I've Been Taking My Children on Safari Since They Were Babies — Here Are My Best Tips for a Multigenerational Trip
Your entire family will thank you.
Courtesy of Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Explore Tanzania with Singita Grumeti's Game Drive.Choosing to go on safari with young children and older family members may seem daunting at first. But take it from me — a travel advisor who specializes in eastern and southern African safaris — nothing strengthens familial bonds quite like a week in the wild. With a decade spent working in the travel industry, I’ve had the privilege of curating safe and comfortable safaris for families, dispelling the misconception that a trip to Africa isn’t suitable for children or older generations.
Careful planning is key, though, and as the managing director of Go2Africa, a company that focuses on tailor-made luxury safaris, here's my advice on the best way to navigate a multigenerational family adventure in the African bush.
Where to Go in Africa
Through firsthand experience, I learned how to turn my hesitation for a family safari into one of excitement. Both my children, now ages seven and 11, have been going on safaris since they were babies — my son’s first at seven months, and my daughter’s at only a couple of weeks old. These trips have become my family’s staple getaway and we enjoy them at least twice a year. But it’s important to know where to start.
A safe and comfortable safari can be planned from virtually anywhere. The countries I find best for multigenerational travel with young children are Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. For older children, I suggest Zambia and Zimbabwe because of the varied wildlife viewing and adventurous activities to partake in. All of these destinations, however, are brimming with accommodations and always ensure a memorable safari experience.
Related: 10 Mistakes to Avoid on a Safari, According to Experts
Courtesy of Singita Sasakwa Lodge
Views from Singita Sasakwa Lodge outdoor pool.Where to Stay
Exclusive property buyouts with six to eight rooms are the way to go when planning a multigenerational family trip, as it provides intimacy and room for flexibility. For smaller groups, suites with two bedrooms or interconnected rooms tend to be ideal. It all varies depending on your family’s specific age groups and interests, though my picks include Gibb’s Farm and Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania; andBeyond Bateleur Camp in Kenya for young ones; and Asilia Retreats, specifically Naboisho Camp, for older children and teenagers.
A few other properties I like to recommend include African Bush Camps Khwai Leadwood and Linyanti Ebony in Botswana, Thornybush’s Kamara House and Little Saseka, and Lion Sands River Lodge, all in South Africa.
Related: Travel + Leisure Readers’ 20 Favorite Safari Lodges and Safari Outfitters in Africa of 2024
imageBROKER/Juergen & Christine Sohns/imageBROKER RF/Getty Images
A group of alert meerkats in Kalahari, South Africa.What to See and Do
At Go2Africa, we meticulously match our clients with tailored itineraries to ensure their interests and needs are met. Properties accommodating young children offer dedicated programs like arts and crafts, nature walks, animal track identification, cooking classes, and even the opportunity to interact with habituated meerkats in the Kalahari Desert.
Older kids and teenagers often enjoy spear-throwing with a Maasai warrior, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, and canoeing in the Okavango Delta. Families as a whole bond on private vehicle game drives, where you can set your own pace for the day — all while experiencing the excitement of spotting lions or elephants.
Maija de Rijk-Uys is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in East and Southern Africa safaris. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with de Rijk-Uys by contacting her at maija@go2africa.com.
