Uganda family safari

Ababa Uganda safaris, organizes family trips in and out of Kampala, where the young children are taken care of when there parents have gone to do gorilla, chimpanzee tracking.

We have well trained guides to handle the families that have worry on what will there children be doing while we go for the Uganda Gorilla safari and chimpanzees. Children below 16 years do not go for this activities.

The sources of boundless attention and longing to many holidaymakers, getting a family holiday can be amazingly rewarding in rich safari destinations like Uganda or Rwanda with abundant wildlife, adventure and cultural encounters that favors the Uganda family Safaris undertakers.

Our Uganda Family Safaris comprise the happiest memories. While on your Uganda safari family, ensuring expectations and building eagerness is an important element for families. To the kids, the package presents challenges of the hot weather, giant scary African elephants, giraffe, etc. as they reminiscence on their encounter whether big or small.

We advise you prepare your kids for what may turn out to be an emotional encounter such as lions hunting down antelope while in game drives.

What kids should not miss on a Uganda Family safari!
It is advisable to prepare some sort of checklists for the kids listing the different wild animals and tourist site they will see during your safari in Uganda, such as buffaloes, elephants, Uganda bobs, bushbucks, lions, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, the Murchison falls and different birds. Uganda prides in one of the richest Eco-systems in Africa so during your visit you will be able to explore its different wildlife habitats the game drives will be unrushed to enable the kids to enjoy the gifts of Mother nature to Uganda.

A city tour in Kampala will also be a great opportunity to visit some of the historical and cultural places within the capital city. During the city tour you will also visit the different markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables.

Choosing the Accommodation Facilities
Uganda is the best place to enjoy true comfortable in our nice accommodation facilities but at the same time take pleasure in the various adventurous activities for a happy vacation.

The majority of Uganda’s accommodation is located inside the parks or just outside them within the wilderness and great to note is most of them have elevated platforms on which you can have spectacular views of the wildlife.

Accommodation is a very important component of your safari so it is always important that you pay special attention when making you choice by preferably choosing facilities located in areas where the kids will easily familiarize with.

What to Pack for the Kids
Although Uganda experiences a generally warm tropical climate, the evenings and early morning are normally cold, so as you make you pack-list, include shorts, t-shirts and sandals for the warm day-time and then long sleeved shirts, trousers, cotton overalls stockings, head-gears, cotton gloves for the cold nights especially when staying in the parks.

Which Foods the kids will eat?
Fortunately, Uganda prides in a greatly varied food basket that also includes various fresh fruits and vegetables; so your children will definitely have something to eat.

Most of the Uganda safari destinations are exceptionally child-friendly and will be pleased to provide children’s meals (as early as you wish) and children’s menus (fish and chips, burgers, ice creams, pasta etc).

However, in case your child has any food allergies, please inform us prior to your arrival in Uganda, so that we can notify the different hotels and lodges in time to enable them prepare adequately.

God health is Paramount
Similar to any person going to travel, it is very important that you take the kids to a physician for proper medical check-up. For those that have any medication they are taking, please don’t forget to carry them. And in case any of them has any medical condition that requires special attention during your stay in Uganda, please notify us as well

Take your tribe out to Africa – nature’s playground! Camping under star-filled African skies, a delicious dinner and singing around the campfire, hearing the roar of a lion at night and going in search of the “Big Five

Safari Activities for Children

Children of all ages will normally be able to undertake game drives, which is the usual way to see wildlife. The best safaris for younger children are those that combine excellent game drives with other activities which are not age dependant, such as cultural activities, boat cruises and guided walks. A limited number of safari camps and lodges offer specialist “Kids Safari Clubs which run various activities to entertain children, and teach them about the bush. There are many diverse and traditional activities that the more creative family will love, such as taking part in making traditional Africa tools and garments to nature walks across the fascinatingly diverse landscape.

Accommodation on Safari

Most safari lodges and tented camps are well organized, cost efficient and very children-favoring. Some hotels we book also offer “Family Rooms’, which are either larger than normal or have adjoining bedrooms for the children. You will need to decide whether your child/children is/are old enough to sleep on their own “remember, accommodation units can be some distance apart. Our Adventure Camping tents are spacious enough for 2 adults and a small child.

Indian Ocean

With warm water all year round, endless white sandy beaches and plenty of shade beneath the coconut palms, the Indian Ocean coastline is a children’s paradise. As for pursuits; there are plenty of water sports, environmental diversions (snake farms, nature trails and butterfly farms) and a wide range of cultural interaction (dancers, Masai warriors, nature guides, visits to schools).

Quality Time for Parents

Many lodges and tented camps offer babysitting (usually booked in advance). The larger hotels also tend to offer“animation teams’, groups of specially trained young professionals who have been trained in keeping everyone (particularly the younger guests) “busy’. Pursuits include: nature walks, tennis, ping pong, volley ball, water sports and a whole range of “edutainment’.

What to bring

Sensible shoes if on safari – sandals and bare feet are NOT advisable due to the presence of sharp thorns or bee stings

Beach shoes – as protection against sharp coral, sea urchins etc

Books, games and diversions for lengthy travel times

Plenty of high-factor sun protection, hats and/or cover-up UV sun-suits

Child-sized binoculars if you plan a safari, plus relevant guide books on animals, birds, trees

A travelling medical kit (note: many anti-mosquito repellents are not suited to children, particularly those containing DEET). Natural citronella oil may offer a suitable alternative – but it must be applied regularly (we recommend and use MOSI GUARD)

Travelling mosquito nets for cots/prams etc

Your own snorkels, flippers and masks

Canned baby foods, powdered milk, disposable nappies and the like are available in the larger supermarkets in the major towns and cities – but NOT anywhere else, so best to bring supplies from home.

Some huge positives about Africa as a family safari destination are as follows:

Africans themselves live in a very family orientated society and have an affinity with children

Africa is easily accessible from Europe with little time difference (no jet lag)

There are a good variety of family-friendly safari camps and lodges, often with specific family accommodation options

There are great beach destinations to combine with the best safari regions

English is widely spoken and western food is readily available

The overall quality of guiding is excellent, with guides able and happy to entertain and educate children as well as adults

A few realities do however exist:

Much of East Africa is prone to tropical diseases and is malarial, so children will need to have vaccinations and take malaria prophylactics

Whilst most campsites do not have any age restrictions some safari camps and lodges do not take children under a certain age

Some safari activities are not suitable for younger children, such as walking safaris, gorilla and chimp trekking, canoeing or horse-riding

What age should my kids be to enjoy a safari?

The answer to this obviously varies according to the family involved and the destination chosen. Bear in mind that game-viewing is a patient exercise so the ability to sit in a vehicle for two to three hours is a great benefit. However, a gentle safari for a couple of days is suitable for children of all ages “ imagine the excitement of a four year old spotting their first giraffe or elephant! At the other end of the scale, a two week wilderness safari involving adventurous walking, canoeing and bush camping is only going to be suitable for much older children.

Keeping the Kids Busy in Camp

Children are much happier when they are occupied. Bored kids are not often good company! Luckily, boredom and Africa rarely go together, but there are a few things to consider. As game drives often take place in the early mornings and late afternoons, there is usually a fairly long period during the middle of the day which is spent in camp. This is usually spent resting, reading, playing games or cards, chatting to staff, visiting local villages or wildlife viewing from “hides, but you may wish to consider whether a swimming pool could turn this“down time into “fun time. Children receive a booklet comprising animal check lists, themed games and puzzles a s well as a list of environmentally friendly activities to accomplish (back at home they will be encouraged to email in drawings and photos of their safari as well as of the eco initiatives they have started which will be posted on Safari Joe’s Facebook page for all to admire). Also included in the packs are crayons for the little ones and pencils for the older kids. Many lodges/camps offer guided nature walks – either around the lodge or camp, or in the bush.

Cultural Interaction and Learning

One of the genuine benefits of making the effort to travel with children is the exposure they have to different cultures and peoples. Africans have a natural affinity with children, and in addition to your children forming bonds with, and learning from, local guides, it is not uncommon to find camp staff entertaining your kids with local games, cooking, or enquiring conversation. Itineraries include fun and engaging activities for kids, and often some built-in free time for adults. Families might gather around a campfire listening to tales of Africa, ride horses or elephants through the savannah, or float in a hot air balloon for bird’s-eye views of the famed Great Migration below. While scenic landscapes and thrilling game drives are part of many African holidays, family safaris also come packed with enriching cultural experiences. You could visit a Masai Boma — a family homestead — and a school where you’ll interact with children from the community. Or, learn to say a few words in Swahili and make beaded bracelets and necklaces with the locals. African guides love children and take a delight revealing the secrets of the African bush to them. You might take a short walk seeking out the ‘…’small five”“ rhino beetle, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and buffalo weaver!