Have you taken young children on safari?

[Kidsonsafari]

We’re looking at a big family safari holiday in 2022. It’s a bucket list thing for my mum (she’s not ill but obviously not getting younger) so not one we want to leave for many more years, and something I’ve always wanted to do as well. We’ll be looking at a week only because of kid factors below, whatever we end up doing.

DC will be 6 and 4/5. From reading around, I’m unsure what’s best to do about them. I’m not sure I really want to leave them for a whole week (bloody tempting as it is sometimes) and it’s also the kind of holiday I’d want them to share, but wouldn’t completely rule the option out. We’d be able to ask another family member to stay for the week if we wanted to go for that option (DH will be with me and that is set). Obviously that opens up more options for location and cost.

However, everything I’m reading says it gets boring as isn’t ideal for kids so young, which I fully appreciate. We’ve seen some resorts who are more family-focused, offer good childcare while the adults go out some of the ‘main’ drives, have better opportunities for other more ‘child friendly’ mini drives as well, etc. They look like all three generations would have a wonderful time there.

If you’ve done this, have you any recommendations or experience (or even costs) to share?

We went to the Masai Mara with dc1 when he was 2. He loved it, still has vague memories of our time there. There were no child specific activities, he did everything with us, morning and afternoon drives and all the trips.

The camp staff used to bring us hot tea and biscuits and a hot chocolate or milk for dc in the early mornings and we used to put the anti malarial tablets in that. The staff used to make a big fuss of dc and he loved the attention, it was a really lovely time.

We didn’t take any activities or toys really, he seemed perfectly happy pottering around the camp with us and enjoying the drives. You have two so they will probably amuse each other.

We have 2 dc now, I would love to take them again.

Just another thing to consider, when we were there we did see a lion kill which was fascinating but some people were quite scared. And the animals really do come right up to the truck, they're only walking by but they are very close so would your children be okay with that?

We’ve taken kids from age 2 on safari in 6 countries... In my experience it’s unusual for camps to allow under 5s out on game drives, the cut off is generally around 6-8, some places won’t even allow under 12s. You could consider self driving.

I’ve done a safari.

Starting from Nairobi and going in a big circle to end up back there

Honestly, I wouldn’t do it with young children.

The roads are incredibly bumpy, you can be travelling for hours without stopping for bathroom breaks, and ideally you need to be quiet when watching the animals so they don’t get spooked

If you go to the 'family holidays with kids' Facebook page and type safari in to the search bar you'll find loads of examples of very child friendly safaris with children as young as under 2

We done a safari holiday last year when my youngest was nearly 8. He loved it but he did fall asleep a lot because with the early morning/late evening drives, he didn't get enough sleep.

There was younger kids around 5/6 who misbehaved a lot. I think it's hard for them to be quiet and it can be a lot of driving around seeing nothing. Which to be fair is pretty boring.

It was incredible though, we are desperate to go back.

The company we did a safari with said no children under 10 or 12, I forget which. Dds were 16 and 18.
The problem with young children on safari is that you do sometimes need to be very quiet. So even if they’re allowed on the tour, if you can’t trust them to keep quiet when asked, it’s just not fair on anyone else. . It doesn’t take much of a noise at all to scare off some animal everyone’s been waiting to see.

Having said that, we did have a safari vehicle just for the 4 of us - didn’t pay any extra, it was a ‘cheapie’ as these things go, I think we were just lucky. For several of you, you might find the same

We have been on a few safaris. Last year we went to South Africa and there were a few children as it was during half term.
The first group were 3 children aged between 10-14. They enjoyed it and were well behaved but there was one instance where the vehicle was surrounded by a herd of elephants in the dark, which got a bit scary, and the youngest child was very frightened.
On another day the owners 4 year old nephew came on a drive. He was very well behaved and was mostly excited by the zebras.
I think it depends on the child and how well behaved and quiet they are. Many lodges don’t allow children under 12 or only over 6 year olds on drives unless you pay for a private vehicle.

We went with DC aged 8 and 10. We went www.cape-safaris.com/shamwari-game-reserve/?campaignID=334487009&keyword=shamwari&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqtDglp6k6gIVirTtCh1utQrdEAAYASAAEgJYvvD_BwE

I think it would be hard work with children that young- it is normally 2 drives a day-one very early in the morning and one at sundown. You can be in land rover for hours and not see much or you can see lots.
Lots of places do have age restrictions-with good reason.

Having said that it was an amazing and memorable trip! We had a guide that was good with the children and adjusted commentary accordingly.

Even another year later might mean more to the children. You don't want to spend all that money and go that far for them to be bored or miserable.

There's only so much interest young children can summon up when all they are looking at is a giraffe several hundred yards away. The drives are long and can be bumpy and uncomfortable, and you can go for several hours without seeing any animals at all.

Honestly, I wouldn't take them.

We’ve been on several safaris now, in both Kenya and S. Africa, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend self drive! The local guides are incredibly knowledgeable and will find and point out things you’d almost certainly never find or see for yourselves, not to mention knowing where particular animals are likely to be found - or spotting signs a tourist wouldn’t even notice.
Our last guide in S. Africa was born on the reserve and was an endless fount of knowledge about everything local - animals, birds, trees - even the stars in the southern night sky.

And it’s not a question of safaris being ‘snobby’, whoever said it. It’s a question of suitability, and of people who’ve paid a lot of money not having their trip spoiled by children who can’t or won’t keep quiet.

And it’s not a question of safaris being ‘snobby’, whoever said it. It’s a question of suitability, and of people who’ve paid a lot of money not having their trip spoiled by children who can’t or won’t keep quiet

Exactly. They cost a lot of money and I wouldn’t be happy having to listen to a whiny child crying because they are bored/tired/hungry and therefore either scaring all wildlife away, or making the truck turn around and leaving early

We used to live in East Africa and we took the kids on safari all the time, starting when they were six months old up to when we left and the eldest was seven. It was great. They loved it. We loved it. It's just a question of picking the right camp. Not all are child friendly but those that are make the whole experience magical.

OP I think you should go ahead with the children.

One thing to think about, is whether the adults, having spent all that money, would want to go on a 'family friendly' safari, or whether as it is 'once in a lifetime' they'd rather do a full adult-only safari.

I took my two, then aged 3 and 5 on safari at the garden game lodge which is 4 hours out of Cape Town, it was amazing. Its not the epic wild of masai mara etc but you cant take little ones on most safaris only some do it so shop around till you find the right place for you. This one was really geared up for children and really luxury. They did child friendly snacks mid way and kept them short and is smaller & guides know where the animals are so dont have to spend hours tracking them as within the bigger places - which is fab and amazing for adults but not so good for children - so shorter child friendly safari was wonderful. The whole place was very child friendly with good play areas, safari packs, nice pool etc etc.
Every safari is different and all countries are different and some will say no kids and some will be set up for kids so shop around and enjoy researching them till you find the right place that works for you, and it will be amazing whatever you choose.

There was also a really child friendly place at Oribi Gorge in South Africa where you can see great animals up close. Yes so many wonderful places for children! And in Nairobi you can feed giraffes and near by (Hells Gate) cycle safari. Yes safari for the win!
Id think only worry is whether covid will still be an issue I would think probably would be?

Yes, we visited Madikwe (malaria free) with a then-three year old and it was amazing. They can join some of the safari drives but not others - the guides will advise you depending on which animals are likely to be about.

Is it a week you have? In a weeks holiday could be good to fly to Cape Town (seriously lovely) do Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope & penquins at Simons Town etc, then drive to Garden Game lodge for more luxury and child friendly end of safaris and then again fly home fromCape Town. When we lived in SA we did this with both sets of grandparents for their week holiday.
Super fun to be planning a safari! Totally take the kids though it is an amazing experience for them! Not all safaris are the bumping trucks in the bush all day dont worry. Garden Game lodge also only put family groups in with family groups on a truck (eg no one without kids so no one to moan if they get tired).

Been on safari many times. IMO there's not much point travelling such a distance and at such expense if you don't see the big predators. The easy, child friendly places (such as in the Cape) are less likely to have the big cats but are still super experiences.
My preferred lodges are at Sabi Sands, as they range from medium to high luxe. Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge has a dedicated kids programme.
It's a fantastic holiday but it must be remembered that wild animals are dangerous and the reluctance to accept children is directly related to the danger.

Tbh I would leave them at home with a relative as I think even the most animal loving child would be bored on a safari as alot of it is just driving and hoping to catch a glimpse of an animal in the wild.

I cant imagine anyone not loving a safari! Dont forget the epic day/ night ones might also be too much for your mother - child friendly also means more suitable for older guests too - not full day with no toilets etc and more comfortable vehicle etc so might be a thought, and I would imagine that the experience of doing it with her grandchildren and seeing their experience would be more wonderful than the more epic adventure side of things?? They do totally range in comfortability and facilities etc.
Of it you do decide to do a non child friendly one thats more adventurous you could do one in a place where the children and one adult can stay at camp or do something different at the time and then swap around adult for the next one - Africa is soo much more than its safaris and whatever the children do will be a huge memorable experience - you tell them they need to stay in camp cos of the lions and camp will be amazing exciting. Just the plane trip itself is absolutely amazing for kids, mine loved it so much and are desperate for planes again! There will be plenty for them to do and friends to make that make the trip worth it for them and to spend time round a fire in the evening etc with the whole family, loads of fun.

We’ve done a lot of safaris in various places around Southern Africa. Madikwe is by far the best & most child-friendly.

Madikwe Hills lodge has a family-friendly lodge for a larger group that accepts children of all ages, has a private chef & separate child activities separate to the main drives.

Knew I could rely on MN! Thank you all for your wisdom. This is so helpful. I’ll start looking into the FB group and the namechecked lodges this week plus around Cape Town as mentioned. DM dotes on the children and is just happy we’re finally getting to go so we really do have a choice on that front. Plus we’d always be able to go back... lots of very helpful steers here for both options re the kids. What a problem to have

Madikwe Hills Lodge !They have 2 suites together accomodate families. Seperate pool, special childrens activities and tailormade tour schedule and meals. Book as far in advance as you can.