Jan

I can't speak for Kenya but I went to South Africa with the Victoria Falls add on in September 2011 and it was amazing. I was lucky to see all of the big 5. I did all the game drives available including the optional ones. I also did an additional game drive in Botswana during the add on which was probably the best as it included both a river and land safari.

If you choose South Africa you also get the chance to see so many other sites like the Cape and Garden Route.

I would like to give the Kenya trip a try but I'm a little put off by having to share accommodation for part of the time whereas in South Africa you get your own room every night. If you do opt for South Africa then be prepared for the expense. With all the optional trips it does work out expensive but like you it was a holiday of a lifetime for me so cost was not important. Hope this helps with your choice.

Mike

All the best,

Bob

I think I have decided that I am going to book a safari for next year but can't decide between Kenya or South Africa. Can anyone advise me which they think would be the best destination for the viewing of the animals and how would the two places differ? If anyone has experience of both these places I would love to hear their views. It is going to be my holiday of a lifetime and I doubt I will go again, so it has to be right! Thank you :)

Jan

Hi Jan,

I have done both the Kenya trip and the South African trip with the Zambia add-on! The park at Tsavo East in Kenya was fantastic and a lot less crowded than Kruger in SA, but I did see the Big 5 in SA. I would thoroughly recommend doing the Botswana day trip as you do get a river safari as well as a game drive. If you are an ele fan, Botswana is the place to go! I personally preferred Zambia and Botswana to SA and adored Kenya as it was my first safari! Difficult choice! In the lodge, which was wonderful, in Kenya, you do have to share a room (top tip - ask if there is an odd number of women, can you have a room on your own!!). From your room in the lodge you can sit and watch all the wildlife in front of you - superb.

Whichever one you choose, enjoy - they are both excellent for wildlife!

Cheers,

Hils

I went to S Africa with the add on in March 2011, and although t was the most expensive holiday I have ever done (so far!) it is the one I would do again.

It was hot, about 40C the day we were in Kruger, but you didn't really notice it until you got off the safari vehicle for refreshment breaks. The bonus was that the Victoria Falls were at maximum volume.

I would also recommend the Botswana Safari,the river safari was really worthwhile.

Just make sure you've got at least a couple of blank pages in your passport - with entry and exit stamps for every country they managed to fill two pages of mine!

Cindy

I had a wonderful 10 day holiday to Kenya, this was my first big holiday and JY holiday by myself and was so excited but also very nervious.

I just want to say that i had such a good time, there was 18 of us in total and everyone got along so well as if we had known each other for years, such a good laugh.

Our tour manager Barbara was amazing and so helpfull, made all the difference to a great holiday.

Our safrais were fantasic Iv got some amazing pics and will remember it forever the animal came so close to the vans it was amazing and a little scary lol 🙂

Although it was still in the rainning season in June and spring to them the weather was amazing and so hot it only rainned once for about 10mins one day so cant complain.

Our holiday so so full on, straight out of the airport in Mombassa straight into the action with our first game drive, early mornings and getting back late, so long days but then more for your money and worth every penny.

I would definitely reccomend this trip to anyone, fab holiday in all our eyes everyone had such a good time and now keeping in touch, its really opened my eyes to more JY holidays and will be booking for China next year 🙂

Chloe xx

I did a Kenyan Safari 6 years ago with another company. It was a wonderful experience, I was blown away by the game drives, I stayed at three fabulous lodges. I seen the big 5 , and found kenya and the people wonderful. I am going to South Africa next week with JY! . This is my first trip with them. Watch this space, for my review afterwards.

Regards

Cathy.