*mummy_hen* Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I am seriously contemplating a short break to africa in november. It is my husbands 30th and i really want to do something super special for him. We looked into kenya for our honeymoon last year but then all the trouble kicked off and we didn't go ahead. We both would love to do it and i would love to see his face when i told him the surprise. Our best friends would come with us and i went to get a quote today and is even more expensive than i imagined!!! If i'm being honest we can't really afford to spend that sort of money but i can't help thinking its a once in a lifetime and seriously worth it!! When are we going to have an excuse to blow £2500 again! Anyway the point of this ramble was to see what you all thought i should do... Be sensible and go back to the drawing board on ideas or say; you only live once and book it!! Also wondered whether any of you had done it? Is it really as amazing as it looks? Any recommendations on travel agents, reserves or parts of africa to look at? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 So long as it doesn't bankrupt you, go ahead.. as you say 'once in alifetime' I spent 6 months travelling down the west coast of Africa, 20+ years ago, so wrong area completely for giving you advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I don't know if you're planning on having any children 'cos if you are, unless yoy have a high flying job or win the lottery, it's unlikely you'll be able to do it until much, much later in life. (If then)! Good luck and have a wonderful, memorable time Jx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Go for it I know people who have been to Kruger and had a whale of a time. An acquaintance of mine is involved with Travel Gondwana which looks great but is probably quite pricy. Four years ago we went to South Africa and, as part of it, did a safari at a place called Hluhhuwe and that was pretty spectacular. We were going to go back to the country this year as we loved it and the rand was pretty good but we could only take a short period of time off and couldn't face the flight unless the holiday was going to be longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 FIL and MIL took our 2 and their 3 cousins to Kruger about 3 years ago. Go if you can, they had a wonderful time, they also visited relations there, but didn't stop with them. The last few days they went to the Cape to see the whales. Fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenp Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 We went with Kuoni to Kenya on safrari. It was amazing, we did "Wings over Africa" & flew between Samburu, The Rift Valley & The Mara. We stayed in a tents with all mod cons!! The staff even bought you tea, coffee ot hot chocolate when they woke you for your early morning drives It is one of the most wonderful experiences I have had, & would recommend it to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Go for it - you only live once. I've always wanted to go on a safari, and I had one booked in 2006 but it was cancelled by the company. They offered an alternative date, but I couldn't take that up, and then for reasons which I still don't fully understand, I decided to move house! Haven't been able to afford it since, but I WILL go one day! Take a look at Exodus travel. They promote responsible tourism, where money is staying in the country not going to fund Western tour organisers, and they have some exciting options. I was going to go on a walking and part camping safari in Tanzania. I was going to see lions in the Ngorongoro crater ... one day, one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 There is only one down side, and that's the imms you need Everything else is wonderful We went for our Honeymoon, and it was the most amazing experience, I really want to go back one day. We stayed on Safari for a week then, then a few days in Nairobi, an overnight train to Mombassa and had 2 weeks in a hotel in a quiet area outside Mombassa. Some one mentioned that if you want children later do it, and I agree, it was our only big holiday as our eldest was born 13 months after the wedding and then expensive holidays went right out of the window It's taken us 18 years to wait for this years summer holiday when we all go on holiday by plane If you book it you will love it Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I went to Tanzania last year on hols, and it was fantastic! Expensive, but worth it. If you can afford it, go: was amazing. I used to live in the Sudan, but "safari" type stuff was well out of my price range at that time, despite it being cheap to get to Kenya..... There's always other things to spend your money on, but if you can afford it, defintiely take the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Go for it while you can, whilst I hate the phrase 'Life is too short', it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 My grandma was going to go on safari in Kenya in September. It was all booked but then she got diagonsed with cancer so had an op etc etc and is still not sorted so she has decided not to go. She wasn't that keen in the first place however her friend is still going(it was his idea in the first place, they take it in turns where to go-my grandma chose Egypt last year) It does look amazing though(the injections but me right off), i love all the programmes about game reserves on tv. It would be my mums dream holiday but my dad isn't keen so it will be one to do without him. My cousin also went on a mini safari in Africa and saw loads of animals and he loved it, definately a once in a lifetime trip. I'd say go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 i went to kenya some 15yrs ago, we stayed just outside mombasa in the sun and sand hotel (it was lovely then) and spent a week on an organised camping safari. it was fab, although staying in tents sounds bad, it was great as your in proper beds etc. just outside the tent, in the middle of the night, a crocodile was having a fight with something at the watering hole, however we slept through it. we were very safe (had armed guards / rangers) and they even showered you (holding the bag over your head, whilst you cleansed). deffo do it again - but next time with our (grown up children) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 (edited) I went on safari to kenya when i was 13 and still remember it as an amazing holiday. Me and my OH were going to go next month but just before I got the vaccinations we discovered I was pregnant and therefore unable to get all the vaccinations so we had to cancel it Tho I can't say I am that disappointed as so looking forward to the baby So would definitely say if you can go do go! Also make sure you allow time for getting all your vaccinations. Edited June 19, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 You should do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
