see_the_world7

We've been considering taking a safari for a few years now, and we think that are children might now be old enough to do a safari with one of the companies that has safaris for families. Our daughter will be 7 and a half in August and our son with be almost 9, and they are well-traveled.

We've been looking at several companies that have family tours including Imaginative Traveller, Explore, Families Worldwide, and The African Adventure Company.

Has anyone travelled with any of these companies before? We rarely book with a tour group, but in this case we feel it is probably the best way to go. Are there other companies you'd recommend?

I've been reading trip reports on here of people who have done safaris with younger children, but only saw one that went with a particular company.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

sandi

By the time children are 7-8/years they're ready for safari; when they clearly understand instructions. So they're at the right age.

Also, for what you pay with many companies that offer "group" departures, any number of the companies listed in the Trip Reports can provide an independent itinerary for your family. This way you set your own schedule - arrival/departure dates, where you visit, # of days at each, type of accommodations, whether driving or flying.

The costs can be the same, though often less than group travel. You can also set your own schedule once in-country, i.e., if you don't want to go on a game drive early (6am) you can arrange to go out at 8am - not beholden to other members of a group. Arrange cultural activities that yours would find interesting.

Children are well attended; some properties even having special programs for the young ones.

A few of the trip reports, as I recalls, where grandparents took their 11/yr granddaughter; mom & dad with 5/yr old twins and mom's father. And I know of a family who traveled with a 5/yr old and 2/yr old.

So, it's doable and can be enjoyable for all. Go for it!

atravelynn

August is a wonderful time throughout Africa.

Here are some other links for kids’ safaris
http://www.kerdowneybotswana.com/ind...826e5a6b7f6115

http://safari.go2africa.com/tours/fa...fari-tours.asp

http://www.kiboguides.com/safariShow.php?safId=58

http://www.thomsonsafaris.com/sa_family.shtml

Sometimes malaria-free areas are of interest to parents traveling with younger kids. In general I don’t think the malaria-free zones offer the same level of options and variety. If choosing areas where malaria exists, you just take medication.

These are some malaria free spots:
http://www.uyaphi.com/accommodationMALARIAfree.htm
http://www.go2africa.com/malaria-fre...is/default.asp

You mentioned that you don’t usually travel with a group. You can easily customize a safari for just your family and your driver/guide if you choose East Africa. Your family becomes the group.

Of the companies you listed, I have traveled with The Africa Adventure Company and all has gone great. More importantly, when some glitches arose, they fixed everything so it could continue to go great. Of the companies you listed, I believe only AAC specializes in Africa. I'd choose an Africa specialist rather than a family travel company that offers an Africa itinerary.

twaffle

We took our 7 yr old daughter and 10 yr old son on safari for the first time in 2005. We booked a 4x4 and driver for the 4 of us and travelled through Kenya. We had no problems, everyone was friendly and responsive to the children. I wouldn't have wanted to travel with a group for many reasons, but certainly not with children as we wanted to be flexible and responsive to their needs. We booked with Bunson Travel in Nairobi but they used Sunworld for the car and driver/guide and both were excellent. I don't know anything about the companies you mentioned so can't forward an opinion. Just that the safari experience for the children was life changing for them, even at that age.

Poppins

I agree that a private tour for your family is a better option. Then you can choose lodges that specifically cater for families and have activities for children.

Why don't you try sending a request to a couple of operators and see what the options are.

In the Kruger, great lodges for children are:

Honeyguide Khoka Moya (good value) http://www.southerndestinations.com/...oka_moya_camp/

Londolozi Founders Camp (great game)http://www.southerndestinations.com/...founders_camp/

Ulusaba Rock lodge (expensive)
www.ulusaba.com

Where to go depends on your budget.

A great operator for families is Cederberg Travel based in South Africa. www.cedarbergtravel.com

HLester3

HI. I have to agree with Sandi I think you should look at some lodges that interest you and organize your own iteneray.

We took our 5 year old twins to Africa 2 years ago. I really enjoyed looking at the different possibilities and deciding which ones that I liked and wanted to go to.

We went to Sabuk which was a great lodge. Extrememly friendly and we had a great room with a bunk bed loft that the kids loved. I think that they even have a pool now. Had a great guide who the kids really liked.

Then we went to Mnemba island. IT is a little expensive, but because the kids were under 6 we did not get charged for them. We probably will not be going again for a while, even though we would love to.

Then we went to Shampole - this is a great looking lodge, I have lots of great pictures, but the animals were a little sparse and we were a little bored here during the day between safari's.

Next we went to the Masai Mara to Elephant Pepper Camp and it was great. This was a delux tent camp and the kids loved it. There were animals everywhere compared to the other lodges. The people that ran the camp were young and the kids loved them. They took them on special nature hikes, where they got to see dung beetles.

Our last place was Giraffe Manor, which was my dream to go to ever since I saw it. The kids still talk about it. The giraffe's come up and you can feed them at Breakfast/Dinner through the windows. YOu can also feed them at other times of day or in the front of the house.

I also have one last suggestion. I am not sure where you are flying from, but we took a couple of day stop in Cairo on the way down to Nairobi. I wasn't sure when we were going to be in that part of the world again and decided to stop.

I really liked Cairo and stopped off again this summer on the way to Dubai.

I used Mango Safari's and told them what lodges I wanted to go to and they helped book all of the inter-country airfare and any charters we needed. It could not have been easier. We always had someone waiting for us at the airport to take us to the next gate etc. I believe that Sandi does this also and could probably help you arrange this.

Good Luck!

atravelynn

I just got this because I had requested a safari from Kensington.

http://www.kensingtontours.com/desti...amp;regionid=2

The offer is through July 31, but they might be talked into extending to Aug if you didn't want to go earlier.

I think Kensington does private trips around the world, not just Africa. Maybe kids go free will be an offer from others as well.

Nyamera

See_the_world7, as you’ve been given a link to Thomson Safaris, I think you should also read this blog entry where volunteer worker Brian MacCormaic describes his encounter with this company.
http://africanfarmersjournal.blogspo...i-dispute.html

I don’t know anything about the companies that you mention, and I too would prefer a private safari with an operator inside the country that you decide on.

cw

see_the_world7,

www.andbeyond.com (formerly knows as CCAfrice) has children's programs at many of their camps.

Some of their South African lodges are in non-malaria areas.

http://www.andbeyondafrica.com/afric...family_safaris

What a great trip for all of you.

Nyamera

Basecamp Maasai Mara have children’s activities
http://www.basecampexplorer.com/masa...ties/114124/en

and so do the Intrepids Camps
http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/intrepids.html

see_the_world7

Thanks everyone for some good links. We've been in contact with a few companies. We might push this trip back til 2010, but we're definitely going so if there are any other companies you'd recommend or particularly good areas, I greatly appreciate the info.

Even though we travel quite a bit, I feel very overwhelmed trying to plan a safari. There are so many choices in so many countries!

Kahuki

Jambo!

Amboseli game reserve is a perfect Kids destination, check out the links below

http://www.magicalafrica.net/Articles/Amboseli.htm

or http://www.kidscantravel.com/travelg...lan/index.html

Regards, Henry

mistypopper

Just been trawling around looking at Family specific info on Safari operators sites pages and found these... some good stuff here.

Some lodges run specific programmes and have dedicated rangers for families.. this makes a huge impact. Ask your tour operator for them.

http://www.go2africa.com/african-family-holidays
and got this article in their newsletter today - about the md and her kids on safari in botswana.
http://www.go2africa.com/africa-trav.../family-affair

This is also a great site for family safari info... and it looks like they travel with their kids too.
http://www.aardvarksafaris.com/family-safaris-a.html

Have fun and remember some games for them to play