We won a Safari! Anyone been with kids?

[HumbugsforChristmas]

We literally won a safari holiday for two, in a raffle (a posh raffle and posh safari).

We have decided to add our DD (nearly 10 when we travel), but now I am worrying.....about safety, health issues and whether we are mad to do this with a child, although she is obsessed with lions!

The trip is to Tanzania, the lodges are 5 star, we have private driver and vehicle at our disposal along with some short flights from one area to another so avoid long stretches in a 4x4, it really is a trip of a lifetime, I can't tell you how wonderful the accommodation looks, the whole thing really.

We haven't told DD yet (go in July), so why am I worrying?

Has anyone done anything like this? How did you get on?

Tell me It will be OK.

Have it all done thanks through work.

We took DS then 6 on safari to South Africa last year. He loved it! It was a child friendly lodge so no problems on that side, but as you have checked that out, it should be fine. All they really need to do is be able to do as they are told and enjoy it so 10 is probably perfect. We found it was very tiring for him with early starts and evening game drives and then 7 pm supper, but he refused to miss any of them despite being given the choice. There can also be a bit of hanging around/ driving to a particular place, which can be boring. If that could be a problem, make sure she has something quiet but absorbing to do (this may be heresy but we found it helped if he could zone out and zone back to spot things). And i second binoculars or a monocular as involving them in spotting. Be prepared for her to be better than you at spotting and identifying within a day or so. Oh and a pocket guide or similar to 'tick off' sightings. Children remind you to be excited by the small things as well as the lions, and not just poo ...
SA is very different on medication so can't help there.
Have a brilliant time. I am so glad we went, although we are going to have to go again so he knows how fantastic it was!

Well I'm sitting in Mwanza after an epic journey. Kenya Airways is fine and the transit was really good to our next flight. Feel very safe.

Hope you have a good trip KenDodd.

Humbugs - we took DC then aged 14 and 15 on a safari, and it was the best holiday ever. I realise they're slightly older, but they didn't have the interest in animals that your DD has - it will be a fabulous holiday.

We used Malarone - one tip I would say is that we took it at night (just one tablet a day), so that we would hopefully sleep through any side effects. It was fine, and didn't affect us all.

I am very, very jealous!

KDDD wonderful, do keep us informed. Hope it all goes OK.

Thanks ajandjjmum I think I have got used to the idea now and as planning done, starting to think about the practicals - clothes and stuff. Anything that you absolutely couldn't do without, or any other tips?

Layers!!! We actually took our ski trousers with shorts underneath for the early morning drives. Then t-shirts, fleeces and the lodge supplied us with ponchos and rugs. Then in reverse in the evening. We were there (South Africa) in July, so I assume it will be similar for you.

Other than that, very laid back and casual, even for dinner - linen trousers and tops, shorts, t-shirts.

We did take some strong insect repellent with us, but the lodge supplied it anyway.

We actually bought DD a camera at the airport going out, although we hadn't planned to, and she absolutely loved making her own record of what we saw.

You are going to have such a wonderful time!

Well, I'm here on my last night and gutted to be leaving. I'm not on safari but have seen some sights , good and bad that I won't ever forget. Our fixer has a lodge in east Kilimanjaro and it sounds incredible. I'm sitting in front of lake Victoria right now and it's beautiful.
Things I wouldn't have been without are my rain coat . It's dry season but when it falls , it falls. Lots of wipes as it's dusty and plenty of mosquito stuff. Layers - my cotton scarves/ wraps have been fab. Remember socks too !