Capture the king of the savannah on camera from the comfort of a safari bus.

Things To Do On an African Safari

Safari is all about the animals. Nowhere else in the world will you be able to come so close to the largest animals in their natural habitats. Most people go on safari in search of the Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and the African buffalo. You'll also be able to see a variety of antelope, hippos, wildebeests, zebra, cheetahs, monkeys, and so many kinds of beautiful birds.

Most of the animal viewing during safaris is done through game drives where you ride in an open, off-road vehicle in a national park or conservancy with a guide, and sometimes a tracker. Game drives usually take place at the crack of dawn and during dusk hours when animals are most active. They usually last about two to three hours, but can be longer or shorter depending on your preferences. You get super close to these animals but are perfectly safe inside the vehicles.

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Embrace the slow rhythm of a camel ride on a safari adventure.

Those hours in between game drives can be used to rest and nap, or to partake in different activities at the camps. Most family-friendly lodges and camps offer a variety of activities like horseback and camelback riding, village visits, beading sessions, hikes, and arts and crafts. Many places also have pools for both kids and adults to relax in.

One of our favorite activities was the hot air balloon ride. We woke up before dawn and floated across the grasslands in a hot air balloon as the sun was rising. It was a breathtaking way to spot the animals and take in the beauty of the landscape.

Take a hot air balloon ride over the majestic safari.

Best Ages for Kids to Go on an African Safari

The minimum age for children depends on the safari lodge or camp, but given the nature of safaris and types of activities, families would get the most out of their adventure by waiting until kids are at least 6. Some safaris, like ones to see the gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, require participants to be at least 15 years old.

Safari vacations are very active and can be strenuous. Patience is truly a virtue during this time. Flights to African countries can be as long as 14 to 16 hours (even more with layovers), and then there is jet lag to contend with. You have to wake up quite early for morning game drives. Also keep in mind that game drives happen on natural terrain, so the roads are quite bumpy. Some animals—like the big cats—take more patience to spot, so kids need to have a good attention span.

Since all kids are different, it's important to consider your children's readiness and maturity. Kids should be old enough to follow directions, which is especially important during game drives. The older the kids are, the better they will be able to appreciate the amazing wildlife, people, and landscapes they encounter and make lasting memories.

Where and When To Go on an African Safari

Africa is a vast continent with a diversity of landscapes, people, and wildlife. Not all safaris are the same, and for a first time African safari, you’ll want to narrow your trip to one or two countries.

South Africa comes highly recommended for families going on safari for the first time. Many of the lodges have kid-specific programs, and wildlife is plentiful and condensed into smaller areas so game drives don’t have to be as long.

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Share warmth and traditions with locals during your African safari.

The East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania are also ideal for first-time safaris. I recently went on safari for the first time with my kids ages 8, 14, and 16 to Kenya and I can’t recommend it enough. It was one of the best trips we’ve taken as a family. The logistics were super easy because Kenya has a very well established tourism infrastructure. The cultural element is also very strong. My kids loved interacting with local people from the Samburu and Maasai tribes and learning about their traditions.

The Serengeti region of Tanzania is famous for its incredible grasslands and the Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeests, zebras, and antelope cross over into Kenya in search of more verdant pasture. Visit at the right time and it’s a sight to behold.

Other countries that are popular for safaris include Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana. Uganda and Rwanda are famous for their gorilla safaris.

Weather is a crucial factor in deciding when to go on safari. While the climate is temperate most of the year, the weather in sub-Saharan African countries is divided by wet and dry seasons. The best time to go to East Africa is during the dry season—January through March and June through October. In Southern Africa, avoid the rains and go between May and October.

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Watching zebras roam the plains evokes the beauty of the wild.

Choosing a Tour Operator

Safaris involve a ton of logistics, and planning can be quite intimidating. Since most people move between several different camps, you need to think about internal flights, travel visas, transfers, park fees, and other details. While you can certainly plan a trip on your own, it’s best to use a trusted tour operator or travel agent to make all the arrangements.

A tour operator who’s well versed in safaris and knows Africa well will also be able to recommend the best lodges and camps for your family. Depending on your budget and preferences, they will be able to create the most optimal itinerary.

In choosing a tour operator, get recommendations from family and friends and make sure to talk to several different ones to ensure you like their vibe and they clearly understand your needs. I chose Extraordinary Journeys because my agent crafted a thoughtful itinerary that balanced the different ages of my kids with our desire to see lots of different animals.

Explore the vibrant culture of local villages

How to Pack for an African Safari

While there’s no need to buy a lot of new clothes and gear for safari, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Opt for Neutral-colored Clothing Made From Fast-drying Fabrics

We found that basically anything goes for game drives, but for walking safaris, it's best to wear neutral-colored clothing and avoid bright colors. In some areas of Africa that have tsetse flies, you’ll want to avoid wearing dark colors such as black and blue. Camouflage worn by civilians is illegal in most African countries.

Most camps and lodges offer laundry services, so you’ll only really need a few outfits. Laundry is usually air-dried, so pack clothes made from quick-drying fabrics to speed up turnaround time. Note that for cultural reasons many places do not wash women’s delicates, but offer detergent for guests to wash clothes themselves.

Pack Light

You’ll need less than you think, so pack light, especially since many of the smaller airlines that operate intra-country flights have strict weight limits. Some airlines also require that your luggage be soft-sided.

Layering Is Key

The weather is quite variable throughout the day. Pack long pants and a light jacket for early-morning game drives, when it can be cold. Wear T-shirts and shorts as the sun comes out and the weather heats up.

Best Items to Bring on Safari

The best item we splurged on was a nice set of binoculars. Most lodges do not offer binoculars, so bring your own. It was nice to be able to see animals from afar or to get a close-up look. Also bring your own sunscreen and bug spray. And my son brought his own inexpensive camera that helped keep him engaged during the game drives.

Vaccinations

You’ll need to make sure that you and your kids are updated all on vaccinations, and you'll probably need to receive a few new ones. Some African countries require the yellow fever vaccine, whereas it is only recommended for other parts of the continent.

The malaria prophylaxis is also recommended for many parts of Africa. There are some national parks and game reserves in parts of Africa that are malaria-free if you’re concerned about giving the malaria pills to young kids.

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Gazelles in the field are a sight to behold.

How to Prepare Kids For an African Safari

The best way to prepare kids for safari is to let them know what to expect. It's helpful for kids to look through books to see what animals they're likely to see and to watch TV shows or documentaries about Africa. There are some great ones from National Geographic that my kids watched.

This National Geographic site is a great resource for kids to browse to learn about the different African countries and the animals they might see on safari. For older kids, this BBC docuseries on Africa was so informative and thrilling to watch.

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Photos by the author