YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FAMILY SAFARIS IN AFRICA

Family Safaris / Image: @traveleroohlala

Family Safaris by Founder, Kate K.F

“I've been on safari many times and each and every time I go, it requires meticulous attention to detail to plan. Having been an avid solo traveler for many years, it always felt like a part time job preparing everything perfectly to enable me to go alone to Africa. It was all worth it when you set foot in the safari vehicle and see those wild animals you have been longing to see. Now life is very different from my independent traveling days, I am a happy mother of one who still very much itches to travel far and wide and excited to show my child every corner of the earth - however planning an adventure is very different than it used to be, in fact, dare I say it - planning a safari sends me into a hot flush. So I can only imagine what other families that have several children must feel like.

If you read our helpful guide on ‘Family Safaris in Tanzania’ then you may have noticed that the minimum age for a child to do a safari is typically 8 years old. However, as we all know - those of us who love seeing the world, don’t want to stop when we have children. Regardless of their age. I still get people enquiring about traveling on safari whilst pregnant as well as bringing their baby on board too. Whatever the age, it is doable, you just need to set aside extra time for planning and of course packing.

For these reasons and many others, I wrote this post as a helpful guideline to all families who would like to go on safari with their children. I have experienced many different requests, options and opinions from my travelers who want exactly the same so I thought why not write everything down in a comprehensive guide to assist other families to book their dream safari with their children.

Just before I start, I think anyone who is thinking of taking their children on safari - huge credit to you for bringing your children to one of the most unbelievable, eye-opening and inspirational places on earth. If your kiddies are particularly young, you might be thinking ‘will they even remember it?’ it doesn't matter, you're living and that's all that counts”

WITHIN THIS GUIDE

Getting started - Picking the best location for your family safari trip
An ideal first step is to start thinking about the location which is the best and most convenient for you and your family to get to. Taking into consideration the flights and how easy it is to get there is a huge factor when traveling with children. There are so many wonderful options to go on safari - I could name ten places dotted all over Africa. My favorite is Tanzania because there are so many fun and exciting attractions, activities and it's a fabulous place to spot the Big 5. However, Africa is hugely diverse and there is something for everyone - from the sandy Namibia to the beautiful shores of Malawi - each country is so varied. You can enjoy family safaris in most African countries.

2. Visit your doctor to inquire about vaccinations before you book

The best advice I can give you is do not book a family safari trip before you have spoken with your doctor on the vaccinations you and your family need to get in order to travel here. Every country in Africa is different that require different vaccinations and some immunizations need to be planned weeks or even months in advance. Last minute family safaris don’t always work. I have had plenty of people cancel due to the fact they have not been vaccinated in time for their vacation. This is definitely one of the first things I advise when families enquire about traveling on safari with us.

3. Select a tour operator that has experience in guiding families

Once you have selected your destination, it's time to look for a tour operator that offers family friendly safaris. There are many to choose from, in every pocket of Africa. Within the options, there are good, bad and average. What's important to know is how often and how much experience they have with families. Guiding families is very different from the guiding the average traveler as toilet breaks, keeping the group entertained, guiding in an easy way for children to understand, offering kid tasty meals as well as keeping children as safe as possible in the environment of wild animals is really important.

It's worth reading reviews and asking the adventure companies what experience they have. If you are joining a mixed group of independent travelers, you want to make sure that it is appropriate for children. If you book a privately designed safari, like we offer, make sure you request a guide that is knowledgeable in leading families. We have a couple of fantastic guides that are perfect for family safaris. When you travel with your family African safari vacation packages range in prices too - so take time to do your research before you book.

4. Book in advance

When booking a family safari, I advise you to always book way ahead of time. This way, you will have ample time to make sure you get everything done. In terms of time period, I would recommend at least 3 months before you fly. I have travelers booking safaris with us for next year and the year after. I think when it comes to traveling to such a unique part of the world - you always want to make sure time is on your side in case of emergencies or last minute vaccinations.

Family Safaris / Image: @christineashleydonaldson

5. Not all lodges and camps will allow children

Many lodges and camps in Africa do not allow children to stay. This is because the wilderness in Africa can be extremely dangerous and is not advised that young children run around camp or into the bush unattended. Most lodges and camps will only let children over 12 or over 16 to stay. So it's advisable to enquire ahead of time and find a lodge or camp that is suitable. Its also important to know that accommodations get severely booked out in peak seasons, this is another reason why it's so important to book early.

6. Think about the flight and the flight time

When you are selecting your favored locations in Africa, you might want to take a look at the flights and see how easy or hard they are to get to your chosen destination. A direct flight can be a great choice, however a lot of safaris in Africa require you to fly to a smaller airport to access the National Parks better. Oftentimes, you will need to get a connecting flight. My advice is to stay a few hours extra and enjoy the layover in more depth so the children get to stretch their legs and enjoy an exciting activity before jumping on the next flight. Whatever you choose, a bag of toys or books can go a long way on a lengthy flight.

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7. Pack a First Aid Kit and Medication

This is an obvious one but still worth mentioning. A first aid kit is always a necessity for a family safari and your tour operator should give you instructions of what you need to bring within the kit. You also want to make sure to bring any medication for general illnesses, aches and pains. Below are a few of the items we suggest our travelers to bring with them on our safaris:

Sunscreen
Malaria pills
Motion sickness pills
Antiseptic cream
Rehydration sachets
Antihistamines
Antidiarrheal and sickness medication
Insect repellant
Personal prescription medication (It can be extremely challenging to get prescription medication if you forget to bring it)

8. Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is a must for a family safari trip. Most tour operators ask that you purchase travel insurance before you arrive on safari. In some countries like Rwanda, it is illegal to enter the country without travel insurance. Make sure to ask your tour operator what is required. If you do not get coverage before you arrive, you may be required to purchase upon arrival.

Either way, for the safety of your family - travel insurance is highly suggested especially in Africa. Unexpected sicknesses or accidents occur regularly so its always best to cover your family even if it is not a requirement to have a policy.

9. Pick exciting activities to add variety

Occasionally game drives can get a little tiresome for young children after a while and I've always found that it's great to plan a few fun activities to add variety.

Here are a few examples that could be interesting to consider. On our family safari holidays Tanzania, we offer a fantastic Tree Top Walkway in Lake Manyara. This walk takes you above the tops of the trees to spot a variety of exotic birds as well as observe wild animals on the ground below. A few other activities children love to do is hot air ballooning, nature walks, sea safaris, visiting wild animal conservation sanctuaries and culture trips to visit the resident Tribes - we offer all of these on our safaris too. Depending on where you are in Africa, there is tons of wonderful activities to uncover.

Family Safaris / Image: @emberglo_photography

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go on safari whilst pregnant?

I always advise pregnant women who would like to go on safari, to always speak to their doctor first. The 2nd trimester is the best period to travel as by this point morning sickness has passed and generally most pregnant women feel pretty good and do most of their traveling. It depends largely on each person as every pregnancy is different.

Is it dangerous to bring my baby of under two on safari?

There are many health issues associated with children under two so it's best to avoid traveling on safari with them being this young. Traveling with a baby is pretty difficult juggling their nap and feed times, let alone the heat, noise, long car drives and insects that come with going on game drives. Its best to avoid being stuck three hours away from your camp if you have forgotten something or have an emergency. I would definitely advise against traveling with under twos.

Can my baby/toddler travel for free on safari?

It is not advisable to bring extremely young children on safari. Children don’t generally enjoy a family safari until they are at least 6 years old. Mostly all tour operators operate with the same view. There are age restrictions on some of the National Parks too. Once the child is of age and able to travel on safari- then of course he or she will have to pay for a child's ticket to go on safari.

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Family Safaris - Everything You Need To Know