50th birthday luxury travel ideas
We believe travel is the ultimate gift, and the best way to celebrate a milestone birthday is to indulge in luxury travel that you will treasure for years to come. Lucinda has cherry-picked a selection of 50th birthday travel ideas she hopes will spark inspiration for your own special occasion. Whether you’re looking for a challenge like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a multi-generational family getaway in Kenya, or a luxurious escape to a private tropical island. Our travel experts will work with you to design your dream adventure, ensuring your celebration is truly extraordinary.
Madagascar – a mix of colourful wildlife and breathtaking scenery
Miavana Time + Tide on Nosy Ankao, is a luxurious private tropical island in the north east of Madagascar. Surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters, the island is one of five forming a small archipelago in a protected marine and wildlife area extending to about 15,000 hectares. The marine and terrestrial wildlife at Miavana is prolific. The activities on offer include lemur tracking on the mainland, snorkelling and diving on numerous reefs close to the shore or further afield, as well as boat trips for seasonal whale, dolphin and manta ray watching.
Depending on the time of year, guests might see turtles nesting or hatching, tern colonies, or some of the hundreds of endemic bird species on guided walks on the island and the mainland. For the active, this is a good setting for kite surfing, sea kayaking, and paddle boarding. Between October and May, Miavana has good salt water fly fishing on the extensive flats around the archipelago, and fishing from a boat is also best at this time of year. Scenic helicopter flights over the ocean or the mainland can also be arranged. Or simply relax in your private plunge pool with a good book there is something for everyone a true once in a lifetime retreat. If a beach party is what you had in mind to celebrate the occasion, then we can absolutely organise this during your stay. The range of cuisine, drinks and entertainment options is endless and out of this world and would be guaranteed to be the party of all parties!
Escape to your own piece of paradise on this 9 day blue safari.
Wonderful beachfront villas at Miavana, Madagascar
Botswana and Victoria Falls
For a more active celebration, five nights at African Horseback Safaris, riding through the heart of the infamous wildlife-rich Okavango Delta, followed by three nights at the spectacular Victoria Falls at the stunning Thorntree River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi, doing as much or as little as you please, would be the ultimate celebration.
Please click here for an idea of what this holiday could look like.
Canter through the Okavango Delta floodplains with African Horseback Safaris, Botswana
Malawi – spectacular landscapes, excellent wildlife and exquisite lakeside beaches
Majete Wildlife Reserve is an African conservation success story. Species such as black rhino, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, eland, kudu, sable, suni, klipspringer, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and zebra can all be found here. A stay at Kuthengo Camp and Mkulamadzi will get you right in the heart of the action.
Lake Malawi is best known as Africa’s finest landlocked beach destination, with unspoiled islands, beaches, and a vibrant array of tropical freshwater fish. The lake is ideal for snorkelling, diving, sailing, or kayaking. Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island is managing director, Alice’s top pick for a 50th birthday destination. The island is small and sparsely populated, inhabited only by the local fishing community and is set on a crescent-shaped beach, surrounded by mango trees and ancient baobabs. The whitewashed suites extend to breathtaking lake and beach views, and some boast private decks, plunge pools, or luxurious terraces and courtyards perfect for dining. Malawi offers a carefree getaway ideal for families, couples and friends.
This 12 day itinerary has been designed by Alice to give you an idea of the type of tailor-made safari we can create for you.
Kaya Mawa, Likoma Island – Malawi
Mount Kilimanjaro – “Every man’s Everest”
Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, and with the right planning and a bit of training, it’s climbable by people of varying levels of experience. The high altitude creates a unique ecosystem home to around 140 different species of mammals, an abundance of birds and unique flora such as the famous Kilimanjaro tree.
There are seven different routes to choose from and several comfort levels: standard, luxury and VIP. We use the highest quality guides who have constant training to keep their knowledge and health and safety up to date. Our climbs use new, top-of-the-range kit and equipment.
Jo, Francis and Alice have all proudly completed the climb and are happy to share their stories and answer any questions you may have. They will listen to your needs and craft the perfect trip for you. Jo recommends the 9 day Machame Route . Climbing to the top of one of the highest peaks in the world is an incredible experience and one that will leave a mark on you.
Mount Kilimanjaro towers into the sky
Namibia by air – the ultimate in exclusivity and exploration
A flying safari in Namibia offers a breathtaking way to explore the country’s vast, diverse landscapes from above and on the ground. These safaris typically involve small aircraft flights between remote, spectacular destinations, allowing you to maximize your time and experience the beauty of Namibia from unique perspectives. Highlights include flying over the haunting Skeleton Coast, with its shipwrecks, rolling dunes and seal colonies to the salt pans and red dunes of the Namib Desert.
Skeleton Coast Safaris incredible flying safaris over the Namib Desert, Namibia
Francis has designed this 15 day safari that allows you to discover Namibia’s best locations and those far-flung places that are only accessible by air.
South Africa – a blend of city, countryside and desert
Francis celebrated his 60th birthday last year in South Africa, and his stay at Tswalu was one of the highlights of his two-week trip. Featuring incredible wildlife, top-class food, expert guiding and quality service. Francis recommends combining Tswalu with time in Cape Town and the Winelands for an unforgettable celebratory holiday. This 14 day blow-out adventure is sure to spark inspiration for your own special occasion.
The Motse Camp , Tswalu Kalahari Reserve – South Africa
Kenya – bountiful wildlife encounters and barefoot escapism
Lengishu House offers an exclusive and luxurious retreat, perfect for families or groups of friends. Nestled on a stunning hillside within the Borana Conservancy in northern Kenya, it boasts magnificent, uninterrupted views across the conservancy. There is excellent wildlife, including lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo and healthy numbers of black and white rhino.
We recommend starting or ending your safari at the Kenya Coast. It’s the perfect add-on to any safari with great expanses of white sand beaches fringed with palm trees. The luxurious Alfajiri Beach Villas are set on a sheltered coral cliff above Diani Beach. The turquoise sea is protected by coral reefs, providing stunning snorkelling, diving, and fishing. Jo has selected her favourite private house and villa to create this celebratory 9 day holiday.
Lenguishu House, Borana Conservancy – Kenya
We hope that this selection of adventures will act as inspiration for your celebratory adventure. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions, even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch, whatever stage you’re at.
What next?
Get inspired and sign up to our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari holiday, whenever you want to travel. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best.
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