Travelling With Children to Africa

Africa is any traveller’s dream, but that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are not adequately prepared for that special holiday, especially with little ones in tow. Travelling with children to Africa can place special demands on you as a parent! 

5 Safety Tips When Travelling With Children to Africa

Thanks to a handful of wise parents and industry experts, I managed to compile a handy list of do’s and don’ts when Travelling With Children to Africa. This list will serve as an evergreen guide when going on that long-awaited trip, with the family.

Selecting a Destination:

 The best place to take the children to experience a Safari is in South Africa. Africa travel guide Anouk Zijlma says that flexibility is a crucial factor when you have little children with you on safari. In South Africa, you can make stops when you want, return to your hotel when they tire and plan the length of your drives around the wildlife parks. The roads are in excellent condition which makes it possible to rent a vehicle and follow your own schedule. Other countries which also offer family-friendly safaris in Africa are Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia. Botswana is also an ideal destination since it does not require a great deal of travelling.

Before Departing Prepare for Possible Emergencies:

Make sure you are aware of emergency equipment or procedures that would apply to your child. According to Dr.Todd Curtis from Airsave.com, you should pay attention to the standard pre-flight emergency briefing, as well as:

• Ask a flight attendant if the aircraft you’re flying in has emergency equipment specially designed for children.
• If your children have a medical condition, inform a flight attendant, counter agent and a gate agent, of this condition.

Remember Essential Items for Your Children in Carry-on Luggage:

Remember to pack enough snacks, nappies, baby formula, a change of clothing, medicine, games, activities and all other necessities to last throughout your journey, factor in lost luggage and other types of delays.

How To Keep Them Interested:

Here are some helpful tips to keep your children interested while on game drives:

• Buy them a camera. Opt for one of those cheap, disposable ones.
• Award points for spotting birds and other animals.
• Give them a bird or animal checklist to mark off what they see.

A General Safari Check-list:

• Book a self-drive safari.
• Make sure the lodge you’re staying in allows children.
• Make sure the activities that the lodge offers are age-appropriate.
• Wait until your children are at least eight years old when they can fully appreciate the experience.
• If you’re worried about malaria, Africa has many malaria-free parks you can enjoy!
• When flying to your destination, consider buying a separate seat if your child is younger than two years old, and use an appropriate restraint system.

*Please take note: Age Restrictions on Safaris:

 Many safari tours have age restrictions for children, which is why an independently booked and planned safari is usually a better option for those travelling with children younger than 12 years. Many tour operators feel it’s unsafe for small children to be sitting in the back of an open safari vehicle while viewing wildlife. Children are also more prone to sunburn, falling ill or general boredom on these long drives. Also keep in mind that, when viewing wildlife, it’s important to keep quiet and this can be difficult to enforce with a small child.

There is no reason why you should go on a safari without your favourite people, especially the little ones. Just keep these safety measures in mind and everyone can have a splendid time in Africa.

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