We are so excited. We are taking our family of 8 on a private safari thru African Adventures leaving on August 5 for two weeks. We have 3 children, 2 spouses, 1 grandchild (4-1/2) and the 2 of us in our late 60's. Will we be completely safe? I wouldn't care as much except I worry about my little granddaughter. I know everyone on the post is so encouraging. I think I need to hear a yeah. Bugs, what could hurt us? Thanks. Betty

make sure she knows not to wander off by herself, make sure some adult is ALWAYS looking after her, when in the vehicle, she must stay still and quiet. on one drive we had a zambian family with a 4 year old boy with them and when we stopped to watch some lions, everything was cool until the boy started talking. the lions looked up at us, and got very inquistitive. our guide said lions know that young children are easy eating, so we drove off. So keep her under control and quiet and you should be o.k. don't let her touch the crawlie things either.

betharwein

You are going to be PERFECTLY SAFE.
Take the shots & medications prescribed and forget your worries. Kenya is a touristic destination which caters perfectly for those Wazungu (white humans) who know nothing about the bush. There will always be someone with a watching eye around... At night a Maasai warrior will escort you to your room or tent, if needed.
What can i say ? LA or NY are far more dangerous !

excited? the real excitement is still awaiting u in Africa

aby

There should be seatbelts in the safari vehicle. Be sure the little one is strapped in whenever you're driving anywhere. She/he may fuss, but be insistent.

At all other times, keep a watchful eye. If the primary caregiver wants to nap, someone else has to take over.

Once inside your rooms be sure the door are locked; in tents, be sure they are zipped (some camps have locks for the zippers, inquire about these). While, there are always watchful eyes in camp - staff, guides, askaris - but the child is still your responsibility. So be sure someone is always in charge.

Generally, safari is safe for everyone, even little ones. Just be on top of where, who, what and when when it comes to your grandchild and you'll all have a wonderful experience.

Sandi, do you think we would need to worry about anyone coming into our room or tent at night when we are sleeping? People would not try and take a little child, would they? Betty

no betty, what sandi was saying is keep the door/flap locked so your grandchild doesn't go off exploring by herself while everyone else is sleeping. no worries about kidnappers. (though there was a story of a kid taken and raised by hyenas)

Dennis is absolutely right. Nobody will take your child, but children are curious and can take it upon themselves to get into their own trouble and cause their family anguish. If everyone is sleeping, you won't know till after. It's just as easy for them to venture about on their own at home, as they might while on holiday.

If for some reason, a camp doesn't have locks for the main tent zipper, use one of your own. Just an extra safety measure.

Betty, I want to assure you that your loved ones are safer out in the bush than in their own hometown. I'm guessing you're from the states (as I am) where we have traffic accidents, home accidents, human predators in far greater numbers than anywhere else, etc. I never felt so safe as I did in the African bush. I'm reading that you are afraid someone will want to steal her and that's probably because she's so adorable. You'll soon see that everyone around you wants your safari to be safe and fun because their livelihood depends on it. You do not have to worry about anyone coming after her - as the others said, you need to worry that she will not wander off. You and her parents need to be very clear about who is the one watching her at all times. Go and have the trip of your lifetime!

Betty please do not worry about your grand-daughter's safety. She will have the most wonderful time of her life, and will be as safe (if not safer) than she is at home. My grandparents lived in Kenya until they retired and I had many happy holidays there as a child - on my first I was only a few months old. The worst thing that ever happened to me was an ear infection at the age of about seven whilst staying at Voi Safari Lodge, but we found a very nice Indian doctor an the nearest town and got antibiotics. Other than that... mosquito bites and the odd 'runny tummy' are the only problems I ever encountered. My grandma always made me wear a wide-brimmed hat between the hours of ten and two to avoid sun-stroke, I would recommend you do the same with your little girl. Also make sure she wears proper shoes to avoid getting jiggers in her toes (little bugs that bury and lay eggs under the toenail). Oh, and take malaria pills.
Happy holidays!