The African continent is actually a giant playground for children. Searching for Nemo in the clear Indian Ocean, swinging like Tarzan between the trees on a zipline, or spotting wildlife like a true Freek Vonk: what child wouldn’t get excited about that?
The kids have a great time at the campsite in Zeeland or by Lake Garda, where they are entertained by the animation team while you sip your wine. They probably wouldn’t enjoy bouncing around in a car for hours or wandering the savannah in the scorching heat. Or would they?
We understand that a long holiday with the little ones requires careful planning. It’s important that you can relax a bit and not need another vacation to recover after the trip. That’s why we work together to create a travel plan. This way, you can travel safely and comfortably at your own pace. Our local partners will guide you and make every day an experience! And we are on the ground to ensure your trip runs smoothly.
On this page, you’ll find a plethora of inspiration and information about travelling in Africa with young children!
Is it a good idea to go to Africa with children? It might not be the most obvious choice and requires some flexibility, but it’s definitely possible! The continent is very diverse, and there are plenty of child-friendly options. For example, South Africa and Namibia are ideal countries for self-discovery. The roads are in perfect condition (especially in South Africa), everything is clearly marked, and you can stop whenever you want. Another advantage: these countries are largely malaria-free.
South Africa is a whopping 32 times the size of the Netherlands. Long travel days are inevitable. If you want to see and experience a lot without spending hours in the car, choose East Africa! Tanzania and Kenya offer the perfect combination of bush and beach, green Uganda is teeming with wildlife and beautiful lakes, and Rwanda is ultra-modern and clean. In East Africa, kids learn a lot about nature; there’s a lesson behind every tree. But it’s the special encounters with the super-friendly locals that leave an unforgettable impression. This cultural exchange will broaden their worldview and horizon!
No matter which destination you choose, we arrange accommodations, such as a private villa with a pool or a local homestay.
Of course, your kiddos want to see all the Lion King characters in real life. In every country in Southern and East Africa, a safari is possible! However, some parks have a minimum age for guided game drives (often from 6 years old). A self-drive is then the solution. In terms of costs, a safari with the family is also reasonable. The entrance to national parks is half the price for children compared to adults. If a long game drive isn’t suitable for your kids, opt for a safari in a conservancy, where the rules are a bit more flexible. Or go for a bike safari, boat safari, or walking safari. Besides ticking off the Big Five, there’s plenty more to experience. Ziplining, rafting, swimming, canoeing, climbing, snorkeling, or even ice skating: you name it, and it’s possible in Africa!
A trip to Africa comes with safety risks, but the likelihood of something happening is small. So, it’s a shame to miss out on the beautiful and diverse continent! Generally, everyone here loves children. Your little ones will make a bunch of new friends in no time. Of course, we don’t send travellers to unsafe areas. Furthermore, we have moms here who can give you good advice. Malaria is also a threat that you want to protect your child against. While you can take precautions in malaria areas, there are also plenty of areas where the malaria mosquito doesn’t occur at all! Before your trip, make sure to get proper advice from the GGD or your doctor. Learn more about malaria and safety in the family FAQ below.
Some answers to your questions
Wherever you go, your child will be addressed and receive all the attention. Generally, everyone loves children! Our Travel Designers also monitor safety in various countries, including the political situation. We never send travellers to areas that are not safe. Additionally, we have moms here who can provide you with excellent advice. So, start a chat and ask!
There are areas in Africa where malaria is prevalent, and naturally, you want to protect your child against it. However, there are also plenty of areas without malaria, such as a large part of South Africa, a part of Namibia, and high-altitude areas in East Africa like Nairobi. It’s advisable to wear long clothing and apply DEET after sunset in malaria areas. Bring your own (impregnated) mosquito net and pre-treat it with DEET. It’s also recommended to take Malarone (prophylaxis). Get proper advice from the GGD or your doctor before the trip!
Also, be cautious with drinking water. Give your child only water from bottles with an intact cap (or a plastic wrap around it). If that’s not the case, or you’re unsure about the source of the drinking water, err on the side of caution and avoid it. Be careful with ice cream and ice cubes too; they are often made from tap water.
In urban areas in South Africa and in Nairobi, the level of medical care is high. Outside these areas, medical facilities may be more limited. We recommend scheduling a conversation with the GGD in advance to arrange vaccinations and other necessary measures. Handy items to bring for kids include paracetamol (suppositories or chewable tablets) and nasal spray.
We create a tailor-made journey with you based on your preferences! Naturally, we select the best spots suitable for families, such as accommodations with family rooms, a swimming pool, and ample space to play. Most accommodations provide excellent facilities for young children, including cribs, changing mats, and high chairs. A private villa by the coast is a must for families, offering the freedom to relax once the kids are in bed.
Long car rides with little ones aren’t an ideal combination. Naturally, we take this into account! We ensure short distances and ample rest in your travel schedule. In the travel plan you receive from us in advance, we provide expected travel times for each leg of the journey. If you want advice from one of our moms on the ground, let us know in the chat!
Diapers are readily available everywhere in Africa, although they may be slightly more expensive than in the Netherlands. So, you don’t have to lug around Pampers for weeks! You can also opt to use washable diapers, as many locals do. But ultimately, it’s entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable with during your vacation.
If you’re bottle-feeding, it does require some preparation. Follow-on milk is available in East Africa, but it’s often expensive and may contain a lot of sugar. Therefore, it’s best to bring a basic stock from the Netherlands, along with porridge, cookies, and jars.
A Maxi-Cosi and a sling or baby carrier are handy! Buggies and prams aren’t really Africa-proof, so it’s better to leave them at home. If you need a car seat, we can arrange it for you! Additionally, you can bring along the usual essentials for a trip, such as muslin cloths, toys, stuffed animals, swim armbands, a sun hat, and plenty of sunscreen (factor 50+). Go through this checklist, and you’re 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 some Masai. Not the guys who have planned their tourist act to perfection, but the real warriors who live in the middle of nowhere, pump water from the well, and slaughter goats. A dinner for two by a campfire with a Maasai family will put your Dutch luxury life into perspective. Connecting with the locals is super important to us! By making more contact with the people living in the area where you’re travelling, your journey gains more depth.
We live and work in Nairobi, Kenya, and it’s not without reason! We not only love the country, but we also see a lot of potential in the East African travel sector. However, the market is still very traditional and doesn’t always contribute positively to the sustainable development of the region. Fortunately, being based in Nairobi gives us the opportunity to do things differently – we want to tap into the untapped potential! Read how we do that on this page.
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Camping in the bush with just a cloth between you and the wilderness. Do you want to experience this without crawling out of your small Quechua tent with back pain? Choose glamping! With glamorous camping, you still sleep in a cosy tent, but on a comfortable stretcher bed that you almost don’t want to get out of for that early morning safari. In the evening, enjoy a nice drink by the campfire while the children roast marshmallows and the armed rangers guard the fort.
Get your hands dirty at Simba Farm Lodge! On this working farm on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, your kids will learn all about farm life. They get to feed chickens, cuddle rabbits, milk cows, and gather dinner from the vegetable garden. Meanwhile, you can daydream on a lounge by the pool with a view of Mount Meru.
As the name suggests, this is the perfect place for a delightful hideout with the family. Located in a former sheep farm, NamibRand Family Hideout offers a basic yet comfortable retreat with spectacular views of the vast plains and rolling red dunes. Children can run and play freely in the outdoors. The showers are heated by the sun, and the accommodation provides enough shade to shield you from the intense Namibian sun.
Mwamba Conservation Centre is a research institute in Watamu, a paradise beneath swaying palm trees on the north coast of Kenya. Here, you can not only enjoy delicious meals but also participate in various activities. Release turtles, count birds, snorkel in the Marine National Park, or learn about rockpooling; children will never be bored here! Plus, you only have to walk 80 metres to relax on the pristine 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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