Every year safaris get more accommodating, but at many lodges a red-line remained: small kids.
Not only was the safety issue obvious—even the most acclimated game animals might see a small human as a snack—but children were considered ill-suited for the jeep for a myriad of other good reasons. They’re loud, unpredictable, difficult to control, and tire easily. They are also often unprepared for the more animalistic elements of the circle of life. They didn’t like “Bambi,” so why would you take them to see the gore of a fresh lion kill?
But as lodges reorient to create private camps within camps designed for multi-generational safari experiences, the cradle of humanity is beginning to look exactly that.
Safari company African Travel say a 20 percent increase in booking family bookings last year—40 percent of those trips were arranged by grandparents.
Singita encourages family bookings.
Courtesy of Singita Sabi Sand
“We’re seeing an increase in multi-generation trips where the whole family from grandparents to grandchildren are together,” says Bjorn Behlert of Scott Dunn. “Safari lodges with private houses are particularly popular as they offer a luxury and private holiday where everyone can be together and enjoy themselves.”
To meet that consumer demand, private safari operator The Retreats at Sayari and Namiri in Tanzania is welcoming children aged five and up. Book with you ankle biter and get a private guide, vehicle, and chef specializing in children’s cuisine. The Retreats’ family-friendly tent setups come with private communal space for meals and post-game drive downtime.
Similarly in Zambia, Time + Tide is offering everything from plush two-bedroom family tents to kid-focused activities like painting with animal feathers and setting up camera traps. They will even add a car seat to the Jeep for game drives.
“Guests also want to have a safari without the masses, so the demand for private conservancies, where most luxury lodges are, is high,” explained Behlert.
At Singita Pamushana in Zimbabwe there is a Mini Game Rangers’ Course, which teaches kids survival skills, animal tracking, and even the finer points of stargazing. It’s the kind of school you wish you had attended, with lessons conducted under the vast African sky and homework that involves identifying leopard tracks.
Families hit the skies over Xigera in Botswana to go deep into the bush.
Courtesy of Xigera Safari Lodge
You’ll need to be a world-weary eight to enjoy the game drives at Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana. It offers backpacks with activity books, tailored game drives, and cooking classes from chocolate to pizza making. Suites come with watercolor kits, and there’s beading, basket making, plus sleepouts at the Baobab Treehouse for stargazing. Wintertime brings cozy s’mores and hot chocolate around the fire, with kid-friendly menus available all year.
It your kid is still only a wee three, target Lemala Camps & Lodges instead. It’s Lemala Cubs program invites toddlers (and up) on an adventure-packed experience. They’ll enjoy fireside marshmallow roasting, learn Maasai warrior skills with bows, arrows, and spears, create wildlife spoor casts, and embark on guided walks. According to Lemala Camps, this was designed because “small kids can get bored and restless on long drives or around camp.”
Two-bedroom tents at Time + Tide in Zambia let families spread out.
Courtesy of in Time + Tide
By witnessing the majestic beauty of wildlife in its natural habitats, children learn valuable lessons about conservation, biodiversity, and the importance of ecosystems, they claim. It’s a hands-on, immersive experience that can be far more impactful than any classroom lesson.
“Safari is a brilliant family experience that all ages can share,” says Red Savannah’s Samantha Gordon. “Most kids love animals and this will give you special memories to treasure forever. It’s also extremely educational, and your children will learn so much from the friendly guides and simply being out in the wilderness.”
That’s all well and good, but the bush is certainly not Disneyland, warn the experts.
“Parents should be mindful of the activities on offer and where to do the safari,” advised Behlert. “For example, with younger kids, we would recommend looking at malaria-free options and properties that offer activities for the kids in between the safari activities.
Lemala Camps & Lodges invites small children out for its “cub” experiences.
Lemala Camps & Lodges
If you kid starts crying on a game drive? “The guide would simply stop the vehicle until the situation is resolved,” Behlert adds. “Africa is very family-oriented, so it’s something that the guides will have experienced before.”
And of course, never inflict your little grumpy pants on others.
“We recommend that families pay for a private guide and vehicle,” says Gordon. “That way, should your children be upset, or merely bored, you can move on to another sighting or head back to camp.”
