Preparing Kids for a Safari

So you've decided to take the kids on an African safari. Now you need to prepare them. And yourselves.

You will need some appropriate clothing, footwear, and a few extra tidbits. We are happy to help with some advice on all of this. Clothing should be in neutral colors and in easy-to-care-for fabrics. You may need layers depending on your destinations and the time of year you travel. Yes, it can get chilly on safari! Have no fear, though, we have a packing list for you.

And giving each kid the same stuff is key, of course. You don't want a fight to break out over the lone pair of binoculars and scare away a momma lion and her cubs.

The flights over are generally long and arduous, as some of the layovers may be as well. Load up tablets or laptops with downloaded shows and movies. Sure, the seatback video player on your long-haul flight might have something new for them, but then again, it might not. Plus, kids like familiar stuff. Please don't expect to stream anything while on safari. Any wifi is generally limited. Prepare your kids (especially your teenagers!) for having limited or no connections. In fact, if our cell phones didn't have such great cameras, there would be no real reason to bring them along.

Animal checklists are great fun. Include bird checklists for more action! Art supplies can be useful as well. And even though most safaris will have early start times, your kids will find time to nap in the vehicle.

I love bringing along the wildlife guidebooks for the kids to look up information about the animals we see. And older kids might love a journal for the trip as well.

And finally, you will need to let the children know that your guide must be listened to at all times. Safaris are very safe. Animals don't care about the "Landies," as the vehicles are usually called. But a few precautions are always needed. If the kids need a potty, the guide can find you a "bush toilet" but only after he or she has made sure it is safe. No wandering off! Keep the snacks wrapped up to avoid any small visitors (such as mice) in your tents. And finally, everyone needs to be flexible! You may have started off searching for a pride of lions, but you stumble across a tower of giraffes or a leopard napping in a tree--you adjust! Take advantage of what you find while on safari and create those memories!