Family SafarisAfrica is a treasure chest of adventure and learning for the whole family. Recognizing the unique needs of families with younger children we offer a range of carefully selected destinations, camps and safari lodges which are child-friendly and offer a family journey of discovery for the whole family. Please try to keep in mind that most safari lodges and camps place a strong emphasis on peace, tranquility and getting back to nature! This may not be your children's style! An 'adults' safari is really not suitable for many young children who often become bored and act up! Please keep in mind that it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children do not infringe upon the enjoyment of other guests. |
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Many, though not all, lodges and safari camps have a minimum age restriction of 12 years. If you are travelling with a young family you need to be conscious of selecting establishments that both allow younger children and perhaps offer children's activity programs. We can help..
A word on children's programs. For the ages 4 to 8 years these programs mostly consist of a guide who takes the children under their wing, entertaining them with a range of activities around camp (including story-telling, birding and bug collecting amongst others) - keeping an eye on them while the parents do their own game drives and other activities. This can then develop into short bush walks (or "poo walks" during which they help the children collect pods, feathers, insects and leaves, and teach them to identify different animal spoor and droppings) and game drives. Most parents would like to share the many wildlife experiences with their children – especially when the children are a little older (8 to 12 years) and able to fully appreciate an extended game drive. To this end it may be an idea to request a private vehicle if it appears that the camp has not already considered this (in many cases the lodge in question may stipulate this as a requirement when booking). This way you are not infringing upon other guests and can return to camp when the children have ‘had enough'.
Children over 12 years of age are generally charged as adults and as such are treated much like adults with regard to safari activities. Be warned - not all safari camps and lodges offer discounts to children under 12 years.
You should be aware that there are different age restrictions for different activities. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years - no exceptions! Whilst mosted guided walks at safari camps and lodges will allow children, in Zambia (home of the walking safari) children must be at least 12 years old to walk within any National Park. Age retsrictions for canoeing can also vary - from 9 to 12 years. Check before you book.
You may need to exercise your parental discretion when it comes to activities like walking or canoeing – this is an area of personal preference (and apprehension tolerance). With teenagers on safari, a few adrenalin-inducing activities may be just what is needed to keep them focused (and enjoying themselves).
For children under 8 years it is probably wise to select game reserves which are within malaria-free regions.
Young Explorer's - Okavango Delta and the Kalahari, Botswana
Our Young Explorer's programmes are specially designed safaris offering families the opportunity to discover the wonders of the African wilderness together. One of the special attractions of the Young Explorer's safaris are their exclusivity as each family has the sole use of a private camp, allowing the daily schedule to be flexible and to be tailored around the ages and interests of all family members. The key to running safaris with children is keeping them interested and stimulated, so the nature of activities has been modified to provide shorter activities with more diversity and interaction for the children. As the specialist guides of the Young Explorer's groups are highly experienced in working with children, the parents can relax and enjoy the wilderness, participating at their leisure.
The Young Explorer's in the delta is based at an intimate 6 bedded camp in the Shinde private concession. Each family books out exclusive use of the camp, thereby overriding the normal walking programme at Footsteps Camp and the normal minimum age requirement.
The Young Explorer's in the Kalahari is based at a private 8 bedded camp on a game conservancy in the western Kalahari. Again the family books out exclusive use of the camp, thereby overriding the normal safari experience at Edo's with the specific family programme.
Young Explorer's Combination safari, as the name suggests, combines the two packages to offer a broader experience for the families in the contrasting Delta and Kalahari areas.
Safari for the Kids - Kruger, South Africa
Our Safari for Kids program in the Kruger is aimed at catering for children under the age of twelve years. Parents wishing to visit a luxury private camp in the greater Kruger National Park area are able to have the peace of mind that their children are welcome and cared for.
The children's program includes a children's activity centre, supervised by the camp staff where children can engage in a variety of activities such as beadwork making, cookie making, drawing and reading. The centre is stocked with a DVD player and a variety of animal and nature related movies, toys as well as a small library aimed at a younger readership. The centre also has bathing and nappy changing facilities.
The swimming pool has a children's area and we can supply inflatable arm bands if required.
We appreciate that children often have different dietary requirements so we have introduced an optional menu as an alternative for children, with food such as pasta, fish fingers, hamburgers, hotdogs and ice-cream.
Children are welcome to go on drives and walks with their parents. We have also added a short (1 hour) drive for the children after breakfast where time will be spent looking at some of the small wonders of the bushveld, as well as the occasional visit to the crocodile farm at Manyeleti Main Camp.
The rate for children under the age of 12 years is 50% of the adult rate and is based on the child sharing a tent with the adult. There is no charge for children under the age of 2 years.
Family safari's with Wilderness - Kruger NP and Rocktail Bay
While most Wilderness Safaris camps and lodges across Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi allow children over 8 years, it is in South Africa that the concept of a “family safari” has taken a new meaning – Pafuri in the northern Kruger National Park, and Rocktail Bay in Maputaland – thanks to a variety of exciting activities that have been created to teach children about the bush and the ocean, having lots of fun at the same time.
There's so much to learn and enjoy in the natural surroundings of Pafuri Camp. When not joining parents on drives, or while their elders relax at camp, children enjoy their own activities with the guides, learning basic survival skills, collecting and identifying interesting things – leaves, grasses, even dung!
Rocktail Bay is perfectly suited for families, as it boasts a variety of activities for children, from childminding facilities to swims, walks and excursions specifically tailored to keep young minds occupied and interested.
Family friendly safaris in South Luangwa Zambia
Situated on the Luangwa River, is a delightful camp ideally suited to families travelling together. There are large lawned areas where children can play, under the shade of huge ebony trees. The staff are fun, friendly and competent and do their utmost to make sure everyone is welcomed. The safari activities will be individually tailored to the family. Nkwali also has a large, fenced swimming pool ideal for children to cool down and let off steam.
- · Suggested activities adaptable and totally flexible to specifically suit the needs and ages of each child:
- · Safari program designed for children (including walks and drives)
- · Nature walks around camp to identify and learn spoor, droppings etc
- · Safari packs - with fun quizzes, journal, animal colour-in book etc suited to the age of the child
- · Visit to Kawaza School to meet Zambian children
- · Participate at a local workshop, making elephant dung paper and greeting cards
- · Visit Chipembele Wildlife Educational Centre, which has been set up to teach local children about the environment
- · Services available in camp:
- · Child minding is available
- · Special meals at times convenient to children
- · Fenced swimming pool, Games box (cards, scrabble, monopoly etc)
- · At the vegetable garden collect food for lunch and eggs from the chickens
- · In the kitchen, make biscuits for the afternoon tea!
Adventurers' Club, Kenya
Our Adventurers' Club offers its uniquely adventurous activities at a range of properties in Kenya - from the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and the Kenyan coast. Each of these locations has its own team of highly experienced children's guides, a hands-on Adventure Centre, and a rich variety of 'wild edutainment' activities, tribal excursions, and special children's game viewing facilities.
With a free membership available to all visitors under the age of 12, the Adventurers' Club offers a unique opportunity to show your little ones some of the last great wilderness areas on Earth - in the company of some of its most hospitable and knowledgeable hosts. Our access to little-visited Maasai and Samburu communities also allows our young visitors - and their parents - to see some of Africa's last great tribal traditions in their full and fascinating glory.
Location & Facilities:
The Adventurers' Club allows young visitors and their families to combine the very best of Kenya - from the game-rich grasslands of the Masai Mara to the sparkling sands of the Mombasa coastline, and from the forested slopes of the Naivasha escarpment to the desert wildernesses of Tsavo and Samburu. Each property has a fully equipped Adventure Centre, with interactive displays on local animals and habitats, educational games and activities, and information on local communities and their cultures. Our well-established relationships with neighbouring villages also enable Adventurers to spend time sharing games and traditional children's activities in local schools and homes.
The Club also offers a broad variety of 'hands on' facilities such as our Animal Obstacle Course, which enables kids to mimic the movements of different species before studying the serious science of survival behind them. Larger groups visiting Voyager Safari Lodge and Siana Intrepids can also take advantage of our child-modified trucks, the Blue Gnus, which offer kids a uniquely safe and panoramic perspective on interactive game drives.
For a small fee a host of modern adventures, such as horse rides, bicycle safaris, golf lessons, and tours of the Rift's ancient 'Great Lakes' are also available. At Siana Springs, young visitors will be treated to a very special interpretive experience among the Masai who run Kenya's newest community conservation trust. And at Voyager Beach Resort, you can take part in an exciting variety of beach and pool sports, tour the world-famous Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Trail), the award-winning Ngomongo Villages and Mombasa's Fort Jesus, learn to scuba dive, or climb aboard the club's extensive fleet of kayaks, aquacycles, dinghies and glass-bottom boats.
The Guides:
Our Adventurers' Club benefits from one of the finest guiding pedigrees in all of Africa. Over the years, we have grown into one of the continent's best known and qualified safari families, with a team of naturalists, culturalists and animators that is second to none.
Family Houses
We also have a number of houses that would be ideal for families - these are located at the Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi in Zambia and Meru National Park in Kenya. The essential idea with these houses is that the whole family can stay together utilising 3 or 4 bedrooms under the same roof. You would also have your own staff to provide meals and take care of the children as well as having access to your own guide for game drives and walks (services differ between camps). It is a very exclusive and novel way for your family to experience Africa together!
Adrenalin action!
If your children are a bit older (those teenage years) you may need to think a bit laterally to keep their attention - perhaps some adrenalin action! Where better than the Victoria Falls - adventure capital of southern Africa. Choices include bungy jumpng, gorge swing, white-water rafting, microlight flights, abseiling, elephant rides, jet-boating and horseback riding.
Selous Walking Safaris
The Selous Game Reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. Relatively unknown and still remarkably undeveloped it is the perfect location for intimate walking safaris.
Your accomodation is in a fully serviced exclusive fly-camp, with an experienced support crew. Mosquito nets under the stars, bedrolls with sheets & blankets, dome tent for changing / storing luggage or use in bad weather, shared use of private shower & toilet tent at rear of fly-camp. Limited bar, limited laundry facilities.
Itineraries: vary according to conditions, but will cover a variety of terrain including the banks of the Rufiji River , riverine & miombo woodlands, Lake Tagallala, a network of sand rivers, open plains and access to the Hot Springs.
Walking season: 01 June to 31 October only. We are no longer operating set departures. Each Selous Walking safari can be booked to start on any day, subject to availability. Minimum of 2 guests, maximum 6. All Selous Walks are operated on an exclusive basis and are for a minimum of 4 nights..
Activities: walking (minimum 4-5 hours a day), game viewing on foot, birding, fishing - depending on precise itinerary.
All walking safaris are led by an experienced, armed walking guide. Find out more...
Oliver's Camp Walking Safaris
Oliver's Camp is sited on Tarangire's eastern side; its wild side. Opened in 1992 and re-sited to the Park's semi-wilderness area in 2001, this camp is ideally placed to follow migrations of wildlife, and to view the concentrations at waterholes for a nine to ten month season each year.
The walking opportunities for guests staying at Oliver's Camp range from a gentle stroll near the camp, to a full day out on foot across the Park exploring the recently opened wilderness zone. The variety of habitats include open plains, acacia woodlands, tree lined sand rivers, and challenging hill climbs. Longer walking safaris are also available inside Tarangire National Park, along the Rift Valley or onto the Maasai Steppe.
These longer walking safaris, usually for 2 to 3 nights out, are based in wilderness parts of the Tarangire National Park, often starting from Base Camp. We vary these walks by season, depending on conditions, so as to maximise the experience. To the South of our Base Camp is the wilderness area of the Tarangire National Park; wild and rugged land with no roads; to the East the Maasai herders mix with wildlife on vast open savannahs, and to the North is the Great Rift Valley towards Lake Natron. These are wonderful areas to explore on foot and covering 8-12 miles each day we move free of porters as a private group. The equipment is carried by Landrovers, cross country, to meet up with us later in the day. Each night a new and exciting campsite is found.
The Bushcamp Company operates five intimate and exclusive bushcamps in one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas in Africa, the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. These remote camps provide an unmatched wilderness experience where the African walking safari was pioneered.
Experience the thrill of the traditional walking safari at 5 different styles of bushcamp. The camps are ideal for small groups seeking a personalized, remote bush experience, great hospitality and spectacular opportunities to explore this magnificent wildlife sanctuary on foot. Activities are tailored to individual tastes and include day and night game drives. The optimum number of guests in each camp is 6, however, groups of 8 can be accommodated.
KUYENDA - Traditional Zambian Bushcamp
Kuyenda is nestled amongst shady trees on the banks of the Manzi River.
Accommodation is in 4 authentic thatched rondavels. Large spacious beds, mosquito netting and en-suite facilities (shower, toilet, washbasin) provide a very comfortable yet genuine bush experience. The bathroom is open to the stars. The central dining area lounge and bar overlook a grassy plain with abundant wildlife where the drama of wild Africa is your stage.
CHAMILANDU - Up market Raised Camp
Chamilandu offers comfort, class and beauty in one of the Luangwa Valleys prime remote river locations. These 2-metre high tree house chalets are elegantly designed with a tasteful blend modern classic decor and provide a birds eye view over the waters of the Luangwa River and Chindeni Hills. A series of 7 ox-bow lagoons yield a diversity of habitats which attract abundant wildlife.
CHINDENI - Luxury Tented Camp
Chindeni is situated on the edge of a permanent lagoon with the Chindeni Hills as a magnificent backdrop. Raised on wooden decking, Chindeni's 4 en-suite luxury tents have private decks from which you can view the resident big game or simply enjoy the serenity of the lagoon. Each tent has 2 queen-sized beds, hot and cold running water, shower, toilet, double vanities and polished wooden flooring.
BILIMUNGWE - Luxury Bush Trails camp
Bilimungwe is a cool and comfortable camp set beneath magnificent Mahogany trees on the edge of a small plain. The camp consists of 4 reed and thatch chalets with en-suite shower, toilet and double vanities. The rustic dining area and fully stocked bar are constructed on raised decking with views of Bilimungwe's permanent water hole and abundant game. Enjoy sundowners on Kapamba River before taking a night drive back to camp.
KAPAMBA - Luxury Bush Trails Camp
Kapamba is the Bushcamp Company's fifth and newest camp. It is unique as it will be the only bushcamp to stay open until the end of December. Situated in a prime location on the picturesque Kapamba River , the lodge offers the chance to enjoy this untouched corner of the National Park in luxurious surroundings.
The well-positioned half-moon deck is the focal point of the camp and serves as both the dining and bar area. Overlooking the Kapamba River , the deck offers an ideal viewing point for the abundant wildlife that comes to drink at the river.
