Have you ever dreamt of taking the kids on a South African safari? With a bit of planning and preparation encountering the Big Five as a family is within reach…

Thousands of zebras migrating across lush, vivid green grasslands, herds of elephants roaming scenic planes and lions basking in the sunshine. There’s nothing quite like a South African safari. Between off-roading in some of the most remote areas in the world and getting up close to these animals in their natural habitats, a safari tour in South Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday that even the fussiest tween will enjoy. 

Take the family on safari in South Africa.

And for children, seeing the wildlife that they’ve only encountered in storybooks or at their local zoo will be the ultimate eye-opener. After the planning and preparation is done, there’s no reason why you can’t turn your mini-me into a David Attenborough in the making on a South Africa tour.  Here’s how:

Be Age Appropriate

You need to have children who are mature and old enough to be able to follow instructions - a lot of the rules on safari are there for your safety, so you have to abide by them. Will they stay quiet while on a drive? Will they realise that roaming around in the camp grounds - where wild animals roam - after dark is a major no-no? Most experts will say that seven or eight upwards is a good age to consider a South African safari.

A safari is a great chance for kids to learn about African wildlife outside of the classroom.

Remember also that many safari tours and lodges have age restrictions for children and travelling with kids often means that some activities will be prohibited, such as walking safaris. If the lodge you opt for also has an age-limit on game drives you may need to consider a private vehicle tour.

Choosing Lodge Accommodation

When it comes to opting for the right lodge, South Africa has plenty to choose from, some of them understandable won’t be catered towards children, so you will want to make sure the lodge accommodation does so.

Smaller South African wildlife parks and reserves offer the chance to see plenty of wildlife in a shorter time frame with less driving, plus these private game reserves usually have great accommodation and facilities, though the cost can vary greatly between lodges. 

The offering for kids varies widely - at one end of the spectrum a lodge may offer a range of activities specifically designed for children, including kids clubs, specially created activities (such as guided walks or bush craft courses) and childcare staff. At the other there may just be facilities that will keep tykes occupied, such as a swimming pool. Flight Centre offers a number of South African safari packages to suit all budgets so check with your travel agent to see which one of these will suit you and your family.

Girl swimming at a safari lodge on a private game reserve.

Speaking of, given that you’re likely to spend more time in your accommodation, a swimming pool, tennis court or any other activity will be a godsend as children will be occupied between game drives.

Doing It DIY

If you want to go your own way, then self-drive offers the most freedom as you can tailor your own itinerary. It can also be a bit cheaper in some instances too. Kruger National Park has good roads and large public camps with cheap family holiday accommodation.

It is possible to DIY in parts.

Empower The Kids 

Rather than just arranging everything yourself, empower your children by asking for their input. Not only will the family holiday be more enjoyable for them, they’ll also be more enthusiastic about it if they’ve been involved in the planning process.

Vacinations For South Africa

Remember that parts of the country are high risk malaria zones, thankfully these are few and far between.

If you are considering an area where malaria is present, consult your doctor about the necessary antimalarial drugs and be thorough with repellent. Children under five are most at risk, so it’s wise to opt for a malaria-free game park if you do have kids under that age.

Get Your Timing Right

Regardless of whether you travel with kids or not, make sure you time your holiday right.

The drier winter months between May and October is the best time for game viewing as there isn’t much vegetation, which makes it more easy to see animals. However, this may also mean they’re less active. Ironically, this is also the low tourist season.

Time your safari right for the best chance to see your favourite African animals.

High season runs October to March and the best weather can be found between April and May and September to October with pleasant temperatures. In the wet season, there’s a lot more food around, which means you’ll see a lot more life however this means it’s harder to see the animals as the grass is longer.

You'll also want to consider the migration patterns of animals. These vary, so it's a good idea to research animal migration predictions for the season during which you plan to travel.

Keep Them Entertained

No one wants to hear the “I’m bored” or “are we nearly there yet?" whine from the back seat. Keep drives on the shorter side - no more than two hours, ideally. Play "I-spy”, stock up on emergency snacks and kit them out with a camera and binoculars. Get them to work on a project during the trip, such as writing a travel diary or even making a video of the journey. And as a last resort, have an iPad loaded with movies and games on hand. Do all of the above and boredom-induced tantrums will be non-existent.

Safari dress-up clothes and binoculars are sure to get the kids excited.

Give Them Space

Especially true with teens and older children, make sure to avoid being in one another’s pockets 24/7. Everyone - young and old alike - needs time alone, so make sure to consider this. You’ll be glad of the breather too.

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For the latest family holiday deals on travel, visit your local Flight Centre store or call 133 133 for more advice.