Great Chitter Chatter - Stories from Loud Voices

If you are thinking that it is time to plan a major family holiday, and if any of your children were fans of the movie, “The Lion King,” then an African family safari can be an adventure that the whole group can enjoy. However, you will have to seek out an African safari tour operation that has both the experience and the inclination to cater to family safaris.

Some of the family-friendly services that are offered by African safari tour companies are baby-sitting, special menus to appeal to the kids, and specially trained guides for the family. Some family safaris will even make arrangements to have special children’s activities, such as a bush treasure hunt, African-inspired crafts like bead-making, or bedtime stories told by authentic African storytellers.

Many parents have a concern about taking their kids into areas where they might get malaria or other illnesses. Limiting the family safari to some of the game reserves in South Africa is one option to address those concerns. Another possibility is to undertake a self-drive safari through some of the areas of Namibia as well as South Africa. You will find roads in good shape and can enjoy a more leisurely pace, rather than having an itinerary to follow.

One of the challenges that parents might encounter during a safari is convincing a youngster, who loves to cuddle up with his favorite stuffed lion at home, that the mother lion preening her cubs cannot be petted or even approached. This can be one of the more difficult things to get across, especially for children who have never been on wildlife safaris.

Even with the challenges that are bound to come up, a safari for families is not only possible, but also great fun. As long as family wildlife safaris are undertaken safely and are conducted under the watchful supervision of an experienced safari guide, who knows how to handle and cater to the children in the group, they can be an experience that will provide lifelong memories.

Many parents who have never considered taking African safari holidays with their children in tow might be surprised to learn that family safaris are one of the most popular types of vacations for children, from the ages of four to eighteen. There are many African safari tour operators, African tourist bureaus, and adventuresome parents who have successfully undertaken various Africa safaris with their children and claim that is was the experience of a lifetime for the entire family.

If parents take their time in selecting the destination for a family safari carefully, and also take care in selecting a safari guide or African safari tour operator, then the chances are great that you and your children will have a wonderful holiday. One of the best ways to make sure you have the right safari travel company is to ask other parents who have gone on similar trips for their recommendations, so you can plan your trip with confidence.