Planning a family safari

Taking a vacation in the wilds, halfway round the world, with the whole family in tow, provides a godsent opportunity for generations both past and present, not only to reunite but to reconnect with nature. All of it in an interesting environment where despite being an honoured guest, you will always remain an intruder, only heightens the thrill of the trip. As you begin to research on your dream trip, keep the following things in mind. 

Choose your destination with care 

Most first time visitors choose Africa to visit because of the excellent infrastructure and the famous game parks. Having said that, with elders and kids in the group and having to adhere to their safety measures, you won’t even have a clue from where to begin.  

The five countries which come immediately to mind keeping safety and quality in mind are South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, where there is something for everyone, even for the pickiest in the family. However, a Namibia safari holiday can be an unforgettable experience so it’s hard to pick just one country. You can mix a few up and even opt for an overland adventure.  

Do some homework 

If you have never been on a full-fledged family safari before it is better to gently introduce them to your coming holiday plan by taking them to a local game park or a zoo. The animals in this protected area are easily accessible and you will get an idea how much your dad and his grandson can sustain watching wild animals on a day trip. A country like South Africa is a good place to begin from as you could combine day visits to game parks with viewing penguins at Boulder Beach. 

Take advice 

Do not let the trip of your lifetime have a false start. Unlike other family escapades, a safari begs to be organized by an expert. This could be either a reputable tour operator or even someone who has done a similar trip before. The person should be able to guide you on the ages of children, their abilities and the qualities of the guides who know how to work with children. Yes the Big Five are important, but so is the welfare of the grown-ups and the kids. 

Involve everyone on the trip 

From grandad to grandson, involve each and every member of the family, much before the starting date, about the country you plan to visit, the wildlife you will possibly see, and other interesting things you might come across. Encourage them to take pictures, collect scrapbook items and maintain a diary as an heirloom and to recollect the memories when you return home. 

Check the medical requirements 

Not every country asks for a vaccination certificate in order to gain entry, while you may need to show one in some. Either way, it is advisable to take an appointment with your family doctor to make your decision on vaccinations, even if the country you are visiting does not require them. 

Consider driving yourself 

One thing is sure that the stress involved in getting from one place to another, especially in Africa and that too with all age groups can be a nightmare. Going on a safari is not cheap, so you wouldn’t want to ruin their trip of a lifetime even before it is halfway through. Consider self-drive, not only as an adventure for everyone, but it gives you the freedom of movement which is necessary when traveling with the family. 

Timing is important 

You wouldn’t want to travel thousands of miles and come back with nothing exciting to relate to people back home. Time your trip so as to view the maximum game when the grass is short and visibility perfect. In other words, the dryer months of February, March, September and October are recommended, especially if you are headed to a country like Kenya. 

Where to unwind 

When on a safari to Africa it is all about catering to the needs of the clan and adapting to the wild offerings the bush has in wait for us. Choosing a family friendly lodge which has an organised itinerary that takes care of grandad,dad and the toddlers alike is the place for you. A relaxed outdoor dinner will keep the elders involved while the children are busy with the in-house activities. Check out the private guides, kiddies menus, personal accomodation and the ranger and tracker program which unlocks the secrets of the bush to the little ones in an imaginable way. In addition, look out for lodges tailor made for children with short game drives drives and an extra hands on approach. 

Activities to look for 

Keeping the interests of all age groups in the family in mind there are certain things to include in your safari in order to make it a grand success. 

• Children will find the customs, arts and dances of the local people fascinating, so make sure you include an introduction to this in your African safari itinerary. 
• For slightly older children, lodges provide a wide array of eco and wildlife viewing tours, specially catered for them. 
• There should be plenty of free time in your itinerary for the little ones to roam around on their own, especially because game drives are undertaken at dawn and dusk. 
• Check if your tour guide is accustomed to work with all age groups. 
• Request references from past clients, particularly those who have traveled with elders and children, about any age related or handicap issues in the lodges you are investing in. 
• Whether it is the tigers in India or the Big Five in Africa which tend to draw the most crowds, children get equally interested, with a bit of guidance, in the other wonders of the natural world. Don’t overlook the opportunity to show them the birds and some of the smaller animals. 

Keep these in mind 

There is nothing better than spending time in the bush with the people you adore the most. However, to make it really happen, consider these top tips before setting out with the family to the bush.  

• Make it a point to include lodges that have tours like boating or walking apart from the usual game viewing drives. 
• Restrict your stay within one country to avoid more transfers between airports and camps. 
• Try and travel during the low season so as to garner undivided attention for the whole family. 
• Choose lodges with water and land activities combined so as to provide relaxation for children between drives. 
• Opt for professional guides who are used to lead families with children into the bush. This is the key element to success or failure of the entire trip. 
• Check for age restrictions, as some camps have an age limit due to safety reasons. 
• If you are traveling with a group of families, consider hiring a private property with a guide to obtain flexibility with schedule. 

Luckily, these days, there are plenty of opportunities to take the family on wildlife tours of Africa or the rainforests of Central America. To get the children involved at an early age, is not only good for a family trip, but augurs well for the conservation of animals for the future.