Talk to me about safaris

[MistyElla]

We are considering a safari trip next Easter with our children ages 7 and 9. Are they too young to properly enjoy a safari? We would prefer somewhere like Tanzania or Kenya (maybe with a Zanzibar offshoot) over South Africa I think… 🤔

Where would be the best place to base ourselves? I am happy to do all of the bookings and find lodging, but am a bit lost on where we should be focusing, especially as we would ideally prefer fewer transfers if possible. Also, where is best to fly into and of of the area? Nairobi?

We did S Africa when ours were approx 10& 13. It was amazing but the only thing I'd suggest you be aware of is that the morning drives mean getting up at around 5 I think, dh and I napped some afternoons, the kids didn't but seemed to be ok but I think if you have kids that get grouchy on not enough sleep it could be tricky.
It was an amazing holiday that we'll never forget and the early mornings were so worth it that they weren't difficult

The 7 year old probably won’t remember it so if it’s the trip of a lifetime, never to be repeated, then I would wait a couple of years. I would say 10+ is best as they can cope with the early starts. Game drives are also a couple of hours long every morning and evening. Sometimes you see stuff, sometimes you don’t so if you don’t appreciate the scenery it could be a bit boring. You can’t really get out for a wee and at times you need to be super quiet. A mature 7 year old could, of course, cope with all of this but many couldn’t. Food can also be quite limited depending on your camp. We ate a lot of Kudu as that’s all that was on offer - cooked to a very high standard and absolutely delicious - but chicken nuggets and spaghetti bolognese weren’t on the menu.

We had an 8 year old at our tented camp in Botswana and she was petrified that a lion or elephant could get in if they really wanted. It didn’t matter there was a guide with a loaded gun outside, she was just beside herself. It was a miserable time for her (and pretty miserable for the other guests as tents aren’t soundproof………). I don’t think anyone could have foreseen that though - I certainly wouldn’t!!!

I plan to take my kids on an African safari when they are teenagers. In the meantime, a trip to Borneo with two nights in the jungle, or Costa Rica for a jungle / beach break seem more age appropriate.

I went to Kenya for the first time at 15 and had an amazing time. My friend had been a few years earlier when she was 10 and her brothers 8. She loved it but her brothers didn't really remember it and she has said later that she thought it was a shame and they should have gone a couple of years later.

There are a lot of early starts and rough terrain so it is tiring. I would recommend having a week booked on the beach at the end to relax. I can really recommend Kenya and it's probably the easiest place to fly to. Mombasa has some great resorts.

I do agree with pp though, I'd be tempted to wait until youngest was 10 and go somewhere slightly easier this time. Costa Rica sounds like a good idea or intrepid do some south east Asia tours by train that's aimed at families www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/theme/family

It's an amazing experience but I wonder if they're a little young to appreciate it.

On ours everyone was great however we spent a long time sitting quietly quite happily (no kids) at sightings you need to stay quiet and it's a bit much for some kids unless they're very animal orientated.

I'd wait until they were teens it really is an experience you'll never forget.

I think slightly too young to fully appreciate it.

This is helpful, thanks all! Maybe we’ll wait a few years.

I found it really boring. Sorry. Kids were fed up (so was I )

Wait until they are older. There is a lot of driving round finding animals in the distance through binoculars 🤣

I think for this type of holiday, you should consider waiting until they are a bit older.

I am fortune enough to live surrounded by safari parks and have taken the DC to many from an early age. They get bored very fast. You can spend hours driving and not see a thing, except bush and probably some birds. A young child doesn't care to be searching for movement etc, they just want the action and to see the big guys. 😃

I have enjoyed it with them, and they have enjoyed it the most as young teens.

I suspect you're in a tricky age for it. Ours went when the were 2yr &4yo and loved it- no problem with early mornings and as enamoured with birds and dung beetles as big game... not to mention the excitement of bouncy driving! Yours are possibly at the point where the wonder of little things has gone, but the attention span isn't there yet!

I know you said not SA, but Cape Town is excellent for that age, plenty to do and can dabble in some safari, either at one of the nearby smaller reserves or the wildlife sanctuaries, which I suspect might suit them better.

@MistyElla
We have done lots of safari holidays when DDs were younger. We used specialist safari companies who knew of family friendly lodges and put an itinerary together. It’s way easier that way and some lodges are mega expensive. Companies families worldwide have safari destinations that don’t break the bank.

If you DIY you will be hiring a car that you won’t use and the roads are rough in most countries. You use a safari vehicle in the camps. We have done fly in safaris to keep road travel down but they are expensive.

April in Kenya and Tanzania is the rainy season. However you might get better deals. Consider visiting Samburu, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Great Rift Valley. Some camps welcome children and others don’t. All will be leaving camp at around 6 or before. It’s way better to choose a camp in a national park so wildlife is on the doorstep.

Your DC must be interested in this type of holiday. We found ours were engaged and they learned about photography as well. Our younger DD was an excellent spotter too. Sharp eye for movement.

South Africa is a great safari destination but you need to go to Kruger. There are loads of game “theme parks” and some are rewilded farmland. South Africa is great for mixing safari and sightseeing. We liked Nottens Bush Camp in Sabi Sands. Many others are appealing and SA is a holiday that’s easier to DIY. You need to consider internal flights though. It’s too big to drive everywhere. Easter is Autumn in SA so the grass is short and viewing should be good.

I would not be put off taking DC but lodge prices are high and agents get big discounts.

We did a self drive camping trip to Zimbabwe when ours were your DCs ages and it is still their favourite trip ever - youngest is 30 this year. We went through a specialist company who organised the vehicle and accommodation and advised on a route. Self drive meant we could plan a relaxed route with a mix of activities including Great Zimbabwe and Vic Falls as well as wildlife.

We went to SA when the kids were 11, 9 and 6. DD(6) was a little too young - but still remembers some of it. Boys still ask to go back constantly. We purposefully went to the places in SA which aren't malarial as we didn't want the children taking anti-malarials.

We found booking direct was significantly cheaper oddly.

Lots of South Africans do those types of holidays and it’s possible to get one sorted out from the uk. You have to but the bullet and pay for game lodges though if you want their game tracking and specialist vehicles. We’ve been to Zimbabwe and we loved it too. A long time ago and pre DC. Not sure you can fly direct these days.

I would not recommend safari only with DC. You do need other options. Long drives on poor roads are hard work. There are great camping safaris in Botswana too. Namibia is popular for families as there is plenty to see and do.

Families Worldwide is a good place to start looking though. Then specialist companies such as Wildlife Worldwide (might be the same company). For an expensive holiday you do need expert advice snd a company that understands your needs.

When we went on safari on South Africa in 2019 there were a few children. Th youngest was 4 and he seemed to enjoy himself and was good at keeping quiet.
We did have one game drive with 2 young teenagers where we were surrounded by a herd of elephants on the dark and they we’re both very scared so it depends on the child

@TizerorFizz

Lots of South Africans do those types of holidays and it’s possible to get one sorted out from the uk. You have to but the bullet and pay for game lodges though if you want their game tracking and specialist vehicles. We’ve been to Zimbabwe and we loved it too. A long time ago and pre DC. Not sure you can fly direct these days.

I would not recommend safari only with DC. You do need other options. Long drives on poor roads are hard work. There are great camping safaris in Botswana too. Namibia is popular for families as there is plenty to see and do.

Families Worldwide is a good place to start looking though. Then specialist companies such as Wildlife Worldwide (might be the same company). For an expensive holiday you do need expert advice snd a company that understands your needs.

Agree with this. Perhaps look to safari for part of the holiday, then do something else for part of it. Imo 2 weeks is far too long for a safari. Especially with dc.

If you look to KwaZuluNatal for example, you can go to some amazing game parks there, and then also include a beachy type holiday as well without having to travel too far. Or to the Eastern Cape for safari, and then head to Cape Town for some of the holiday.

It is very budget dependent and then the time frame is also a factor as well. If you self drive EC to CT you are looking at close to 1000kms, but if you go on the Garden Route you can do some amazing stop overs on the way.

You can stay outside of many of the reserves and book day trips in with a guide / driver as well. You don't have to stay at the lodges in the reserve. They are lovely though as they have the whole African vibe. So, as I mentioned, lots of options but then you will need to do a bit of research. A travel agent is easier but it will be more expensive.

Don’t use a standard travel agent. Always use one that understands safaris. The reason drives start at 5am is heat and/or not staying in a park. It’s way more exciting with a water hole or bush all around you.

We went to Hluhluwe Imfolozi park and the St Lucia Bay Area (new name now I think) and there are private reserves in that area too. It’s north of Durban. Sabi Ssnds is great for first time safari too. SA has so much to offer besides safaris. I agree for DC, 2 weeks is too long.

We went on safari in Kruger Park with an eight year old and had a great holiday so while age is important you'd probably do better to consider the character of the child ahead of his age. Don't worry too much about spending hours in a land rover but seeing nothing interesting. The game reserves want you to have the best experience possible so the guides are in touch by walkie talkie and share information about the "once in a lifetime sights" that are more than "just" seeing a beautiful majestic animal in its natural habitat. In our case it was the sight of two lions who had killed a buffalo and were using their razor sharp claws to open it up and then feast on it. If you're in Kruger then the guides have to stay on the roads but if you're staying at a private game reserve just outside Kruger then the guides can go off road and get you much closer to the animals so do check that your guides will be able to go off road. We stayed in two private game reserves and preferred being able to go off road. Having said that, the animals do just saunter along the roads! I'd also echo the advice above to use a travel agent who specialises in safari's. We ended the holiday with a week in Cape Town.