I can't be on a plane that long
I worry about safety
I can't afford it
I'll wait until the timing is right
I'm too old or not physically capable
Let's tackle each of these reasons people give as why they can't go on a life changing African safari.
1. The long plane ride. One of my friends tells me he just can't be on a plane that long. This is a guy who will sit up in a tree stand all day waiting on a deer to walk under him. Look, I get it is a long plane ride. We are talking 15 or 16 hours to fly from the U.S. to Africa. That's if you have a direct flight and not change planes in Europe. Have you ever driven a car across country? My experience is it is a lot easier to sit on a plane watching movies, reading, sleeping, drinking wine, etc.. Trust me when I say the plane ride is the easy part of the travel. Check in, waiting in lines at customs, and jet lag are the hard part...not the time in the air.
2. Safety concerns. When people ask me if it's safe to go on safari I have to ask, "safe from people or safe from animals?" For people, are we talking safety from criminals or terrorists or political unrest? Personally I have never felt unsafe while traveling in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, or Kenya. I have walked the streets of Nairobi during the day but never at night. I find the people warm and friendly in all the places I've traveled in Africa. The countries we travel to have stable governments. There are cities in the U.S. that have higher crime rates than the cities we travel to in Africa. As for animals harming you, I think you're more likely to be attacked by a neighbor's dog than a wild animal on safari.
3. Can't afford it. Going on safari is certainly not cheap. Most safari camps charge $1,000 per person per day. If money is an issue, you can go for much less. A safari to Masai Mara during the great migration is going to cost twice as much as going off season. A safari in off season can be done for less than $5,000 including air. I forewent buying a car for 7 years because I would rather take a safari than purchase a car. I've regretted many large purchases I've made in my life. But I've never regretted spending money to travel.
4. Timing not right. People tell me they really want to go with me on safari but can't until.....the kids graduate college....the parents pass away....they retire....they sell their house....the dog passes away. There is no time like the present because we are not guaranteed a tomorrow.
5. "I'm just too old to do a safari." If you can walk from your apartment to your car, you are fit enough and young enough to go on a safari. We are not asking you to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. We ride around in Land Cruisers for 5 or 6 hours a day looking at animals. The ride can be bumpy so that may not be for everyone. But most folks should have the physical fortitude to go on a safari.
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