An Epic Guide to Family Safari Holidays

AN EPIC GUIDE TO FAMILY SAFARI HOLIDAYS

African safari holidays are one of the most exciting, life changing experiences and to share that with your family is something very special. A trip to one of our top safari destinations such as Botswana, Malawi and Namibia can be both experiential and educational, and will give you and your kids a true sense of exploration when you’re out there. From the stirring scenes of hippos bathing in the Okavango Delta wetlands and mind-blowing Massif mountain views at the Zomba Plateau to the golden sandy beaches at vast Lake Malawi, there are so many different ways that you and your family could make an African safari your own; and yours to remember forever. If you have the time to spare, the money to do it, and all the right gear to keep the whole family safe from the elements, there really is nothing we would recommend more than a safari trip to one of our beautiful African destinations.

Here at Signature Safaris, we like to think of our bespoke travel packages as life encounters, not just vacations. So if you’re in the midst of planning a family adventure, make sure you read our epic guide to family safari holidays…

The safari holiday has changed dramatically in recent decades; what was once only open to serious explorers and seasoned safari experts has now become a much more accessible possibility for just about anyone who has an adventurous bone in their body. With so much accessibility and so many resources to help you plan and get around safely, safari trips are now becoming an extremely popular choice for a family getaway. But not all destinations are created equal; here’s a breakdown of some fantastic safari destinations which could be suitable for your family and our recommended camps / lodges.

(This list of destinations above is by no means exhaustive; for more information about family travel to other destinations in Africa, feel free to contact our team for advice.)

Packing for the whole family isn’t easy at the best of times. For a family safari in Africa, it can be a total mind boggle, especially when you have limited luggage space. Here’s a list of some must-pack items; it’s always better to be safe than sorry so preparation is everything.

Warm and Cool Clothing

Safari travel won’t always be hot. If you’re unsure, contact our team for weather/climate advice but many of our destinations will be much warmer in the day and then cooler at night. And with some game safaris happening very early on or very late, you need to be sure you have the appropriate clothing for all extremes.

UV Clothing / Breathable Clothing

Not everyone likes to get high-tech with their holiday gear but it’s highly recommended for safaris. Breathable footwear will keep feet cool, moisture wicking clothing will help to prevent stickiness and UV protective t-shirts will protect your little ones from harmful UV rays.

Insect Repellent

Mosquitos are very common when the weather is hot and humid. This means rainy summer seasons are the easiest times to get bitten. When packing repellent, make sure you choose a multi-insect repellent to protect against all bugs. If you’re prone to getting bitten, it could be an idea to pack various protective measures such as repellent spray, creams, wipes, arm bands and repellent clothing.

Sun Cream / Aftersun

We recommend bringing the highest factor possible; spending all day out in the sun on a safari adventure can leave you and your kids with very bad sunburn if you’re not careful. Bring plenty and don’t buy low factor creams.

Protective Eyewear

Having the right sunglasses will make all the difference on safari. Not only will they protect your family’s eyes from harmful UV rays but they can help to create better clarity and deflect glare. Brands such as Oakley, Carrera, Ray Ban, Bolle and Serengeti are high performance brands and many of them feature kids’ collections too.

Emergency Medication

You can never be too careful, especially when you’re travelling to a new place with children. We would always suggest packing the following; antihistamines (including antihistamine cream for bites), anti-malaria pills (if required), nausea medication / stomach settlers and anti-diarrhoea tablets.

Booking a family safari holiday is easier than ever and here at Signature Safaris, we will do whatever we can to make your holiday planning a doddle. The family friendly camps and lodges featured on our website are hand curated by our expert safari team and have been chosen for their excellent hospitality and top facilities. If you have any doubts, questions, thoughts or reservations, please don’t hesitate to contact our team and we’d be more than happy to advise you. Otherwise, read on for some top tips on how to make your family safari trip run as smoothly as possible.

Always Start Small

Not only can the pace of safari holidays be overwhelming but the amount of animals to see, witness and learn about can be a lot to take in all in one go; start small at the viewing spots at your camp and try visiting smaller parks before you head to the big ones. You can also prep young kids with some wildlife books so they know what to expect when they arrive; after all, big predators may appear scary to very small people! Educating your kids about wild animals will also keep them safe so always be prepared.

Take a Large Backpack

It’s important to make sure you have access to everything when you take kids out on a game safari. You could be out there for hours and you never know when your little ones might need extra sun cream, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, medication or an extra layer to keep them warm when the sun goes down.

Let Your Kids Make their Own Experiences

Children may struggle with the early mornings, long days and late nights so it’s important to book in some ‘wind down’ time, even if it’s just chilling and relaxing at the camp. We also think it’s important to let your kids make their own experiences and memories from their safari trip; give them a kid-safe camera or video recording device and let them devise their own projects. They’ll love the responsibility and they’ll feel like they are making a big contribution to the holiday.

Being safe on safari is paramount so it’s important to do your research before you travel anywhere. We recommend using the Gov.uk travel resource to check the latest updates on safety / health / terrorism / natural disasters and be sure to brush up on your desired destination by using our Planning & Resources section; we have ultimate guides which all feature health and safety tips and general information about what you’ll see on safari, which parks to visit and where to stay.

In addition to conducting all the necessary research, reading travel blogs and turning to trusted internet sites for reviews, we would definitely suggest the following tips:

Don’t risk your life for a photo – there will be many, many photo opps during your time on safari so never put yourself or your family at danger just to get that perfect photo. It’s dangerous and isn’t worth the risk.
Trust your instincts – the guides on safari are experienced and will always have the safety of their visitors in mind. However, you should always trust your own instincts – if you don’t deem a situation safe, don’t be afraid to speak up.
Don’t corner wild animals – it can be easy for kids to become over familiar with animals, especially if they are abundant at your camp where you are staying. But never corner them for a photo as animals can react unpredictably if they feel threatened or scared.
Listen to your guide – your guides are experienced with stepping out into the wild and crossing the paths of wild animals. Listen to their rules and advice. If they set ground rules on a safari trip, it’s in your own interest (and the interest of your family and others) to obey them.

If you have any questions about the destinations mentioned above or any of our other destinations – including Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique or Republic of the Congo – get in touch with our team today. We would be happy to help assist in creating your next family adventure. Call 01342 811787 or email info@signatureafricansafaris.com.