When it comes to travelling the world, we say there is no time like the present. The best way to fulfill your dreams is by releasing your inhibitions, grabbing hold of opportunities whenever you get the chance. But, naturally, life in practice proposes more obstacles than your imagination made room for. One of the most challenging among these is globe-trotting with youngsters to think about - whether it's activity age limits, baby sitting plans, or making room for romance, our travel specialists offer the best travel advice going.
The best of life's experiences are those that are shared. Whether you're watching the sunset over a far-stretching ocean, challenging yourself with a mountain trek, or laughing with your favourite cocktail in-hand, family and friends make a moment worth remembering.
For many, the safari holiday marks a transformative memory, an unforgettable stamp in the personal timeline. There is little that parallels a peer into the pure, unscathed wilderness, where nature's liberties are preserved and the circle of life propels without disruption. But, while solo expeditions grant a refreshing freedom during world travels, sharing the safari sights with your loved ones elevates the experience to new heights.
Being among untamed nature helps to build bonds, soothing work or school related stress and perhaps putting troubles back home into perspective. If it is your first safari, you can revel in the joy of sharing a new experience with your most cherished people, or, if it is the kids' first times, watch their eyes fill with wonder as Africa's greatness unravels before them.
You may feel you have all the ingredients for the perfect family safari in Africa: a loving family, some savings, and a passion for wildlife. But, even for those well-versed in the safari holiday, there is a multitude of things to consider when travelling with under-18s, things that many regrettably overlook. Here are some top tips for planning your unforgettable safari with kids:
Tailor-made travel opens up pathways that are obstructed by the limitations of package holidays, welcoming you into the driver's seat on your safari planning journey. With travel specialists to guide you through the process, filling gaps in your knowledge wherever they may be, you are assured with a satisfying balance of freedom and direction.
When you decide to make your family safari a tailor-made journey, you grant your loved ones with a treasure trove of opportunities. Companies like Wayfairer have an advantageous web of contacts, including the best lodges and tour operators in your chosen destination, granting you access to exclusive, off-the-beaten-track experiences. On top of this, the planning expertise of tailor-made travel specialists transforms the planning process into something stress-free and enlightening, with issues like child-care and transfers taken out of your hands.
If you are booking independently, take extra care to check through any age limits that apply to guided tours, national parks, game drives, and so on. In somewhere like Uganda or Rwanda, for example, chimp and gorilla trekking often sees age limits of 14-16+. While there are destinations with fewer age restrictions, you should check through each individual tour, organising childcare with your lodge or hotel if you have to leave the kids behind.
If you are booking tailor-made, all you need to do is talk to your specialist, outlining how old your children are so that they can align your tour with your needs. Of course, if you want to include the children in your tours and experiences, your specialist will do the best they can, advising you on the perfect destinations. You will discover incredible immersive cultural tours, arts and crafts activities, and up-close animal encounters for your little ones to partake in.
However, you should expect there to be limitations on this, especially if you are travelling with babies or toddlers. Age restrictions are enforced in the interest of local wildlife, and giving your young children time for naps and downtime is often for the best during an action-packed safari holiday! Game drives can be long (up to 3-4 hours), with young children becoming restless and refusing to follow guidelines.
Most of the countries we sell as luxury safari destinations welcome kids, with many lodges and camps opening their eyes to the joy which children bring to these experiences. Of course, when lodges do have age restrictions, they are enforced for good reason. Many of these are surrounded by open wilderness where young children may not fully grasp safety precautions, while many also stress the importance of quietude in these areas - something that most kids are still learning.
If you are happy to leave your kids in the hands of qualified and trusted child minders when you step out onto your adults-only game drive, then your options are endless. If you are looking for something entirely kid-friendly, consider a self-drive journey in somewhere like Namibia or South Africa.
You will find an array of wonderful, kid-friendly safari lodges across Africa, where kids facilities keep the little ones entertained while you're on game drives. Here are just a few:
Spot the Big Five at one of South Africa’s incredible national parks, take a self-drive South Africa family adventure from Cape Town along the Garden Route to Kwandwe Game Reserve and enjoy a “marine safari” in Hermanus, where you can see super-pods of southern right whales from the cliffs between June and November.
Kruger National Park does have a low malaria risk, however Madikwe and Kwandwe Game Reserves are malaria free, which means you and your family can enjoy an African safari holiday without having to worry about taking anti-malaria medication. South Africa is also a favourite of European families travelling with small children due to the minimal time difference.
Where to Stay?
For luxury accommodation, we highly recommend Melton Manor in Kwandwe, a contemporary sole-use safari villa with easy access to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. The villa has plenty of space with four en-suite bedrooms, a swimming pool and a personal butler who can assist you during your stay.
For a smaller family with kids aged eight+, we recommend Tsala Treetop Lodge, in Plettenberg Bay. They have six contemporary two-bedroomed villas perched in the treetops offering luxury accommodation for families. Equipped with a kitchenette, large lounge, private balcony and plunge pool, it's ideal for a spoiling retreat. Kids will especially love the sandy beaches and horse riding.
Kenya is known for Maasai warriors, Africa’s most famous animals and the Great Migration of zebra and wildebeest, which traverse between Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti on an annual cycle.
Laikipia in northern Kenya is a particular favourite for safaris with children, as the lesser-known conservancies mean that you can encounter wildlife such as giraffes, lions, hippos and elephants without the crowds. In Laikipia, you can enjoy activities which can’t be found in Kenya’s other national parks and reserves, such as wild dog tracking, camel safaris, walking safaris and horse riding, as well as rafting and swimming in waterfalls.
Be aware that there is a risk of malaria in Kenya everywhere except Nairobi. Therefore, malaria precautions are strongly advised, including covering up with clothing (especially after sunset), using insect repellents on exposed skin and sleeping under mosquito nets when necessary. Ask your doctor about suitable anti-malarial medication for you and your family.
Where to Stay?
One of our favourite family-friendly safari lodges in Laikipia is El Karama Lodge, which is a family-run cattle and wildlife range tucked away in the foothills of Mount Kenya with eco-friendly values (even the pool is eco-friendly). The ranch also runs activities for families day and night, which are designed to educate children about nature. They have no minimum age requirement and have raised their own kids on the property so know first hand about life in the bush with babies and kids.
In Tanzania, watch hippos float in the waters of Lake Manyara, descend into the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ngorongoro Crater and follow the Great Migration across the Serengeti. After all that wildlife-watching excitement, head to the coast or hop over to the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar for some beach relaxation and sand-castle making.
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, we recommend a visit to one of the most underrated national parks in Tanzania, Tarangire National Park, which is still under the radar on the African safari circuit even though the diversity of wildlife at the Tarangire River rivals that of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Be mindful that Tanzania also has a risk of malaria, therefore we suggest that you and your family take the recommended precautions, as above.
Tarangire Wildlife
There are around 3,000 elephants roaming around Tarangire National Park, moving in herds of up to 300. The savannah plains are filled with ancient baobab and twisted acacia trees, with opportunities to see giraffes, buffalo, leopards and cheetahs. In the swamplands, you’ll see colourful birds, Silale swamp lions and perhaps even the endangered African wild dog.
Where to Stay?
Tarangire Ndovu Lodge is our favourite choice for families, with luxury family-sized safari tents elevated on wooden platforms, featuring traditional canvas and thatched roofs. They accept children of four years and up, but children under 12 years must share a tent with an adult. Enjoy your meals in the thatched main area, on the porches or beside the swimming pool.
At the beach on Zanzibar island, we recommend Breezes Beach Club and Spa, simply easy beach life with a kids club and activities galore. They have no minimum age requirement.
See families of lions on your spectacular journey around Tanzania.
Namibia offers an otherworldly adventure for families, with an unmatched array of spell-binding things to do. It’s one of the best places in Africa to self-drive, and the country’s excellent roads, low population density and stable infrastructure make it a great option for intrepid families with children.
A top choice for family safaris is Etosha National Park, in the north of the country. Known for its vast salt pan that’s visible from space, Etosha is home to elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras and giraffes, all often seen at close range around the park’s many waterholes. The park’s malaria risk is low compared to many other African destinations, especially during the dry season (May to October), which adds to its appeal for families.
While traditional game drives are the main activity in Etosha, you’ll also find cheetah and leopard tracking experiences at nearby conservation centres, such as the AfriCat Foundation at Okonjima, where kids can learn about big cat conservation in a hands-on and ethical setting. In other parts of Namibia, families can climb sand dunes at dawn, search for desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland, or meet the semi-nomadic Himba people, making for an educational and culturally rich experience.
Where to Stay?
Namibia hosts a spectacular range of safari lodges which welcome kids, including Onguma Bush Camp, located near Etosha National Park. The luxury camp runs with a family-friendly ethos, with three rooms built to home families with young children, children's menus, and a games room. While there are age limits on certain activities, like bush walks, families are encouraged to include kids in the life-changing experience of being amid the open African bush.
Discover where else in Africa you can embark on a first-class family safari holiday with Wayfairer. These itineraries are inspirational, exemplifying what tailor-made travel can do for your dreams:
Enquire Now through our no-obligation form to begin your journey, or explore our destinations to learn more about where you can go.