Private Safari
May 19, 2021
Group Safari
July 19, 2021
An Africa family safari makes an unforgettable holiday for the whole family, but especially for children as a child’s innate love of nature and animals comes to the fore and opens their eyes and minds to a very different world that seems magical to them.
Family safari holidays are a magnificent way for children to learn about nature and interact with different cultures. The whole family together on a mission to explore the landscape and find wildlife. These kind of experiences are magnificent on their own, however, shared with people you care about they become important points of connection, that will have value for decades and become a family memory.
Of course, where you decide to visit in Africa is closely dependent on the ages of your family members. This age consideration is one not to be taken lightly. Yes, really young children can go on safari but speaking frankly, taking children younger than 6 seems a little bit like a waste of what should be a life changing event for the whole family. Happy children = happy everyone else and it is very difficult for little ones to sit still enough and quiet enough whilst out on safari. If you do want to go then certainly your main consideration should to go to non malarial safari areas, such as the South Africa game parks in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape along with Madikwe and Mashatu of Botswana.
For children of all ages above 6 yrs old safari Africa is simply amazing. Safari Camps that take children of all ages do so because they have the staff that are able to translate everything so effortlessly and love giving them those first Africa experiences. Some excel at it. Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa really do create the very best family safari holiday experiences and we would very much recommend either of those countries as a first look.
So much of travel to Africa and the type of experiences we as individuals want or need, is highly subjective to each individual person and family. For that reason, we do strongly recommend that at this point you get in touch for a “getting to know you” conversation with one of our team. We are absolute in our belief that this is the only way to achieve a truly Tailormade Africa family safari experience….. for your family.
Family Safari FAQs
There are a number of countries in Africa that do a family safari well, but none more so than , Botswana, Tanzania & South Africa. These countries offer a great mix of wildlife, activities and cultural experiences. Exploring during a walking safari for the little ones opens up a whole new world. Special activities organised for children are also a great way to keep their busy minds occupied. Getting to see the Big 5 and also the Great Wildebeest Migration are a highlight for the whole family.
Whilst we don’t recommend taking children below the age of six years on a safari, it is possible to bring along babies and toddlers on safaris. That said, many safari camps and tour operators may have age restrictions in place.
We advise families to consider the ages of the children they wish to bring as inevitably this could impact the overall experience for the whole family. It’s also important to consider malaria prophylactics to ensure everyone is kept safe.
Africa is a fantastic destination to visit with your family. It has a rich mix of cultures to immerse yourselves into and a wealth of wildlife to discover, Africa is the perfect continent that can blend learning and adventure together!
There are also so many other activities, besides a safari to experience such as exploring colourful local markets or relaxing on the sandy beaches of South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar, Mauritius or the Seychelles; you’ll be able to please everyone in the family.
This is a very important question and If you’re planning an African family safari, you may be wondering how long flights will be if you’re travelling with children. From the US, you should expect anywhere between 18 - 32 hours, so the country visited may need to be carefully considered. From the UK, flights to Africa take approximately 12 - 20 hours and it’s worth noting that there may be stops or flight changes on route for both countries and this could extend the trip even further.
When travelling to Africa with your family, you may need to have vaccinations that will protect you from some diseases which are not found in the UK, USA, Canada or Australia (for example, hepatitis A & B, yellow fever and typhoid). To find out more about which vaccinations you and your family may need, take a look at the NHS travel vaccinations webpage or feel free to contact us for advice. It is also recommended that you see your GP at least 8 weeks prior to you travelling as some vaccinations will need to be given in advance to work effectively.
Africa is a continent of true beauty which is rich in traditions and cultural heritage, as well as being home to diverse wildlife and many famous natural wonders. When planning an African family safari, you may wish to explore outside of the traditional safari parks as well, you won’t be disappointed! There are wonders in places like Cape Town, South Africa or visit the giraffe at Giraffe Manor just outside Nairobi, Kenya for a night or two, explore the wonders of the different markets across Africa or spend some time on the beaches of South Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya and so much more. You will also find the kids activities on a safari holiday to be really great!
