Drumbeat UK Autumn 16

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the southern coast from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth as well
as perfect to explore the Waterberg area for a few days.
We’ll start at Aardvark Safaris’ favourite Ant’s Nest where
we can ride, walk and game drive. Then we head to The
One&Only in Cape Town before setting off down the Cape
coast where we’ll stop at Babylonstoren in the Winelands,
Grootbos in Hermanus for a spot of whale watching, and
finally to Kwandwe for more safari activity.
So we have begun to count the days – there is a chart
in the kitchen – until we get on the plane with TVs and a
‘restaurant’. I am fuelling the excitement with a safari kit
(books and a magnifying glasses from Amazon) and the
odd ad lib safari quiz. I’m confident I’ll be able to fulfil the
girls’ wish to see safari animals, ride ponies and have lots
of sunshine (we live in the Scottish borders), yet also give
me and Jim a fun and relaxing holiday. Keep an eye out for
feedback in our January issue.
How to plan a family safari
So where does an expert with 17 years’ safari planning under her belt take her
own family on a two week blow out safari? Alice describes the process she’s been
through putting together her upcoming South African holiday.
If you are thinking of taking your own family on safari here are
some of our top offers:
Stay at Chitwa Chitwa a gorgeous lodge in South Africa’s world-famous Sabi Sands reserve
and one child under 12 stays for free. Expect spell-binding wildlife sightings and great
opportunities to spot the Big 5 in the company of experienced, family friendly guides.
Game drives, walking safaris, riding (both horses and camels) make a safari at Lewa House
a wonderfully varied experience. One child under 15 stays free and those up to the age of 21
benefit from the ‘child rate’ at this super Kenyan lodge.
Tanzania is full of iconic safari landscapes, from the Serengeti plains to the Ngorongoro
Crater and remote southern parks of Selous and Ruaha. Pick from one of Nomad Tanzania’s
exquisite collection of camps and anyone under 21 travels at 60% of the adult cost.
Head to Zambia and you’ll find adventure a-plenty, it’s perfect for active teens. Under 18s
staying with their parents in family rooms at luxurious Chinzombo or the bush camps (rustic
but still super comfortable) Mchenja and Kakuli stay at half price.
My husband works hard, takes few holidays and likes things to work and operate as
described. My six year old girls, on the other hand, like anything that feels off the grid,
naughty, and an adventure. I am more in my children’s camp but I’m going with the theory
if my children and husband are kept happy, then I will have a stress free holiday. In my
experience, a perfect family holiday takes on board everyone’s wish lists and by dedicating a
little bit of the trip to each person you should have the ideal outcome.
Any African safari requires proper planning. It’s advisable to plan as far in advance of travel
as you can to ensure your first choice of camp, activity etc. is available. Safari is an expensive
holiday and it’s always a shame to have to compromise on what you really wanted to do.
For a variety of reasons, we’ve chosen South Africa for our holiday. Many of the camps and
lodges here are very welcoming to families and there are a couple of safari choices that are
simply brilliant with children. The accommodation is so comfortable that it will be a treat
for me and Jim, and most of the lodges have interconnecting rooms or tents that are large
enough to fit all five of us in without feeling cramped. Being able to stay malaria free makes
things easier too.
The range of activities on offer was also a key factor. I am hoping we will ride ponies, take
walking safaris, see wild rhino, swim in outdoor pools, eat good food, drink good wine,
enjoy good weather, see whales, seals and dolphins, and cook with talented chefs. By the
end of the holiday I’d like the girls to have a basic understanding of Africa’s wildlife and the
problems it faces, and to have learnt a little about someone else’s culture.
We are travelling over the October half term fortnight, so the ideal time to make a trip along
www l P10
REPORT BY ALICE
For more ideas on
planning a family safari see
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge