Safari, or “travel” in Swahili, is no longer limited to adventure-seeking adults and perhaps older teens. Family Travel Forum’s consulting division has noticed an increase in the number of safari companies catering to families with younger children. For generations, families were discouraged from bringing children under 14-years-old along on a safari. “They’re too young to wake up for dawn animal viewing,” was one complaint. “They can’t keep still in the Jeeps” was another.

Yet more robust demand has forced the industry to rethink its policies and make more options available. Safari companies such as those in South Africa and Kenya are welcoming even toddlers into the world of the wild.

In Botswana & South Africa

Maniago Safaris (800/9-Africa), one of Africa’s leading travel destination management companies, has created kid-friendly safaris and specialized trips in East Africa. One such excursion is to Stanley’s Camp, a 260,000-acre ground located at Giraffe Manor in the untamed landscape of Botswana. Activities allow children to camp outdoors next to hippos, feed the wildlife while getting to know the elephants. Visitors can walk with the herd and even learn more about the Masai people indigenous to this location.

Two private lodges located within the famous Kruger National Park of South Africa are making efforts to welcome children by incorporating them into guided safari programs. The exclusive Savanna Lodge (27/13 751 2474) has lowered its minimum age from 14-years-old to 8. The Rock Lodge at Ulusaba (877/577-8777), the ultimate “Big Five” (leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos, and African buffalo) safari destination, is another private game reserve that has arranged family suites with plunge pools, a supervised Cubs Club for children of all ages (kids under 6 are free), and specialized game drives for children 6-years and up. There is no set program for the Cubs Clubs; children enjoy activities such as treasure hunts and story time, and “Cubs cuisine,” with kid favorite dishes like pasta and pizza.

Also based in South Africa, African Classic Encounters (888/808-1999, 212/972-0031) puts a kid-friendly spin on the African experience by naming the continent “nature’s theme park.” All safari programs are led by personal rangers and a skilled Shangaan tracker. Special family-oriented programs include a Walk with Baboons, a two- to three-hour guided hike to see troops of Chacma Baboons (the southern-most primates in the world) in their natural environment. Families can also whale-watch along the South African coastline and see the migration of 40-ton Southernright whales, or explore Boulder Beach to watch the jackass penguins, found nowhere else in the world.

The Mantis Collection (27 (0) 41 407-1000 ) boasts a variety of boutique hotels and game reserves across Europe and South Africa.  In Africa, choose from the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, Nkomazi Game Reserve, Jock Safari Lodge, and the new Mpumalanga Game Reserve. The reserves blend luxury accommodations with an African backdrop ideal for a safari adventure with elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards. 

Guests with smaller children (4-years and older to participate in excursions) should opt for the child-friendly Shamwari Game Reserve.  Their special children safaris offer a coordinator to discuss family activity options in regards to family size, children's ages, and weather. Children also receive a gift pack with plush toy, workbook, and surprises, and have their own children's menu for meals. The reserve also offer children their own culture experience through African bead making, clay making activities, face painting, star-gazing and African story-telling.  Family excursions include trips to to The Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre, Shamwari Wildlife Hospital, and Shamwari Film Studio to capture your family's adventure on DVD.

In Kenya 

In Kenya, Governors’ Camps (254 (20) 273 4000) are welcoming families with a flexible “do-it-your-way” style safari set up. Basically, this program offers three drives per day with your own vehicle, a hot air balloon safari, walking safaris with a guide, and the opportunity to visit a local school for Maasai children. Using facilities at the six Governors’ Camps properties, families can have their own sleep-and-dine tents with 8 beds and a verandah for game viewing. Smaller family tents sleep up to two adults and three kids. The company provides childcare for parents who want to dine alone, and guarantees that kids who want to pitch their own tent will be assigned a night watchman to stand by.

Heritage Hotels (254/ (20) 444 6651, 303/993-7906), a leader in youth programs and another premiere Kenyan hotelier, offers eight family and wallet-friendly safari programs to make your trip to Africa the experience of a lifetime. With the Adventurers Club (for children 4-12) and the Young Rangers Club for teens, Heritage Hotels offers the most complete Safari program for youth in Africa today.

The Adventurers Club is intended to expose young children to some of the last great wilderness on Earth. In addition to activities such as making plaster casts of Big Cat tracks from the real thing, planting trees and learning about deforestation, and catching and studying butterflies, the program features a “bush school.” This unique opportunity allows children to learn about the bush through excursions to historical sites, conservation work, and cultural and sporting exchanges with local Maasai and Samburu communities. The activities are run by famed Kenyan naturalists, who are each assisted by highly trained counselors responsible for the care and wellbeing of the younger children. All Adventurers staff have undergone specialist 1st-Aid training, and most speak at least two European languages.

The focus of the Young Rangers Club for teen guests is conservation education, community interaction, and practical ‘bush skills.’ It aims to educate teens about the importance of Africa’s wilderness and tribal cultures, and the need to preserve both for future generations. Participants are encouraged to join in special fly-fishing and camping expeditions (available to Loita Hills in Maasailand or to the summit of Samburus’ sacred Mount Olokwe).

In Zambia

Robin Pope Safaris (260/216 246 090/091/092 ) welcomes families at three different facilities in Zambia including Nkwali Camp (7-years-old and up), Robin’s House (children of all ages), and Tena and Nsefu Camps (12-years-old and up). These unique camps boast impressive collections of lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, elephant, giraffe, and more than 400 species of birds that will dazzle families and children. Each camp sleeps 12 people or less to ensure an intimate setting and individual attention. Children enjoy watching the animals playing, eating, and hunting on game drives. And on guided nature walks, families can learn how to identify animal paw prints and droppings like authentic bushmen.

Children delight in visiting native children at their school in the Kawaza Village and learning about local customs and culture. The Robin Pope Safari also keeps families entertained after a long day of exploration with safari packs featuring fun quizzes and puzzles. To keep the family-bonding going all safari long, lodges also provide books, games, cards, swingball, paints, sandbox, nearby swimming pool, kid-friendly meals, cookie-baking, and collecting eggs from the hen house. Parents looking to steal a moment to themselves can also arrange for childcare.

Whether families are traveling for a glimpse of the “Big Five” or just looking for a memorable experience, with more safari companies catering to the younger generation, Africa may soon become a more mainstream destination.