It is something we have been thinking about for some time, a dream we have always had, and now it seems the moment has come… let’s go on safari as a family!
But now that we're clear that we're going to take the whole family safari, many questions arise. Which destination would be best for a family safari? What kind of safari will appeal more to my family? Where will we see the most animals? Is this a child-friendly safari?
In this article, we will try to answer all these questions to make your family trip an unforgettable experience.
Which destination is best for a family safari?
If we focus strictly on safaris, every African safari destination has its strengths, so we do not consider one better than another.
Now, when we think about taking a family safari, there are destinations whose characteristics better suit your family and allow you to enjoy safari that fits your needs.
For example, if we are planning a safari with children, Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa, have more developed tourism infrastructure and experience than other destinations, offering greater comfort and flexibility to meet travellers’ needs.
In other emerging destinations, such as Namibia, Botswana, Uganda or Zambia, because of each destination’s characteristics, it can be somewhat harder to find a safari suited to our family.
What kind of safari is best for a family?
When planning a safari with our loved ones, we need to consider both the destination and the type of itinerary.
For example, if we go on safari with children, we probably want to avoid long driving distances. Given road conditions in most African destinations, and that a day of “game drive” already means spending many hours in a vehicle, so we will probably want to avoid additional long drives. It also makes sense to reduce distances when planning a safari with older people or with back conditions.
Alongside the itinerary, we also need to consider the type of vehicle used for our family safari. Travelling by truck can have advantages, but is generally less comfortable than a 4×4. We would not recommend trucks for children, older people or those with back problems.
Family Safari: Group or private?
It is possible to go on a family group safari, but you must pay close attention to the itinerary. A group safari is usually cheaper than a private one, but there is a route and scheduled visits to follow, so we must be sure that our family will not interfere with the smooth development of the journey.
Although many of the group safaris are designed for the general public, there Family-friendly trips, such as our Viajes Tuareg safari. This Tanzania trip offers good accommodation and 4×4 vehicles, focusing on 3 areas — Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Natron — to avoid endless road journeys. It adds family-friendly activities, such as visiting a Maasai village and an easy walk at Kilimanjaro’s foot, to the traditional safari, making it varied and enjoyable for all ages.
For its part, the private safaris allow you to tailor the entire trip to the needs of our family. So much so that, in destinations such as Kenya and Tanzania, we will find guides specialized in travel with children, and activities and accommodation designed for them. Accommodation and vehicles adapted for travellers with reduced mobility are also available.
What is the price of a family safari?
The price of a family safari will depend mainly on two factors: how many people are travelling and the level of service booked.
Usually, if we go on a private safari with our family, the more people there are, the lower the cost, as vehicle, fuel, guide and driver costs are shared. For a reasonable price, there should be at least 4 or 5 of us. A private trip for fewer people can be expensive, so we might consider a group safari.
Service levels also affect the price: a tent costs less than a luxury lodge. Depending on the nature of our family, we need to choose what suits them best, with advice if needed. Most destinations offer comfortable accommodation without requiring luxury.
Who should organise my family safari?
Well, um... what are we going to say! We will, of course, be delighted to organize your safari, but we are sure your family will be too. More than 30 years of experience has taught us a great deal, and we know exactly which safari to offer according to each traveller’s preferences and needs. A family safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Why not make sure we get it right?
Have you made up your mind?
Upcoming safaris in Tanzania
Tanzania✔️ Departures MAY to NOV 2024
✔️ Price from 4450€
✔️ Departures JUN to NOV 2024
✔️ Price from 2995€
