Southern Africa Tour -- Is it worth $40,000?

I had a full 11 month Africa tour and they paid me appx $90k!





BTW I say no, it is not worth $40k. Pay down your house or car first!

 

oh christ, robbies dream vacation.

 

Probably depends on your financial situation. If $40K barely makes a dent then this would be worth it. It doesn't sound like you're all that psyched about it but you're now committed to a degree. And, is it worth it if you add up the costs? The answer to that is no. They're catering to wealthy retirees that have had this as some lifelong dream and who will pay $20K per person. I doubt safety is any concern.(BTW, part of that $40K probably goes to greasing some Government official/s) Enjoy it if you go.

 

You can do it for less than half that price;

Go by yourself

Change booking to stay at The Westcliff Hotel throughout stay

Surround yourself with Halle Berry lookalikes

Download pictures others have taken of South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Eagle Island Camp, Savute Elephant Camp, Khwai River Lodge...

Have time of your life

Return

Lie to Girlfriend, as you share with her your downloaded photos, while mentioning various fictional problems associated with trip

Share photos with us of aforementioned Halle Berry lookalikes in various stages of undress [Important; you do not have to be in any of photos]

 

I would say no. If I had $40k to spend on a vacation, it would go a little something like this...

-First class tickets to Nice
-Helicopter into Monte Carlo
-Suite in the Hotel de Paris
-F1 Paddock Club GP tickets
-Rent a Ferrari
-Drive to, and all around, Italy
-Visit Maranello
-First class tickets home

That's just me.

Either way, have fun.

John

 

Haven't been down that far south in Africa, spent most of the time in Kenya. Malaria can be avoided by taking a course of doxycycline while there and for a couple weeks afterwords topped off with primaquine at the end. I'm pretty stocked up on vaccinations so I didn't worry too much about the rest.

It sounds like a pretty well orchestrated tour so you probably aren't in much (if any) danger as long as you don't do anything really dumb/illegal. I had a great time walking through the markets and back alleys of Nairobi. Had a driver provided by the US Embassy which was nice to get around though a couple weeks after I left he was gunned down along with his passengers in a robbery a few weeks after I left.

I absolutely loved Africa

 

no great white sharks breaching?!

no... spend less, enjoy a better trip in the same place

 

If you have to ask "is it worth it", it probably isn't to you! Don't go........

 

1) Is this trip actually worth $40,000?

Yes.

2) Is it worth the risk of acquiring malaria, and various other diseases to which we might be exposed?

Just because you may get exposure, does not mean acquiring it.

3) What vaccinations should I get?

Malaria, and whatever the State Dept recommends.

4) Are these areas safe to travel from a geopolitical perspective?

Safer.

5) I do like animals, but not nearly as much as my gf, as she is fascinated with them. Am I going to be bored?

If she's happy, you'll be happy.

Be lucky you are not actually doing a hunting safari.

 

Your going to spend 40K to go to South Africa? I had a vet that came from there and he was fantastic, he finally closed his business and moved back. For 40K I'll go to Monza for the F1 race and then a 70" Flat screen for the man cave. Best to start out a marrage on the right foot.

 

Someone please explain to me how this trip is worth $40K?

 

If you are even considering it, then you have the funds to do what you wish--Go for it!! My upcoming vacation costs me $2K and that was plenty....

 

Please dont spend that much, I used to live in Jo-burg and after my return consulted Americans and even guided a few people over there for safaris. Remember the Rand is 7 to 1 so you are paying close to 280k Rand.. If I had a buck for everyone in SA that commented on ripping Americans off by charging them so much I would be rich. Keep in mind they are simply offering a product for a price and if American pay for it so be it. I cant blame them for making as much as they can but 40k is steep.

I have a ton of brochures I brought back printed with Rand for the locals and Dollars for the tourists. For example a room somewhere was 150Rand for a night and $150.00 for a night, 150R is $21.00.


With that said, please do visit South Africa, Ive been 11 times and find it the most beautiful country in the world. Travel to Zambia, Zimbabwe (be careful) Botswana etc can all be done by hiring a private driver. We drove ourself across Africa east to west multiple times on the cheap. If you want email me I would gladly help if needed.
[email protected]

 

or... you could go to all the F1 races in a single f1 season!

 

No, not $40k. I went to South Africa for 3 weeks back in July 2000. That time is their "winter," but it really isn't that cold even though SA is close to the South Pole. There are fewer mosquitos that time of year so the chance of getting malaria is less (we still had to take pills for that stuff on our trip). We went to Kruger National Park for both the day and night safaris as well as other parks. I'd recommend everyone to visit that place once in their life. The jetlag sucks though, hahah.

 

My brother has been to South Africa several times and he loves it.He says its really beautiful.But i dont think its worth 40k.I may say so because 3 years ago or so i visited 12 European & Asian countries in 3 months.Airfare was Business,Hotels were 4-5 stars,it included a private executive bus,all meals and it included almost everything.The trip was amazing,all was organized.
It cost 10k at most.The best part it was a gift.And i enjoyed it a lot!

 

The Rand is 8 to 1, that sounds very expensive. Personally I do not think it is worth it. You are spending something like R21000 a day on a 15 day tour. Unless you are being chartered around in private planes, going to the BEST hotels etc etc I would say you are not getting a good deal (I could be wrong, but it just sounds ridiculously expensive).

Anyway if you do come, I hope you have a great time.

 

Penguins?

 

I think its worth it.

 

How were the Pandas?