are renowned for their (limited) attention span...so try to be flexible in terms of the safari activities. If possible, arrange a private vehicle and guide - that way, when the kids have had enough, you can go back to camp and throw them in then pool.
See the world through 'young' eyesA child's excitement at seeing an impala for the first time is infectious enough to rub off on even the most seasoned of safari goers. When you start seeing the bush from a child’s point of view, the priority of ticking off the big 5 quickly fades – replaced by the excitement of watching dung beetles at work and imagining the inner-workings of termite mounds. Go with the flow.
Lastly, 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.
Anti child-trafficking
New rules on anti child-trafficking have come into force in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana and may soon be required elsewhere in Africa. These rules require parents to provide airlines and immigration officials with the birth certificates for any accompanying children under the age of 18 years. This will apply even when both parents are travelling together with their children. When children are travelling with guardians, these adults will be required to produce affidavits from the parents proving permission for the children to travel. Airlines will be been given instructions not to allow clients to board without the necessary documents. Check with your Africa Travel Specialist before you leave home as these rules change regularly.
General precautions
Some general precautions on safari for children (and parents) include taking extra care with regard to the hot African sun – hats and sunblock are a must on drives and walks. Mosquito repellent and ‘covering up’ areas of exposed skin in the early evenings is a warning that should also be heeded in malaria areas. And be sure to explain to your children about drinking only filtered or bottled water.
Swimming pools
Many safari camps and lodges have swimming pools, so if your child is not a confident swimmer, do take the time to check that you are comfortable with the access to the swimming pool (pool fence) and accompany them if they want to swim (swimming is at your own risk).
Safety
Most importantly, you should take heed of issues of safety as prescribed by the lodge/camp regarding walking/running in camp and the need to be escorted to/from the room if required. You need to ensure that your children are aware of, and fully understand, these restrictions (and that you keep an eye on their movements). Many camps are unfenced and you may need to take special care to keep a closer watch on your younger ones.
Meals and meal times
Another aspect worth clarifying, when you arrive at a new lodge or camp, is the question of meals and meal times (for younger children particularly). Advise the manager of your child’s dietary requirements and try to work out suitable meal times that fit with your child’s, and the camp’s routines. Some camps, although able to arrange earlier meal times for your children, may then require a parent to be with the children when they go to bed (for safety reasons).
Sleeping arrangements
Depending on the ages of your children, the safari camp/lodge where you are staying may require one adult to sleep in the same room/tent with the under age child (or children) - usually under 12 years. This is a safety measure to avoid the possibility of young children wandering from their tent or reacting badly to an animal that might approach their tent. Many camps now offer family tents/rooms to prevent parents having to split sleeping arrangements, or can provide a babysitter allow parents to take a few hours out to enjoy an evening meal together without the kids.
Children’s activity programs
Many safari camps have now developed children’s activity programs and some even have a dedicated guide for families.
For the ages of 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, painting/drawing animals, birding and bug collecting among others) – keeping an eye on them while the parents go on a game drives or other activity. 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 going on a game drive or walk. To this end it may be an idea to request a private vehicle if it appears that the camp, or your travel agent, has not already considered this. This way you are not infringing upon other guests and can return to camp when the children have ‘had enough’.
Age restrictions on activities
You will certainly encounter age restrictions on some safari activities. As you might expect, not all safari activities are open to children of all ages, for example, gorilla trekking and white-water rafting have a minimum age of 15 years (essentially an issue of safety). Walking is another that can vary according to the camp/lodge’s discretion (and may relate to the prevalence, or otherwise, of dangerous game). You may need to exercise your parental discretion when it comes to activities like walking, and canoeing or mokoros for that matter – this is an area of personal preference (and apprehension tolerance). Some camps/lodges may allow child participation, that does not automatically mean it is OK (or safe) - that decision is yours (as a parent).
If you have teenagers, a few planned adrenaline-inducing safari activities may be just what is needed to keep them focused (and enjoying themselves).
Pregnant Women (flying in small planes)
First of all, let me just say that the medical profession 'recommends that pregnant women do not to fly in an unpressurised small plane. There are concerns that women and their babies may not receive enough oxygen during non-pressurized flights'.
That said , many charter companies in Africa that use small, unpressurised aircraft have introduced some simple guidelines as follows:
From 0-22 weeks: pregnant women will be allowed to fly as long as they have not experienced any complications during this phase of their pregnancy.
From 22-32 weeks: pregnant women allowed to fly only with a doctor's note (and this assumes that they have had no complications to date).
If you are pregnant when going on safari, it is important that you advise your travel agent of this so that they can advise the various camps/lodges and charter companies and get clarification on how they view this.
