Family Safaris

Family safaris are hugely popular as being on safari is perfect for all generations, there’re always something to interest everyone. We recently had an update from one of our favourite rep companies, Classic Portfolio, on the vast wealth of family options within their properties.

Travelling with children of different age groups can offer so many benefits, enriching the lives and the family’s experiences as a whole.

KIDS UNDER 8 YEARS
There is no right age to start travelling – it totally depends on your own children and their interests, and of course choosing the right destinations which we will help you with. For younger kids the following countries are highly recommended: Kenya & South Africa, and the beach escapes of Mozambique and Seychelles.

KIDS 8 – 15 YEARS
This is by far the most impressionable age and a time when kids want to start pulling away and finding their feet making the flexibility of a safari absolutely wonderful. Time together as a family is the most impactful way to do things together that will create lifelong trust and bonds.

KIDS 15+ YEARS
Some destinations and experiences are almost a rite of passage and do require your children to be a little older to take part in them safely, such as walking safaris and canoeing safaris. Taking a young adult deep into the rainforest of Africa to view gorillas is the ultimate 15th birthday experience.

Each age group brings its own set of challenges and rewards, but the benefits of travelling together as a family are abundant and can have a lasting positive impact on everyone involved.

The best time to start travelling with kids is as early as possible. Although they may not remember all the details, the sensory experiences can have a lasting impact on their development and happiness, so we still feel it’s worth it. The key influences of travel for this age are:

• Bonding Time: Travel provides an opportunity for parents and young children to spend quality time together, strengthening family bonds.
• Early Exposure: Introducing young children to new environments, cultures, and languages can stimulate their cognitive development and broaden their understanding of the world.
• Adaptability: Traveling can teach young children flexibility and adaptability as they encounter new situations and routines.
• Learning Through Play: Many destinations offer child-friendly activities and attractions, turning learning into a fun and engaging experience.

WHERE TO STAY
As usual we recommend moving around as little as possible, but especially when you are on a family safari – moving around with your family can be stressful so we recommend settling in for 4-5 nights at least, at each camp you stay at. Here are some properties from within the Classic Portfolio which are family friendly:

• KENYA
  The Safari Collection
  I rate Kenya as one of the best family destinations. Here, you meet owners like Tanya & Mikey Carr-Hartley who live and breathe family values. The circuit of camps from Giraffe Manor to Solio, Sasaab, Siruia, and Sala’s is perfect for kids of all ages.
• SOUTH AFRICA
  Coot Club
  This offers the perfect balance of having your own Boathouse with the opportunity to manage snacks yourself, but the full facilities of a Clubhouse for all meals and adult time, with loads of activities to keep kids busy. Coot Club is all about fun.La Clé
  I loved the flexibility of a villa when my girls were growing up. An added benefit is that La Clé is in Franschhoek, a perfect village for walking around with markets, restaurants, shops, and, for parents, wine bars.

  Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
  We have been fortunate to experience Kwandwe over many years of the girls growing up and often stayed in the private villas. It was their first safari destination, and today, with the opportunity to get more involved with hands-on conservation, they find it as appealing as they did when they were 3 years old.

• BEACH ESCAPES
  Azura Retreats & Blue Safari Seychelles
  From Mozambique to Seychelles, both of these destinations are island escapes, have villas and family rooms, kids activities like snorkelling, and, of course, who could resist a bit of sun and sand? A beach escape is perfect as parents get the opportunity to relax knowing that kids will always be happy.
• ULTIMATE SAFARI VILLA COMBINATION
  Kwandwe, La Clé, Wolwedans & Beagle Expeditions
  I love this combo which is perfect for a family of 6+ guests (suited to all ages) as they go from a private villa at Kwandwe (with hands-on conservation experiences) to a villa at La Cle, then head up Namibia to the exclusive-use Plains Camp at Wolwedans (for desert exploring, hot air ballooning, e-fat biking, horse riding and more), ending with an exclusive mobile safari in the Delta with Beagle Expeditions.