African Safaris For Senior Citizens, The Disable & Elderly
African Safaris For Senior Citizens, The Disable & Elderly. The safari specialists at Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa have compiled a list of the top safaris in Africa that seniors can take advantage of for an unforgettable adventure.
Talk to a safari expert, and they’ll tell you that nothing is impossible when it comes to customizing an African safari to fit any client’s needs and budget. Be sure to communicate any concerns or unique requests to your sales consultant when you make your safari reservation. Following their recommendation of the best camps, you can inform the camp ahead of time of your needs so that they can prepare for your arrival. It is easy to assign specific tents to guests if necessary, and some are positioned closer to the camp’s major areas. In order to tailor your safari experience to your interests, your guide will take the time to get to know you before each game drive. Safari and life in general in Africa are sluggish.
African Safari For Seniors/The Disable/Elderly
“Going on a safari or fulfilling a lifelong ambition to see Africa is something you can do at any age. My experience as a bush camp manager in Zambia exposed me to a wide range of campers, from toddlers to elderly. But most of the people I took care of were in their 50s and 60s. A 98-year-old safari lover with incredible life stories was the oldest guest I have had at one of my camps! Everybody can find something they like on a safari. I have heard some of the most intriguing and captivating life stories around the dinner table from my older guests. It goes without saying that Africa is already accommodating to your needs, and that taking care of elderly tourists is Kabira Safaris’ forte.”
Things to Consider Planning An African Safari For Seniors
- Health requirements
Are you in need of electricity for any medical devices, such as CPAP machines? Before you go, make sure you have the proper storage space for any drugs that have special temperature requirements. For any traveling visitors’ added peace of mind, there is a medical staff and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) standing by. - Bathrooms
Think you’d be more at ease with eco-toilets and bucket showers, or would you rather have instantaneous hot and cold water at your fingertips? - Accessibility
Personalize your trip according to your mobility needs. Can you find your way around the lodge and to your room without any trouble? Think about whether you’ll need help boarding the safari vehicle or whether you’d prefer to sit close to the guide. When thinking about things to do, keep in mind your physical restrictions and make sure they are compatible with your mobility and stamina. - Temperatures
Keep in mind that your level of comfort may be affected by seasonal temperature changes. Without air conditioning, certain activities and accommodations may be too hot during certain months of the year. Muddy conditions, which could impact accessibility and trekking experiences, could also be a consequence of wetter weather.
Best African Safari For Seniors
Bucket List Travels: African Safari Seniors
What Are the Top African Destinations for a Senior Safari
Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa are the top four countries that our clients over the age of 50 visit. The big quandary for many of our senior clients is whether to go to Botswana to see the Okavango Delta or Tanzania to see the Serengeti and the great migration. Ultimately, many of them have to choose between the two.
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa are some of the best places in Africa for a senior safari.
The Serengeti, Tanzania
The Serengeti is a staple of many of the top Tanzanian safaris designed for retirees. Before setting up camp in the Serengeti, we would always explain to visitors the many benefits of a mobile camp. Despite what you might expect from the name, these camps are anything but rustic.
As the big migration travels yearly through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems, the temporary settlements track its every move. You will have the best opportunity of witnessing the Great Migration from the locations of these camps. The mobile campers lack the permanent lodge’s swimming pools, decks, and balconies, but the service, comfort, and amenities (including four-poster beds in certain rooms!) more than make up for it.
Our senior clients, in particular, should think about this degree of “adventure,” but all of our clients should. Clients frequently remember their time in the Serengeti mobiles for the exceptional quality of the genuine safari experience they had there. Their proximity to the wilderness was unmatched. However, bucket showers are common, and during the warmer months, the tents can become quite hot.
The Serengeti Safari Camp and Alex Walker’s Serian are our top picks for luxury mobile camps, while our favorites for value are Lemala Mara, Lemala Ndutu, and Nasikia’s Migration camp.
A permanent lodge in the Serengeti is another alternative, as we’ve already indicated. We always suggest chatting about these over the phone because there are so many; the time of year is a major factor in choosing of permanent lodges. But if you’re looking for a great resort that’s conveniently positioned for the Great Migration’s river crossing season (early July to mid-October), choose Lamai Serengeti, Kuria Hills, or Sayari.
If we had to choose one place, it would be Lamai Serengeti because of its breathtaking setting in the northern Serengeti’s granite kopjes and the breathtaking views it offers of the entire park! Keep in mind that the upper-level accommodations are quite a distance from the main area; if you would like a room lower down, please discuss this with your specialist.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Botswana, and the Okavango Delta in particular, is widely considered to be the most picturesque and “purest” African location, as we head south into the continent. Although Botswana’s attractiveness is well-suited to an older demographic, it is not cheap. The Okavango Delta and the neighboring Linyanti and Savute game-viewing zones are home to some of the top lodges, all of which are situated on private concessions.
The price is driven up by these private exclusive reservations. You won’t find better game watching anywhere in Africa, and the lodges here are among the most opulent and costly you’ll find anywhere in Africa.
You won’t find many “cheap” camps in the Delta, but the ones we use, like Sango in the Khwai reserve and Wilderness Pelo in the Jao reserve, provide an incredible value for the money when you consider the experience you’ll have. However, Shinde is our favorite Delta camp since it offers great lodging in a private reserve, which is a favorite of our office. In addition to Shinde, Kwando Safaris Splash Camp competes with them and has an advantage due to its larger reserve. On the other hand, camps like Wilderness Qorokwe, Wilderness Chitabe, and Wilderness Little Vumbura charge more but promise better camp experiences. Wilderness Mombo and Wilderness Vumbura Plains are two examples of areas where costs can go through the roof…
Our recommendation for a senior safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is to combine a “wet” and a “dry” camp for the most memorable experience. Naturally, these camps aren’t all in the same place. Some are right on the major delta’s shores, perfect for boat safaris and mokoro rides across the delta, while others are farther inland. Some are located in drier regions that are more suitable for certain species; for instance, wild canines tend to congregate in certain regions. If you want to book a safari that really delivers on your dreams, local expertise is essential.
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Concerning the Maasai Mara in Kenya, we get a lot of questions on the Migration. Herds of migratory animals traverse the Maasai Mara from the northern Serengeti every year from June through October. During this time, clients can almost always expect to see the iconic river crossings, making the Mara an ideal site for a senior safari. Plus, being so near to Nairobi means simple international flights home.
Camps like Angama Mara, Richard’s River Camp, and Sala’s are among the most luxurious options in Kenya, offering prime access to the country’s premier game watching zone. If you’re looking for bargain, your best bets are Naibor, the Governors Camp Collection, and Ol Seki.
Sabi Sands, South Africa
One more thing: a senior safari in South Africa is usually a good idea. Here, you may experience the best of both worlds: a safari in places like the Sabi Sands, which is just next to Kruger National Park, and a city break in Cape Town, South Africa’s Winelands. The accommodations here are second to none. Guests may expect to see the “Big Five” on many occasions during a three-night stay, and the prices are fair considering the level of comfort offered.
The South African safari sector is pulsating with world-renowned brands like Singita Boulders, Mala Mala, and Londolozi Varty, but if you’re looking for value, your best bets are Notten’s and Kirkman’s Kamp.
Gorilla Trekking For Seniors
Tours to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat are among the most popular safari activities in Africa. There are only three countries in the world where you can see these endangered primates, and the most popular ones are Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Virunga National Park), and Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks). There are over 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world.
How Important Is Fitness When Planning a Senior Safari in Africa
When organizing a safari, it’s important to think about your age and physical level, but those factors shouldn’t take precedence over the safari style you choose. Are you interested in seeing the Big Five, going on a boat safari, hiking through the wilderness, or sipping a sundowner on the escarpment as the sun sets over the savannah? All of these things are entirely doable and within anyone’s reach. Our number one recommendation is to work with a sales consultant who is knowledgeable about Africa and has a deep love for the continent. Share your dreams with them and they will show you what’s feasible on your safari. With the information they provide, you’ll be prepared to have an unforgettable safari experience!
It is highly recommended that you take your time and savor the experience on a senior safari. A two-night stay in a park only leaves you just one full day to see everything the area has to offer, so make sure to give each location the attention it deserves. Giving yourself time to unpack your belongings and enjoy each camp is crucial for anybody, but especially when planning the ideal safari for seniors, because traveling between parks may frequently take up most of a day, which becomes taxing if you are moving every two days.
To make the most of each camp and unwind after a long day on safari, you should plan to spend at least a few days there. Make sure you give yourself enough of time to catch up before considering setting off again; moving sometimes involves packing and unpacking often, in addition to lengthier travel days. Although there are some exceptions, I generally advise spending at least three nights at each camp. Many of my clients have commented, “I wish we had another night or two as safari is surprisingly tiring.”
Are There Luxury Safaris for Seniors in Africa
The thought of sleeping under the stars in a tent in the middle of nowhere is a common misconception among tourists planning a safari in Africa. While this is one option, there are plenty of high-end camps and lodges where guests may enjoy private bathrooms and other modern conveniences. Like picking a hotel, while planning a safari it’s important to think about the kind of adventure you want and, most importantly, where you want to stay.
Whatever you regard to be the pinnacle of luxury should be your first consideration when planning a safari, in my opinion. Although not everyone enjoys bucket showers, even Africa’s more traditional jungle camps offer wonderful adventures for older travelers.
Being a camp manager, one of the most eye-opening things I learned is that everyone handles stress in their own unique way. Take into account the heat and your level of comfort in hotter environments. If you’re not great at handling hot weather, it doesn’t matter how nice the camp is; you might want to consider going during a cooler season. Although my older guests had a fantastic time, they did express regret on multiple occasions about not traveling during the colder months earlier in the season. This was true even though they came through camp later in the season.
The Truth About a Serengeti Safari
What Else Do I Need to Do Before I Go on a Senior Safari in Africa
Naturally, you should consult your doctor and determine what shots you need before your vacation to ensure you are well-prepared. Now that you’ve done all you need to do to prepare for a safari, a competent safari expert can assist you at every turn. Obtain comprehensive medical travel insurance that includes safari activities, and before you go, review the government-relevant travel advice.