Safari recommendations for solo mum & teenager

[holdingthezero]

Hi everyone.

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong section.

A work colleague from the UK is wanting to book a safari next July to take her teenage son on and would like any suggestions on best place to go. She has never been and is thinking of 2-3 days safari, break (she'd like the break to be restful) then another 2-3days safari.

She would be looking to book through a tour operator (recommendations welcome) and is considering SA, Kenya or Tanzania.

Looking forward to your suggestions / advice

Thanks in advance.

[Wazungu Wawili]

The classic trip to Kenya is a week on safari and then a week at the coast (or less days for both).

There are lots of UK-based travel agents who will be more than happy to book that for your UK colleague. Most will recommend flying between places as that is quicker and easier, but, inevitably, is more expensive. Lots of luxury tented camps and lodges in parks and reserves. The Maasai Mara is the top safari destination.

Something like this:

Fly Nairobi to the Mara
Fly Mara to the coast (Watamu or Diani recommended)

or

Fly Nairobi to the Laikipia (near Mt Kenya) and stay on a private game conservancy
Fly Nanyuki to the Mara
Fly Mara to the coast.

It will cost her, though! Kenya is not cheap.

[holdingthezero]

The classic trip to Kenya is a week on safari and then a week at the coast (or less days for both).

There are lots of UK-based travel agents who will be more than happy to book that for your UK colleague. Most will recommend flying between places as that is quicker and easier, but, inevitably, is more expensive. Lots of luxury tented camps and lodges in parks and reserves. The Maasai Mara is the top safari destination.

Something like this:

Fly Nairobi to the Mara
Fly Mara to the coast (Watamu or Diani recommended)

or

Fly Nairobi to the Laikipia (near Mt Kenya) and stay on a private game conservancy
Fly Nanyuki to the Mara
Fly Mara to the coast.

It will cost her, though! Kenya is not cheap.

Thank you very much for this feedback. I have passed it along to her.

[Jens78]

If money is a bit tight they can fly to Durban rent a car and drive to Tembe which is fully catered with two game drives a day. From there it's a short drive to Kosi Bay for a lake cruise, snorkeling and general beach bumming. On the way back they can do St Lucia, Mkuze Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi. Also no malaria risk then.

[alannymarce]

RSA: There are lots of private Game Reserves which are good, most of which can arrange transport from Johannesburg airport to the reserve. You could arrange a couple of different reserves for different ecosystems, for example Mavela Game Lodge and then Mopane Bush Camp, however they are not close to each other so a lot of travelling for 2/3 days each. Perhaps better to aim for one area with good facilities and just enjoy the facilities - both of these examples are good for a relaxing stay,

Kenya: you will receive no better advice from anyone than the advice from Wazungu Wawili.

Tanzania: I'd suggest looking for a trip which includes 3 days in Serengeti, in one of the seasonal tented camps, and 2 days in Ngorongoro Crater, based in a lodge at the crater (for example Serena Lodge) or perhaps a couple of days somewhere like Lake Ndutu Lodge in between the two areas.

A further thought - consider Botswana and Namibia - the Okavango and Etosha offer good "safaris".

For Botswana look for a trip which flies into Maun, stays at a camp in Moremi, then at a camp in Chobe, leaving from Kasane (or vice versa). Some of these camps/lodges have good facilities for a "day off" to relax.

For Namibia the idea might be a 3 day stay in Etosha then a transfer to a lodge further west (Grootberg, for example), flying in and out of Windhoek.

[Wazungu Wawili]

Safari is a Swahili word and it means a journey.