safari in Africa

horn dog 1

Has anyone gone on Safari ? And would you recomend it, as I plan to go this Summer and would like to know what to expect.... apart from a few wilderbeast and lions and the normal stuff you see on Tv...And if anyone can tell me what the night life is like in South Africa

evie

Don't know much about Safari meself, however, my cousins headed off to South Africa about 3 years ago and loved it. They didn't go on Safari but they said no matter where you are, the monkeys are always a problem. They tear up stuff, eat your food, break cars etc!

The nightlife is good but Capetown is by no stretch of the imagination the safest place on the planet. Drive by shootings and muggings are pretty much run of the mill. Saying that, I think you have to be a master of being in the wrong place at the wrong time!

Hope I helped!

Borzoi

Did the Safari thing 4 years ago in Zimbabwe. It's very very cool. I hadn't expected a whole lot, but to see those animals in their natural environment is really awesome.

The general routine was getup at 4am have offee, drive to park in the freezing cold back of open land cruiser. Drive the park for about 2 hopurs then back for breakfast. Simialar trip in the evenings about 4pm.

Be warned that their are no guarantees of seeing anything, though it's highly likely. In Zim, lions are rarer than SA. We got lucky on the second day when as we were about to leave an entire pride walked out on the road in front of us, then lay down as the girls waited on thier man to catch up. No one else saw the pride, just us, dumb luck, but fantastic.

Definitely worth doing, I'd go again.

pickarooney

Originally posted by evie

The nightlife is good but Capetown is by no stretch of the imagination the safest place on the planet. Drive by shootings and muggings are pretty much run of the mill. Saying that, I think you have to be a master of being in the wrong place at the wrong time!

Hope I helped!

That's, eh, Jo'burg.

DapperGent

I lived in Africa for 10 years and went on Safari many times.

It is the most wonderful holiday you will ever have I couldn't recommend it enough the parks themselves are the most beautiful places I have ever been on Earth and seeing the animals in their natural enviroment is an almost religious experience (or was for me).

South Africa is a dangerous country but no more than anywhere else if you aren't stupid, Cape Town is a beautiful city and if you keep in the right places ie built up and touristy. You're as safe as you are in Dublin if not safer. Cape Town is no Joburg as has been pointed out already.

Have fun!

Cian

Originally posted by pickarooney
That's, eh, Jo'burg.

True, but capetown aint the safest in the world either as long as you use common sense and try not to be too obviously touristy you should be fine. You wont find real safari on the western cape around capetown, you have to really head east for it. However, Capetowns got great night life, and Jo'burg looked like a hole to me.

DriftingRain

I have never been, but I have also heard that Zimbabwe is wonderful. I think it has some of the countries protected animal parks. Like on Animal planet with the men walking around with the elephants and rhinos with big ol guns and stuff to help protect them? I think it would be loads of fun. Hope you like the heat! Have fun!