Safaris for the Over-50 Traveler: Dispelling the Myths
Unfortunately, the over-50 traveler often succumbs to the many myths associated with safaris.
As a result, the life-changing dream of going on an African safari often gets put off until their 40s, 50s or beyond, because of the time and expense it entails. Ironically, when these individuals finally have the ways and means to take a safari, they may be hesitant because of age-related concerns.
With thoughtful planning, however, any over-50 traveler can enjoy a memorable and probably life-changing experience that meets their needs, interests and budget constraints.
“As long as they know what to expect, no one is too old for a safari,” says Philip Rono, a gold-level guide at Micato Safaris who once guided an 87-year-old and her large extended family.
Seven safari myths dispelled for the over-50 traveler
As a seasoned boomer traveler — and travel writer — I’ve heard many of the common misperceptions that hold people back from their safari dreams. Allow me to dispel them:
1. You’ll give up all creature comforts
You can — if you want. But these days, safari lodgings range from rustic, to upscale and include everything from stays at family-owned lodges and ranches to “glamping” in high-end campsites and luxury private tented camps.
If you can afford it, you can sleep in a four-poster mahogany bed covered with fine linens and draped mosquito netting. At Olare Mara Kempinski, one of five tented camps in the Masai Mara National Reserve, en suite bathrooms have hot running water, separate showers and romantic clawfoot tubs. On chilly evenings, you might find a hot water bottle tucked under your top sheet.
Although luxury “tents” have canvas sides and zippered doors, they feel more like suites at five-star hotels. At properties like these, the staff goes the extra mile to pamper guests. Delicious meals, including surprise dinners in the bush, showcase local dishes like ugali (a type of maize flour porridge) and goat stew while still catering to international palates.
2. You’ll be out of contact and disconnected
For better and worse, you can’t count on a safari for a rapid digital detox. “Just 10 or 15 years ago, we had to use radio relays to connect with our guests in the bush,” says Dennis Pinto, a managing director of Micato Safaris.
Today cell phones are ubiquitous across the continent. After sighting a kill or interesting animal, bush drivers often use their phones to spread the word. While roaming costs can still be exorbitant for foreigners, international texting is a bargain. And most properties offer Wi-Fi, at least in common areas.
Worried about not speaking the language? Scratch that. As a consequence of what is sometimes jokingly called the “British hangover” from the colonization of Africa, English is spoken widely. In some countries, it’s the primary language. In East Africa, for example, most people speak English, Swahili and a native dialect.
3. An over-50 traveler has to be very fit and active
Unless you’re planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (something one Micato traveler did it at age 60), safaris usually involve far less walking or strenuous activity than you might anticipate. The most challenging feats generally involve getting into and out of four-wheel-drive vehicles and small bush planes as you move from one game park to another.
Two caveats: A trip to Africa does entail long flights across multiple time zones, so you may suffer from jet lag upon your arrival or departure. And people with knee or back problems may need to exercise caution on bumpy terrain. One thing you won’t have to worry about is your luggage. On most tours, transfers of bags from the airport to your hotel or from one campsite to another will be handled seamlessly.
That said, more active and adventurous travelers can take advantage of exciting opportunities to see wildlife and birds during long bushwalks, on horseback or from a hot-air balloon.
4. You’ll be attacked by a lion or bitten by a snake
When a herd of elephants or buffalo approaches or a pride of lions plays beside their vehicle, safari-goers typically experience wild excitement tinged with a bit of nervousness. But the odds of being attacked by an animal are next to nil.
Property owners and tour guides take safety and security precautions extremely seriously. Most camps aren’t fenced in, but armed guards (called askaris) escort guests to and from their tents after sunset or any other time, upon request. Similar to the standard safety drills in which passengers participate on cruise ships, instruction sessions by safari staff and guides teach tourists how to avoid unnecessary risks and what to do in an emergency.
“If you see a lion, don’t run — food runs,” joked Liam Breedveld, operations director at Mahali Mazuri, Richard Branson’s new luxury tented camp in the Kenya Motorogi Conservancy. As for snakes, you’re far more likely to encounter one in the American Southwest.
The No. 1 reason tourists come to Africa is to see big game like elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo and rhinos, the type of animals ordinarily caged in zoos and separated by species. Travelers on safari are often amazed and pleased by how close they can get to wildlife.
At the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania, you could find yourself eye-to-eye with a baby baboon on the deck rail of your balcony.
When you see zebras and antelopes eating together in the savannah, you can’t help but feel like part of the “Peaceable Kingdom.”
5. Animals can be hard to spot
It does take some adjusting for a virgin safari-goer to multitask in the bush: Peering through binoculars, listening to the guide, spotting animals amid camouflage and taking photographs and copious notes while bouncing in a 4×4.
“Finding the animals was more of a challenge than I thought it would be,” acknowledges Amy Citrome of Wesley Hills, N.Y., a boomer who has gone on two safaris to Kenya and South Africa. “But part of the fun was the ‘hunt,’” she says.
Elephants and giraffes are the easiest game to spot because of their size, but sighting lions and leopards (and even hippos in a bathing pool) requires concentration, patience and good vision. Worried about missing a big one? This is why you need an experienced tour guide, whose knowledge of animal habitats and behavior is invaluable.
6. You’ll be a victim of crime or terrorism
With looming threats at home and abroad, it’s understandable that visitors worry. But since tourism is the lifeblood of Africa, both the government and private industry are diligent about protecting safari-goers and avoiding bad press. No destination, property or conveyance anywhere can guarantee total safety, so travelers need to be prudent about not venturing into unsafe areas and keep abreast of current travel warnings from the U.S. Department of State.
7. Safaris are unaffordable
Granted, a safari is not cheap. But there’s a wide range of options and prices. When doing research, be sure to read the fine print and find out what is and is not included. Although the price of a luxury, all-inclusive safari may appear to be high, it often includes the costs of accommodations, puddle-jumpers and bush vehicles, meals, alcohol, guided tours and other amenities. The bottom line: Cost depends on the level of luxury you prefer, and there are trips to fit almost any budget.
Choosing the right safari for the over-50 traveler
Africa is a vast continent, so one of the first steps is determining which area you want to visit. Each region is characterized by different wildlife, migration patterns, ecosystems and special attractions. Do your homework by reading guidebooks, checking out numerous websites and speaking with travel agents, tour operators and veteran travelers.
You also need to decide when to go, bearing in mind that prices are generally higher during prime American and European vacation periods and the annual wildebeest and zebra migration from July to October.
Once you have made those two decisions, you’ll need to settle on a specific itinerary and arrange the logistics of transportation, accommodations and tours. Again, the experience and expertise of a reputable tour operator will make all the difference in the world.
A final word of advice on safaris for the over-50 traveler:
Don’t put off this journey too much longer, because you will surely want to return.
With thoughtful planning, most midlife travelers can enjoy a memorable experience that more than satisfies their needs and interests and fits within their budgets.
A version of this article, entitled African Safari: The Ultimate Boomer vacation, was previously published on the PBS Next Avenue website in August 2013; it was updated and revised on 12/4/19.
Disclosure: We were guests of Micato Safaris but any opinions expressed in this post are our own.
