Wouldn't you rather work when you are 'young' then enjoy life in your old age later on?
LOL, that sounds so American!
When I was in the Egyptian Museum I had trouble to distinguish the genuine mummies from the 100 year old American lady tourists who probably worked when they were young. :)
He wants to do things while he is still fit and healthy enough to get the most out of the places, in 10 years of travel he will probably live more than most people do in a life time.
OP When i suggested you save africa until your a bit more experienced that was because you didnt seem like you had traveled much before... if you have done some of africa before and its what you are most passionate about it seems a no brainer to start there... probably a good philosophy for the subsequent sections of your trip also.... go to the next place you are most interested in.
Traveling for someone who is in the late 50's to late 60's is not a problem. Working however is more of a difficult task.
I personally do not know this, but from people who I have talked to e.g grandparents, elderly people that is what they have said.
Anyways its not what you or I think is best, its the decision of the OP. What ever his choice, I'm sure he will enjoy the traveling part regardless.
There is always good reasons to put off extended travel that is why so few people do it. Its always going to be a trade off at any age. Dont find that many people who come back from extended travel wishing they had just stayed home and worked till they were 60.
Given your time and budget, I would also go to South America as well as The Caribbean and Africa, Asia, etc. In general, S. America is reasonably cheap, sp. if you travel slowly, take it easy and backpack.
Back in mid-2005 I travelled overland from Santiago de Chile to Caracas, through northern Chile, all around Bolivia, southern half of Peru, across Bolivia again, into Brazil and down Rio Madeira to Manaus, and into Venezuela, in about 6 months. In about 10 weeks in Bolivia I spent 500€; in Chile and Venezuela I spent about 20-30US$/day; and in Brazil I paid 35$ for a 4-day/4-night trip (meals incl.) in a cargo boat down Rio Madeira (though in general travel in Brazil is indeed more expensive).
So I think you do have the budget to travel around South America and the Caribbean: you may only skip those more 'exclusive' islands... Plus, from places like Venezuela you can find cheap-ish flights to Cuba, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, and many other places in the Antilles.
As it's been suggested, I'd buy one-way flights most of the time, and travel overland as much as possible: saving eg. 2,000 quid on flights can let you travel those extra months in SA! ;)
Given your interest and previous experience in Africa, you could start your trip by getting there overland from the UK: just cross France and Spain to Morocco and there you go! If you 'exit' the continent by travelling up the east coast and into the Middle East, you'll be able to get a cheap flight to S./SE. Asia from places like Istanbul, Dubai, etc.
I wouldn't worry too much about the 'exact' route to take: you'll see after months and years of travels which places on Earth seduce you the most at each particular time...!
Pau
#9 Updownallaround7 I hope I don't spend too much of my savings. For instance I know I could live on an average of £13/$20 per day in West Africa, even cheaper if I stay for a prolonged period in an area, say 6 months where I can rent a room or a house. For SE Asia £11-£12/ $16-$18 per day for accommodation and food - I would be able to rent a house for 1 month in for example Cambodia @ £47/$70 should I decide to stay there for a prolonged period. I would expect India, probably £10/$15 daily. As for Central America and The Caribbean OR South America, these will be more expensive, and if I should happen to travel to TC or SA, then I'll play it by ear and maybe stay in a country for 1 month instead of 3. I have no intention on staying in 4 and 5 star accommodation, just somewhere I can get my head down with a firm clean bed, water, be it a shower or a bucket for washing, fan, and good security.
So, with rental from my flat @ £550/$825 per month which I intend to use to live on, and as an example, 1 month in West Africa @ £414/$620, I'll have extra left over, and as I do here, if money is not banked or used in one month, I carry it on to the next month. Voila!
When I'm almost 60, yes, I agree I won't be able to get a job as easy as someone much younger. However, the type of job I do, which is a professional one, is not one which has many employees, if any, at that age. Dare I say I will be due a small pension which will keep me ticking over nicely, and no I'm not a banker. It wouldn't be a small pension if I was!. Moving on..........That's one reason why I want to leave and do what I need to do now, while I'm relatively fit and sort of healthy given my arthritis. But, thanks for your thoughts and opinion.
#11 JimBurns Here's hoping I'll do more in the 10 years than most folks do in a lifetime. So far I have been to some amazing places and experienced things that I would never in a whole lifetime experience in the UK...................... and there is more out there!
#7 bristolnewbie Should I have enough money left after the 10 years, and I'm still relatively healthy etc, every country in the world......Hmmmm!
#14 paudeviatge Thanks for the tips. Yes, I am planning to take my time. You make SA sound quite appealing, it's just that I'm not familiar with any of them given that I've never been to the continent. When I was in SE Asia I used to purchase one way tickets. I think the initial flight from the UK may need to be a return?? Not sure on that one? Maybe it depends on the destination. I have read a bit on Central America and for instance, I understand it's not possible to fly into Panama without a return/forward ticket.
Have you been to The Caribbean? I need to do some research, re accommodation and getting from one island to another in particular with regards to costs. I don't want to bog myself down with searching for too much too soon as I'll be away for approx 2-3 years at a time, popping back for visits to see family and friends and arrange more travel insurance. It's during these times that I can prepare for the next continent.
My first trip to West Africa - I flew from Spain to Morocco then on to Senegal. Missed out Mauritania! When in Senegal, I met a Dutch guy who had crossed from Spain to Morocco with his car. However, he was carless in Senegal. Yip, and it was the border police who took it! It would be great to travel all down the west coast and back up the east. However, all depends on what's happening politically both in the UK and in certain countries.