Welcome to you. I have not done SA tour but I have done Kenya Safari + add on, October 2010 which was amazing..I am very glad I did this tour but I have to say I was eaten alive..like you I do suffer big time from mossy bites and ended up on medication, even with sprays on me, plug in thing in the wall, the hotel sprays the rooms etc... even so I was glad I managed to do this tour.. SO PLEASE do not be put off by my post only you can make the decission.. I made it and it was to go I have no regrets..

I hope some one can tell you about SA.

Cindy

I did this holiday last Sept and it was a great time to go and the most brilliant holiday! If you can afford it, go for it and if possible do the Victoria Falls add-on as well, it was the icing on the cake! The main tour is excellent - every day was a highlight and the game drives were fantastic! Victoria Falls was absolutely amazing - you can do either a helicopter or microlight flight over them and there is a wonderful sunset cruise on the Zambezi included. Other highlights on the add-on are an optional dinner on a train like the Orient Express and a day trip to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, which was divided into two - a morning cruise and afternoon jeep safari. See my testamonial for more details. I am very fair skinned and for years avoided holidays where it was hot, as I get prickly heat, bites etc. But don't worry, I've now got it cracked! To avoid the dreaded prickly heat, rashes and bad reactions to insect bites take Piriton, beginning the day before you leave. Put sun cream on first thing in the morning (I've discovered Piz Buin sensitive is the only cream I'm not allergic to!!), then follow this with anti-mosquito spray about 20 mins later - make sure it's 30-50% DEET to keep the mossies away. I also used the DEET wristbands and kept bite free. Spray yourself again in the evening. Keep the air-con running in your room and this also acts as a deterrent. The weather was great on the hol - low to mid 20sC for the Cape Town area, rising to 30C+ around Kruger and 35-40C in Zambia. I didn't think I'd be able to survive these temperatures and problems with bites, but I was absolutely fine! It would be a real shame for you to miss out on this trip of a lifetime, so do yourself a favour and go for it! If there is any further info you'd like, please don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Suzie,

I did this holiday last Sept and it was a great time to go and the most brilliant holiday! If you can afford it, go for it and if possible do the Victoria Falls add-on as well, it was the icing on the cake! The main tour is excellent - every day was a highlight and the game drives were fantastic! Victoria Falls was absolutely amazing - you can do either a helicopter or microlight flight over them and there is a wonderful sunset cruise on the Zambezi included. Other highlights on the add-on are an optional dinner on a train like the Orient Express and a day trip to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, which was divided into two - a morning cruise and afternoon jeep safari. See my testamonial for more details. I am very fair skinned and for years avoided holidays where it was hot, as I get prickly heat, bites etc. But don't worry, I've now got it cracked! To avoid the dreaded prickly heat, rashes and bad reactions to insect bites take Piriton, beginning the day before you leave. Put sun cream on first thing in the morning (I've discovered Piz Buin sensitive is the only cream I'm not allergic to!!), then follow this with anti-mosquito spray about 20 mins later - make sure it's 30-50% DEET to keep the mossies away. I also used the DEET wristbands and kept bite free. Spray yourself again in the evening. Keep the air-con running in your room and this also acts as a deterrent. The weather was great on the hol - low to mid 20sC for the Cape Town area, rising to 30C+ around Kruger and 35-40C in Zambia. I didn't think I'd be able to survive these temperatures and problems with bites, but I was absolutely fine! It would be a real shame for you to miss out on this trip of a lifetime, so do yourself a favour and go for it! If there is any further info you'd like, please don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Bob

Also, lemon soap can help, again building up before the holiday.

I cannot say that either is 100% but it does seem to help plus carrying allergy tablets and taking as soon as a bite is spotted.

Many years ago I went on safara to Kenya and didn't get one bite - fingers crossed for everyone.

:thumbup:

Cindy

I went on my first solo holiday to Kenya with JY last march. It took me two and a half years to pluck up the courage! The holiday was just fantastic!! Everything I had hoped for and more. For the mosquitoes, I bought 100 deet 'LIFESYSTEMS EXPEDITION PLUS INSECT REPELLENT 100+' via Amazon on the internet. It comes in a small silver spray can. It is a little oily but a little goes a long way. I applied it every morning and after each shower or swim. I have to say that I came home without a single mosquito or any other type of insect bite. It was REALLY good!! I wouldn't bother trying to find a 100% deet repellent in the shops, I tried but had no success.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I have now caught the travel bug and am off to Peru and the Amazon rain forrest in less than four weeks. I can't wait for next years brochure to book my 2013 trip.

all the very best,

Bridget

(P.S Are you from wales? I am from Swansea):thumbup:

Bridget, yes I am from Pontypridd. Guess by the time you read this you will be on your way or on your way back from Peru and the Amazon. Really envy you! Hope you have/had a fabulous time.

Thanks again to everyone for your replies.

Suzie.

Hi Suziwales,

I went on my first solo holiday to Kenya with JY last march. It took me two and a half years to pluck up the courage! The holiday was just fantastic!! Everything I had hoped for and more. For the mosquitoes, I bought 100 deet 'LIFESYSTEMS EXPEDITION PLUS INSECT REPELLENT 100+' via Amazon on the internet. It comes in a small silver spray can. It is a little oily but a little goes a long way. I applied it every morning and after each shower or swim. I have to say that I came home without a single mosquito or any other type of insect bite. It was REALLY good!! I wouldn't bother trying to find a 100% deet repellent in the shops, I tried but had no success.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I have now caught the travel bug and am off to Peru and the Amazon rain forrest in less than four weeks. I can't wait for next years brochure to book my 2013 trip.

all the very best,

Bridget

(P.S Are you from wales? I am from Swansea):thumbup: