Your thoughts on my 14-day South Africa itinerary for a senior traveler (page 3 of 3)

The 4x4 is almost full! ;)

Hi everyone,

So great to see you all again! 🤗

I’ll take the last spot in the 4x4! 😄

I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is an option and available with the Big 5, then that’s great. What’s the ideal duration to enjoy it as a first-time visit? And which area(s) should I go to?

I think the best area is the southern part of Kruger, and if the camps are fully booked, there are plenty of accommodation options in Malelane or Phalaborwa. Okay, it’s not inside the park, but it can be a good backup.

Thanks so much to everyone for all your replies! The full itinerary (with your precious recommendations) is coming soon 🙂:

BonsoirEnd of May Be careful, it can be cold around Joburg A beanie and a thick fleece on a game drive isn’t ridiculous For me, the sooner we leave Joburg, the better Why one night on the way back in Joburg or Pretoria??? You’ll have flights to avoid that Pretoria is safer and has some history But limited interest for such a short stay Yes, two loops of equal length in my opinion Keep it simple Enjoy instead of rushing With that in mind for two simple loops Stick around CT without going too far Take a full east flight to Joburg Drive to the Panorama Road Stay in a reserve in Manyeleti and return via Hoedspruit by plane to Joburg and flight back Simple and effective

Your advice is simple but so valuable—last night, I managed to snag one of the last "BD3U" 😉 spots at Lower Sabie Rest Camp—6 months in advance . (8400 ZAR for 2 nights, how much to get the rental vehicle in?)

Just a quick question though—for you or anyone else!

In a YouTube video of Lower Sabie Rest Camp, a sign clearly states that morning bush walks (4h) are limited to ages 12–65.

My dear mom, who’s in great shape, is part of a local hiking group with outings twice a week year-round—she also does other sports (skiing, snowshoeing, and cycling). Of course, no one can predict what’ll happen in 6 months, but do you think it’s *really* forbidden for her to do these bush walks because they check IDs (I don’t mind walking—but 4 hours... yikes for mom 😛, I’d love to have that option), or do we need a medical certificate, or is a good tip enough since we’re in Africa?

Hello, Never having done a walk like this before, I can’t answer that question.

In a YouTube video of the Lower Sabie Rest Camp, a sign clearly states that morning walks in the bush (4h) are limited to those aged 12-65.

My dear mum, who’s fit, is part of a local walking club with an average of two outings a week year-round—she also does other sports (skiing, snowshoeing, and cycling). Of course, no one can predict what’ll happen in six months, but do you think she’d really be banned from these bush walks because they check IDs (I don’t mind walking—but 4 hours... good grief, Angélique, for mum 😛, I’d love to have that option), or do we need a medical certificate, or is a good tip enough since we’re in Africa?

Hi, Just like your mum, we’re used to hiking in the mountains, and we would’ve loved this activity!

No matter what answers you get, don’t do what we did! We were particularly interested in these morning bush walks and signed up for the "hike," but not on the right day! In fact, these walks took (or used to take) place on Wednesdays and Saturdays (if I remember correctly) and only in certain camps. Not used to booking, we signed up for a Wednesday at the "right camp" where the activity does take place—but we forgot that to do the walk on Wednesday morning, you obviously need to book accommodation for Tuesday night, not Wednesday! Long story short, we missed out... We then opted for a short sunrise walk... There were about ten of us in single file with two armed guards (logical) and a few tourists, some of whom didn’t seem used to walking at all. One woman (South African) had a long dress as her "equipment," which kept getting caught on bushes. Maybe that’s why the 4-hour hike is reserved for those under 65! We didn’t see much on this brief outing except for hippos in the distance, which we could only make out with binoculars—and we definitely weren’t supposed to get close...

Hi there,

The SanParks website states the following, which answers your question:

"A physical fitness certificate must be presented if you are over 65 years old."

As for the walk, like all guided activities anywhere in the world, it depends on both the other participants and the guide.

That’s actually why I don’t like guided tours... It’s a bit of a lottery.

In a YouTube video of the Lower Sabie Rest Camp, a sign clearly states that early morning bush walks (4h) are limited to those aged 12-65.

My dear mum, who’s fit, is part of a local walking club with an average of two outings a week all year round—she also does other sports (skiing, snowshoeing, and cycling). Of course, no one can predict what’ll happen in 6 months, but do you think it’s really off-limits for her to do these bush walks because they check IDs (I don’t mind walking—but 4 hours... good grief, Angélique, for mum 😛, I’d love to have that option), or do we need a medical certificate, or is a good tip enough since we’re in Africa?

Hi, Just like your mum, we’re used to hiking in the mountains, and we would’ve loved this activity!

Whatever answers you get, don’t do what we did! We were particularly interested in these early morning bush walks and had signed up for the "hike"—but on the wrong day! These walks (used to) take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays (if I remember correctly) and only in certain camps. Not used to booking, we signed up for a Wednesday at the "right camp" where the activity does happen—but we forgot that to do the walk on Wednesday morning, you obviously need to book accommodation for Tuesday night, not Wednesday! Long story short, we missed out... We later opted for a short sunrise walk... There were about ten of us in single file with two armed guards (logical), and a few tourists, some of whom didn’t seem used to walking at all. One woman (South African) had a long dress as her "gear," which kept getting caught on bushes. Maybe that’s why the 4-hour hike is limited to those under 65! We didn’t see much on this short outing except for hippos in the distance, which we could only make out with binoculars—and we definitely weren’t allowed to get close...

Great tip, thanks so much for the valuable advice—she approves 😉

Hello,

The SanParks website states the following, which answers your question:

"A physical fitness certificate must be presented if you are over 65 years old."

As for the walk, like all guided activities worldwide, it depends on both the other participants and the guide.

That’s actually why I don’t like guided tours... It’s a bit of a lottery.

Is there a deadline to get it done? She’s getting her flu shot soon—is it a bit too early to ask for her fitness certificate?

The thing about guided tours is very true. Plus, her English is really basic—won’t she get (too) bored 😕 (4 hours, after all!!!)?

Hello Never done a walk I can’t answer that question

No worries! 🙂

Just to put your mind at ease, I’ve got two more questions for you 😛:

For budget reasons (from CPT), we’ll be arriving and departing (to JNB) from MQP Airport in Mbombela instead of Skukuza—it’s more than double the price, so we’re skipping it . We’ve already booked two nights at Lower Sabie, and since you mentioned Mbombela isn’t very interesting to visit, I’ll use my Accor points for the stay in Cape Town. So, for the second-to-last day and final night, as we’re leaving Sabie, would you recommend heading to Berg en Dal, Crocodile Rest Camp, or Marloth Park? The last one seems popular (why???), even though it’s outside Kruger. (By the way, I like the idea of reducing costs by paying with points—but nothing’s set in stone—I’d rather make Mom happy if the game drives are better in one of the other two camps.)

After the morning, if our flight is at 1:20 PM (arriving at 2:15 PM for an Air France flight at 6:50 PM), does it seem doable or not to do a game drive, then drive to MQP and return the rental car?

Good evening, Marloth Park is outside the KNP. It’s not my thing at all. Berg en Dal You can do your drive and exit the KNP to Mbombela.

Good evening Marloth Park is outside KNP It’s not my thing at all Berg-en-Dal You can do your drive and exit KNP for Mbombela

Thanks for the quick reply! 🙂 What’s the point of choosing Berg-en-Dal? Do all game drives end at roughly the same time? What time? (I’m not used to safaris 🙁).

At Berg en Dal, you’ll be independent, right? So you can finish whenever you like. Leaving Berg for an exit will be your drive. Berg is lovely, and you might spot rhinos there!