“Interest in family safaris has increased tremendously. It is because of this that we decided it would be a good idea to offer something for children leaving the adults free to go off and do their own thing if they want to,” he said.
The entire safari is geared towards children, according to Jackson. “There are activities every day for kids. They learn things like tracking, making fires, spear throwing and all the other tricks of the trade as well as checking on game. They can participate in things like camel riding and night game drives.”
Jackson said the product suits children from seven or eight years upwards with youngsters constantly supervised by trained staff.
A 14-day holiday taking in Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve, Samburu National Park, Lake Elementaita and the Kenyan coast costs £1,698 for adults, £1,198 for a child with their own room, and £599 for a child sharing a room.
Another safari operator that has shifted the focus on to families for next year is Rainbow Tours. Managing director Roger Diski said: “Adolescent kids don’t really like the idea of going on holiday with their parents. But when we suggest a safari they always brighten up – it’s amazing how kids at this difficult age who don’t want to get excited about anything are awed just seeing the animals.”
A family safari in South Africa during the school summer holidays for two adults and two children works out at a total of around £3,200. The price includes flights, accommodation and car hire.
Diski added: “Safaris are a huge growth market, as it’s the sort of thing that people dreamt about doing 10 years ago but the average middle class family would never have been able to afford to do. Now they can.”
Abercrombie and Kent also offers Kenyan safaris that cater specially for children.
Safari guide Toby Fenwick-Wilson said:”On our Africa En Famille safari, families get to stay at Sweetwaters camp which has an animal orphanage. Kids love to play with the chimps. And Africans are great with young children. The drivers focus on the kids instead of the parents,” he added.
Seven nights in Kenya costs £1,860 for each adult and £1,115 for each child under 12 years old. Prices include flights, full board, outings, game drives and park fees and a guide.
Despite the growth in family safaris, upmarket operator Carrier offers a word of warning. Reservations manager Sharon Sanz said: “It can be difficult for little children to keep quiet when it is crucial not to scare the animals off. And it can be quite boring for them if they are expected to study lion and elephant for long stretches of time. Obviously it depends on the child, but I think the experience suits those over the age of 10.”
Carrier offers safaris in South Africa’s Kruger National Park at £336 per night which includes accommodation, all meals, guides and game drives. Children must be aged six and over and get a 50% discount, paying £168. The prices do not include flights from the UK.
A GROWING number of operators are offering family safaris with built-in children’s activities to keep both kids and parents happy.
Elite Vacations is launching a new children’s safari product in their 2000 brochure, due out at the end of November.
Managing director Peter Jackson believes there is a huge market for family activity holidays, especially safaris.
“Interest in family safaris has increased tremendously. It is because of this that we decided it would be a good idea to offer something for children leaving the adults free to go off and do their own thing if they want to,” he said.
The entire safari is geared towards children, according to Jackson. “There are activities every day for kids. They learn things like tracking, making fires, spear throwing and all the other tricks of the trade as well as checking on game. They can participate in things like camel riding and night game drives.”
Jackson said the product suits children from seven or eight years upwards with youngsters constantly supervised by trained staff.
A 14-day holiday taking in Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve, Samburu National Park, Lake Elementaita and the Kenyan coast costs £1,698 for adults, £1,198 for a child with their own room, and £599 for a child sharing a room.
Another safari operator that has shifted the focus on to families for next year is Rainbow Tours. Managing director Roger Diski said: “Adolescent kids don’t really like the idea of going on holiday with their parents. But when we suggest a safari they always brighten up – it’s amazing how kids at this difficult age who don’t want to get excited about anything are awed just seeing the animals.”
A family safari in South Africa during the school summer holidays for two adults and two children works out at a total of around £3,200. The price includes flights, accommodation and car hire.
Diski added: “Safaris are a huge growth market, as it’s the sort of thing that people dreamt about doing 10 years ago but the average middle class family would never have been able to afford to do. Now they can.”
Abercrombie and Kent also offers Kenyan safaris that cater specially for children.
Safari guide Toby Fenwick-Wilson said:”On our Africa En Famille safari, families get to stay at Sweetwaters camp which has an animal orphanage. Kids love to play with the chimps. And Africans are great with young children. The drivers focus on the kids instead of the parents,” he added.
Seven nights in Kenya costs £1,860 for each adult and £1,115 for each child under 12 years old. Prices include flights, full board, outings, game drives and park fees and a guide.
Despite the growth in family safaris, upmarket operator Carrier offers a word of warning. Reservations manager Sharon Sanz said: “It can be difficult for little children to keep quiet when it is crucial not to scare the animals off. And it can be quite boring for them if they are expected to study lion and elephant for long stretches of time. Obviously it depends on the child, but I think the experience suits those over the age of 10.”
Carrier offers safaris in South Africa’s Kruger National Park at £336 per night which includes accommodation, all meals, guides and game drives. Children must be aged six and over and get a 50% discount, paying £168. The prices do not include flights from the UK.
Family safaris – top tips
n Opt for a safari that does air transfers between lodges to cut out long journeys by Jeep and keep your children happy.
n Consider booking a private jeep for your excursions so children can stretch their legs and be exuberant.
n Take games and books about wildlife to enthuse children about the destination.
n Choose East Africa which uses closed-in vehicles for safety, rather than South Africa where jeeps are open-sided.
n Opt for lodges – which are like hotels in the bush – rather than camps if your children will be scared by animals such as hyenas brushing against the tent in the night. East Africa has more lodges than South Africa.
n Look for a lodge with pool, to keep kids happy.
Source: Elite Vacations and Abercrombie and Kent