Ideal family Safari destination
Suppose you want to go on a safari to Africa with your family, but you have no clue about what the best destination actually is. Your family consists, for example, of three children, with the youngest being only 5 years old. What is the ideal destination then? In principle, all destinations in Africa are possible, but you might need to ask yourself some important questions before you go to a travel agent or before you organize your own trip.
1) What is my budget?
2) Which language, besides Dutch and or English, do my children speak?
3) How long can my children sit in a car?
4) How many days can a safari keep my family interested?
5) Do I need a guide or can I easily spot wildlife myself?
6) Do I opt for domestic flights or plan a self-drive?
7) Do I want to avoid an abundance of vaccinations?
8) Do I want to see the ‘big five’?
9) Do I want to combine my safari with a beach holiday?
10) Am I limited to the school holiday period (July-August for example)
…
When someone recently asked me what I would recommend as an ideal safari family holiday, I responded that South Africa might indeed be the ideal destination. I then provided the following reasons:
1) Our summer is ideal to travel to South Africa! It is winter in South Africa, meaning good visibility in the wildlife parks to spot wildlife (less vegetation), it’s not too hot during the day (average around 25 degrees), and it cools down nicely at night (average around 5 degrees).
2) Life in South Africa is quite affordable. The biggest expense is likely your plane tickets.
3) There is a high chance that your children will understand the guides; South African is very similar to Dutch, and most guides in the wildlife parks in South Africa speak both South African as English.
4) There is a very high chance that you will see the ‘big five’.
5) If you opt for a safari in a ‘private game concession’ you can enjoy the wildlife in peace without getting upset about the number of jeeps arranged around the wildlife.
6) South Africa has such a diversity of landscapes and attractions that you can plan a very varied holiday (Drakensberg, Blyderiver Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke Luck’s Potholes,…) keeping all family members satisfied.
7) South Africa has a road network that can easily be compared to Europe meaning it is really easy to organize a self-drive holiday in this country.
8) The Indian Ocean is very pleasant even in winter. The water is about 21 degrees warm in winter! So, a few days of beach holiday is really not unrealistic (recommended = Cape Vidal in Saint Lucia Wetlands).
9) The infrastructure of the country is quite good, so you can get help quickly, should something go wrong (quality of medical care, etc…).
10) South Africa is 90% malaria-free, making it much safer for your family.
I hope this has helped you a bit.
If you have more questions, do not hesitate to send me an email.”
Please note that while I have translated “Zuid-Afrikaans” as “South African,” it is worth noting that in South Africa, Afrikaans is one of the 11 official languages, and it has evolved from Dutch, so it is quite understandable to Dutch speakers.
http://picasaweb.google.com/100321322399069682160/ZuidAfrika2009ByWildlifebrothersCom