Expert Travel Specialist with &Beyond, Melanie Dannhauser, gives us the low down on travelling with your family in Africa, from discussing safety concerns to choosing the perfect family destination.
What do the travel experts say about travelling to Africa with kids?
Family fun for everyone
Travel in the company of those you love
Building memories with our family is one of the most extraordinary things we can do. A wonderful way to do this is to travel together and reconnect in a place that allows you to share, discover and experience as a unity.
Today life is so precious, and time is ever fleeting, so all the more reason to gather the family, from the very close ones to the extended, best friends and crazy godparents and enjoy a vacation in a new place. The in thing is multigenerational travel, the opportunity for grandparents to come along on holiday to appreciate the time with their kids and spoil the grandkids, a family unit to solidify relationships before the children fly the nest and close friends with kids who are besties.
Families want to connect with no distraction from the outside world and “In an age of distraction nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention”. With so many unique dynamics in a group the holiday must ideally be suitable for all ages. Ask yourselves, what are we looking for? A jam-packed adventure, a cultural tour de force, or slow travel, deep diving into one destination? Then, ask an &Beyond Travel Specialist, who will curate the ideal journey for your family.
Is Africa a scary place to travel with the littles?
There is a strange misconception that Africa is a scary place to travel with young kids and this really is absolutely unfounded. As with any travel, one just needs to plan ahead. Travelling to Africa is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children, to introduce them to such a warm, rich continent is a treasure they will never forget.
What is important is to consider itineraries for young kids and make sure they are brimming with adventure to keep them occupied. Also, one must consider travel times as too much confinement in a plane makes for very excited children and very ratty passengers. Ultimately a Travel Specialist is just what is needed in order to balance experience and the logistics of getting your family to their ideal destination.
Africa caters to EVERYONE, so where should we go?
All countries offer something for everyone but naturally there are some that are easier to travel to than others. There are so many destinations and extraordinary experiences, so it is 100% advisable you contact a Travel Specialist to ensure your ultimate family holiday is realised and that you don’t consider a gorilla trek in Rwanda with a three-year-old.
South Africa is top of the list and is ideal for younger families with children. If you are going on safari there is no need for yellow fever and malaria medication, wildlife reserves are fenced, and if you opt for a self-drive, distances can be relatively short, a welcome relief from endless ‘I spy with my little eye’.
Botswana is a fantastic destination for the older generation and teenagers, and at our lodges and camps, there are no fences so an elephant or a lion could roam around the camp – a teenager would be awestruck, a toddler would shriek. Botswana also offers unforgettable adrenalin activities such as a meerkat experience, Bushman walks, mokoro activities, quad biking and heli flips. The teenagers won’t want to leave, and the grandparents will be bungee jumping off Victoria Falls.
Kenya and Tanzania are world-renowned, and the Masai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and Amboseli National Park are bucket list destinations with the added spectacle of the Great Migration. The Masai Mara boasts the best bush teacher that teach kids how to read landscapes and track animals. End off your safari on white sandy beaches on the Spice Island of Zanzibar, the ultimate spot for cocktails, ice cream, relaxation and “wiping off the safari dust”.
From what ages can kids spot the cheetah?
All our &Beyond lodges and camps open their doors to kids of all ages, however there are restrictions when it comes to safari activities. Children aged five and below are not permitted on game drives with other people in the vehicle, however, the ranger will use their discretion as to the behaviour and attitude of the child and may take them out with the family on a bush bramble, a relaxed outing in the bush, provided they take guidance from the ranger as naturally safety is paramount. If you have young children, it is ideal to use a private vehicle, allowing you your own tailormade experience, where you can stay out as long as you wish, and it is less stressful on the parents and other guests.
The luxury of privacy and time
The ideal way to travel as a family when you stay at an &Beyond property is to enjoy an exclusive sole-use villa. This allows you the wonderful experience of composing your every moment with both a private guide and vehicle providing the ultimate flexibility. &Beyond lodges and camps have excellent, caring childminders who will look after the little ones if parents want to go on game drives, enjoy a meal, retain sanity and get some peace.
Let’s play, with the WILDchild programme
&Beyond has entertaining, informative and super fun guides who love getting involved with the kids. We offer a fantastic WILDchild programme exclusively for the children at all our lodges and camps.
This offers opportunities for them to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.
Kids can go fishing, don a chef’s hat for some baking, do beading, making bow and arrows and learn the art of tracking, to name a few. A favourite is a bedtime story where the kids get a storybook on their pillow, a little local story about culture, and are tasked with a fun assignment for the following day. Every WILDchild experience ties in with the lodge and its environment. The kids will fall in love with the people and the wild and are made to feel part of something, having created special connections and memories.
“The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories”
– Og Mandino
Best time for the kids to pack their bags
Traditionally the ideal times to travel are the winter months of June, July and August, however Africa really is a year-round destination. It is always a good time to go on safari, and if you are after the Great Migration, the crossing usually happens in July and August, but every month brings something new and different in the world of the wild.
What to pack besides the snacks?
There is nothing particularly special to pack. Make sure you have comfortable clothes, walking shoes, binoculars for spotting and sunscreen for sizzling days. Perhaps the little ones can’t leave home without their favourite teddy or blankie. You are always close to one of our beautiful Safari Shops and big cities that stock everything you would possibly need. If special medication is required, it is advisable to bring a decent supply, as it may not be readily available where you go.
Travel with compassion
Travelling with kids is a great way to open their minds, expose them to different cultures, and change the way they see the world. Say goodbye to technology and encourage them to engage with others and enjoy the heart-warming opportunity of visiting communities where they can interact with children at crèches and schools, play soccer on dusty fields and maybe take a gap year and get involved in building schools and clinics for the less fortunate. Travelling to Africa is a wonderful opportunity to travel with purpose, give back and make a difference.
TAILORMAKE YOUR STAY
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations
Explore some of our family journeys
Whether it’s a safari in Africa, a journey around beautiful South America or vibrant Asia, family travel is just one of our many specialities!
Select one of our family-friendly destinations from the dropdown below
Stories to inspire
Family adventures featured in the Bateleur Magazine
Before your children travel
Let your little ones hone their WILDChild skills at home...
WILDChild TV
MISSION POSSIBLE
In the Kitchen
GET YOUNG ONES IN THE KITCHEN TO MAKE THESE SCRUMPTIOUS KIDDIES RECIPES
Fun-filled reads
FANTASTIC CHILDREN'S NOVELS INSPIRED BY AFRICA’S WILDERNESS
Movies
WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF OUR FAVOURITE CHILD-FRIENDLY MOVIES AND DOCUMENTARIES
More on family travel
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