Safari companies in South Africa and Kenya open their doors to families seeking adventure with children of all ages.
Safari, or “travel” in Swahili, is no longer limited to adventure-seeking adults and perhaps older teens. Family Travel Forum’s consulting division has tracked the increase in the number of safari companies catering to families with younger children. For generations, families were discouraged from bringing children under age 14 along on a safari. “They’re too young to wake up for dawn animal viewing,” was one complaint. “They can’t keep still in the Jeeps” was another.
Yet more robust demand has forced the industry to rethink its policies and make more options available. Safari companies such as those in South Africa, Kenya and Zambia are welcoming even toddlers into the world of the wild.
Family Safaris in Botswana & South Africa
Maniago Safaris (254 20 4449461/2), one of Africa’s leading travel destination management companies, has created kid-friendly safaris to include ages 4-12, as well as specialized trips in East Africa. One such excursion is to Stanley’s Camp, a 260,000-acre ground in the untamed landscape of Botswana. Activities allow children to camp outdoors next to hippos, and feed the wildlife while getting to know the elephants. Visitors can walk with the herd and even learn more about the Masai people indigenous to this location.
Two private lodges located within the famous Kruger National Park of South Africa are making efforts to welcome children by incorporating them into guided safari programs. The exclusive Savanna Lodge (27/13 751 2474) at Sabi Sands in Kruger National Park has lowered its minimum age from 14-years to 8. One of their private tent suites will accommodate children of any age, and the camp organizes two family game drives daily with, as they put it, "a drink and snack break" in between.
The Rock Lodge at Ulusaba (877/577-8777), the ultimate “Big Five” (leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos, and African buffalo) safari destination, is another private game reserve that has arranged family suites with plunge pools, a supervised Cubs Club for children of all ages (kids under 6 are free), and specialized game drives for children 6-years and up. Part of Sir Richard Branson's empire, there is no set program for the Cubs Clubs here; children enjoy activities such as treasure hunts and story time, and “Cubs cuisine,” with kid favorite dishes like pasta and pizza.
On the outskirts of Kruger National Park is Camp Jabulani (27 12 460 5605), an award-winning eco-luxury camp that grew after the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) rescued and nursed a baby elephant, Jabulani, back to health. The camp has a family-friendly villa, the Zindoga Presidential Villa, and a kids program, Team Tusker, for children under the age of 12. As parents enjoy their own safari experience, the youngsters will experience educational and exciting supervised activities twice a day. Unique and fun events include: dung throwing, bush cooking and baking, bug catching, African song and dance classes, bird watching and star-naming. And of course, the staple campfire stories, T-shirt making and arts-n-crafts are also available. Plus, all children (as long as they are accompanied by their parents) will have the opportunity to participate in Camp Jabulani's elephant riding experience.
Also based in South Africa, African Classic Encounters (212/972-0031) puts a kid-friendly spin on the African experience by naming the continent “nature’s theme park.” All safari programs are led by personal rangers and a skilled Shangaan tracker. Special family-oriented programs include a Walk with Baboons, a two- to three-hour guided hike to see troops of Chacma Baboons (the southern-most primates in the world) in their natural environment. Families can also whale-watch along the South African coastline and see the migration of 40-ton Southernright whales, or explore Boulder Beach to watch the jackass penguins, found nowhere else in the world.
The Mantis Collection (877/354-2213) boasts a variety of boutique hotels and game reserves across Europe, Africa and even Antarctica. In Africa, choose from the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, Nkomazi Game Reserve, Jock Safari Lodge, and the Mpumalanga Game Reserve in South Africa, or their newer lodges in Rwanda. The reserves blend luxury accommodations, an award-winning regard for environmental preservation, and an African backdrop to view elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards.
Mantis guests with smaller children (4-years and older to participate in excursions) should opt for the child-friendly Shamwari Game Reserve. Their special children safaris offer a coordinator to discuss family activity options in regards to family size, children's ages, and weather. Children also receive a gift pack with plush toy, workbook, and surprises, and have their own children's menu for meals. The reserve also offers children their own culture experience through African bead making, clay making activities, face painting, star-gazing and African story-telling. Family excursions include trips to The Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre, Shamwari Wildlife Hospital, and Shamwari Film Studio to capture your family's adventure on DVD.
Family Safaris in Kenya
As the originator of the safari as tourism movement, Kenya holds a special place in the hearts of many animal lovers. Almost any African tour operator can arrange a safari for your family in Kenya, but there are noted guides who specialize in customizing a safari to a multi-generational group, providing private trackers, planes and lodging for a big price tag. John Stevens Safaris (+263 4 494313), run by John and his wife Nicci — who handles logistics — from their base in Zimbabwe, is one of the continent's pre-eminent private guide services. Notes world traveler John Levy, "We had one of our greatest family adventures with John who took us through the wilds of Botswana. I cannot overstate what a fantastic experience this was for all of us, and we are eager to return." The extended Levy family safari included 17 family members ranging from 7 to 83 years of age. With two decades of tracking and living amongst the continent's wildlife, we found John to be a remarkable storyteller who leaves his mark on visitors of any age.
In Kenya, the well regarded Governors’ Camps (254 (20) 273 4000) are welcoming families with a flexible “do-it-your-way” safari set up. Basically, this program offers three drives per day with your own vehicle, a hot air balloon safari, walking safaris with a guide, and the opportunity to visit a local school for Maasai children. Using facilities at the six Governors’ Camps properties (voted Best Hotel in Kenya by Travel + Leisure magazine), families can have their own sleep-and-dine tents with 8 beds and a verandah for game viewing. Smaller family tents sleep up to two adults and three kids. The company provides childcare for parents who want to dine alone, and guarantees that kids who want to pitch their own tent will be assigned a night watchman to stand by.
Maniago Safaris (254 20 4449461/2), who cater to ages 4-12, are based in Kenya. They specialize in family programs to Giraffe Manor, outside of Nairobi and work closely with the recreation staff of Heritage Hotels (254/ (20) 44 6651, 303/993-7906). The luxury hotel group is considered a leader in youth programs and offers a variety of family and wallet-friendly safari programs to make your trip to Africa the family vacation to remember.
The Adventurers Club (ages 4-12) exposes children to the magic of Africa with activities such as making plaster casts of Big Cat tracks from the real thing, planting trees and learning about deforestation, and catching and studying butterflies, the program features a “bush school.” This unique opportunity allows children to learn about the bush through excursions to historical sites, conservation work, and cultural and sporting exchanges with local Maasai and Samburu communities. The activities are run by famed Kenyan naturalists, who are each assisted by highly trained counselors responsible for the care and wellbeing of the younger children. All Adventurers staff have undergone specialist 1st-Aid training, and most speak at least two European languages.
The focus of the Young Rangers Club for teen guests is conservation education, community interaction, and practical ‘bush skills.’ It aims to educate teens about the importance of Africa’s wilderness and tribal cultures, and the need to preserve both for future generations. Participants are encouraged to join in special fly-fishing and camping expeditions (available to Loita Hills in Maasailand or to the summit of Samburus’ sacred Mount Olokwe).
Family Safaris in Zambia
Robin Pope Safaris (260/216 246 090/091/092 ) welcomes families at several different facilities in Zambia including Nkwali Camp and Luangwa Safari House (7-years and up), Robin’s House (children of all ages), and Tena and Nsefu Camps (age 12 and up). (Bush camping is suggested for ages 16 and up.) These unique camps boast impressive collections of lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, elephant, giraffe, and more than 400 species of birds that will dazzle families and children. Each camp sleeps 14 people or less to ensure an intimate setting and individual attention. Children enjoy watching the animals playing, eating, and hunting on game drives. And on guided nature walks, families can learn how to identify animal paw prints and droppings, just like authentic bushmen.
Children delight in visiting native children at their school in the Kawaza Village and learning about local customs and culture. The Robin Pope Safari also keeps families entertained after a long day of exploration with safari packs featuring fun quizzes and puzzles. To keep the family-bonding going all safari long, lodges also provide books, games, cards, swingball, paints, sandbox, nearby swimming pool, kid-friendly meals, cookie-baking, and collecting eggs from the hen house. Parents looking to steal a moment to themselves can also arrange for childcare.
Whether families are traveling for a glimpse of the “Big Five” or just looking for a memorable experience, with more safari companies catering to the younger generation, Africa may soon become a more mainstream — and affordable — family destination.
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On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop selling the Google Glass product to consumers — who became its “Explorers” — while it makes more improvements to the technology and hardware. Simultaneously, the product will move from its test phase at Google X and become its own department within the giant technology company.
For complete details, please see this story: Google Glass Sales Halted.
This is a great summary of emerging family travel trends in 2015. I am very excited to see ecotourism evolving to include the youngest travelers as well as multi-gen travelers. Very interesting to see uber attempt to dig into the family market. As for all-inclusive hotels, after years of resisiting, I am finally a convert. My kids have always loved them and now their parents finally see the ease and economy of the pay-one-price concept. Happy Travels in 2015!
great feedback on what we’re seeing for 2015; agree that ecotourism has become so mainstream that it’s time all ages and all abilities (including those with disabilities) are included in nature-focused travel.
And yes, disruptive technologies like uber and airbnb are usually started by young people and grow by appealing to young travelers, but as we all know, they too will settle down and have kids and then look at new ways to make their services more “family-friendly.” So that’s an area where we see tremendous growth potential and hope for fresh ideas.
excited about what’s coming in 2015! Thanks for your comments.
I’m in, would love to win a stay at the Camelback water park in Pennsylvania. Close to my NJ home and sounds like a fun snowy or rainy day break with my boys. Sign me up!
After returning from a vacation with her daughter, C.S. shared this review of the Dreams Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic.
“Hi, we did not get sick at Dreams Punta Cana, stuck to bottled water, they were nice there not really attentive at concierge or lobby not knowledgeable and internet not working well, entertainment was okay and food just okay beach nice, tours not organized very well for swim with dolphins and no shopping for malls provided.
Yes the food was not great at all, hoping for better at gourmet restaurants, they always burnt the steak and not great the food, the world café was fine, buffet.
Kids club for my 8 year old she was bored, most of the kids were younger and not a lot to do for the 8 to 9 year olds, riviera maya dreams does a better job with kids club and takes them out to the real pool for kid games that is always nice.
I like Riviera Maya Mexico still a lot better.”
“The Singing Tower.” Bok Towers Gardens. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.
The Vera Bradley outlet sale sounds like a midwestern version on Filene’s Running of the Brides! It sounds like a paisley lovers dream and a fun Mother/Daughter bonding event. Thanks for sharing!
How’s the weather up there now? Would it be warm enough to swim outdoors in late April, or still chilly? Seems like a fun spring break getaway since we only have a few days. Thanks for sharing.
I love Rocky Mountain National park! It’s great for all Colorado seasons. In the winter, when other parts of the park are closed down, they open up sledding areas. When I went, we shared the hill with just one other small group. A great afternoon for all ages!
In spite of all the cold weather we have been experiencing, this story makes me want to head up to Montreal for a frosty weekend of fun. The Montreal en Lumiere festival sounds like a winner, as does the hotel. Thank you for the terrific seasonal suggestions!
Skiing is such a wonderful way to experience Colorado’s beauty! There is such pride in that state and I love that so many resorts really cater to children too.
Eldora Mountain Resort wasn’t mentioned on this list, but on Saturday, March 8, they are hosting a scavenger hunt to raise money for Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to teaching people to take care of the world around them, while also having fun. How awesome is that?! Can’t wait to hear more about it.
This is an excellent article. Well researched, thoughtful and motivating. I know as a parent right now considering a family cruise this Spring Break in March, kids drowning will be on my mind even though my son is on a swim team and swims two miles five nights a week for practice. Drowning can happen to anyone, any time, at any age. As a former swim instructor and lifeguard myself for many years to earn summr spending money and put myself through college, I know how water is dangerous — whether in a pool, lake, baeach or bathtub. But we all need reminding and education about what drowning looks like. And that is what you’ve done for me today. Thank you.
As a teen life guard, I saved a kid at our local pool who was “just floating.” It was a crowded pool on a sticky, hot Midwest day. A swimmer in the middle of the packed giant kids’ pool started yelling at me and pointing to the child “floating.” I’ll never forget doing mouth-to-mouth, his wide vacant eyes, his limp body, and then him catapulting upwards, spitting, sputtering to life. I tear up as I write this. What if he hadn’t lived? The guilt, the fright, the parents, the park district, the system…who to blame if the child had died? Would I be blamed for not seeing him inactive sooner? Would the pool be blamed for allowing too many people in? Would the park district be blamed for booking the swimming event? Did anything change after this incident? Yes. I got fired. And went to work for another pool heading up their swimming lessons program.
Thank you for writing this and your call to action for everyone to take responsibility for children around water at all hours of the day and night. Your “unthinkable” article has given us all much to think about.
Would be a fun vacation if you could really save money by doing it too!
What an adventure, I would love to do embark on a journey like this with my teens. The flora and fauna seem incredible, the guides professional. Thank you for sharing!
We’ve heard the Boeing factory tour is really interesting – wondering now if there any exhibits or parts areas that relate to the new Dreamliner. Would love to see one up close, especially being assembled after all the battery snafus.
Wish we all could have been there, Morocco looks fabulous and during the winter it would be a very productive coder’s retreat.
Congratulations to ALL of the students who entered in the FTF Writing Scholarship contest :3 Of course a big "congrats" should be merited to our winners, but I think every student who entered deserves a pat on the back–hopefully they'll be inspired to continue writing, too!
This sounds like a great resort for my all-inlusive loving teen children, who have a " bigger is better" attitude. I love that it is so close to the Cancun Airport, so you can get right to the fun as soon as you land.
I love the idea that guests at the hotel can "assemble" their own favorite meals from a variety of healthy offerings. Sounds like a great idea. If only I had time to cook so many different options every night at home!
This looks like a fascinating experience to remember and to go too! I have always wanted to go to Dubai and going there is a vacation never to forget!
Enjoy
One of the best states to come visit!
You make me want to go there and spend weeks on end, reconnecting with nature and making friends. And blobbing too. Thanks for sharing this.
Cincinnati, Ohio. Just another city in the Mid-West, right? Wrong. Cincinnati is one of the greatest cities in Ohio. With our stunning river front view, our bustling downtown, and the newly gentrified Over-the-Rhine, what else could we have in store?
For starters, Cincinnati has the 7th best zoo in the nation.Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a great location for exploration and learning. People of all ages can appreciate the wide variety of animals found in the Zoo. Not only are the animals astounding, but guests get the chance for a hands on experience with many of the animals. For example, in Giraffe Ridge, guests can purchase a snack for the Giraffes and then feed them over the balcony. These moments will be remembered and cherished for the rest of a person's life.
Another great accessory Cincinnati has is the new, urban planned area called "The Banks. The Banks features apartments on the second floor of the buildings and restaurants and music venues on the first floor. This is a great area for younger couples to hang out at night.
Findlay Market is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or weekend. Findlay Market is the oldest public market in the state of Ohio. The market is open every day but Monday and is one of the best places to find locally and organically grown foods. Another great feature about Findlay Market is that the area surrounding the market is newly gentrified, meaning that it has been refurbished. This makes the area even more desirable.
The Newport Aquarium</a>is not located in the city of Cincinnati itself but it is an awesome place for family fun. Newport, Kentucky is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Cincinnati and has other amenities. Other places to visit while in Newport would be Dewey's Pizza, Brothers, Brio, and the Haufbrau House. All these restaurants give a different essence to the name "Cincinnati". Dewey's is a local pizza joint that runs the gamut in available options. Clever names and quick service make for a great time. Brothers and Brio are Italian restaurants that serve authentic Italian cuisine (Brothers is the less expensive option). The Haufbrau House is a German Bier Garten style restaurant that offers a large selection of beers and sandwiches. Along with normal options, the HaufBrau House also provides authentic German food. After you eat, the chicken dance is played, giving patrons the opportunity to dance on the table tops.
Other Cincinnati food traditions are Goetta and Skyline. When German immigrants came over to America, they settled along the Ohio River, then called the "Rhine". The Germans created a meat similar to sausage called Goetta. Goetta consists of ground pork or beef, oats, and a variety of spices. This specific meat can only be found in Cincinnati and occasionally there are large festivals for Goetta and German heritage. On the other hand Skyline is chili, created by Greek immigrants. The name "Skyline" originates from the owner believing that the Cincinnati skyline was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Skyline chili has a unique flavor due to the large amount of chocolate used in the chili.
Come one come all! Memphis is the breeding grounds to fun and adventure!
I truly love my City of Houston. Though I don't know where my education will take me, Houston will always be my home.
Austin is a great place to live, love, and visit. It has wonderful sites, people, and things to do. Everybody should visit Austin.
Say what you will. An open mind is insightful.
Thank you for this spot-on mini-review of Greve and Panzano, two of the most scenic and charming towns in Chianti. Daniel Ferro's summer music program only adds to the area's beauty, with music in the piazza to entertain locals and visitors alike. The rental property sounds like an excellent choice for families who choose to vacation in and explore the area. Thanks for sharing!
Ames, Iowa provides many opportunities to experience American culture and become immersed in American history. Since the mid 1800s, Ames has become a booming college town. Culture has had lots of time to flourish in this time, and evidence of the age of this town can be found everywhere. Tourists coming to Ames can also feel safe and enjoy Ames' attractions without fear of crime. Gun fights in Ames are practically unheard of, and the friendly people never hesitate to wave, even at newcomers to the area. Any tourist can appreciate the age and personality of Ames, as well as its safety.
To experience the culture in Ames, tourists must visit Stephen's Auditorium on Iowa State University's campus. This theater hosts a variety of concerts, plays, musicals, and other theatrical performances. Comfortable seating and awesome acoustics make this location a worthy contender for a relaxing night out. Big acts such as Bill Nye the Science Guy and the band Needtobreathe have to known to reserve this venue so one feels included in a special and popular event, but the space does not have an overwhelming size, so overcrowding and overheating will not deduct from the experience. Stephen's Auditorium will help in discovering the culture of Ames.
Tourists wishing to discover some of Ames' culture would greatly benefit from attending Ames' Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street. Vendors have local and homegrown produce, meat, eggs, pastries, jewelry, art and many other items for sale that offer a taste of Iowan culture. Musicians often perform for shoppers, so they can be entertained while shopping. Ames' Farmer's Market provides an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of Ames and Iowa.
Evidence of Ames' history can be found in a visit to Iowa State University's campus. Founded in 1858, Iowa State University was the sight where George Washington Carver decided to do much of his botany research. Visitors to the college will see evidence of the age of this college in the buildings from this era that still exist. Iowa State University also housed the master minds who created the first computer. Tourists to Ames can take a trip to Durham Center in Iowa State and view the replica of this first computer. Main Street offers a taste of history also. The buildings in this area of Ames give a taste of what architecture looked like back in the early 20th century. A mural on Main Street depicts some of the founders of Ames. History holds great importance in Ames, and tourists can experience this without too much trouble.
To curb tourist's hunger, Ames offers many excellent places for dining. No tourist should visit Ames without eating at Hickory Park. This restaurant is famous not only for its deliciously moist chicken but also its tangy barbecue sandwiches. After the main meal, enjoy sweet and creamy ice cream. Dublin Bay offers wonderful Irish cuisine for tourists to enjoy. Try the moist Shepherd's Pie with perfectly salted fries for contentment. For fans of Mexican food, El Azteca guarantees friendly service, free chips, and delectably flavorful food. Many restaurants with amiable service and food that delights the taste buds are available for hungry tourists.
Though a relatively small town, Ames offers visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of not only Ames, but the state of Iowa without fear of crime. Numerous attractions exist for this purpose. Visitors can also talk to the mayor of Ames, Ann Campbell, about the culture of history of Ames. City council members happily will answer questions from tourists. Tourists will not be sorry for visiting this town.
Northern Nevada never stops to amaze.
Sunday River has been on my radar for a potential family ski trip for quite a while. This story is so loaded with good information, it seems like it is worth the extra time spent in the car to ski at such an excellent family resort. Thanks!
Wow, this sounds likea great merging of chocolate and history, two of my favorite subjects.
I am looking forward to experiencing this for myself, thank you for the informative post.
I love this post so much! I hope I will come here one day!
This is a terrific article that I am so glad to have read. I didn't know there was a car-free way to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun, scenic and eco-friendly option.
Your essay moved me to tears. I am also a finalist in the scholarship and I wrote about visiting Poland’s concentration camps. I would love your opinion on my essay.
I wrote this essay hoping to bring people closer to understanding, as close to understanding as we can get. I want to share an experience that had an impact on me. This trip truly changed me, and what I want do with my life. I suggest if you have the means or are able to visit Poland or go on March of the Living. I know there are teen and family trips with BBYO.
Thank you so much for what you said. I truly appreciate what you said. I also visited the picture of your family. Your family is beautiful and I am so glad that they were able to make it through such a devastating time.
I loved reading about your romantic return to what sounds like a beatiful and vibrant island. Thanks for sharing some of its treasures.
This is a great story, thank you for sharing the glories of Octoberfest in lesser known Nerumberg. My mouth was atering reading about all of the regional delicacies that accompany the beer!
Oh goodness, this is so sad! Thanks for sharing all of this information, a lot of these things I did not know until just now. We're taught about the Holocaust at school, but I'm sure that there is nothing like actually being at a concentration camp to understand how it actually was. Thanks for sharing.
wow! This sounds like such a wonderful experience. I'm sure it was very enlightening, and it really makes me happy to read that last paragraph. I think it's beautiful that you see things that way, and I hope to some day personally come to that realization through my own experiences. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Debbie,
You will want he Medical Authorization Form from each child's parents with a photocopy of their insurance card.
Then you can use the last form which is for group tours, school outings etc. It is fine for domestic travel, Include travel info for each child so that parents assign you guardianship for certain period of time only.
Get these forms notarized. Make several photocopies in case an adventure tour operator wants to keep one. Or, if you all travel on same flights, get one long form, like a petition, and be sure both of each child's parents or guardians sign it.
You should be fine with it. Does the hotel know? Many states say it is illegal for a minor to occupy a room without an adult present. You may need connecting rooms guaranteed.
Enjoy the trip and write about what you did!
JaguarZ writes to the Admin with a very good question:
I will be traveling to Hawaii, originating on the eastcoast, with 4 minors (only 1 is my child) – they will all be 17 at the time of travel. I need to be able to "act as their guardian" — for example, sign waiver forms for activities, seek medical coverage if necessary.
I found a form or two on the site, but they seem geared toward international travel and do not seem to include the ability to "sign the waiver forms" I mention above. Any suggestions? I realize I may be able to get some of these forms signed before we leave, BUT for those activities they decide on when we are there — H E L P!
Thank you so much for your anticipated support
Debbie
This is really incredible. It is a dream of mine to visit Alaska, and I hope that if I ever do get to go, that I can experience what you did. My dad and I are avid kayakers, so it was somewhat relatable, although I doubt that Miami waters are NEARLY as cool (haha) as those in Alaska.This truly sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
I wanted to add that I loved the way you described everything, it was so beautiful and real.
Aw, I'm so sorry that happened to your dad but I'm glad something good came out of it. My family was actually planning on going to Gatlinburg next summer but we're all way too chicken to do this white water rafting haha. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this! That sounds like a truly beautiful experience. I love the bit about never underestimating yourself the most, very true.
*2009 not 2008
This is about my trip to South Dakota.
This trip was indeed and enriching expreience.
If you copy and paste the URL at the bottom of the post into your browser, it will take you to a video clip of the event, and if you skip to the last 12 seconds of the video you will see myself and one of my good friends sprinting in to the finish. We ended up tieing for 9th place.