Right age for a Family Safari?

What is the right age to take your child[ren] on a Safari? I get that question from all my guests - from my past guests, who now have families of their own and want to share the Safari experience, to those new to Journey To Africa Safari. I have had clients as young as 3 years of age [he tagged along with older siblings] to a 16-year-old who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to the summit. Realistically however, I would say over 8+ years of age.

Most of the Safari Lodges we recommend will not allow children under the age of 6 years unless you have the whole lodge to yourself which is possible if you are interested. Around the ages of 8 years +, you will have a budding Safari goer.

Some reasons why?
– They will be interested in participating in the Safari planning which is a great way for them to get excited.
– They can sit through long international flights and airport transfers.
– They will get excited about seeing the many animals in the beautiful national parks and more.
– They will remember the interaction along the way – a great way for children to experience another culture and come back hopefully with an appreciation of how others live.
– They will be curious and ask questions - music to parents’ ears.

One of my favorite feedback came from a then 14-year-old - hi Alex - who said popcorn was his favorite 'dessert' and when the crew at Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire found that out, he had popcorn by the bush fire. Now that is a memory worth sharing.

These two; they are just lucky kids of mine. Their first Safari was in 2014 when they accompanied me on my Safari to Tanzania.

Flying on Safari

What would we do without our ‘flying taxis’ aka Safari ‘bush’ planes?!

- They have made planning Safaris to less visited areas simpler.
- They save a lot of transfer time.
- They are pretty cost efficient and with more carriers, prices are competitive.
- They offer great aerial views.

You can get to places like Northern Serengeti, Tanzania which were once only accessible via driving. You would have spent 2-3 days getting to the northern part of Serengeti to enjoy this remarkable location. Some clients still do of course enjoy the drive and exploring different regions slowly.

Flying from Serengeti to remote parks in Southern Tanzania like wild Katavi National Park and Lake Tanganyika + beautiful Greystoke Mahale to spend time with the human-like chimps after your Safari - fly away. From the gateway Maun, Botswana to far-reaching areas in the Okavango Delta, we got you covered. Nairobi, Kenya - the capital city - to Masai Mara is possible but a long drive via bumpy roads - flying makes it that much easier.

Sometimes, if you get lucky, you may be able to sit in the co-pilot seat - like my guest Sheree - and take control of the plane - well, at least that is what the pilot let’s you think.

A big question I get is how big are the planes on Safari?
The planes can be 2 seaters to 18 seaters, just depends where you are and how many people are booked to fly that day. For instance, my flight from Selous [now Nyerere National Park] to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania was a 4 seater, and Sabi Sabi Airstrip to Mala Mala Airstrip, South Africa was in a 2 seater - just me and the pilot. From Seronera, Serengeti, Tanzania to Arusha Airport, Tanzania, it is usually 18-seaters, especially during peak season. Whichever plane you will ride, be ready for an adventure.

Thank you little zippers.  Even if you have a small weight limit [usually around 33 lbs in Tanzania and Kenya or 45 lb in South Africa or Botswana], you make getting from A to B convenient. Now let's get you flying on Safari.