Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth, three times the size of the United States of America. It is the cradle of mankind, being the oldest inhabited territory on our planet; even the name, Africa, conjures up images of the World’s greatest wilderness areas!
This is a wild and untamed continent with an enormous diversity of awe-inspiring wildlife and natural wonders as well as cultures of a bygone era. As such, there are 120 World Heritage sites representing the astonishing heritage of Africa.
This is the continent that dreams are made of and a journey to Africa can change your life. It is the ultimate adventure and to visit with your children would be one of the most fun, educational and exciting holidays you will ever take as a family. What’s more, with thousands of miles of coastline a safari is almost always followed by time on a white sand beach!
I am often asked what the best age is to take children on their first safari but the reality is there is no real minimum age at which children would not enjoy the excitement of seeing all the animals from their early year’s picture books in their natural surroundings; we have taken ours on safari from a few months old!
Some lodges and camps are more geared up for the much younger ones and will have some great activities for them but from around 6 years they would most probably get more from a more authentic experience.
These days even the best camps situated in the best and more remote wildlife areas have at least one family unit which is usually comprised of a 2 bedroom canvas structure with ensuite facilities. There are some family houses that are also worth considering.
It is worth remembering that Africans themselves live in a very family-orientated society and have a great affinity with children, so you shouldn’t be surprised when we tell you that the safari guides will have your children, and you, eating out of the palms of their hand!
Gara Gharagozlou is the founder of Mirus Journeys, a specialist experiential travel company, specialising in Africa, the Islands, and the Orient as well as once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the world.
