south africa

smudger1946

My Mrs manager, would like to go to South Africa to see Giraffes in the wild, being a pensioner her mobility is limited though.
We would like two weeks at a reasonable rate, any help would be appreciated.
Smudger

MasterPoo

Two weeks in the Bush or a few days in the bush and other sights?

I can highly recommend these people: http://www.bushbreaks.co.za

Mrs_Soup

I am a huge fan of Mala Mala one of the numerous private reserves at the edge of the Kruger. However I doubt its rates would be considered "reasonable". I believe they do have at least one disabled friendly vehicle. Have stayed here for between 2 and 4 days. 2 is only just enough, 4 is plenty. Bear in mind the private reserves the vehicles go off road, literally through the bush and this can be a bit bumpy and uncomfortable for someone a bit frailer. Alternative is in the Kruger itself where you have to stay on the road (most;y dirt roads though even there). I would personally combine a few days safari with somewhere like Cape Town where there is loads to do and see including day trips to Cape Point where you can sometimes see wild ostriches and stop off at Boulders to see the penguins on the beach.

MasterPoo

I'd have to agree with Mrs Soup, 4 days MAX in the Bush, hence my question OP?

We are staying 3 nights in the Bush, 7 nights in Cape Town and the rest in Johannesburg we will be in SA for almost 3 weeks.

Teahfc

Avoid the North and the Kruger unless you want to take malaria pills apart from the odd reserve.
I am in SA at the moment,you are best looking in the Eastern cape, look at Shamwari and long lee manor lodge they should accommodate you both.
Regardless where you go you will spend 2.5/3 hours in the morning and same again late afternoon on the safari truck and it can get bumpy.
I have been to shamwari twice and Amakhala once, sham hands down is amazing and worth the extra money.

sarahkmv

Se spent a week in and around the Kruger as part of a 3 week trip. It seemed to me to be very wheelchair friendly (not sure if your wife needs one, but just commenting). As previously stated you'll be spending a fair bit of time in a vehicle game spotting so as long as she's able to do that it won't be an issue.

Cape Town is also lovely, we spent a great week there too.

Depending on how you feel you consider driving yourself (with internal flights between places) it's perfectly fine. We had a 2 week tour, but would do it ourselves next time. (We drove ourselves in Cape Town).

IMHO you'd be crazy to go to SA for a couple of weeks and only spend a couple of days in the bush, especially if your wife wants to see wild animals.


Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.

smudger1946

Thank you all very much.


It could be Tuscany now as I said to the manager there aint no Gerry giraffes there!!
Any ideas?

ktk

There is a fantastic bio park in Saumer which has an okapi sanctuary and a giraffe enclosure that has no fences or bars so you are close enough to stroke the gerries!