Safari with Children
It’s worth pointing out that although you do see lots of animals on safari, there can be quite a bit of time that passes between seeing big game animals, and as beautiful as they are, antelope do not keep young children entertained for long!
From age 7 onwards she was much more engaged with the whole experience and her patience levels had increased somewhat, that I no longer want to jump out of the truck to escape her whinging!
Now, it’s the most amazing thing, to share such incredible wildlife encounters with my daughter and to be able to teach her the importance of protecting these beautiful animals that are under threat. Whilst on safari in December, I saw a pack of African Wild Dogs for the first time, an amazing sighting in itself, but made all the more special by being able to share it with my daughter.
In the interest of full transparency, I have to admit that even now, it takes some planning to ensure all goes smoothly! There are moments in between big animal encounters that she still gets pangs of boredom (you can expect be out in the bush for several hours at a time) so we often resort to a game of eye spy, or a spot of reading, or simply swinging on the truck bars like a monkey (her, not me!) Whatever it takes!
Typically, you will have a game drive early in the morning and late in the evening, when the animals are most active. Surprisingly, it can be chilly when the sun drops, so do make sure to pack plenty of layers – a warm, windproof jacket for the cooler hours along with sunhat and sun cream for whilst the sun is up.
When taking children on safari, I advise booking a lodge that offers a swimming pool so they can enjoy some downtime when not out on game drives. Some lodges will offer activities for children, anything from archery to traditional jewellery making whilst others have beautiful wooden play areas. Thankfully, there’s often little or no wi-fi at many lodges, so you can really escape the digital world, much to many teenagers’ horror, I'm sure! Take a pack of cards and enjoy some quality family time in the surroundings of the magical African bush.
Many families choose to take their first safari experience in either South Africa or Kenya:
In South Africa, you can combine your safari as part of a longer itinerary perhaps driving the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, or enjoying a relaxing beach break in Kwa Zulu Natal, many opt to fly on to Mauritius or the Seychelles for a beach stay after their safari.
Kenya is the perfect destination for a two centre safari & beach trip, with the Masai Mara or Northern game reserves providing an incredbile safari experience (make sure to book a hot air balloon safari for sunrise, which typically includes a Champagne breakfast in the bush). Following safari, fly on to the coast for a week of R&R – there’s something for all tastes here from large modern resorts to rustic beach bandas that provide a more authentic experience.
Families with older children, or those who’ve previously visited Africa, there's the appeal of getting even more off the beaten track. For this, Namibia is a great option as it has so much to offer adventurous families and it's very easy (and safe) to self-drive.
Africa is the perfect family holiday destination, with so much to offer; wildlife, culture, beaches, water sports plus amazing food & wine (particularly in the Cape).