jam5339

Greetings!
I have read through many of your postings and have picked up many helpful tips! Many many thanks.

My children are 10, 13, &17, and we are all still pinching ourselves that this is really happening. My oldest will graduate next year and off to college so this is the last big family hurrah!

We leave @ 8pm out of Miami, arrive London in am; spend the day there and then leave around 7pm for so. africa. My concern is adjusting the younger 2 to the time change. I have read the assorted opinions for adult "sleep assistance", have any of you traveled with children?

THe other big issue is clothing; what exactly is the deal with khaki?? Is it a must for the game drive? What is the problem w/ jeans?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Jodi

stamiya

Hi Jodi - I think the reason people recommend Khaki is (a) neutral color and if there are TseTse flies around, they are apparently attracted to dark blue, and (b) weight, if you have a weight issue as to your luggage (small planes in Africa limit you to 25 or so pounds per person). Otherwise, I think the fabric doesn't much matter, especially in winter.

matnikstym

denim tends to take a long time to dry, and clothes do get dirty so the khaki can dry in an afternoon, denim will take a few days. I wouldn't "sleep assist" children, they'll adjust faster than adults. What's your itinerary?

whizforty

Hi Jodi
We leave in 4 weeks! My boys are 14 and 9....and I have my fingers crossed that all goes well.I can well imagine the feeling.... This is our first visit to Africa and this board has been amazing.I have picked up so much from all of you. You guys seem to be such pro's on Africa, safaries and packing!!!

Jodi..I am taking khakis for the safari but denim (normal good tough jeans) while travelling (planes and long car drives between parks) is also comfy and wil also pack in a track pant...the kids are very cofortable in those.

Whizforty

jam5339

Hello again!

Thanks for the info on the khakis.

We have 3 nights @ Pafuri camp then 3 nights @ Honeyguide Khoka Moya camp; both in Kruger Park. Next we go to Johannesberg for 2 nights; Victoria Falls, Zambia for 2 nights; and our last 2 nights are in Capetown.

The kids are getting really excited, the more we search the internet, the more pics we find on this site, and IMAX is showing African Safari in 3D!!! Kruger park being one of the 5 parks that are featured in the movie.

We actually leave on the 28th.

Thank you all so much for all the great info, it helps to ease the anxiety alot!

Jodi

withkids

We fit right in! Our sons are 9 and 14, as well.

We have had great success through Target (in store, not on line) and JCPenney.com We searched the outlet store and the regular store.

We realize we may never wear this stuff again, but at least we didn't spend a fortune for it.

santharamhari

Jam5339,

Please keep us posted on your trip, when you return. Many of us, would be keen to learn more about Pafuri...and what your thoughts are.

Hari

Karen246

Travelling with kids is easy = just don't stress and don't listen to all the mumbo jumbo about this and that - you know your own kids better than anyone. Don't give them any sleeping assistance - let them adjust naturally - it is all part of the experience.

In relation to colour - go for neutrals - unless you are on a walking tour the animals will be more scared of you. Remember you are in the animals terrority so you need to behave acordingly. Your kids will have a great time will be how you behave on safari that matt

jam5339

Hi Guys!

Thanks for the tip "w/kids", we were too over-focused on the "khaki" but light colored neutrals should expand our options a bit more.

Hari - we return midday of the 12th and I'm back to work on the 14th, but I promise to post by that following wkend, if not before. Both camps look amazing from their website, but then so does McDonalds!

Karen - My husband & I decided that if we knock ourselves out then we won't have to listen to the "he touched me; she's looking at me....."
My only fear is that they'll be so excited they won't sleep on the way out, and w/ the layover in London, we're pushing a 30+hour trip. We'll get to camp and they'll just collapse! Oh well, we'll just have to play it by ear, but thanks for the vote of confidence in my kids.

Jodi

bacooking

We just returned from 3 weeks in Africa; Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbawbe and Botswana with our 3 children: 17, 14, and 12. They were the perfect ages. My son will be graduating next year too and we thought this was the perfect summer. It was a trip of a lifetime. We were on 16 different planes flying in and out of camps. We saw the big 5 in the first 2 days. Mobile camping on the serengeti was a real highlight as well as the hot air balloon in Kenya Masai Mara. We also loved the water safari and mokoro cruises in Botswana - the Kwetsani camp in Botswana was just amazing. Wonderful staff. We also witnessed the migration on the serengeti - It's amazing to see hundreds of zebras and wildebeest in one place. Saw tons of lions and cubs everywhere. Took over 2000 pictures and 14 hours of video. Can't wait to put together an i-movie with our footage. Have a great and wonderful time. We wore only khaki, green, brown and tan colors and we fit perfectly in. My kids had no problem adjusting to the time change at all. Do not brings jeans. They take too long to dry. We each had 2 pairs of shorts and 3 pairs of pants (wearing one). We bought a lot of stuff in brown, green, tan from old navy, gap and bought fleece jackets in green from lands end and sierra trading. THey were all under 20 dollars. It's really important to wear the natural colors, otherwise you look like a tourist. There was another family at one of our camps that looked totally american - white shirts, pink, blue, etc. My kids felt those kids looked really out of place. Have fun.
Betty

jam5339

Betty!

Thank you!! Great info, great shopping. We are soooo excited. Sounds like we are going to be just behind you w/ only 2 wks. I'd love to see pics when you get them on.

Thanks again!!

Jodi

bacooking

Jodi,
When you get back email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear where you stayed for future planning. We definately want to go back even though I said this would probably be my only trip to Africa. But fell in the love with the place. Have loads of fun. Keep good humor and an open mind.
Betty

Karen246

Jodi - if the plane is not full then perhaps you can move around or the other alternative is when checking in ask for two different rows and then you can alternate the seating arrangements during the trip. We have some friends who do lots of long haul with their three kids and that is what they do - we only have one so it is easier - but he is only little. You will have a great time

jam5339

Greetings again,

Thanks 2 all for keeping me in your thoughts. We are officially khakied-out! Just returned from a couple days in Orlando, and while hubby had the kids @ the waterpark, I shopped

Thanks Betty - Old Navy & Gap were on the money. (Not usually on my shopping route) Not only did they have sales, but I applied for a card at each store and got another 20% on everything. Also hit the London Fog store and picked up light weight water resist. wind-breakers and L/S fleece pullovers for all.

I think we are about set, 2 weeks and counting... time to start packing.

Have a good weekend! Jodi