African Safari with Family: 9 Things You Need to Know Before Taking Your Kids on Safari

However, planning a safari with children requires careful consideration to ensure their safety, comfort, and enjoyment throughout the journey.

Here are nine essential things you need to know before taking your kids on safari.

Many safari lodges and camps have minimum age restrictions for children. These restrictions vary depending on the destination and the lodge policy. At many safari lodges, children under six are not allowed on open-safari vehicle game drives, mainly due to the potential for disturbances.

There are some exceptions to the minimum age restrictions for children, but finding out which lodges accept children of all ages on game drives can be daunting.

That is why we recommend you book your family safari through a destination expert who can offer expert advice on which lodges are child-friendly and, if possible, suggest ways to work around minimum age restrictions on game drives.

For example, while our scheduled Kruger Park safaris only allow children from the age of eight on shared game drives, families with children younger than eight can book a private departure with no other guests on board. This allows our safari guide to tailor the game-viewing experience to your family's expectations. On these private family safaris, children of all ages are welcome on game drives, and the open-sided safari vehicles are designed with side panels which will keep young children safe.

Opting for a private safari vehicle allows your family exclusive access to the safari guide throughout your game drives. This flexibility is particularly beneficial when travelling with younger children, as it gives you the freedom to determine the pace and duration of your outings according to your children's needs and interests.

If you notice your child is losing interest and starting to fret, you can ask your safari guide to cut the game drive short and drive you back to camp without having to worry about taking the wishes of other guests on the vehicle into account.

Additionally, private safari vehicles offer a more intimate wildlife experience, with ample space for your family to observe wild animals comfortably.

While game drives are the highlight of any African safari experience, many lodges offer additional adventure activities such as boating safaris, fishing excursions and sunset cruises.

Certain activities, however, may have age or height restrictions for safety reasons. For example, gorilla trekking, whitewater rafting, guided walking safaris and hot air balloon rides often require children to be a certain age or size to participate.

A reputable safari operator will check the age and height requirements for all activities you plan to engage in during your safari and suggest alternatives in the event your children don't meet the requirements.

To cater to younger guests, many safari lodges offer children's activity programmes designed to educate and entertain kids while their parents enjoy game drives or relaxation time. These programmes can include nature walks, arts and crafts, wildlife-themed games, and storytelling sessions.

For example, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge has some of the best nature-themed activities and child-friendly adventures we have encountered, making this lodge a great option for family safaris.

Tailormade by childcare professionals and with dedicated staff on hand to look after the children, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge's child-friendly activity programme includes an indoor discovery room, an arts and crafts playroom, a secured outdoor playground area and other educational and entertaining activities.

We list more examples of child-friendly game lodges and tented camps in top African safari destinations in our blog Size Does Matter - So Let's Focus on the Little Ones.

Malaria is one of the major concerns many parents have when planning a family safari. The good news is that many safari lodges in malaria-free areas have seen this as an opportunity to provide a safari experience geared towards families with children. Most malaria-free safari destinations are family-friendly and cater to children of all ages.

One such malaria-free safari destination is Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa's remote North West Province. Madikwe is not only one of the best Big Five conservation areas in Africa, but many of its safari camps welcome children with specially planned child-friendly meals, unique nature outings, animal paw-print mould making, baking and pizza making, stargazing and other activities designed to educate and entertain children of all ages while leaving parents free to relax, unwind and enjoy their safari experience.

Apart from Madikwe, other top malaria-free safari destinations in South Africa include the Waterberg region, Pilanesberg National Park, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Western Cape, Samara in the Karoo, Tswalu or !Khamab in the Kalahari, Mkambati Nature Reserve along the Wild Coast, and the Eastern Cape (which includes greater Addo National Park and Shamwari Game Reserve, among many others).

Family-friendly safari lodges and camps typically offer a variety of accommodation options to suit families of different sizes. Family rooms or tents with multiple interleading bedrooms and dual en-suite bathrooms provide ample space and privacy for parents with children.

Depending on whether a lodge or camp is fenced, some lodges and camps may have safety measures that require one adult to share a room or tent with a child below a certain age. Generally, fenced lodges are better and safer than unfenced camps for families with young children.

Ask us to recommend a suitable safari lodge or tented camp that can accommodate your family's specific sleeping arrangements and preferences.

Dining on safari often revolves around communal meals served at set times. Gathering around the fire at night to share stories of the most spectacular animal sightings of the day and tucking into a beautifully prepared meal is an integral part of the African safari experience.

While this setup can be enjoyable for families, it is essential to consider your children's dietary preferences and mealtime routines. Our travel consultants go the extra mile to inform the lodge in advance of any dietary restrictions or special requests for your children and inquire about flexible meal options to accommodate your family's needs.

Many safari lodges have swimming pools where families can relax and cool off after a morning of adventure. However, very few swimming pools are covered with a safety net or fenced off to prevent young children from accidentally wandering over and falling into the pool. Always supervise your children closely around water to prevent accidents.

Before going on a safari, speak to your children about the importance of respecting wildlife and always maintaining a safe distance. They should never reach out and try to touch a wild animal. Even the tame-looking antelopes, warthogs or monkeys that sometimes wander through the camp can be dangerous, particularly if children try to approach them, pet them, or feed them.

Always try to keep food out of sight. Some monkeys have lost their fear of humans and have learned to grab food out of their hands which can be frightening if you're not expecting it.

Packing essential items such as sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, and sturdy walking shoes will also contribute to a safe and comfortable safari experience for your family.

Safety is paramount when travelling with children on safari. Before embarking on game drives or other activities, familiarize yourself and your family with the safety protocols provided by your safari operator or lodge. On our safaris, guest safety is our top priority and you will receive a full safety briefing at the start of your safari.

Encourage your children to listen to their guide's instructions and remain seated in the safari vehicle. Standing up or leaning out of the safari vehicle is a safety risk and might scare the animals away.

It is also common courtesy to lower your voice at sightings and to keep movements to a minimum to avoid disturbing the wildlife.

Beyond these simple rules, which apply to adults too, encourage your children to ask the guide questions. Safari guides love sharing their passion for African wildlife and the wonders of nature with young, inquiring minds. On our Kruger Park safaris, we supply every family with a free guidebook and animal checklist, which includes a map of the park. We find that most children love identifying and marking off the different animals they see during game drives.

All of us here at Wild Wings Safaris went on safari with our parents when we were kids, and we have done the same with our children. Taking your children on an African safari is perfectly possible, can be done safely, and is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have as a family. It provides amazing opportunities for adventure, learning, and bonding.