Family Travel
Family travel comes with a lot of baggage, and not just the packing kind. For many, this is the only time loved ones get to relax together, so the pressure is huge. Gorillas in Uganda & Rwanda, Game & wildlife Safaris in the Mara & Serengeti, the chimpanzee experience at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the greater Ol Pejata Conservancy,or the Rhinos at the Lewa Conservancy Choosing family holidays could be the difference between carrying a 25 kg bag, bursting at the seams with loads of stuff you don’t need, or a super cool carry on one.
Of all the destinations in Africa, We like to think that East Africa offers some of the best family travel experience. Where else can you see the beloved creatures that inspired a dozen Disney movies, or pack healthy fun in the great outdoors into once-in-a-lifetime, child-friendly itineraries? Where else can you enjoy superb settings, fine dining, and excellent service at a price that won’t blow your budget?
An East Africa family safari offers a range of adventure activities in select luxury lodges well geared for family travel, plus plenty of attractions to please everyone: mom and dad, children, grandparents, and even teenagers.
We know because we go on safari with our families. The variety and novelty of an East Africa family vacation provide a rich setting for you to reconnect with each other and a wonderful way for children to learn about nature, encounter completely different cultures and see wild animals close up in their natural habitat.
What you need to know about family Holidays
When it comes to giving you expert travel advice, we don’t sugar-coat what you need to know. An East African adventure vacation should be about making family memories and having unforgettable experiences – not dealing with challenges.
Our East Africa Safari Team always put your family’s safety and comfort first and, because we are independent travel advisors, we never recommend any location, lodge or activity that we’d consider unsuitable for our own families.
Where you go and what you do on your East Africa family vacation is determined by the ages of your children.
- Under 8 years: East Africa is a malaria area and we don’t recommend taking young children into areas where malaria is a risk. If you must, then please speak with your Doctor
- 8 – 12 years: Ideally, choose a lodge that offers closed or private vehicles, a junior ranger program and has professional guides who enjoy sharing the wilderness with youngsters. Under-12s will love the excitement of nature walks, learning basic tracking skills and picnics in the bush.
- 13 – 18 years: Teens are mature enough to join you for game drives in classic open safari vehicles. If you have a sensitive teen, it’s a good idea to discuss the possibility of witnessing dramatic predator-prey interactions on game drives, especially in the Masai Mara or Serengeti during the Great Migration. It’s important that your teen understands that nature is all about balance, where hunters and prey are a necessary and a normal part of the cycle of life. We recommend choosing lodges that offer multiple activities, like walking, boating, cycling or horseback riding as well as game drives.
