Safari - have any of you done one? I would really like to. But I would like to do a more upscale style, these days I need a real bed, and I’d like t have real showers. As a solo female traveler, I’m also wanting to be safe - I see the state department lists Tanzania as a “reconsider travel” destination - where many of the journeys that are of interest to be begin. What are your thoughts about that? I feel like I may have missed my window of opportunity. Do I just shelve the idea altogether?
When I was the the Netherlands last Aug/Sept (2025) and Spain in Sept 2024, I was (as a nice Jewish girl) very surprised at the anti-Semitic graffiti, and overall sentiments that I stumbled upon in several locations (all the way into Belgium) over 2 weeks. I don’t “announce” my Judaism (we used to call my mom Super Jew, for the way she so proudly and openly “wore” her Judaism) - and I am not observant, but I am indeed Jewish and when I see anti-Semitism, openly or covertly, it makes me incredibly sad.
Personally I would simply remind the future SIL that there’s real anti-Semitism in other parts of the world, as there is real anti-Americanism in other parts of the world right now. I don’t travel announcing my American heritage either.
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So do we think I should advise him to leave the Star of David at home? I know he won’t want to but maybe I need to convince him? As for us, this woukd definitely keep me from wanting to travel overseas.
He is an adult (and your SIL not your S) so I would not try to “convince” him….I’d probably make one comment and let him decide.
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We were in Portugal in March, and everyone there treated us with kindness. We are very obviously American. We did our best to be respectful of the customs and norms and I tried to learn enough Portuguese to cover the basics. Just about everyone there spoke English, but they seemed to appreciate my efforts :).
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I 100% agree! He’s an adult, let him make his own decisions. You can share what others have said, but ultimately it’s up to him.
I’ve been on five safaris in South Africa. Two of them were in very upscale resorts. Just beautiful accommodations. They were in the Sabi Sands area, adjacent to Kruger National Park. There are no fences, so the animals wander back and forth. The private lodges are nice because the vehicles can go off road (they can’t in KNP). You get very close to lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, etc.
We stayed in Simbambili and really enjoyed it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g471846-d607885-Reviews-Simbambili_Game_Lodge-Sabi_Sand_Game_Reserve_Kruger_National_Park.html
Let me know if you have any questions! The last time I was on safari was 2018 and I REALLY want to go back. But I don’t think my dad will foot the bill again!
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Oh, thanks!!
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Go for it! It might end up being your trip of a lifetime. Even the tent camps can be as nice as a luxury hotel. On our Kenyan safari we had showers in our tent and the beds were comfortable. I think we had to let them know and they heated the water.
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They really do treat you like royalty. One heads-up - at the end, you are expected to help, and the suggested amount is quite high! I can see why - it takes a lot of people to provide that level of service. I was just surprised.
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We went to Kenya with Micato and thought they did a great job. (All private bethrooms throughout trip – even the tents we stayed in were very upscale.) Not sure I’d go to Kenya now (though they were fabulous hosts) and don’t know about Tanzania. I will say it was everyone’s favorite family trip.
Abercrombie and Kent is another extremely well regarded tour company.
I haven’t been on a safari, but I’d like to go someday.
Given all the wonderful places I’d like to go to, my personal opinion is to try and stay away from places the State Dept. warns against traveling to.
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Tagging @jym626 who might be able to contribute info about safaris.
Thanks @thumper1 . Sounds like we did a similar trip to @happy1 , going to Kenya and Tanzania with Micato. It is not inexpensive, but I love that they sponsor a school in the Nairobi ghetto. Driving through the ghetto is emotional, but seeing the school at the end was incredible. The students were so engaged and the technology resources they have will help get this next generation out of their life of poverty. They also Have a small industry that makes purses and (skip Over this next part if it’s tmi) washable sanitary napkin holders so that the girls can go to school during their “time of the month” (something we just take for granted). They give a portion of every guest’s fees to the school and business. That warms my heart (and they gift you a purse to take home).
Until then Ebola is under control, I would hold off on traveling to Africa, but that said, I have friends that are there now. They had an outbreak of monkey pox or something when we were there, but we were fine. The safari was my favorite vacation. Do the morning balloon ride too!
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I have been on multiple Safaris ( 12-18) - mostly upscale. The last 3 have been solo. I am headed again in September. I travel solo now as my husband can not make the long plane ride. We do not go on group trips ( except when going to places like Gabon, Central African Republic etc.). I have enjoyed my recent solo travel and meet so many people at each camp that have turned into friends. I am so very safe and well looked after. For my last several safaris I have used a company, Expert Africa, out of the UK. You can consult with them by phone to get ideas -they will plan as much or as little of the experience for you - hand hold if you need it. They are awesome and do not charge commission ( the camps pay them). I have found that their prices are much less than companies like Abercrombie ( used them on our first Safari when our children were younger) and Micato -getting the same product without the ridiculous markups slated for American travelers. Traveling on safari solo can be incredibly freeing and gives you time to be introspective. Lately, my choices have centered around Southern African countries ( not South Africa -by choice). As some have mentioned - Safaris can be incredibly expensive - depending on accommodations. but in my mind - worth every penny. @JustaMom-I have traveled all over the continent , so feel free to reach out with any questions. Go! - you will love it!
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That’s a lot of safaris! Congrats! We considered using one of the independent companies to set our trip up for us, but we figured for our first one we would just do the higher-end one and let them take good care of us. Abercrombie and Kent was our second choice.
We were in Venice the spring after 10/7 and there were big anti American and anti Israel protests going on but on a personal level, we felt safe. I speak some Italian (my mom was Italian) but we are clearly American (especially my H) and everyone was kind. There was a distinction about being angry at governments vs individuals. Same was true when we were in different parts of Europe last year.
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When we were in Scandinavia and Japan, people were just scratching their head about the administration and not upset with US personally, even though we were clearly tourists. My friends are Caucasian and we are Asian, but no one was unkind or angry with US personally.
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…There was a distinction about being angry at governments vs individuals…
Yes! This was 100% my experience as well.
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Oh wow! Thank you for your detailed response.
As the wife of a quadriplegic I also travel solo, most of the time. Sometimes a friend or two will join me, or we’ll meet up someplace, and continue to travel together. Occasionally my D will join me. I find solo travel to be pretty chill once I get boots on the ground. It’s that actual getting there that can be stressful because there’s no one to bounce off of - hey, is this the right way train/platform/place… And I love the planning process!
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