BA destinations with interesting wildlife
Feb 4, 2019, 12:55 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North of Watford Gap
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 602
All,
Looking to tap into the collective wisdom.
I currently have a trip with my father planned for a fortnight over Easter (April) to Costa RIca. I'm getting cold feet due to the additional costs /complexity of being there over Semana Santa/Easter.
I can switch the flights to pretty much anywhere I think (with a joker etc) but need to be on the BA network as a companion voucher is at play.
I may struggle to get Nairobi/east Africa/South Africa agreed, so wanted to ask if anyone had an good wildlife destinations they could recommend. Not for the whole trip, but places where there's enough to do a solid week or so.
Thanks
Looking to tap into the collective wisdom.
I currently have a trip with my father planned for a fortnight over Easter (April) to Costa RIca. I'm getting cold feet due to the additional costs /complexity of being there over Semana Santa/Easter.
I can switch the flights to pretty much anywhere I think (with a joker etc) but need to be on the BA network as a companion voucher is at play.
I may struggle to get Nairobi/east Africa/South Africa agreed, so wanted to ask if anyone had an good wildlife destinations they could recommend. Not for the whole trip, but places where there's enough to do a solid week or so.
Thanks
Feb 4, 2019, 1:02 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
You may wish to consider (Malaysian) Borneo - readily accessible on a very short hop from Kuala Lumpur. Good wildlife opportunities, good value once there, and an attractive landscape too. Have enjoyed a couple of (short) visits over the last two years.
As for your original plan for Costa Rica : I flew down there with BA in 2016 and had a great week in what is a very welcoming and friendly country. I believe it’s widely considered as one of today’s very best ‘wildlife destinations’ worldwide. Seems a pity that it might not work out for you, but I wish you safe travels whatever you decide.
As for your original plan for Costa Rica : I flew down there with BA in 2016 and had a great week in what is a very welcoming and friendly country. I believe it’s widely considered as one of today’s very best ‘wildlife destinations’ worldwide. Seems a pity that it might not work out for you, but I wish you safe travels whatever you decide.
Really looking forward to this trip, and the opportunity to fly again in a world-class F product in the form of LX will give the trip a great start
Feb 4, 2019, 1:07 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 216
Fantastic to see such recommendations for the Malaysian part of Borneo. It reaffirms my decision to head there for a few weeks of vacation in May ^
Really looking forward to this trip, and the opportunity to fly again in a world-class F product in the form of LX will give the trip a great start
Feb 4, 2019, 1:16 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Hi there rossmacd - good to read your post and given what a well-travelled guy you are, I was interested in your plans !
Just one personal tip if I may : do try to include a visit to a traditional ’Iban longhouse’ and with an overnight stay in one (as opposed to just visiting and then staying in an upmarket resort near a longhouse !). If you choose the right type / area, it will provide an authentic, back-to-basics, back-to-nature, memorable experience.
Just one personal tip if I may : do try to include a visit to a traditional ’Iban longhouse’ and with an overnight stay in one (as opposed to just visiting and then staying in an upmarket resort near a longhouse !). If you choose the right type / area, it will provide an authentic, back-to-basics, back-to-nature, memorable experience.
Feb 4, 2019, 1:30 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
Why would Southern Africa be difficult? There is an amazing and diverse set of destinations to visit and despite some hysteria around safety (even on this thread) it really isn’t a tough place to visit if you exercise a modicum of street smarts.
Feb 4, 2019, 1:33 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Hi there rossmacd - good to read your post and given what a well-travelled guy you are, I was interested in your plans !
Just one personal tip if I may : do try to include a visit to a traditional ’Iban longhouse’ and with an overnight stay in one (as opposed to just visiting and then staying in an upmarket resort near a longhouse !). If you choose the right type / area, it will provide an authentic, back-to-basics, back-to-nature, memorable experience.
Just one personal tip if I may : do try to include a visit to a traditional ’Iban longhouse’ and with an overnight stay in one (as opposed to just visiting and then staying in an upmarket resort near a longhouse !). If you choose the right type / area, it will provide an authentic, back-to-basics, back-to-nature, memorable experience.
Feb 4, 2019, 1:56 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
Feb 4, 2019, 3:45 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 3,699
Hope this suggestion will not be considered derailing the thread, but for both you and the OP I would strongly suggest renting a car out of Kota Kinabalu and drive a circular trip around the state of Sabah if time permits - it is around 1,000kms if you do not pursue the longer route towards the northeastern coast first.
Feb 4, 2019, 4:29 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,806
Hope this suggestion will not be considered derailing the thread, but for both you and the OP I would strongly suggest renting a car out of Kota Kinabalu and drive a circular trip around the state of Sabah if time permits - it is around 1,000kms if you do not pursue the longer route towards the northeastern coast first.
Feb 4, 2019, 6:22 am
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,209
I suppose your choice of destination depends on which type of wildlife you're interested in seeing. I'd get a bigger thrill from spotting a Scottish wildcat/otter/golden eagle than any of the big 5 on a safari.
Good thread. ^
Good thread. ^
Feb 4, 2019, 6:42 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 120
It depends what sort of wildlife you are interested in and often the time of year is critical for wildlife viewing.
April is also the perfect time for tigers in India. The high temperatures mean the tigers need to find water. A train or car from either Mumbai or Delhi will take you into the heart of Madhya Pradesh.
It's certainly not my best experience in terms of wildlife viewing but sadly I think that's a tigers plight.
Madagascar is a connection from JNB as well albeit a bit further away. No lions, giraffe or zebra like the film but incredible nonetheless.
April is also the perfect time for tigers in India. The high temperatures mean the tigers need to find water. A train or car from either Mumbai or Delhi will take you into the heart of Madhya Pradesh.
It's certainly not my best experience in terms of wildlife viewing but sadly I think that's a tigers plight.
Madagascar is a connection from JNB as well albeit a bit further away. No lions, giraffe or zebra like the film but incredible nonetheless.
Feb 4, 2019, 7:32 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
Posts: 4,413
It's pretty clear the problem would be the OP's father's viewpoint not their own view of the realities. Unfortunately just telling someone their travels wouldn't be difficult or that the benefits outweigh the complications/concerns doesn't often change their mind. If you've never had to make a travel concession for a friend or family members viewpoint, that may well be irrational, then lucky you. The OP didn't choose his father, and isn't going to kidnap him!
Feb 4, 2019, 7:34 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Forget about Kenya(Nairobi) over the Easter week. Many things are pretty much shut down Good Friday-Easter Monday-found that out personally in 2017.
Cape Town is having some political turmoil right now-might not be the safest. Protests on beaches(including a sheep slaughtered on a Camp's Bay beach), arson fires, traffic blockades by militant factions of the ANC. I have read reports of tourists being attacked/robbed/harassed very recently.
Botswana is wonderful but very expensive.
Zimbabwe is very unstable right now as well. Vic Falls is terrific though.
Maybe Zambia?
Cape Town is having some political turmoil right now-might not be the safest. Protests on beaches(including a sheep slaughtered on a Camp's Bay beach), arson fires, traffic blockades by militant factions of the ANC. I have read reports of tourists being attacked/robbed/harassed very recently.
Botswana is wonderful but very expensive.
Zimbabwe is very unstable right now as well. Vic Falls is terrific though.
Maybe Zambia?