A few ABD South Africa questions

[Golden Rose]

We are very seriously thinking about doing the ABD South Africa tour in December 2016. (Now if they would just release the 2016 schedule! I know, I know, one more week....)

I understand December is not ideal, but we are somewhat bound by the kids' school schedule. And, more importantly, we have to wait for our daughter to turn 6. So just how bad is December? Has anyone done the tour then? I understand the crowds will be worse and the temperature will be hotter, but are we talking a miserable experience? We're from Houston We're used to hot and humid (with lots of air conditioning available.)

This is going to sound a little weird, but is there any way not to take the 6 year old to the District 6 Museum? I believe in exposing kids to the world, but there are some aspects of humanity's inhumanity that I would really not expose her to at that age.

Some of the older trip reports I've been looking at show interactions with ostriches and elephants, but I don't see mention of it in current itineraries. Are these things that ABD used to do but no longer does, or things people booked independently during free time?

I know yellow fever shots and malaria pills are not supposed to be necessary in many parts of South Africa, which is part of the appeal to us of South Africa over Tanzania. Does ABD stay in the areas that are basically malaria free?

Since December doesn't sound like it is a prime time for the South Africa ABD, do the December tours get canceled more often? Also, are my kids likely to be the only kids on the tour?

 

[Grifdog22]

The ABD South Africa trip is excellent. We went in March on the "old longer" version, so I cannot comment on the weather. We found all the accommodations to handle weather just great. We've done 4 ABD and this was by far our favorite. Our twin girls were the only kids on the trip - it was absolutely a blast. We had a small group, which made it just amazing. ABD usually uses Craig Z. as their local guide - by far the best in the business and very good with kids. I actually wrote Disney to pass on praise on this guy. He's that good.

Your comment on the district 6 museum is interesting - we commented way back about that a bit. We wanted to get away from political correctness, etc. and were not wild about this - until we got there. Our whole family agreed this was the best part of Capetown. It's not what you think, and we walked away breathless and with head shaking smiles. You would miss a great opportunity for your daughters to not see this.

Our ostrich encounters were in a part of the trip that was cut back. They were fun, and we could sit on one for picture taking, but that's it. The elephant interaction was all on our own - virtually the entire group went - and it was amazing. It was not part of the ABD event; but on our own time. I can understand why Disney may not do this - these are still pretty dangerous animals. We fed them, watched them, got close with them, and got to ride. The bull that we rode the following year attacked and gored its keeper...

I think you are safe on the malaria issue. We were the only ones in our group that addressed that at all - and were told it wasn't an issue.

There is so much for a young lady to do on this trip; but she has to be absolutely quiet on the safaris. That is a must - if that is an issue - then you may want to wait to do this until she is older. The dawn and dark safaris are amazing. You'll never be able to watch the Lion King the same way again, after seeing it in person and then at movie night at Kapama.

The food is tremendous - zebra steak! All those lions can't be wrong!

I won't spoil the surprises, but there are many. This is an active and fun trip. There cannot be a bad time to visit!

 

[Calfan]

Thanks for your comments, Grifdog22. This trip is definitely on our list. We went to Zambia and Zimbabwe in 2001 and absolutely loved it. We are very eager to get back to Africa. We have been waiting for our kids to get a bit older. They are now 10 and 12, so we are about there.

 

[Golden Rose]

Ok, I'm going to go ahead and ask this. Is that "she has to be absolutely quiet on the safaris" because if she isn't, she will scare the animals away. Or because she will draw the attention of predators to her, and they will notice that she looks like a tasty treat.

She is certainly capable of being quiet. But are we talking about being absolutely silent for hours while we drive around, or are we talking about seeing something and needing to be quiet while everyone observes for 10 minutes at a time.

 

[disneyphx]

Hi

We did the ABD South Africa tour when my daughter was 6. We went in July - she was the youngest by 3-4 years.
At the District 6 Museum, the junior adventurers had their own guide - so the stories and history were shared in an age appropriate way. (We did do our township tour on our own......that was very eye-opening!)
We did the elephant interaction as part of our ABD, but I see it is no longer offered - I think you could do it on the afternoon in Knysna. We loved it - maybe the highlight of our trip!
We did not do yellow fever or malaria - a combination of places visited, time of year and wariness about malaria medication.

One thing I did not realize - and is connected to what Grifdog22 said - is that 6 is the age limit at Kapama to go on game drives (and I think you could get stopped from going on future ones....). So it is not just ABD recommending the age. She could talk as we drove - as we all could - but when the guide said to be quiet, she had to be quiet immediately. One time she did not realize quite how seriously he meant it - but from then on it was not an issue. I think it is more about scaring the animals - and then negatively impacting the experience for all. Once we were out of the vehicle and saw a lot of Cape Buffalo - everyone had to be quiet getting back in the vehicle.

It was a fabulous trip! Funnily, my daughter's first time seeing Lion King was on the trip.....

 

[CruisingGoddess]

We're leaving for our South Africa trip in 2.5 weeks and I'm in pre-packing mode. Glad to hear that malaria shouldn't be an issue. I haven't read any trip reports or anything so everything will be a surprise!

That said, if there is anything you would have liked to have known prior to the trip that you didn't, please let me know so I can be prepared. Thanks!!

 

[jjpenguin]

Tip: check the weather for Cape Town. I was there last week and it was cold, wet and windy. And even in general, it will be the middle of winter so at Kapama it can be cold at night. Do layers.

 

[CruisingGoddess]

Leaving next week! So excited! Any tips for our OYO times? I don't have anything planned. I assume our guide will help us out with some recommendations or someone in the group won't mind if we tag along but if there are any suggestions, please let me know! Thanks! <returns to packing>

 

[CinderALLIE]

Have you decided wether you are doing this tour. I am contemplating booking for December also.

 

[sayhello]

Leaving next week! So excited! Any tips for our OYO times? I don't have anything planned. I assume our guide will help us out with some recommendations or someone in the group won't mind if we tag along but if there are any suggestions, please let me know! Thanks! <returns to packing>

Your assumption is correct! The Guides are a wealth of knowledge, and will help you decide on things to do in your OYO time if you want them to. I've also never had a problem tagging along with other folks, also. The ABDs do become like a big family!

Enjoy!

Sayhello

 

[Golden Rose]

We haven't completely decided against it, but I'm genuinely worried about the (by then) 6 year old keeping quiet during game drives. We went ahead and booked Costa Rica for spring break, and if we love ABD, we're likely to book either Australia or South Africa for the Christmas holiday. Because of worries about our daughter, right now we're leaning toward Australia instead. Honestly, since we're never done ABD and we're more accustomed to trips on our own, we're not sure what we're going to think of it. I hope we love it!

 

[CruisingGoddess]

Honestly, since we're never done ABD and we're more accustomed to trips on our own, we're not sure what we're going to think of it. I hope we love it!

We are staring our ABD tour this Saturday and this is also our first escorted group vacation. I've heard so many good things and I plan to book more if we enjoy this trip!

 

[CinderALLIE]

We are staring our ABD tour this Saturday and this is also our first escorted group vacation. I've heard so many good things and I plan to book more if we enjoy this trip!

Have a great trip. Can't wait to hear how you went and if you enjoyed

 

[CinderALLIE]

We haven't completely decided against it, but I'm genuinely worried about the (by then) 6 year old keeping quiet during game drives. We went ahead and booked Costa Rica for spring break, and if we love ABD, we're likely to book either Australia or South Africa for the Christmas holiday. Because of worries about our daughter, right now we're leaning toward Australia instead. Honestly, since we're never done ABD and we're more accustomed to trips on our own, we're not sure what we're going to think of it. I hope we love it!

It's hard keeping any kid quiet but I'm sure the guides would know how to make it happen from years of experience but then I am biased as I want you to go on this tour lol.

Australia at Christmas you will be looking at really hot weather. Normally around 40 celcius and upwards. Again biased cause I live in Australia and would rather see lions and elephants in wild lol.

 

[CinderALLIE]

Your assumption is correct! The Guides are a wealth of knowledge, and will help you decide on things to do in your OYO time if you want them to. I've also never had a problem tagging along with other folks, also. The ABDs do become like a big family!

Enjoy!

Sayhello

I found that the case with the one abd tour I've been on to date. As a solo traveller Everyone was happy for me to tag along with them.

And I agree with you that you all become close. Later this year I'm finally getting to visit tour mates from 2009 and looking forward to catching up

 

[Magic122]

We've done two adventures - Alaska & Italy and LOVED both of them. Looking at South Africa in July 2016 with a 13&15 year old.

 

[daisy798]

My husband and I just booked this AbD South Africa tour for October 2016. Very excited!

 

[daisy798]

Please let us know if there is a better site to connect with other South Africa Adventurers.
Also, do AbD participants do any gift exchange activities (equivalent to fish extenders)?

 

[pahoben]

I haven't been there with Disney but oh do you have a wonderful treat in store.

 

[sayhello]

I haven't been there with Disney but oh do you have a wonderful treat in store.

Actually, this thread is from 2015, so I'm assuming they've already experienced their wonderful treat! Although, who knows!

Sayhello