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Travelling with Children on an African Family Safari
07/14/2020
Travelling with Children on an African Family Safari
Confused whether to travel with kids on an African Safari or wait for them to grow older? Well, you don’t have to wait until they’re old enough for them to experience the African safari magic. One can open a child's world by making unforgettable memories through travel and their eyes will never forget what the heart and heard while on an African Family Safari. African Safari Experience has something for everyone, whether one is a child or an adult. African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Namibia amongst others offer fascinating and spectacular African family safaris that can be an unforgettable experience by a family safari shared with the children. One needs to have this in mind when planning on a family vacation;
- What destination to visit,
- Where to stay/ accommodation,
- Time of travel
- What to pack for the kids
Factors to consider when taking an African family safari
1. Family friendly safari destinations
Some of the African destinations are family friendly since they don't have age restrictions. The destinations have variable attractions from National Parks to Conservancies, Museums to the rich culture and tribal traditions.
Maasai Mara in Kenya is one of the places that offer great opportunities for families to view wildlife. Amboseli is an ideal place for family travel that offers different tastes of wildlife and attractions. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater found in Tanzania are also interesting places for both adults and kids to visit. The above places have a rich and diverse history, hence a visit to the Maasai village gives one an experience of their cultural practices and traditions. When in the Maasai village, one gets to interact with the locals as well as getting involved in philanthropic projects. This may help broaden the older children's mind and view the world in a different perspective and appreciate people's way of life.
Beach holidays are also a perfect way to keep the kids happy and interested with activities such as sailing on a dhow, having a picnic lunch, swimming, camel riding, snorkelling, beach ball games like volleyball depending on the age of the children. For the teenagers, some adrenaline rush activities can be planned and introduced to keep them engaged and interested.
2. The type of accommodation for family safaris
What kind of accommodation would you like for your family? A private villa, a budget camp, one with interconnecting rooms or a family suite? Kenya being a great family safari destination offers a variety of accommodation options to include the exclusive and romantic to large and family friendly facilities. When deciding on the safari accommodation for the family, it is also important to find one that does not restrict children and has plenty of exciting activities to keep them entertained. Some facilities have special activities designed for children, such as guided nature walks, tracking lessons, vehicle safaris, water sports, beach games to mention just but a few.
There are facilities that have interconnecting rooms for the families with younger children, making it easier to keep an eye on the kids. Others will offer rooms close to each other and this works best for a family with older or teenage children while for the very little ones, they share a room with the parents at a discounted rate or for free depending on the age of the child.
Some of the camps and lodges run or are near Conservancies which are privately owned. In most cases, these types of accommodation are not strict on age restrictions. They are ideal for family vacation as they are flexible and will offer variety of children activities such as game viewing, bush walks and picnics amongst others. The facility may also have conservation activities that the family may be excited to join in, like tree planting, removing traps laid by the poachers and such like activities. With such great activities everyone will be involved and no one will feel left out.
Some of the facilities that are children friendly are; Sarova hotels and camps, Serena hotels and camps, Southern Palms beach resort, Voyager beach resort, Bahati beach hotel, Fairmont hotels and resorts, Hotel Troy, Mara Intrepids, Voi wildlife lodge amongst others.
3. The time of travel on African Family Safari
Depending on the kind of family vacation that is, beach or wildlife viewing, Kenya has factors considered as constant making it ideal for family safari visits throughout the year.
The dry climate between July and October during offers a maximum opportunity for families to enjoy their family visit. There is ease of movement hence the parents and children will enjoy panoramic views, variety of game viewing and other exciting activities to involve the family members in. During this season there are fewer mosquitoes. However, if the family opts to travel between April through to June, they can enjoy beautiful sceneries of the migratory birds to include the lesser and greater flamingos found in Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria. In January to May, the family members will enjoy lower rates as this is considered the low season.
4. What to pack for the kids while on African Safari Holiday
While packing for a family vacation/safari, the children will need light clothes, shoes for comfort ability and so are the adults. Avoid brightly coloured clothes and instead, go for khaki and such like colours. However, family members needs to bring with them a heavy jacket or sweater if planning to visit during the cold season, it's also important as it will be useful during the morning and evening game drives.
Other things the family should pack for the family safari are such as binoculars in a few pairs, this is to keep the kids interested and enjoying the safaris for a longer time. Don't forget the African birds and animals books for the older children to keep them busy during the African Safari Holiday. This will help them learn a lot and give them a memorable African family Safari Experience. While packing also remember to carry sun glasses, a hat and a sun screen.
In conclusion, the African Family Safaris pride themselves of a wide range of tastes and budgets that will give the Family members on safari a lot of experience and unforgettable moments with the family. For the children, all one needs is keep them safe and interested throughout the family safari as it sharpens their mind and expands their horizon.
One Bridget Dore once said, "You cannot leave Africa, Africa said. It is always with you, there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents in the swirl of your thumbprints; our drumbeats counting out your pulse; our coastline the silhouette of your soul”
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