Australia native Wendy Spivey lived in Tanzania with her family for many years. This was before she moved to Senegal, and after she lived in Sumatra.

Wendy gets around.

While in Tanzania, she ran a safari company called Fortes Safaris. Her own kids first went out in the bush when they were just 2, 3, and 8! Many more trips followed.

Ready to take your kids where the wild things are? Here’s some family safari advice from an expert:

Think outside the jeep

Serengeti means “Endless Plain” in the Maasai language, and if you bring kids here you’ll find out why. Safari vehicles soon lose their mystique, and even elephants, lions, zebras, and wildebeests can get boring after awhile.

Since you can’t get out of the vehicle in National Parks, stay in lodges that offer opportunities for hiking, swimming, and observing animals. Wendy recommends the E Unoto Retreat. “You can walk to a waterfall, visit a local school, or bike to a nearby Maasai village.”

Keep your cool

Take your game drives early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals are hunting. Middle of the day driving is not only hot and tiring, but also unrewarding. Animals spend these hours hiding under shady trees, and you should do the same.

Pools are important to kids, especially in Africa. For a great pool scene, Wendy recommends the riverside Tarangire Safari Lodge. “It’s not uncommon to see elephants amble by,” she says. “Sometimes a trunk even appears over the pool wall to suck up some water!” She also likes the Sopa Lodge at Ngorongoro Crater. “It’s in a wonderful location on the rim of the ancient caldera, and has a swimming pool and spacious rooms suitable for families.”

Roll with it

Anything that engages the kids is good. “In Tarangire National Park, our safari driver Mussa explained how elephants eat Baobab seeds in one place and poop them in another, thus planting the trees all around us,” says Wendy. “My son—who loves any story involving toilet functions—hung on his every word.”

Safety first

Check with your doctor about inoculations and malaria prophylactics. And check with your safari company about seat belts. According to Wendy, they are only required by law in Tanzania in the front seat. “Reputable companies will have them for every passenger.”

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Not sold on Tanzania?  How about South Africa?
Garden Route Game Lodge: Western Cape, South Africa

July 28th, 2008 | by Jamie Pearson 1 comment