Travelling on safari with children

A safari can be the trip of a lifetime for children — if it is planned around them. I have guided hundreds of families, and the ones who have the best time are those who slow down and let the children set the pace.

What age is right?

There is no fixed rule. Many families find that five and older works well for game drives, because children can sit patiently and understand what they are seeing. Babies and toddlers are welcome in many lodges, but some small camps have minimum ages of six or twelve. We check every property for you.

Keep driving days short

Choose routes with no more than four hours of driving a day, with picnic stops, viewpoints and places to stretch your legs. A private vehicle lets you stop whenever someone needs a break, a snack or the toilet. Our five-day family safari is built exactly this way.

Choose family-friendly lodges

• Family rooms or connecting tents, so everyone sleeps close together.
• A swimming pool for the hot afternoon hours.
• Flexible meal times and simple food for fussy eaters.
• Fenced grounds or escorts after dark.

Keep children involved

Give each child a checklist of animals to spot and their own binoculars. Let them hold the map and follow the route. Our guides are happy to explain tracks, dung, birds and how animals live together — children often remember more than their parents!

Health and safety

Talk to your doctor about vaccinations and malaria medicine well before you travel. Pack plenty of sunscreen and hats, and keep children hydrated. In the vehicle, children must stay seated when we are moving, and they should never get out unless the guide says it is safe.

Beyond the game drive

• A visit to a Maasai village to see how families live.
• A walk to the Materuni waterfall and a coffee-roasting lesson.
• Swimming and sandcastles on a Zanzibar beach at the end.

Children aged 3–11 pay a reduced rate on most of our tours, and infants travel free. The price for your whole family is shown before you book.