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Travel Africa Magazine

ISSUE 87


July/Sept 2019

Why Botswana?
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    Tanzania's tree climbing lions

    Tanzania’s northern safari circuit

    What is it really like to climb Dune 45 at Sossusvlei?

    What is it really like to climb Dune 45 at Sossusvlei?

    Into Mana Pools with John Stevens

    Into Mana Pools with John Stevens

    Elephants in Garamba National Park. Picture credit African Parks

    Dogged work in Garamba

    50 Reasons to visit KwaZulu-Natal

    50 Reasons to visit KwaZulu-Natal

    South Africa think different

    South Africa think different

    Lower Zambezi Valley

    Lower Zambezi Valley

    Dream catchers

    Dream catchers

    High-octane Uganda

    High-octane Uganda

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      Vintage art posters

      A rare vintage: capturing the essence of Africa

      Sketch for survival 2019

      Sketch for survival 2019

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      Book reviews

      CEO, African Albida Tourism, Ross Kennedy

      CEO, African Albida Tourism, Ross Kennedy

      Southern boy

      Southern boy

      “Potential is all you need”

      “Potential is all you need”

      8 essential Johnny Clegg songs

      8 essential Johnny Clegg songs

      “Don’t panic, everything will be okay”

      “Don’t panic, everything will be okay”

      Leading conservationists shortlisted

      Leading conservationists shortlisted

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        Tanzania's tree climbing lions

        Tanzania’s northern safari circuit

        What is it really like to climb Dune 45 at Sossusvlei?

        What is it really like to climb Dune 45 at Sossusvlei?

        Into Mana Pools with John Stevens

        Into Mana Pools with John Stevens

        Elephants in Garamba National Park. Picture credit African Parks

        Dogged work in Garamba

        50 Reasons to visit KwaZulu-Natal

        50 Reasons to visit KwaZulu-Natal

        South Africa think different

        South Africa think different

        Lower Zambezi Valley

        Lower Zambezi Valley

        Dream catchers

        Dream catchers

        High-octane Uganda

        High-octane Uganda

        Trending Tags

        • Wildfile
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          Vintage art posters

          A rare vintage: capturing the essence of Africa

          Sketch for survival 2019

          Sketch for survival 2019

          Book reviews

          Book reviews

          CEO, African Albida Tourism, Ross Kennedy

          CEO, African Albida Tourism, Ross Kennedy

          Southern boy

          Southern boy

          “Potential is all you need”

          “Potential is all you need”

          8 essential Johnny Clegg songs

          8 essential Johnny Clegg songs

          “Don’t panic, everything will be okay”

          “Don’t panic, everything will be okay”

          Leading conservationists shortlisted

          Leading conservationists shortlisted

          Trending Tags

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          Seniors on safari

          Travel Africa by Travel Africa
          March 8, 2019
          0
          Seniors on safari

          Recently a reader rang in to renew her subscription, saying that she and her husband don’t travel to Africa as much as they used to, because they were retired and didn’t think they could cope, both physically and financially.

          It struck me that it needn’t be that way. Yes, there are swathes of Africa that are much more suited to hardy, adventurous types, but in most popular safari destinations the travel experience is actually a lot easier than you might think. And it needn’t blow the pension fund either.

          To seek some reassurance, we asked Terry Murphy of African Budget Safaris, how they addressed the concerns of seniors wanting to go on safari.

          You offer tours aimed specifically at older travellers. Why?
          Increasing numbers of people are staying active, older, and actually find it easier to travel now they are free of children, work and other things that have restricted them before. “Retirement is for exploration!” one 70-something guest told me after a Botswana safari recently. For many, they are finding this the ideal time to rediscover their sense of adventure.

          For many, safety will be a concern. Does that influence where you might send them?
          We tend to focus on Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, each of which have an excellent tourism infrastructure: good quality roads, accessible camps, comfortable accommodation, familiar food. With a strong focus on conservation, their national parks tend to be well run, so wildlife is reasonably easy to spot.

          How much time do most people travel for?
          The great thing about being retired is that people have fewer constraints and more time to travel. They are less restricted by family, work and school commitments. This means it is much easier to stretch an itinerary out and not feel the need to hurtle from one destination to another!

          We have a three-week long trip that starts in Victoria Falls and ends in Cape Town; an overland lodge safari which includes iconic wild places. In 15 days you could visit Victoria Falls, Chobe, Okavango Delta and Etosha and Sossusvlei in Namibia. That’s an impressive collection of southern Africa’s finest attractions in a fortnight, which is very manageable.

          How will they cope with the long distances
          There is no getting away from the fact that Africa is huge, and the distances travelled, often on dirt roads, can be long and dusty. For trips aimed at seniors, travel is conducted at a slower pace, there are more rest days and a few extra creature comforts. Itineraries can sometimes be crafted to suit your specific needs.

          Other than the potential for some long road trips (depending on the itinerary), as long as you can get in and out of the safari vehicle, there shouldn’t be a problem. Short walks around attractions and to and from your room are about the extent of the exertions you’d need to endure.

          What about budget?
          Travelling on a pensioner’s shoestring without compromising on quality is very achievable. The trick is to know your budget and balance it with your travel wish list. You can cut costs by taking advantage of a group tour for seniors, so you are travelling with like-minded companions. The great thing about these tours is that the majority of costs are contained and set before your departure, leaving you free from worrying about park fees, petrol, exchange rates etc.

          Should we be anxious about group travel?
          Over-50s are actually much better at group travel than you might think. Being older, most people know themselves so much better and are more comfortable with meeting new people. Our group trips are designed for a maximum of 16 adventurers, and for many, the opportunity of meeting and travelling with other like-minded people is a great attraction.

          And for those who want a comfortable bed at the end of the day?
          Gone are the days when safaris were perceived as dusty affairs only for people willing to sacrifice their creature comforts. There’s such a wide range of accommodation now available, all offering high levels of comfort. You can book a comfortable lodge safari or a camping safari, or a mixture of the two.

          Even on a fully-catered mobile camping safari in remote areas, all you need to do is step off your vehicle. The tents are pitched for you, the camp-cot prepared, an open fire ready and your meals cooked for you.

          Is it possible to keep in touch with home
          For many, it is reassuring to be able to remain in touch with loved ones. Most safari lodges nowadays have wi-fi and it is possible to connect mobile phones via satellite or mobile phone networks, even in remote areas.

          What about health and insurance?
          As with anyone travelling to Africa, get some inside advice on the areas in which you will visit to ease your concerns. Make sure you have enough medication for the duration and access to important prescriptions – and don’t be shy to communicate any medical conditions you may have. Travel insurance is, of course, compulsory.

          To learn more about African Budget Safaris’ seniors safaris, click here.

          Tags: BotswanaKenyaSouth AfricaZimbabwe
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