10 tips to keep children happy on an African safari

“Are you sure she isn't too young to go to Africa? Can you not wait a few more years?”

If you have read my 1st blog post about 'The African bug', you will know that no, I couldn't wait a few more years and I really wanted to share my passion with my daughter. 

So, when she was 3 years old, I decided to take her to South Africa with me to volunteer in a primate rehabilitation centre and camp in the Kruger National Park on safari. My son was only 9 months old, and indeed too young...to volunteer at least!

They are 7 and 10 at the time of writing this blog post and they have been to Africa 3 and 6 times respectively, with our next trip coming up to Tanzania. Our safaris are always 'the best holidays EVER', they say. They remember so much more than I imagine they could and surprise me with their behaviour around wild animals (in a good way). From the moment we land back in London, I hear the familiar question that has since started to sound like a broken disk: “Mummy, when do we go to Africa again?”. They caught the African bug too, what marvellous news.

I have been to different destinations, both malaria and malaria-free areas, stayed in different style of lodges, tried various activities and entertainment to keep them happy during some long drives. With a few trials and errors, I feel very confident about answering questions regarding African safaris with children.

More than half of my clients are families, so I also have their feedback to fine tune my advice. Make sure you read 'Marie's family of 5 Safari to Tanzania', and I will share more client insights throughout my blogs too.

For now, I have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions, in order of recurrence, in a useful guide to help you when you are planning your family holiday. Please see below, it will also be available as a pdf document. 

I am going to Tanzania on the 18th October 2019 with my two children, and I have designed a beautiful child-friendly itinerary, with a mix of accommodations and activities, so if you wish to follow our trip, follow me on Instagram on either my personal account @gm_wildnfree or on the African travel agency @rareencounters.

Don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions, as I appreciate that you may have more questions than the ones answered below. 

Many thanks,

Geraldine

The ultimate guide to going on safari with children: 10 FAQs to put your mind at ease

1. From what age can you take children on safari? 

This is always a tricky one to answer, as children’s behaviour varies greatly at young ages and they can't make too much noise around wild animals. There is also the associated concern of whether they will remember their safari if they are too young. As a general guideline, 5 years old is a good age from which you can take your child on safari. They can learn so much and be amazed at every species, big or small, which is refreshing (and as we should all be, in my opinion). 

They will be seeking to tick off the  ‘Big Five’ list, so they are unlikely to be bored. I think that Africa will have such a big impact on them, that they will not forget their first safari and some sightings may even pop up randomly in conversations months after the trip!

2. What to pack for them?

Same as for adults, in terms of clothing: summer clothes and very importantly layers, including long sleeve t-shirts, jumpers/hoodies, fleece, long trousers, closed shoes, but also relaxed clothes, and warm pyjamas if you are going on safari in the dry season as the nights get cold! 

Don't forget their special soft toys and even double them if possible, in case any gets lost. If it falls off the jeep (not good for wildlife either, so best to be careful!), you can't get out of the car to pick it up. My daughter lost her favourite scarf that she used to fall asleep with, but luckily another jeep picked it up later and gave it back to us. Phew, that was one big drama resolved quickly. 

Do pack entertainment that they like: books, colouring, notepads, tablet and if you can, also a camera for them so they can get excited by taking photos of the animals (simply an old phone or basic camera will do) and they will love looking back at their own photos! You can even make their own little album later, when back home.

Binoculars are great and helpful too to search and spot animals. Guides have their own and often a spare pair, but it is a good idea to have enough so there is no fighting in the jeep. You know what I mean…

Finally, I would also recommend taking neck pillows, which are great for sleeping in cars if you have long drives between parks or reserves.

3. Is it worth worrying about malaria areas?

No, but it is very important to be aware of where they are and decide whether you are prepared to take the right disposition to avoid any possible contamination. 

Most countries in Africa are malaria areas, especially during the wet season, which is when mosquitoes are most present. In South Africa however, all wildlife parks and reserves are malaria-free except for the Kruger National Park. This is one of the reason why South Africa is a very popular destination with families. 

Although you are likely to go on safari in the dry season, with lower risks of the disease, you will also need to take anti-malaria tablets and give them to your little ones too.

Countries likes Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia are wonderful destinations to go with children, so don’t let a little pill deter you from a trip of a lifetime. It is completely worth it!

4. Are malaria tablets dangerous to take for children?

While I am not a doctor, or qualified in this matter, I would say that they are absolutely fine as long as you take them the right way. For example, I have had very bad experiences by taking them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, resulting in all the undesirable side effects that lasted for a few days. This can ruin your holiday. My advice, which I applied to my children and it worked like a dream, is to take them at the same time every day, during your evening meal. That's all. Put a reminder in your phone if you think you might forget. 

Make sure you check with your GP before taking any medication, and they will explain if you need to take Malaria tablets when you visit to check that you are up to date with your vaccinations. You will then go to a travel clinic that will give you the right dose based on your child's weight, otherwise it is a standard dose for adults. Don't wait until the last minute for this, as you need to have the appointment first then take them 2 days prior to being in the country (if you take Malerone).

5. Do all lodges accept children?

A lot of them do, but not all. Some lodges are very child friendly and organise specific activities for children to learn more about African wildlife and other wonders. They can also sometimes have childcare services available for when parents are on a game drive, and babysitting services too. Others will accept children, but do not have any specific children activities. 

I highly recommend to opt for lodges with a swimming pool when possible, so your children can have fun between the morning and afternoon game drives, while you can relax by their side.

People are so warm and friendly there that you will never feel awkward and your children will be very comfortable, but as some lodges do not have facilities for children, make sure that you check this fact first, or ask me.

6. Do lodges offer discounts for children? 

Yes, they do. What age the discounts apply to do slightly vary though.

7. Can children do all wildlife related activities?

Unfortunately, and purely for their safety, some activities are either not allowed or not recommended for children. For example, gorilla trekking is only allowed from 14 years old, while bush walk is from 12 years old. Game drives with other guests can be restricted for children aged 7 or older, and the list goes on. Again, it is best to design a safari around your personal situation to make sure you all get the best out of it. This is something I can help you to do too.

8. Group vs Private safari, which do I recommend?

Do not underestimate the importance of this question, it is probably the most important one for everyone’s peace of mind. We all know that our children get (very) moody when tired or hungry, and this can happen while on game drives, especially if there is no animal in sight for a little while and they become a little restless. The worst that can happen is for them to kick off in a vehicle with other guests, who are possibly on their first safari or even honeymoon, and really do not want to have to deal with the tantrums of our children… I can’t blame them. I don’t know if like me, you have always been very conscious of people’s reactions to your children in public areas or if you do not care at all, but this adds a huge amount of pressure and used to stress me. Apart from bothering other people, screams and shouts are no good for the wildlife either.

The simple remedy to this is to hire a private guide where you will be the only people in the vehicle. This way, the pressure is off - a collateral effect is that the children are calmer - and your guide will be able to talk to you or them if their behaviour is inappropriate and drive away from the animals accordingly. Their safari uniform somehow seems to give them a status that you and I will never have. It just works. With a private safari guide, you can also ask to stop longer at a sighting, or you may ask to shorten the drive if you feel that it is getting too much for your children, or start later on than originally arranged. You have a lot of flexibility, which really makes a big difference vs sharing a vehicle with other guests. You will have to pay an extra for this, but I think this is one not to ignore. If your family is 5 or 6 people, you already fill a jeep anyway, so there is no need to request a private guide.

9. How to entertain them on game drives, especially when it is a bit quiet on the animal sighting side?

We all want our children to be wide awake and alert during the whole game drive as this is the main reason to take them on safari, but sometimes and depending on their age, this can be a little challenging.

Firstly, I think it is ok if they phase out from time to time or fall asleep with the comforting sound of the car or bumps on the road. Secondly, there are ways to keep them busy and I’ve tested all of these before, from 3 years old to 10 years old, and they work!

- Animal check list: the lodge generally has one to give you, but you can buy some at the curio shop of the lodge on your way to it. This is a fantastic way to keep them busy and, in the future, recall what they have seen. They can even put a number to how many they saw, which will give you a sense of the most common animals and birds you can spot.

- Camera: as mentioned above in ‘what to pack’, a camera is a great idea for them to have. Don’t invest a lot in it though, and be prepared for potential blurry, unfocussed, or not straight photos as animals do move...;-) if they get frustrated, get them to record videos while you take the photos.

- Diary: for the children who write, a diary is a wonderful way to immortalise their precious memories. If not with words, drawing can be great too. So much can happen in a day, it is great to write a little every day. I’m sure their teacher will be well impressed to read it too, when they return to school.

- Count birds: there are a lot of birds in Africa and some truly spectacular ones, of all sizes, shapes and colours. Counting them is a simple and great way to keep them busy!

- Guess whose poo it is: it sounds silly, but let’s be honest, young children love talking about poo… This wasn’t planned - but when my daughter, then aged 5, asked me if the poo on the road was an elephant or buffalo poo, I thought it was a great question! In fact, and this is valid for adults too, you can learn so much about an animal from it: their age, diet, whether it is fresh or how long it has been there, which can even lead to finding the animal! Ask your guide as they can tell you fascinating facts.

- I spy with my little eye: an oldie but a goodie! A bit tricky in your are in the Namib desert, but in the savannah or forest, this is fun and will widen their vocabulary too.

- Ask questions: they may be a little shy to start with, but once they asked their first question, it never seems to stop. All questions are appreciated by your guide, so make sure your child learns as much as possible by freely asking what comes to their mind.

- Snacks: on the way to your lodge from a city you may have stayed on your first night or from the airport, it is a good idea to buy a few snacks for the game drives because there isn’t a huge stock at the lodge, sometimes none at all. 3 golden rules to remember though: 1. Make sure you always ask your guide if it is ok to eat where you are; 2. Never eat at an animal sighting; and 3. Don’t litter!

10. How can I tell if my child will behave well near wild animals?

I don’t think that you can tell in advance…

But you can prepare them, and I would recommend watching some documentaries about African wildlife prior to your safari and point out how quiet it is around animals. Avoid cartoons that tend to humanise wildlife and make them appear as pets, which is exactly the opposite of the message you want to convey. Books can be helpful too, I have bought a lot and can share their names with you. Wild animals are unpredictable and are not seeking friendship from humans.

Being on safari is a little bit like being Sherlock Holmes, as you need to search for clues to spot animals. These clues are not only visuals, they are olfactive and auditive too, so all their senses need to be alert. In fact, some animals give away the sighting of a predator because of their vocals. Numerous times have we found leopards or lions thanks to the baboons or antelope alert calls. Practice whispering too, which is a useful skill to have if you want to talk while at an animal sighting.

Your guide will give you some safety advice on your very first game drive such as not screaming, not calling an animal or clicking your tongue, clapping your hands or enticing them in anyway. They will also explain about keeping all of your body inside the vehicle and not let an arm or leg hang out, and they will ask you to ask questions! In your preparation, you could start writing a list of questions that your child may have for your guide. The more involved your child is in the experience, the better behaved they will be. Making them understand that what they are going to see is very lucky and unique, and giving them credit for spotting any wildlife, even the most common bird, will make them feel great.

Also, and I might divide the parents’ crowd here, but…bribe when necessary. Don’t worry, elephants won't judge you. If a sweet will make them happy and quieter, give it to them please! Not only will they remember their first safari as seeing wild animals for the first time, but they will associate it to great times when their parents let go a bit... Surely that's a dream holiday!


Giving your children the opportunity to see wild animals in their natural environment is absolutely wonderful. They will appreciate what nature has to offer and are more likely to care for wildlife and the environment after such experience. After all, if they fall in love with wildlife, they are more likely to want to protect it. This is exactly what we need from the next generation. You will probably feel tired when you come back, but I doubt you’ll have any regrets!

Ultimately, you know your children better than anyone else and they are all different. They can also surprise us (both in good and bad ways!) so there is always the unknown territory factor to take into account. It is your special holiday too, and an opportunity to create lifelong memories with your family, so don't worry about letting your parenting guards down. You are all new to this experience and this is an unusual holiday. So, take it all in, get into the slow rhythm of Africa and its slightly chaotic sense of time, immerse yourself, be proud of the experience you are offering to your child(ren) and enjoy.

Geraldine

geraldine@morellitravel.co.uk
www.rareencounters.co.uk