HOME | COMPANY | e-BOOKS | BLOG | NEWSLETTERS | CONTACT US
Kids on Safari
Posted on 07 October 2011 - by Phill Steffny
There are many ways to enhance a family safari experience. One thing which we suggest is to book a private vehicle, as this offers absolute flexibility.  As a parent, the peace of mind that this provides is immense – you are free to set the pace, without the pressure of having to consider other guests on the same vehicle.  A private guide is also very important, simply because he or she will be able to offer your family (in particular, the younger ones) their undivided attention.  This is vital from a safety point of view, especially when viewing the more high profile species.

Your private guide will tailor-make your program to suit the entire family, as they are aware of the possibilities at each camp.  This personalised approach is paramount in keeping younger travellers entertained – games, like who spots the first animal, tasting edible wild fruit, catching insects to have a look through a magnifying glass, making Plaster of Paris casts of tracks in the mud, and identifying spoor are just some of the ways to keep kids entertained for hours while absorbing incredible amounts of information about the natural environment.

Happily, many lodges cater wonderfully for families with young children.  Having said this, make sure from the start that you do book a family-friendly place. Lodges of this kind are specially equipped with children in mind, and usually offer babysitting services.  Other thoughtful touches, like earlier suppers for children so that parents can enjoy romantic dinners by themselves, add hugely to the family experience.  Friendly staff will often offer the kids a chance to join the chefs in the kitchen to bake cookies, or spend a while face painting and making play dough animals, giving the adults some much-needed down time during the hours between game drives.

Health issues are also a major concern for parents, and fortunately there are a number of family-friendly lodges in fantastic game viewing areas, especially in South Africa, that are malaria-free.  The best approach, for any health queries, is to discuss all the options with your family doctor as part of your safari planning.

In closing, I believe that taking children on safari can be a life changing experience.  For example, Lee had the most incredible encounter with a young guest who, upon arrival, preferred listening to his iPod while on game drive.  Elephants splashed nearby, lions hunted in full view, yet it was obvious that he preferred his music.  The incredible thing is that within two days, the same boy had been influenced by Lee’s enthusiasm and knowledge and ended up absolutely loving bird watching.  That’s right – bird watching! With binoculars and bird book in hand, he became a birding enthusiast.  Lee still keeps in touch with him, and tells us that this young man has now directed his career towards wildlife.

Stories like this are surprisingly common, and it’s why we emphatically recommend bringing your kids on safari.  Done in the right way, such an experience can be incredibly beneficial for all concerned, including our environment.

Comments:
Jo Fly says:
I totally agree with your recommendations of a private drive as the children often find it difficult to stay focused for long periods of time at a single sighting (as interesting as it may seem to adults!) They need to keep moving on to different things- even trees,small insects and dung! If there's a good knowledgable guide who can give details on a variety of things, the children are able to keep focused and have a ball! There love of the bush and excitement will add a great dynamic to any game drive!
Add a Comment
BLOG CATEGORIES
 
ARCHIVES
 
BLOG CONTRIBUTORS
 
 
 
 
 

Essential Africa, Guided Safaris copyright © 2012   |   Privacy Policy   |   Disclaimer   |   Site Map   |   Site by Cape Town Media