Yes, you can do it. Kids and safari life do mix and you will enjoy yourselves too. Honest. You will need energy and patience but you will be rewarded. When you are looking out over miles of African savannah watching the sunrise and world awaken, family memories will be made. And importantly, your children will foster an appreciation of this intricate African eco-system to stay with them for their lifetime. To make the most of your experience, consider these points:
- Pace yourself
Pre-kids, an African safari probably involved six days crammed with long game drives, journeying between remote camps and different National Parks. With children, consider one Park only and limit yourself to one to three nights. Also, ask your driver to keep game drives to two hours so you are back at the lodge or camp in time for meals and out of the sun for the hot hours of the day. Keep time in the vehicle short and sweet so the sense of excitement rarely wanes. This will also allow yourselves time to absorb the atmosphere without being worn down by constant travel.
- Set realistic expectations for your kids
“Lions, tiger and bears! Oh, my!” said Dorothy. Except Africa is not Oz and there won’t be any tigers or bears and you are not guaranteed to see a lion every day. But you will see wildlife that is from another world in weird and wonderful shapes, sizes, colours and patterns: long-necked giraffes, solemn elephants, skittish gazelles and stripy zebras. And then there are the birds – soaring eagles, chattering starlings, stately secretary birds to name just a few. And there is likely to be some close encounters with bugs – locusts, beetles, ants, millipedes – fascinating to observe at a safe distance.
- Embrace the adventure
Bumping along a dusty track with their heads peeping out of a sunroof, wind in their hair, squinting into the sun, your children will be truly thrilled. Then to pull up alongside a watering hole and watch a dozen different species slurping, squabbling and lounging on the bank, they will draw to catch their breath. They will feel a million miles away from home. But all this comes with changes to their routine – early rises, late meals, different foods, strange surroundings. Help them tackle these challenges with composure and humour, flip their worries on their heads and pull them gently out of their comfort zones.
- Entertainment without gadgets
Go on, be brave. Leave the devices at home and find ways to entertain without a screen. First and foremost, train your children’s eyes out of the window. Be still, be present and take it all in. Is that elephant sleeping? Look at that baboon’s bottom! Or else rounds of ‘I spy’, alphabet games and singing will keep attention on track. Back at camp continue game spotting from the viewpoint, or investigate the birdlife with the help of the knowledgeable staff. Make lists and drawings of what you have seen. And after that, there is always Uno and Dobble.
- Get the basics sorted
Sunburn, icy toes, empty stomach and dehydration are never going to allow joy to reign on a game drive. Therefore, make sure you are forearmed with the essentials. Add high factor sunscreen and hats to your rucksack as the sun gets fierce pretty quickly out on the savannah. But contrarily, early morning and late afternoon are nippy so pack a fleece and a blanket. As always, include a few snacks and drinks to keep hunger and thirst at bay but make sure there is no single-use plastic in keeping with most Park regulations.
Ready for an adventure? Which African destination will you choose for your family African safari?
