So you've decided to take the kids on an African safari. Now you need to prepare them. And yourselves. My girls loved having their own set of binoculars (Jason Maynard) Yes, it was worth it for each to have their own pair of binoculars (Jason Maynard)
You will need some appropriate clothing, footwear, and a few extra tidbits. We are happy to help with some advice on all of this. Clothing should be in neutral colors and in easy-to-care-for fabrics. You may need layers depending on your destinations and the time of year you travel. Yes, it can get chilly on safari! Have no fear, though, we have a packing list for you. Early mornings in some safari locations can be cold. Be prepared! (Jason Maynard)
And giving each kid the same stuff is key, of course. You don't want a fight to break out over the lone pair of binoculars and scare away a momma lion and her cubs. Sleeping lion cub (Jason Maynard)
The flights over are generally long and arduous, as some of the layovers may be as well. Load up tablets or laptops with downloaded shows and movies. Sure, the seatback video player on your long-haul flight might have something new for them, but then again, it might not. Plus, kids like familiar stuff. Please don't expect to stream anything while on safari. Any wifi is generally limited. Prepare your kids (especially your teenagers!) for having limited or no connections. In fact, if our cell phones didn't have such great cameras, there would be no real reason to bring them along. Your kids will need activities on safari--animal checklists, puzzles, whatever works for them. (Jason Maynard)
Animal checklists are great fun. Include bird checklists for more action! Art supplies can be useful as well. And even though most safaris will have early start times, your kids will find time to nap in the vehicle. The bumps along the road don't seem to affect kids' ability to sleep in the vehicles (Jason Maynard)
I love bringing along the wildlife guidebooks for the kids to look up information about the animals we see. And older kids might love a journal for the trip as well.
And finally, you will need to let the children know that your guide must be listened to at all times. Safaris are very safe. Animals don't care about the "Landies," as the vehicles are usually called. But a few precautions are always needed. If the kids need a potty, the guide can find you a "bush toilet" but only after he or she has made sure it is safe. No wandering off! Keep the snacks wrapped up to avoid any small visitors (such as mice) in your tents. And finally, everyone needs to be flexible! You may have started off searching for a pride of lions, but you stumble across a tower of giraffes or a leopard napping in a tree--you adjust! Take advantage of what you find while on safari and create those memories!
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
