Would you Go to Africa on Safari?

Yes, I would go! Africa is a lovely place and a safari is so fun. Your post didn’t sound like you were being routed through the Middle East. Botswana is 4,000 miles from Tehran…….

I can’t imagine most Canadians are all that hostile to Americans. I wouldn’t worry about it. And Botswana is great.

I AM going. I'm going to Rwanda in June.

Botswana doesn't have any unusual travel advisories.

Here is what the US site says: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/botswana-travel-advisory.html

A Level 2 advisory is not unusual. France has the same, for example.

Here is the OSAC's Security Report for Botswana: https://www.osac.gov/Content/Report/5a55876d-166f-4ba8-a8da-1c2e8f391244

Of course, it's up to you, and if you would feel anxious and not enjoy yourself, but Botswana is, overall, one of the safer countries in Africa.

My main concern with this trip would be the availability of fuel if the present conflict and restrictions continue.
If supplies are restricted and prices continue to rise what might be the impact on the ability to travel, power generators etc?

That would also be my concern about booking anything at the present time. Personally I’d rather wait and see how things pan out than have an expensive trip booked that I may not be able to take.

jimcarb1122,
Aside from the question of fuel problems being a cause for flight cancellations, remember that Africa is a huge continent, and Zimbabwe is far from Teheran, Jerusalem, Beirut, etc. I always cringe a bit when some talks about going to Africa as if it was a single country. The same applies to someone saying they are going to Normandy for a day. Normandy is almost 12,000 square miles in size with lots to see and do therein. It is not just the DDay beaches.
Don't be put off from your safari plans for the wrong reason. Examine the situation in Zimbabwe, with your airlines, with the safari company, then decide whether you should go forward or not.
When we went to Kenya we had a couple of friends cancel on the trip because of problems in another African country, nowhere near Kenya. It was their loss, alas. Our safari was unforgettable!

Just for clarity, my comment about fuel wasn’t to do with flights. My concern would be if there are shortages in country and how that might impact on travel to see the animals and between sites.

Emma, I would absolutely take the trip!!! My trips to those two African countries were among the bet of my entire life!!!

Where are you planning to go in both countries?

I am certainly no expert but I have been though fuel shortages before. I can remember the cars lined up around the block in the US.

Mr. E, I remember that fuel shortage as well, and those lines at the gas stations! I'm assuming you're talking about in 1973? I had only had my license for a couple of years. You're dating yourself (and me)! 😂

We did a wonderful safari with Good Earth Tours in Kenya and Tanzania. Not sure about Botswana, but just pick a good tour for your safari.

I think Botswana is safe, just jest with the US State Department.

Again can we not lump all African countries together.
Neither Zimbabwe nor Botswana is shown at risk in the above map of militia activity. They also aren’t highlighted in the AciaAfrica map. It’s not clear what that is showing anyway?
Zimbabwe certainly has issues around food security but that should not impact on a tourist.

In a word experiencing such uncertainty it is impossible to anticipate the situation in June. I know it’s not particularly helpful to say it but only you can decide what you are comfortable with when you travel.

Edit. To avoid confusion the post with the maps I was referring to has now disappeared.

You need to feel comfortable, regardless of what anyone says.
Is your safari provider allowing you the option of moving your dates?? That would be awesome.
If not, I presume you have insurance as you'll need "cancel for any reason" to recoup 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses.
As others have said: Botswana and Zimbabwe are fantastic destinations and unlikely to be impacted by the current conflicts. If you have flexibility in travel dates in case of any delays, that should provide ample peace of mind.
Again, you have to feel great about this amazing trip before you ever get there.

People who think that a major impact on tourism in Africa is going to be the war in Iran might want to confirm their beliefs by researching current affairs in Africa, country by country, and the possibility of any of it, even if in other countries, spilling over into Botswana and Zambia. I am very much a visial thinker, and I am not terribly familiar with Africa so I need maps as well as written, to do this.

I wouldn’t worry too much about fuel; the trip is a long way off. Because of the location as well as maybe other outside factors I would want refundable tickets, hotels, tours, etc.; and those costs might break the bank and end the tour for me, before it starts.

One might also want to look at issues relative to individual groups, women for instance. I would also do some generic googles for tourist injured or killed on safaris in the same two countries. Finally research the heck out of the company that is doing the Safari. Then after having informed yourself to some degree do or don’t do the trip. My decision would be based on the quality of my enjoyment and relaxation after the research.

Mardee: I remember being late for my first day of pre-school becames my mother couldnt buy gas for the car.

So far all these answers are very helpful and thoughtful. My wife and I are close to deciding we must decide this week due to tour operators deadline. We asked them if we postponed what would that mean for our deposits. We do have insurance if we cancel but would lose a chunk of change if we do that. The info you all shared is awesome. Much thanks. Peace to all!!!

My Son did safaris in Zimbabwe and South Africa prior to our doing a safari for 11 days in Kenya and Tanzania.
He said the Kenya and Tanzania safari was clearly the BEST of those.
We went in early August during The Great Migration and it was wonderful.

It all depends on the particular camps, it's not just the country. None of these major safari c countries are "better" than any of the others. They are all vast, with different environments and different camps within each environment. There are many things to consider including the areas they are allowed to traverse, whether or not they are allowed to do night drives, the time of year..there is just so much to consider so It's pretty silly to say that Kenya is "better" than Zimbabwe or that any of these countries are 'better" than any other. One of the reasons I use a safari planner is that I have guidance in choosing the best camps for my budget, and I can spent the amount of time I prefer at each camp. Good planners also know the layout of the camp, and tell you which cabin/tent/room is better than any other..... They can guide you where to go, for example, in South Africa if you are focused on leopards. Or if you are a bird watcher.

Taking a tour eliminates all the decisions, but many tours are not going to get you to the absolute best of the best as far as quality of accommodations and quality of game viewing.

Unless someone is getting some fabulous discount on an arranged tour, I think it's a lot more rewarding to have a planner construct an itinerary based on your personal taste, and budget. And using a safari planner does not cost more than doing this on your own.

jimcarb1122, if you do go, I hope you'll come back to the forums to tell us about your trip.

Some safaris are better JUST because of their price.
Before I picked our safari company, I compared over a dozen companies. Prices varied significantly, with some being more than DOUBLE the price of the safari that we picked.

I found the cheapest safari was once that required you to bring you own sleeping bags and tents. We you compare tours, just compare price and the standard of living and what is included. Our safari included top hotels and safari camps.

If the trip is bought and paid for another consideration is rebooking. It's my experience that prices do not go down. Also, trip insurance is one thing, but what it the tour is not offered at a convenient time again? What does the tour operator say about its policy regarding cancellations?

My Son said the safari in S. Africa was in a relatively small park (he said that it was almost like a large zoo), while in East Africa we covered many, many miles the the huge parks.
Also, we saw WAY more animals, it was the great migration and we saw thousands of migrating wildebeests.
We saw so many lions it was amazing.

The one thing we didn't see was gorillas, which I think are farther in the interior not on the savannah, but at higher altitudes.

Gorillas are in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But I believe the OP is not asking for suggestions of where to go or with whom to book. He has booked already and is trying to decide whether or not to cancel.

I would say you have to make the right decision for you. But bear in mind insurance doesn’t typically cover change of mind or war.

Geovagriffith, if your son felt as if he were in a zoo in South Africa, he certainly did not choose his camps well!

Sorry abut that!!

In a word, … yes.