai Mara & Zanzibar or Tanzania - Serengeti & Zanzibar.

10 / 11 nights total.

Had a couple of prices coming back at about the £10k mark.

Question....

Has anyone done these sort of entry level safaris - these are the sort of providers popping up on social media, they are all ABTA covered etc but they are not the Kuoni / Audley level type thing - which i simply can't afford.

As an example the accommodation for the safari part being offered are things like...

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Suricata Boma Lodge
Matawi Serengeti Camp / Tanzania Bush Camp
Kon Tiki Tented Camp
manyara best view lodge

Is it feasible to do at this sort of price or do I need to go back to the drawing board.... (at least it's cheaper than Disney)

[Matt..]

Maybe look at somewhere like Namibia? You could self drive if you wanted. It's not going to be the same level as other places for the wildlife though.

I've not been myself but it's on my list.

[Blib]

There's nothing wrong with your accommodation. They're proper lodges with 'western' facilities.

The problem may lie with sharing a game viewing vehicle with others. Your seven year old may get tired, or need the loo, or get bored.

With your own vehicle, that's not a problem. With others on board it may be.

Consider 'exclusive vehicle upgrades'.

[Ussrcossack]

Knowsley in Merseyside
Woburn near Milton Keynes

Might be more cost concious

[vikingaero]

Ussrcossack said:

Knowsley in Merseyside
Woburn near Milton Keynes

Might be more cost concious

All jokes aside, can I utterly recommend Watatunga near Kings Lynn:

https://watatunga.co.uk/

As we started driving around in our golf buggy, Vikingette2 said, "This is so cool!" For somewhere/something to get that level of emotion from her is a miracle.

[Dan_1981]

Ussrcossack said:

Knowsley in Merseyside
Woburn near Milton Keynes

Might be more cost concious

Strangely enough you'll never guess where triggered this thought....

Bewdley.

[kiethton]

We've been on safari twice in the last 18m, with my daughter who was 20m/34m old for them (so a good bit younger than your kids).

We generally limit the safari side to 4 nights due to her age (think 5-6 nights sweet spot) but incorporate it into a larger 2-3 week trip.

We've always done Kruger in South Africa (used to go with my wife pre kids and parents as a child myself). I'd recommend this for you as should be very affordable, especially so if using SanParks accommodation (equivalent to our national trust)

For our last trip accomodation for all of us was ~£90 per night, plus game drives of c£12pp per drive and conservation fees of c£30pp/day (get a wildcard if more than 5 days). The density of animals is greater in the south of the park so I'd stay there.

I'd; fly into Johannesburg and then either drive in a hire car to the park (flights land in the morning, perfectly safe) which takes ~4hrs (a petrol station half way has an animal reserve/millies in the N4 does a good breakfast/lunch) or fly directly to Skukuza, the small domestic airport in the park and you can hire a car there.

If driving I'd book accomodation; 1 night at Berg En Dal rest camp (right near entrance if delayed), 2-3 nights in Skukuza, 1/2 nights in lower Sabie and 1/2 nights in Satara depending on length of time in the park. If flying in directly drop the berg en dal stay.

You can then book a drive or 2 a day; sunrise (my favourite), evening or night (can only do either/or of the evening and night as often overlap). Sanparks accommodation is basic, the camps above anre the bigger ones so all have decent facilities inc pools and you can either Braii (bbq) or eat at the on-site restaurants which are fine. Some like Skukuza have more posh options (train on a bridge across the river) and from Skukuza other more expensive private options are available eg. jocks safari lodge or sabi sands but that'll likely blow the budget.

We normally either go out at gate opening in our own car, or on the morning drive. Come back to camp for a siesta/pool swim at ~11am, go out again in our own car at 2pm ish to gate close/evening drive.

All in budget about £200/day for accomodation and food if eating out. If I were you I'd then either;

Fly down to Cape Town direct from Skukuza for a few days there (4 days CT doing penguins, table Mountain etc, 3 in stellenbosch/franschoek for wine farms and chilling (still good with kids), 3 Hermanus (whale watching/shark diving and chill) or if coming from Johannesburg (go out of the Orpen gate, can go via things like the Blyde River Canyon etc) and add night before flying down the next day in case of delays - stay at the airport, Montecasino or nicer parts eg Sandtown.

If you didn't want to chill in Cape Town way Mauritius isn't a million miles away.

We're looking at flights for next year and can get them for ~£700pp direct. Our last 2-3 week long holidays have come in at about £1800 pp for everything ex. Food which is fairly cheap and decent quality out there.

A lot more I can type so happy to come back with more or take it offline.

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 15th July 10:16

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 15th July 10:28

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 15th July 11:59

[ffc]

We (a couple not taking kids) did Tanzania/Zanzibar in 2023. The safari was great Zanzibar was meh. If we went again we'd ditch the beach bit entirely and spend the money on the safari part. It was booked with trailfinders who had loads of good advice and gave an excellent service.

We visited Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and the Ngorogoro crater. I woouldn't other with Lake Manyara again but the other three were great.

Trailfinders should be able to talk you through pricing etc and try to ge you the deal you want. I'm not affiliated with them other than being a satisfied customer. I can recommend going into one of theit shops and talking face to face with an agent.

[Freakuk]

Dan_1981 said:

Seriously considering a family safari for next year...

However am concerned that we don't really have the budget for it..

Kids will be 7 & 10.

Seeing a few promotional offers for twin centre stays either Kenya - Maasai Mara & Zanzibar or Tanzania - Serengeti & Zanzibar.

10 / 11 nights total.

Had a couple of prices coming back at about the £10k mark.

Question....

Has anyone done these sort of entry level safaris - these are the sort of providers popping up on social media, they are all ABTA covered etc but they are not the Kuoni / Audley level type thing - which i simply can't afford.

As an example the accommodation for the safari part being offered are things like...

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Suricata Boma Lodge
Matawi Serengeti Camp / Tanzania Bush Camp
Kon Tiki Tented Camp
manyara best view lodge

Is it feasible to do at this sort of price or do I need to go back to the drawing board.... (at least it's cheaper than Disney)

We did Tanzania and Zanzibar a few years ago, but it was just the two of us and probably more expensive than what your budget is to be honest.

Did a couple of days at ngorongoro crater then off to the serengeti for another couple of days, we also did a damn hot air balloon over the serengeti which was one of the highlights if I'm honest but that was by no means a cheap experience.

We also had a private driver for the whole time in Tanzania, so our own 4x4 and driver and could stop whenever take photos etc etc.

What we noticed was that while out on safari you would be passing, following other 4x4's all day and most were full of people, so I would imagine the cheaper holidays that this is what this looks like, if that doesn't bother you or your family then it should be fine.

Zanzibar was completely different as you would imagine and depending upon what you intend to do there you can save some money there. We stayed at a nice resort on the east coast so quite a way from the airport/centre. The resort had tours which seemed expensive but you could find the same tours on-line for 1/2 the price so be mindful of that.

[Snatch1]

We went on Safari to Kenya last year followed by a week in Diani Beach near Mombasa. Booked flights direct with BA and the beach resort direct. Used a local safari tours company

Kids were 15 & 17. We all absolutely loved the whole trip. The safari was amazing and the beach break was stunning. The safari company are a local Kenyan company. Not polished like some of the ones used by the likes of Kuoni, but less than 1/3 of the cost and the money goes to the local company and the hotels etc they use.

It was a bit of work organising it ourselves rather than doing it as a package but we saved £thousands and had an absolutely amazing experience

https://www.dianisealodge.de/

We booked a 5 day safari with Live in Love Kenya - Amboseli Elephant Park, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru. We booked a shared safari but it was just the 4 of us in a safari Land cruiser with the same driver the whole trip. We had our doubts about whether they'd actually turn up at the airport to collect us, they're a bit hit and miss on their admin and replying to emails, but they were fantastic! Friends have just got back from a safari with them based on our recommendation and they loved it too.

https://www.liveinlovekenyatoursandtravel.com/

Edited by Snatch1 on Tuesday 21st July 14:31

Edited by Snatch1 on Tuesday 21st July 14:32

[_Neal_]

Dan_1981 said:

Seriously considering a family safari for next year...

However am concerned that we don't really have the budget for it..

Kids will be 7 & 10.

Seeing a few promotional offers for twin centre stays either Kenya - Maasai Mara & Zanzibar or Tanzania - Serengeti & Zanzibar.

10 / 11 nights total.

Had a couple of prices coming back at about the £10k mark.

Question....

Has anyone done these sort of entry level safaris - these are the sort of providers popping up on social media, they are all ABTA covered etc but they are not the Kuoni / Audley level type thing - which i simply can't afford.

As an example the accommodation for the safari part being offered are things like...

Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Suricata Boma Lodge
Matawi Serengeti Camp / Tanzania Bush Camp
Kon Tiki Tented Camp
manyara best view lodge

Is it feasible to do at this sort of price or do I need to go back to the drawing board.... (at least it's cheaper than Disney)

In terms of a package provider another vote for Trailfinders here. We've had very positive experiences with them, and deposits etc are fully protected - last trip was in 2023, Garden Route fly/drive including whale watching, safari etc etc, with kids the same ages as yours - they absolutely loved it, and we're just about to go away with Trailfinders again. Definitely worth a call and we found they work quite carefully to your budget and requirements.

I reckon for a £10k budget you should be able to do (say) a c.10-12 day fly-drive to South Africa including 4-5 nights in a game reserve, game drives etc. I agree with Kiethton above as to that being about the right amount of time to spend on safari itself.

ETA - ffc already mentioned Trailfinders, sorry!

Edited by _Neal_ on Tuesday 21st July 19:02

[DJC76]

Matt.. said:

Maybe look at somewhere like Namibia? You could self drive if you wanted. It's not going to be the same level as other places for the wildlife though.

I've not been myself but it's on my list.

Etosha in Namibia is one of the best places I’ve ever been for rhino. Namibia is not the easiest place to get to though and the camps in Etosha aren’t particularly cheap despite being quite basic compared to South African camps. I’d definitely recommend the country though, I just wouldn’t go solely for safari.

Botswana is also worth a look as an adult, taking young kids though I’d probably do what the chap above says and fly to JNB and drive to Kruger. Self drive and stay in one of the SanParks camps, they’re well equipped and the park is a magical place.

[AB]

https://www.go2africa.com/tours-safaris/good-value...

This is pretty much exactly the trip I did back in 2005, I paid absolutely nothing like this, more likely £4k/p but the lodges are brilliant, the views utterly sublime and the experience is once in a lifetime. I had planned to take my kids in the coming years but not at that price, for them to moan they're hot, hungry and tired.

Following this thread with interest though. Watching the clouds roll over the Ngorongoro crater in the morning with a coffee goes down as something I will never forget.

Another thing I won't forget is the bus journey from Dar to Arusha after eating something dodgy, it took about 10 minutes into the journey until someone had blocked the toilet and it was out of order, then the woman next to me threw up on me.

Ah, memories! Playing football on the beach in Zanzibar with the locals followed by a beer (that cost about 20p) in a hammock.

[vtgts300kw]

DJC76 said:

Etosha in Namibia is one of the best places I ve ever been for rhino. Namibia is not the easiest place to get to though and the camps in Etosha aren t particularly cheap despite being quite basic compared to South African camps. I d definitely recommend the country though, I just wouldn t go solely for safari.

Botswana is also worth a look as an adult, taking young kids though I d probably do what the chap above says and fly to JNB and drive to Kruger. Self drive and stay in one of the SanParks camps, they re well equipped and the park is a magical place.

Have you got any other recommendations for Namibia? We're looking at a self drive holiday next year (family of 5, 3 kids under 12), and Namibia seems like a great option. We're coming from a long way away (NZ), so we want to go somewhere where we can get lost and spend as little time around other tourists as possible, with the flexibility of self drive.

Also, why the comment re; Botswana and young kids? Botswana is/ was also on the radar.

[craigjm]

kiethton said:

We've been on safari twice in the last 18m, with my daughter who was 20m/34m old for them (so a good bit younger than your kids).

We generally limit the safari side to 4 nights due to her age (think 5-6 nights sweet spot) but incorporate it into a larger 2-3 week trip.

We've always done Kruger in South Africa (used to go with my wife pre kids and parents as a child myself). I'd recommend this for you as should be very affordable, especially so if using SanParks accommodation (equivalent to our national trust)

For our last trip accomodation for all of us was ~£90 per night, plus game drives of c£12pp per drive and conservation fees of c£30pp/day (get a wildcard if more than 5 days). The density of animals is greater in the south of the park so I'd stay there.

I'd; fly into Johannesburg and then either drive in a hire car to the park (flights land in the morning, perfectly safe) which takes ~4hrs (a petrol station half way has an animal reserve/millies in the N4 does a good breakfast/lunch) or fly directly to Skukuza, the small domestic airport in the park and you can hire a car there.

If driving I'd book accomodation; 1 night at Berg En Dal rest camp (right near entrance if delayed), 2-3 nights in Skukuza, 1/2 nights in lower Sabie and 1/2 nights in Satara depending on length of time in the park. If flying in directly drop the berg en dal stay.

You can then book a drive or 2 a day; sunrise (my favourite), evening or night (can only do either/or of the evening and night as often overlap). Sanparks accommodation is basic, the camps above anre the bigger ones so all have decent facilities inc pools and you can either Braii (bbq) or eat at the on-site restaurants which are fine. Some like Skukuza have more posh options (train on a bridge across the river) and from Skukuza other more expensive private options are available eg. jocks safari lodge or sabi sands but that'll likely blow the budget.

We normally either go out at gate opening in our own car, or on the morning drive. Come back to camp for a siesta/pool swim at ~11am, go out again in our own car at 2pm ish to gate close/evening drive.

All in budget about £200/day for accomodation and food if eating out. If I were you I'd then either;

Fly down to Cape Town direct from Skukuza for a few days there (4 days CT doing penguins, table Mountain etc, 3 in stellenbosch/franschoek for wine farms and chilling (still good with kids), 3 Hermanus (whale watching/shark diving and chill) or if coming from Johannesburg (go out of the Orpen gate, can go via things like the Blyde River Canyon etc) and add night before flying down the next day in case of delays - stay at the airport, Montecasino or nicer parts eg Sandtown.

If you didn't want to chill in Cape Town way Mauritius isn't a million miles away.

We're looking at flights for next year and can get them for ~£700pp direct. Our last 2-3 week long holidays have come in at about £1800 pp for everything ex. Food which is fairly cheap and decent quality out there.

A lot more I can type so happy to come back with more or take it offline.

I would second this having lived out there for a number of years

[DJC76]

vtgts300kw said:

Have you got any other recommendations for Namibia? We're looking at a self drive holiday next year (family of 5, 3 kids under 12), and Namibia seems like a great option. We're coming from a long way away (NZ), so we want to go somewhere where we can get lost and spend as little time around other tourists as possible, with the flexibility of self drive.

Also, why the comment re; Botswana and young kids? Botswana is/ was also on the radar.

For a budget trip as the OP requested Botswana is just a bit much I feel, the roads are pretty crap and it’s more expensive than neighbouring countries so unless you’re prepared to plump for private flights and luxury lodges you’re probably not going to get the full experience that you can get elsewhere for less. One of the best things to do in Botswana is get out into the Okavango and do walking safaris, I’ve done walking safaris where there were kids ~12-16 but never under 12 so for my money it’s something best saved for later. That being said Chobe would work with kids and could be combined with Vic Falls and Botswana is a stunning country so don’t let me put you off.

Namibia I’ve done a couple of times. It’s truly incredible but it’s big, so there’s a lot of long drives with not a lot to see between the spots you’d want to visit. If your kids are cool with long drives on bumpy roads then it won’t disappoint but if you think that might be a bit much I’d suggest South Africa for now and then do a bit more of Southern Africa as they get older. But to answer the question and assuming you’re flying into Windhoek, I’d suggest Naukluft, Sesriem/Sossusvlei, Swakopmund with a tour of the dunes around Walvis Bay and boat trip to see the whales and seals but stay in Swakop not WB! Spitzkoppe and Etosha. That’s enough to fill about 10-14 days without rushing about too much. If you’re driving up from Cape Town and stopping up the coast call it 15-20 days with stops up the coast, the orange river and Ai-ais.

[ATG]

A fly/drive in S.A. will be an amazing and really, really varied holiday and visits to game parks/Kruger give you the safari experience too ... and it's an amazing experience. But unlike traditional safari holidays you also get penguins, whales, wine estates, beaches, mountains, deserts ... and super markets, pharmacies, banks, quite a lot of tarmacked roads. It's a proper African experience, and you have to think about personal security, but it's really practical and you can easily take yourself around the place. If instead you go to a lodge in a big reserve in Zim, Tanzania, etc you may well end up way out in the back of beyond, getting there in a light aircraft, no tarmac roads, entirely reliant on the lodge. You just hand over all responsibility to the people looking after you. It'll be almost entirely game game-focussed, maybe with some visits to local communities to see a bit of the culture. It feels a bit more of an adventure than a trip to SA, but it is also a lot less varied. Different, but equally amazing.

I can't bear beach holidays, or resorts or staying in some hotel for the sake of staying in some hotel. I want to do something, see something, learn something, so I'm usually up a mountain or wandering around some ancient ruins. Safaris are my perfect relaxation holiday ... sensory overload, some other bugger doing the cooking.

[_Neal_]

ATG said:

A fly/drive in S.A. will be an amazing and really, really varied holiday and visits to game parks/Kruger give you the safari experience too ... and it's an amazing experience. But unlike traditional safari holidays you also get penguins, whales, wine estates, beaches, mountains, deserts ... and super markets, pharmacies, banks, quite a lot of tarmacked roads. It's a proper African experience, and you have to think about personal security, but it's really practical and you can easily take yourself around the place. If instead you go to a lodge in a big reserve in Zim, Tanzania, etc you may well end up way out in the back of beyond, getting there in a light aircraft, no tarmac roads, entirely reliant on the lodge. You just hand over all responsibility to the people looking after you. It'll be almost entirely game game-focussed, maybe with some visits to local communities to see a bit of the culture. It feels a bit more of an adventure than a trip to SA, but it is also a lot less varied. Different, but equally amazing.

I can't bear beach holidays, or resorts or staying in some hotel for the sake of staying in some hotel. I want to do something, see something, learn something, so I'm usually up a mountain or wandering around some ancient ruins. Safaris are my perfect relaxation holiday ... sensory overload, some other bugger doing the cooking.

100% the above. We skipped the wine estates on our Cape Town-Gqeberha fly/drive trip as we didn't think the kids would get much out of it, but it had everything else listed above and more. I couldn't believe the variety of landscapes on the Garden Route, just stunning stuff.

We did the other style you describe for our honeymoon (Tanzania tour including light aircraft into Kilamanjaro, plus Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater etc then Zanzibar) and that was also amazing. A few long days on unmade roads though, as you say.

Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 23 July 19:13

[DJC76]

_Neal_ said:

ATG said:

A fly/drive in S.A. will be an amazing and really, really varied holiday and visits to game parks/Kruger give you the safari experience too ... and it's an amazing experience. But unlike traditional safari holidays you also get penguins, whales, wine estates, beaches, mountains, deserts ... and super markets, pharmacies, banks, quite a lot of tarmacked roads. It's a proper African experience, and you have to think about personal security, but it's really practical and you can easily take yourself around the place. If instead you go to a lodge in a big reserve in Zim, Tanzania, etc you may well end up way out in the back of beyond, getting there in a light aircraft, no tarmac roads, entirely reliant on the lodge. You just hand over all responsibility to the people looking after you. It'll be almost entirely game game-focussed, maybe with some visits to local communities to see a bit of the culture. It feels a bit more of an adventure than a trip to SA, but it is also a lot less varied. Different, but equally amazing.

I can't bear beach holidays, or resorts or staying in some hotel for the sake of staying in some hotel. I want to do something, see something, learn something, so I'm usually up a mountain or wandering around some ancient ruins. Safaris are my perfect relaxation holiday ... sensory overload, some other bugger doing the cooking.

100% the above. We skipped the wine estates on our Cape Town-Gqeberha fly/drive trip as we didn't think the kids would get much out of it, but it had everything else listed above and more. I couldn't believe the variety of landscapes on the Garden Route, just stunning stuff.

We did the other style you describe for our honeymoon (Tanzania tour including light aircraft into Kilamanjaro, plus Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater etc then Zanzibar) and that was also amazing. A few long days on unmade roads though, as you say.

Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 23 July 19:13

Should you ever go back don’t skip Bramon Wine Estate for lunch. Kid friendly, superb food, you dine amongst the vines and just round the corner from Birds of Eden and Monkeyland which are both great places to visit.

[_Neal_]

DJC76 said:

_Neal_ said:

ATG said:

A fly/drive in S.A. will be an amazing and really, really varied holiday and visits to game parks/Kruger give you the safari experience too ... and it's an amazing experience. But unlike traditional safari holidays you also get penguins, whales, wine estates, beaches, mountains, deserts ... and super markets, pharmacies, banks, quite a lot of tarmacked roads. It's a proper African experience, and you have to think about personal security, but it's really practical and you can easily take yourself around the place. If instead you go to a lodge in a big reserve in Zim, Tanzania, etc you may well end up way out in the back of beyond, getting there in a light aircraft, no tarmac roads, entirely reliant on the lodge. You just hand over all responsibility to the people looking after you. It'll be almost entirely game game-focussed, maybe with some visits to local communities to see a bit of the culture. It feels a bit more of an adventure than a trip to SA, but it is also a lot less varied. Different, but equally amazing.

I can't bear beach holidays, or resorts or staying in some hotel for the sake of staying in some hotel. I want to do something, see something, learn something, so I'm usually up a mountain or wandering around some ancient ruins. Safaris are my perfect relaxation holiday ... sensory overload, some other bugger doing the cooking.

100% the above. We skipped the wine estates on our Cape Town-Gqeberha fly/drive trip as we didn't think the kids would get much out of it, but it had everything else listed above and more. I couldn't believe the variety of landscapes on the Garden Route, just stunning stuff.

We did the other style you describe for our honeymoon (Tanzania tour including light aircraft into Kilamanjaro, plus Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater etc then Zanzibar) and that was also amazing. A few long days on unmade roads though, as you say.

Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 23 July 19:13

Should you ever go back don t skip Bramon Wine Estate for lunch. Kid friendly, superb food, you dine amongst the vines and just round the corner from Birds of Eden and Monkeyland which are both great places to visit.

Thanks, great to know as we'd love to go back - should've eaten there as we went to both Birds of Eden and Monkeyland! Also visited Jukani (a big cat sanctuary in the same area) - all were excellent. We were staying in a place called Tsala Treetops which was really great as well.

The wine bit that we skipped when putting our itinerary together was the Cape Winelands - went to Hermanus from Cape Town instead.