South Africa is the most family country in Africa. Having said this, there are many varites of activities that are family friendly, according to the age of your children.

Safaris:

A trip to South Africa is incomplete without a Safari to see the wildlife.

However not all Lodges have the same policies with respect to allowing children on game viewing drives.

There are the Public Parks the most famous being the Kruger National Park.  We have  a company that offers 2 and 3 night  packages to the park from Johannesburg, that includes game drives, as well as a return tour through the Panaroma route.

If you prefer a private game lodge, there are lodges that offer game drives to younger children. Depending on the age, we can best fit the Safari Lodge, with your needs. However it will be difficult to expect a lodge to allow infants and real young children of 2, 3, 4, etc on game drives, due to Safety issues.This is due to kids not being able to sit quite for long periods of time.

The main difference between the Public parks and the Private lodges is the ambiance ie the latter are small and intimate, and in the private lodges, you can drive off road and track animals. Also the expereince of being on a  jeep with your own tracker/guide/driver establishes a unique connection, and for older kids this can be a very educational experience. 

Many of the game lodges, have baby siting activities.

Botswana also offers opportunities for family Safaris.

What about the question of Malaria and Safaris:

There are Safari packages that are operated in the Malaria free areas. If Malaria is a major concern for your family, South Africa is blesses with areas that are free of Malaria

All lodges have different policies, and level of activites that they offer families with children.

Here is a list of policies..we can work together to find a Safari package to meet your families needs:

·       Children under 7 years are not allowed on game drives

·       Children under 12 years are only accepted at Long Lee
·       No children allowed at Lobengula Lodge, Bushmans River, Riverdene Lodge, Bayethe and Eagles Crag.
·       No children under 16 years allowed at Eagles Crag and Lobengula Lodge
·       Children under 3 years sharing with parents are free but are not permitted on the game drives

·       Children between 3 and 7 years may share with parents, will be charged 25% of the normal rate, this includes meals

·       Children between 7 and 12 years either sharing a room with parents or in separate room, will be charged 50% of the normal rate, this includes meals and game drives


Jaci’s Safari Lodge

·       Children 7 years and under are accommodated with their own game activity

·       They provide an earlier evening meal for all children under 12 years, as children are not allowed into the boma for the evening meal
·       Nannies can be arranged to baby-sit


Ulusaba
Rock Lodge:

·       Children all ages are welcome to Cub’s Club

·       They do not operate a set programme, but rather a set welcome pack
·       A range of activities are available on request
·       On arrival, children will be given a Cub’s Club Backpack which contains goodies to help keep them entertained and to help educate them about African Bush
·       In every child’s room there is a welcome letter and a list of numbers they can dial to contact other children as well as Ulusaba staff
·       Security guards are on duty all night who pay particular attention to the rooms with children in
·       A welcome treasure hunt to help familiarize themselves with their surroundings
·       Story and educational books in their rooms and in the lounge
·       Range of children’s DVDs and videos that can be watched in the lounge, along with music CDs
·       Many games available that combine entertainment and education
·       Children under 6 years cannot participate in the regular game viewing programe, however they will arrange a closed-vehicle bush drive or similar
·       Children are not allowed to participate in Safari Walks, but short excursions around Rock Lodge to spot birds and insects can be arranged
·       They can arrange bed time story telling in the lounge complete with milk and cookies
·       On departure, children will be invited to become a permanent member of Ulusaba Cub’s Club and will receive a bi-annual newsletter and birthday card
·       Children’s cuisine can be arranged
·       Babysitting service is available with advance notice
·       A programme can be arranged if required, with advance notice of ages and interests of children concerned

Children allowed on Game Drive ;

Sabi Sand

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge : children of all age welcome (they decide after the 1st GD if they come again, depending on their behavior)

Djuma Bush Lodge : to be confirmed

Elephant Plains : to be confirmed

Timbavati

Gomo Gomo : children of all age welcome

Zuma Zuma : children from 5 years

Thornybush

Main Lodge/Jackalberry/Serondella : children from 6 years

Here is a short desription of a lodge children program in the Kruger National Park:

·       Astronomy Evenings
·       Special Boma Dinners
·       Wild Life Videos
·       Board Games
·       Bush Walks

Family Activities:

All are welcome to participate in the following activities that Lukimbi has to offer:-

Ø       Nine different bush walks

Ø       Game Drives
Ø       Tracking courses
Ø       Slide shows
Ø       Talks by our rangers
Ø       Bush drama’s

Ø       Children’s Meals

Mothers / Parents are invited into the kitchen to view the premises and have a sit down meeting with the chef, where a menu is designed specifically to meet the child’s tastes and nutritional needs.

The food and Beverage team are extremely flexible as it is our aim to satisfy our guest’s needs and expectations no matter how young or old they might be.


Here is a example of a lodge children program that is in a Maleria Free zone.

This lodge, ideally located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, a mere three hours from Johannesburg, has introduced an exciting children's programme to encourage family safaris.

On arrival, the 'little safari enthusiasts' are handed the Madikwe River Lodge Matototo Children's Activity Book, to make their stay more interactive with the rangers and staff. The book includes activities such as puzzles, mazes, join-the-dots-to-find-the-animal and crossword puzzles as well as colouring in and local traditional stories. Also included is a certificate completed by the ranger on the child's departure certifying that he has completed the Matototo Bush Course.

The Matototo name means 'little mongoose', and refers to the numerous mischievous resident mongoose at the lodge that keep staff and guests entertained with their many antics.

The book is not the only highlight of a child's stay, as the lodge also provides game drives suited to the tiny guests. As children are not encouraged to join adults on their game drives in view of the fact that the average drive lasts in excess of three hours, they are taken out in their own vehicle after breakfast.

The qualified ranger will take them on a short drive and also a short walk to teach them about the different animal spoor that can be seen in the bushveld. The children also have the opportunity to make plaster of paris moulds of the prints they see as a memento of a great safari experience.

In an effort to make every family's stay as comfortable as possible, Madikwe River Lodge has a separate swimming pool situated away from the main lodge, to give families the freedom to enjoy their stay without concerning themselves about the noise factor.

Mealtimes are specially catered for, with staff discussing meals with parents on a daily basis to satisfy even the choosiest of appetites.

In addition to these facilities, babysitters are also available at a nominal fee, allowing children to be cared for and entertained whilst their parents are on game drive.

The special rate of R250.00 per child per day applies to children between the ages of two to 12 years, sharing with their parents, including all meals and activities. Two children can be accommodated along with their parents at Madikwe River Lodge.

The camps in Botswana have similair policies...together we can find a safari package that your whole family can enjoy. I have a son my self, and have done a Safari via Self drive,Public secion of Kruger park, and Kwa Zulu Phinda private Safari lodge.