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KENYA

There are many great options to choose from when planning safari holidays with children. One of our favourite destinations is Kenya because many of the lodges are experts at catering for young travellers, they do not impose a minimum age for stay and accommodations are large enough to cater for all the family to be accommodated together.

Kenya is known for Maasai warriors, Africa’s most famous animals and the great migration of wildebeest which move between Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.

The Samburu region is a particular favourite for our family safaris, being one of the smaller conservancies means that you can encounter wildlife such as giraffes, lions, hippos and elephants typically without the crowds. In Samburu, you can enjoy activities which are not always found in Kenya’s other national parks and reserves, such as visiting an Elephant Sanctuary, stargazing and trekking the Sacred Mountain Ololokwe.

Our selected lodge we recommend very highly is the acclaimed Saruni Samburu,they offer luxurious accommodations with family villas plus they feature a Warrior Academy on-site where children can learn some of the art of being a Maasai Warrior first hand from the Samburu tribe members.

Be aware that there is a risk of malaria in Kenya everywhere except Nairobi. Therefore, malaria precautions are strongly advised, including covering up with clothing (especially after sunset), using insect repellents on exposed skin and sleeping under mosquito nets when necessary. Ask your doctor about suitable anti-malarial medication for you and your family.

Of course, safari holidays with children aren’t limited to the Kenya. Another suggestion that we feel gives an entirely unique adventure for families is Namibia.

NAMIBIA

Namibia has very little time difference with Europe and a low risk of malaria for much of the year. The country is spread along the dramatic Skeleton Coast and includes the active and adventurous desert dunes or extraordinary wildlife experiences on the Kalahari salt pan and within the bush in the Etosha National Park.

Well maintained roads and clearly mapped routes make for a great self-drive adventure, however Namibia also lends itself well to flying safari adventures too – taking to the skies for the famous itineraries mapped out by the Schoeman brothers which offers bird’s-eye views of the country’s incredible landscapes.

One lodge which we always recommend for families is the Kulala Desert Lodge in the Sossusvlei, go fat biking on the dunes, game drives day or night and take a sunrise hot-air balloon over this extraordinary scenery.

OUR TOP TIPS FOR SAFARI'S WITH CHILDREN

Once you’ve decided on an African safari holiday, all that’s left to do is prepare for your adventure. Here are our top five tips for safaris with children:

· Sun protection: long hours in the sun can put skin at risk of burning, so make sure you bring high-factor sun creams, hats for game drives and rashie swimsuits for pool time.

· Insect bites: have some reliable insect repellents to hand, especially for the evenings and wetter environments. An anti-itch, post-bite balm is also a great idea.

· Food: most lodges cater to dietary requirements, but if you’re concerned then we can contact ahead of time with special requests you may have.

· Travel: all safaris include plenty of driving time, so make sure younger children are happy to sit still for long periods without car seats or straps. Motion sickness tablets are also good to have on standby.

· Preparation: whether this is your first long-haul holiday as a family, the first time your children fly on a plane, or the first time they’ll see African animals in the wild, talk to your children often about what to expect in the weeks leading up to your trip. Researching together, watching wildlife programmes or reading books such as ‘She Leads’ by June Smalls or ‘Listening for Lions’ by Gloria Whelan which will help them understand what to expect.

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When the FCO advice is 'all but essential travel' many insurers do not cover any travel at all, and some cover essential travel but only when declared in advance of travel and agreed that it is essential.

As a tour operator ordinarily, in the event that one of our travellers wishes to cancel we would recommend to contact their insurers, however in the current times we know that many are not paying out on Coronavirus related cancellations even from existing policies thus have made extra efforts to gain back refunds for all our travellers. We will continue to examine each cancellation request on a case by case basis for the foreseeable future.

However, a holiday to look forward to is becoming more and more important, more than 30 insurance providers have stopped selling travel insurance since the pandemic so it will become even more important to seek the appropriate cover, and the reality is that you should still have insurance even if the Coronavirus is not covered.

There are a whole host of reasons you might need to claim on travel insurance which are nothing to do with coronavirus – for example if other illness or a bereavement stops you travelling, or if you have something stolen while you're on your trip.

So when booking your holiday you should also ensure you have cover as soon as you book your arrangements. Please do contact your travel consultant for further advice at the time of booking.