The African continent is just one big play paradise for children. Looking for Nemo in the clear Indian Ocean, swinging through the trees on a zipline, or spotting wildlife left, right, and center.
We understand that there is a lot involved in a long holiday and it is important that you can also relax a bit and that after the trip you do not need another holiday to recover. That is why we make an itinerary with you. This way you can travel safely and comfortably at your own pace. Our local partners take you in tow and turn every day, anywhere, anytime you may need them, thus allowing you to submerge fully in this magical experience!
On this page, you will find a trove of inspiration and information about traveling in Africa with young children!
Is it a good idea to go to Africa with children? It may not be the most obvious choice and it takes some flexibility, but it is certainly possible! The continent is very diverse and there are plenty of child-friendly options. South Africa and Namibia, for example, are the ideal countries to explore on your own. The roads are in perfect condition (especially in South Africa), everything is marked and you can stop whenever you want. Another advantage: these countries are largely malaria-free.
South Africa is 32 times the size of the Netherlands. You cannot escape a few long travel days (but trust us, they are worth it). However, do you want to see and experience a lot without spending hours in the car? Then choose East Africa! Tanzania and Kenya offer the perfect combination of bush and beach, green Uganda is full of wildlife and beautiful lakes and Rwanda is ultramodern and clean. In East Africa, the kids learn a lot about nature; there is a lesson behind every tree. But it is the special encounters with the super friendly locals that make an unforgettable impression. This cultural exchange will broaden their worldview and horizon!
Whichever destination you choose: we arrange the accommodations, such as a private villa with a swimming pool or a local homestay.
Of course, your kiddos want to see all of the Lion Kings characters in person. A safari is possible in every country in Southern and East Africa! Some parks do have a minimum age for guided game drives (often from 6 years). A self-drive is then the solution. In terms of costs, a safari with the family is also easy. Access to the national parks is half the price for children than for adults. Isn’t an hours-long game drive spent on your kids? Then choose a safari in a conservancy, where the rules are a bit more flexible. Or go for a bicycle safari, boat safari, or walking safari. Besides ticking off the Big Five, there is still plenty to do. Ziplining, rafting, swimming, canoeing, climbing, snorkeling, or even ice skating: you can’t imagine it is possible in Africa!
An Africa trip carries security risks. However, the chance that something will happen is small. So it’s a shame to ignore the beautiful and versatile continent! In general, everyone here loves children. Your kids will have a lot of new friends in no time. Of course, we do not send travelers to areas that are not safe. We also have moms here who can give you good advice. Malaria is also a threat you want to protect your child from. Although you can take measures in malaria areas, there are also plenty of areas where malaria mosquito does not occur at all! In any case, have your GGD or general practitioner advise you well before your trip. Read more about malaria and safety in the family FAQ below.
Some answers to your questions
Wherever you go, not you but your child will be addressed and get all the attention. In general, everyone loves children! Our Travel Designers also monitor safety in the various countries. This also includes the political situation. Of course we do not send travelers to areas that are not safe. We also have moms here who can give you good advice. So start a chat and ask!
There are areas in Africa where malaria occurs and of course you want to protect your child against it. But there are also plenty of areas without malaria, such as much of South Africa, part of Namibia and high-altitude parts of East Africa such as Nairobi. In any case, it is wise to provide long clothes and apply DEET in malaria areas after sunset. Bring your own (impregnated) mosquito net and pre-spray it with DEET. It is also recommended to take Malarone (prophylaxis). Let the GGD or GP advise you well before the trip!
Take care with drinking water. Only give your child water from bottles with the cap still intact (or a plastic wrap around it). If not, or if you’re not sure where the drinking water comes from, err on the side of caution and leave it alone. Also be careful with ice cream and ice cubes, these are often made from tap water.
The level of medical care is high in urban areas in South Africa and in Nairobi. In addition, medical facilities may be somewhat more limited. We recommend that you schedule an interview with the GGD in time to properly arrange vaccinations and other means. Which is handy to take with you for kids: paracetamol (suppositories or chewable tablets) and nasal spray.
We will make a tailor-made trip with you, based on your wishes! Of course we look for the best spots that suit families, such as accommodations with family rooms, a swimming pool and plenty of space to play. Most accommodations have good facilities for small children such as cots, changing mats and highchairs. For families, a private villa on the coast is a must. Here you have complete freedom and you can relax optimally when the kids are in bed. Get an impression of all our accommodations in Southern and East Africa.
Long car trips and small children: not really an ideal combination. We take this into account of course! For example, we ensure short distances and enough rest in your travel schedule. In the travel plan that you receive from us in advance, we indicate the expected travel times everywhere. Would you like advice from one of our moms on the ground? Let us know in the chat!
Diapers are available everywhere in Africa, although they are slightly more expensive than in the Netherlands. So you don’t have to carry around Pampers for a few weeks! You can also choose to use washable diapers, as many locals do. But you should just feel like it during your vacation.
Are you bottle feeding? Then that requires some preparation. Follow-on milk is available in East Africa but is expensive and often contains a lot of sugar. It is therefore best to bring a basic stock from the Netherlands, just like porridge, cookies and jars.
A Maxi-Cosi and a sling or bag are handy! Buggies and prams are not really Africa-proof, you better leave them at home. Do you want a car seat? We will arrange it for you! Furthermore, you can just take with you what you always take with you on a trip, such as hydrophilic cloths, toys, cuddly toys, armbands, a sun hat and a lot of sunscreen (factor 50+). Go through this checklist and you are good to go!
Do you have another questions?
Read more tips about traveling in Africa in our FAQ or in our blog Traveling through Kenya with children.
Over the years, Charlie has become good friends with a number of Maasai. Not the guys who have planned their tourist act down to the last detail, but the real warriors who live in the middle of nowhere, pump water from the well, and slaughter goats. A dinner à deux at a campfire with a Maasai family will put your Dutch luxury life into perspective. Contact with the inhabitants is very important to us! By making more contact with the people living in the area you are traveling, your journey will have more depth.
We live and work in Nairobi, Kenya, and not without reason! Not only do we love the country, we also see a lot of potential in the East African travel sector. However, the market is still very traditional and does not always contribute positively to the sustainable development of the region. Fortunately, because we are based in Nairobi, we have the opportunity to do things differently – we want to use the untapped potential!
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Bivouac in the bush with only a cloth between you and the wilderness. Would you like to experience this, without crawling out of your small Quechua tent with back pain? Choose glamping! With glamping camping, you still sleep in a cozy tent, but in a nice stretcher bed that you hardly want to get out of for that early morning safari. In the evening you can enjoy a nice drink by the campfire while the children roast marshmallows and the armed rangers guard the fort.
Roll up your sleeves at Simba Farm Lodge! On this working farm on the flanks of Kilimanjaro, your kids will learn everything about farm life. For example, they can feed chickens, cuddle rabbits, milk cows and gather dinner in the vegetable garden. Meanwhile, you dream away on a poolside bed with a view over Mount Meru.
As the name suggests, this is the perfect place for a wonderful hide-out with the family. This basic yet comfortable place can be found in a former sheep farm. From NamibRand Family Hideout you have a spectacular view over the vast plains and rolling red dunes. Children can run around and play here. The showers are heated by the sun and the accommodation offers enough shade to protect you from the same bright Namibian sun.
Mwamba Conservation Center is a research institute in Watamu, a paradise under the swaying palm trees on the north coast of Kenya. Here you can not only sit down for delicious meals but also participate in all activities. Releasing turtles, counting birds, snorkelling in the Marine National Park, a rock pooling lesson; children are never bored here! And you only have to walk 80 meters to plop down on the snow-white beach.
The team lives and works all over Africa and therefore has a lot of first-hand knowledge and experience.
Wherever Charlie and his team travel, they develop new routes and experiences together with local entrepreneurs.
We tailor each trip based on your wishes and our African knowledge. Everything is possible and nothing is too crazy! Give us a try?
Charlie’s Travels works together with local partners and contributes to CO2 projects to offset environmental pollution.
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