
Visiting an African safari is often seen as a bucket list destination but perhaps deemed as too adventurous for children. We embarked on a 9-day journey in Kenya and Tanzania, and saw the most amazing sights. Here are 5 reasons why visiting an African Safari should be considered for your next family holiday!
5 Reasons to Consider Visiting a Safari in Africa
1. To search for the Big Five (and also, the Big Ugly)
The Big Five (lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos, and rhinoceroses) are the must-see for every Safari.
They were given this name because, many years ago, hunters on foot only had one chance to shoot at these animals. If they missed, these dangerous animals would hunt them back.
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National parks and reserves are teeming with wildlife, including herds of giraffes, mongooses, beautiful birds, warthogs, wildebeests and of course, zebras crossing the road!
It is not just about spotting the animals – it is also watching them in action: hunting, defending their territory, mating, playing and sleeping. Basically, it was like National Geographic and The Lion King coming to life.
Seeing the animals up close was such an incredible and unforgettable experience. As for the Big Ugly, I’m not going to tell you what they are. You’ll have to see and guess for yourself – they are not that hard to miss!
2. It is Educational
Perhaps, I was the uneducated one, but we learnt to tell the differences between elands, topis, impalas, waterbucks and different kinds of gazelles. Prior to the trip, they were all “deer” to me (pun intended).
There are walking safaris, where an armed guide takes you on foot to meet the animals up close and personal. They taught us to recognise the footprints of each animal and even their poop, so that we could track them. We were also introduced to the flora and fauna of the landscape.
There was plenty to learn about wildlife conservation in the sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers, where orphaned or injured animals are kept. Warning: some exhibits are real tear-jerkers when you see photos of animals killed by poachers just to earn huge sums of money.
Ironically, the most educational aspects of the safari were about character building. As we visited local tribes and learn their ways, our eyes were opened to their culture and how they lived.
They showed us how to start a fire with two different types of wood and dry leaves. We saw how the people on the roads walked 10 kilometers a day to their workplace because they could not afford the bus fare.
It was also a great lesson of patience and staying quiet as we waited for the leopard to climb down from the tree (FYI, it never did) and an important reminder that we were unable to control when or if we get to see the animals in the wild.
3. You Can Rest and Relax in Nature
The savannah and nature are great for the eyes. Studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors have a lower risk of developing myopia. Being in nature also has a positive impact on stress levels and mental health.
Some areas had no Wi-Fi or cell signal (especially if you choose to disconnect), and we slept exceptionally early as most of the safari action happened at dawn. Sleeping in tented camps was a truly unique experience as we could hear the hyenas laughing or lions grunting at night.
Breakfast was usually 6 am for us, as the lions had theirs at 7 am, and we had to be ready for action. The local produce was surprisingly fresh and healthy, much like an “ang moh zi char” with rice, vegetables and meats. Of course, there was also pasta, bread and soups available.
In the afternoon, when the weather was hot, we could nap in the accommodation or in the safari vehicle, or dip in the pool. The animals tended to hide from the heat, giving us a chance to rest more.
As it is not advisable to do a self-drive (trust me, the guides have amazing eyes) and it is not allowed in certain parks, we had a driver-guide. This gave us peace of mind on the roads. The guides also navigated the 4WD through muddy, difficult off-road terrain with much experience. Because a local guided us, we felt safe in the country. People were friendly, approachable and kind.
4. Family Bonding Time
To travel down lesser-known roads and to go on an adventure together bonds the family in a special way. It creates shared memories, and even the challenging moments – like getting stuck in the mud on a rainy morning – became a talking point after the trip.
We ranked our favourite animals and had to explain why. On the road, we played games to see who could spot animals first or count the number of giraffes in a herd. On the longer drives, we also played word games or took turns telling jokes.
One idea is to borrow or use old digital cameras to allow older children to explore photography and videography during the safari. A friend brought a notebook for them to draw or journal what they saw. It was encouraging to see them explore their creativity in so many ways.
We also brought marshmallows to roast by the campfire and learn to sing songs in Swahili.
Somehow, as we were enjoying the sunset, we started asking deeper questions, like what was one thing we learned about each other on the trip. With our devices away, and as the night stars rose, the answers were wonderful to hear.
5. There Are Budget to Luxury Options
Safaris are not cheap, but the good news is that there are some “more affordable” options available! The guides often share a radio channel, so once an important animal is spotted, all converge on the same spot – be it budget or luxury.
The differences tend to be in the camping accommodation and food. We saw some safari guides setting up tables in the open for guests to eat lunch (luxury), while we had a picnic box to enjoy under a tree (budget).
There are also budget flights that fly via Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur ($580-$850 SGD) that break up the longer journey and brings you to Nariobi, Kenya, where there are multiple connections available.
World-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater were costly, mainly due to the national park fees.
However, if you go for game drives in a bigger group, the cost per person comes down as more people share a vehicle. There are also discounts for children. Lesser-known parks like Kruger in South Africa and nature reserves offer reduced prices, but are just as full of wildlife.
A pro tip is to go in low season, when the weather is cooler and you can negotiate with the tour operator. Although we missed the famous river crossing in July and August, we were well compensated by witnessing the Great Migration during its calving season, with baby animals in the plains and predators stalking their prey.
All in all, it was a superb holiday – rated ten out of ten… elephants!