Are you planning for an ideal and memorable family vacation? Worry not! Africa’s enchanting wildlife and breathtaking landscapes make it an irresistible destination for family safaris. However, the allure of the remote wilderness also comes with its share of risks.
If you’re traveling with children, a little research on your ideal destination will pay off. Talk to your friends who’ve been there on a family safari or even solo adventures. Go through the digital rabbit hole to familiarize yourself with your safari destination. The thing is, you want your family to have a memorable experience during this trip.
This comprehensive guide delves into the essential safety factors you must consider to ensure a secure and unforgettable family safari experience in Africa.
Age Appropriateness: Tailoring the Safari to Your Child’s Needs
Remember that this vacation will be wholesome if everyone gets to enjoy it. So, selecting an age-appropriate safari adventure is paramount for a safe and enjoyable trip. Some reputable tour operators will prefer not to include children under 5. This is usually due to safety concerns, lengthy drives, and their limited ability to adhere to safety protocols.
Lodge vs. Tented Camps: You’re much safer booking a lodge over tented camps if your children are aged 5 to 12. Lodges offer enhanced safety and supervision compared to tented camps. For instance, lodges often feature fences that separate wildlife from human habitats. However, tented camps provide a more rustic experience that requires vigilant monitoring when children are present.
Scheduled Activities: You need to schedule various activities when planning for your family safari vacation. This helps to ensure your children remain engaged and curious. You can strike a balance between thrilling game drives and other engaging activities like swimming, hiking, or creative crafts. Best of all, many safari camps offer specialized programs tailored to children’s interests and ages.
Driving Distances: Make sure you consider your child’s age when planning the length of game drives. For instance, younger children have shorter attention spans and patience thresholds. So it’s best if you collaborate with your tour operator to plan for frequent stops. Besides, keep drives under three hours for 5 to 8-year-olds.
Vaccinations & Preventive Measures: Safeguarding Health in the Wilderness
But one thing is for sure Africa’s untamed wilderness harbors various infectious diseases. So it’s vital to have preventive measures and vaccinations in place to keep you and your family safe.
- Malaria. For instance, malaria is endemic in most safari destinations. So you can’t afford not to carry anti-malarial medication. Following a healthcare professional guidance, you can initiate the medication regimen 1-2 weeks before your trip. Also, you must consult a healthcare professional for guidance on the most suitable medication for your child, potential side effects, and proper dosages.
- Yellow Fever. Before traveling, you need to know vaccination recommendations for your desired destinations. For example, certain countries mandate a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry. To be safe, you must obtain certification at least 10 days before departure.
- Typhoid & Hepatitis A. Before traveling for an African family safari, it’s strongly recommended for adults and children over 1-year-old to receive the typhoid and hepatitis A vaccine. You can’t ignore these vaccines as they provide crucial protection against food and waterborne illnesses.
- Rabies Most people might not consider the rabies vaccine as a precautionary measure. But it is vital, especially when encountering wildlife. In case of bites or scratches, this vaccine can be life-saving.
Consult a Pediatrician: Besides, scheduling a pre-travel visit to a pediatrician 6-8 weeks before departure is crucial. Ensure you seek detailed advice on vaccinations and prescription antimalarials that are safe for kids. Also, inquire about other health precautions to ensure your child’s well-being during the family safari.
Malaria-Free Reserves: For added peace of mind, consider safaris in malaria-free reserves like Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park have low risk of Malaria. This is because these regions have a high elevation, which makes them a bit cooler than other regions and unfavorable for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes tend to thrive in hot and humid regions. Thus, these regions pose fewer malaria health risks for children.
Protecting Against Mosquitoes: Keeping Malaria at Bay
Mosquitoes are such a great health threat for safari lovers. They pose one of the most significant health hazards during safaris due to the risk of malaria and other diseases. Here are some additional tips to safeguard your family:
- Using mosquito repellents containing 20-50% DEET on exposed skin is advisable. When staying in tented camps, you can carry insecticide-treated mosquito nets. But ensure they are properly tucked under mattresses.
- Dress your children in long sleeves, pants, and socks to minimize exposed skin. Also, you can leverage light-colored clothing as it makes it easier to spot mosquitoes.
- Another solution could be placing mosquito coils outdoors to create a protective barrier. You can also request that your safari operator treat accommodations with insecticide before arrival.
- Also, encourage your children to avoid using scented soaps and perfumes, as these can attract mosquitoes.
Guarding Against the Sun: Preventing Sunburns & Heat Exhaustion
The African sun can lead to sunburns and heat-related illnesses in children if proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are a few safety measures for your family::
- Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply it often, even after every two hours.
- Dress your kids in lightweight, light-colored clothing that covers their arms and legs.
- Also, provide them with wide-brimmed hats and UV-protection sunglasses.
- Ensure your children stay well-hydrated and carry water with you at all times.
- Avoid exposing your family to direct sunlight between 11 AM and 3 PM when UV rays are strongest.
- Be vigilant for symptoms of heatstroke in children, such as nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
Proper Footwear: Avoiding Cuts, Sprains & Bites
The rugged terrain of safaris can lead to injuries without suitable footwear. Here’s what to consider:
- Closed-toe shoes like sneakers are a must for game drives and walking tours.
- Lightweight hiking boots or high-top shoes are ideal for navigating uneven ground. Avoid sandals and flip-flops.
- You can also encourage your children to wear socks, which can help prevent bites and stings from ground-dwelling insects.
- Sturdy shoes offer protection against sharp acacia thorns and potential encounters with dangerous wildlife like snakes.
Vehicle Safety: Following Driver Instructions
Safaris often involve spending substantial time in vehicles for game drives. To ensure your family’s safety, here are a few safety precautions you can adhere to:
- Remain inside the vehicle except when your guide allows you to exit at designated sites. Ensure you have a tour guide at proximity when leaving the vehicle.
- Ensure you always keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle. Keep checking on your kids to ensure they’re not dangling their hands out. This is risky as you’re driving in the midst of wild animals. They can grab your hands or arms, causing fatal injuries.
- Also, supervise your children closely and ensure they do not stand or lean dangerously out of the vehicle.
- In the event of encounters or emergencies, promptly follow your driver’s instructions. Do not panic and start shouting or run away. This may agitate the animals further, leading them to attack you.
- For families with young children, it is advisable to avoid open-top vehicles. This is because young kids can easily fall out. Always ensure seatbelts are fastened securely.
- If you have infants or young children, consider requesting car seats from your safari operators in advance.
Wildlife Encounters: Keeping Your Distance
You can have a thrilling opportunity on an escorted walking safari as they give you up-close wildlife encounters and nature. Indeed, it’s a lifetime experience and it can be exciting at all levels. But to remain safe on a walking safari, it’s crucial to follow these safety measures:
- Stay close to your guide and promptly follow their instructions. Do not attempt to approach or touch the animals.
- Maintain the required distance from animals, as instructed by your guide. Avoid startling or provoking wildlife.
- Ensure you have your children within your sight all the time.. If animals approach, hold small children firmly to prevent any sudden movements.
Please note the decision to complete walks should be at the discretion of your guide, based on wildlife movements and your family’s safety. However, you need to know that walking safaris are generally unsuitable for children under 12. Also, it’s advisable to limit the length of walks based on your child’s maturity and stamina.
Water Safety: Exercising Caution Around Rivers & Lakes
Be extra cautious with big water bodies in Africa. As they can harbor hidden dangers that you may not be aware of. At no point should you copy what the locals are doing. Here are a few safety precautions to protect your family:
- Avoid swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers, as there is a risk of contamination and potential encounters with wildlife, like crocodiles, hippopotamuses, etc.
- Before approaching water bodies on foot, carefully check for visible crocodiles.
- Ensure that your children are never allowed to go near river banks unsupervised.
- Also, you can opt for guided boat tours instead of independent canoeing or rafting. This is vital, especially when traveling with children.
- When using lodge pools, ensure that pool fences fully enclose the area. Besides, never permit unsupervised swimming.
Secure Lodging: Preventing Accidents After Dark
For a fun-filled safari experience, the encounters usually start early morning and late in the evenings. So, it’s evident that you may encounter darkness when going or coming from your game drives, So what are some of the best ways to safeguard your family from possible dangers at night?
- First, you need to make sure that your children’s rooms are adjacent to your room whenever possible. Alternatively, you can opt for accommodations with connecting doors.
- Inquire and verify that security guards are present around the premises at night. This is vital as they can offer help whenever there is an emergency.
- Also, check to ensure that windows and doors have full screens and that there are no gaps in tent zippers.
- Ensure that you have your flashlights readily accessible in case of power outages during the night. You may need to ensure you keep them with enough power all the time.
- Educating your children about the risks of leaving their rooms unaccompanied at night is vital. You may also need to conduct periodic checks as much as necessary. This will ensure your children remain confident and safe at night.
Conclusion
Now, you’re ready to go on an African family safari. To recap, ensure you tailor your supervision and preventive measures to your child’s age and needs. This is a cheat code for creating unforgettable memories while prioritizing the safety of your loved ones. Besides, you can also consult your trusted travel consultant for personalized guidance and kid-friendly lodge recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum recommended age for kids on safaris?
Most experts recommend a minimum age of 5 years old for lodge-based safaris. While more adventurous camping safaris are suitable for kids aged 12 years and above. However, it’s important to evaluate your child’s maturity level when making a decision.
What vaccines are recommended for kids on African safaris?
Before going on an African safari, consider getting your child vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies. Additionally, an anti-malarial medication regimen is essential. Discuss your specific requirements with your child’s pediatrician.
How can we prevent insect bites on kids during nighttime?
To protect your children from insect bites at night, use insecticide-treated bed nets, making sure they are properly tucked under mattresses. Apply DEET repellents before bedtime, and consider requesting safari operators to spray tents with insecticide before your arrival. Also, advise your children to avoid using scented toiletries that may attract mosquitoes.