The Greatest Legacy we can leave our children is happy memories....

7/30/2023

As children, most of us can recall the freedom of our youth, being outside all day, making forts, catching tadpoles and climbing trees. We were explorers of some kind, even if just in our own gardens or neighborhoods. We ventured, we discovered, and we might have even gotten lost, but we always returned wiser and more enlightened. Safaris with children are much the same – a time to stimulate all the senses and open up a whole new enchanting world. Several safari camps and lodge-owners cater to the younger traveler.

Mala Mala Camp in the Sabi Sand Reserve, for example, embraces children of all ages. Upon arrival, the ranger who will be hosting the family during their stay will assess the age, enthusiasm and independence of the children and in collaboration with the parents and guardians. Then various activities will be offered, such as the tracking of various animals from their spoor markings and basic survival skills (where to find water, what plants are good to eat, medicinal uses of plants, warning signs of dangerous animals and first aid for emergency situations in the bush).

Mala Mala encourages participation and may teach children how to make a fire safely at a bush breakfast stop and also include them in meal preparation. Children are given special meals and "ration packs" on game drives. A firm favorite for most kids though is communicating on the Ranger's radio (outside of game drive times, of course). Rest assured that children on Safari at Mala Mala will leave richer and fulfilled, longing to return.

The Great Plains Young Explorers Program is offered at every Great Plains camp in Southern and East Africa (e.g. Duba Plains Camp), blending fun with learning about conservation when on family safaris. Upon arrival, each child receives a Young Explorers pack full of all that is needed for them to become Conservation Ambassadors. Their pack includes an activity book with exciting information, including animal tracks, SeTswana or Kiswahili vocabulary, facts on flora, fauna and stars, word games and a safari journal. Great Plains guides and staff seamlessly modify the level of activities according to age and interests, likes and dislikes. Family safaris are a time to connect with one another and there is something extra special about sharing the first sighting of a favorite animal together and reliving it around the fire together each night. Great Plains is also keen to build bridges between children of international travelers and locals endeavoring to bring those two worlds together by introducing children to each other.

Wilderness Safaris also believes that the bush is the best classroom, and their guides are incomparably trained to teach not just the facts, but appreciation. The Bush Buddy program at camps like Mombo engages human cubs by making pizzas and other culinary delights, creating plaster casts of tracks to take home, frogging, soccer games with staff, bird and animal call identification, drawing and painting, learning about camera equipment, identifying constellations in awesomely starry skies, finding the beat on a djembe drum, and so much more.