1

Hi there!

Sounds like you and your child have a wonderful trip planned.

In order to help you out, I just need to ask a few quick questions:

• Are you planning on self driving within the park? I.e using your rented car and driving yourself and your son around the park?
• Or are you planning to rent out accommodation within the park, and book safaris separately?
• Or, are you planning on staying in an all inclusive lodge, that includes all meals, game drives, bush walks etc in your rate?

Also, what is your budget per night?

All the best, and warmest regards,
Jacqui
-Owner-
Lodge Trackers

2

Hello and if you are heading East you could try KwaZulu Natal for your game reserve trip. There are private lodges and reserves that will take children, however you will have to contact each, where you are considering staying to ask their 'rules'. I know that a lot of reserves are concious that younger children get bored in the game viewing vehicles. I have stayed at Phinda where they offered a babysitter whilst the parents were on drives. However I am sure most places are flexible. You could try self drive in somewhere like Hluhluwe-Imfolozi which is a stunning place with a vast amount of game. KwaZulu Natal also offers stunning beaches and mountains and is a relatively small province so everything is accessible.

3

I have taken an under 5 to Kruger National Park, the accommodation in the park is self catering and there are several places to stop during the day including rest camps and picnic areas. You can opt to do some open vehicle game drives with KNP rangers, they can be booked at the camp.

There are some private reserve lodges which take children, but a lot don't!. Jock safari lodge (high end luxury) do offer special children's activities, Tremisana lodge have family chalets, and will take kids on game drives, Kruger tours treehouse safaris also have family accommodation.

Or if you don't want to self cater there are a lot of hotels near to Kruger Park entrance gates and you can go in as a day visitor, Kruger Park do limit the number of visitors entering the park and if you are going in Dec / Jan during school hols it can be very busy, you can pre-book as a day visitor through the South African national parks website, otherwise you may be turned away.

4

We go to Kruger reasonably frequently. Self driving with your child should be no problem. I have taken 2 or 3 game drives provided by the park and I honestly have seen way more game on my own. We always go in winter, less foliage and watering spots. I can't imagine going to Kruger and not seeing alot at any time of the year.

We see more quantity of game in the north but usually find the cats in the south. We cover the whole park from north to south. Book your lodging in the park early, as they do fill up. Most gates have hotels and guesthouses outside the gates, but inside is better in my opinion. If I were to do a private lodge, I'd go to one outside but ajoining the park. They seem to be able to go off-road alot more and really get you on the animals, particularly cats. We really enjoyed Elephant Plains for a good value. I think they allow children.

5

When I stayed at Jackalberry Lodge in Thornybush in 2005 there was an indian Family there, I Think the youngest son was 5 if I remember correctly. If your son gets easily bored the private reserves do 3 hour game drives twice a day, so you don't need to be in the car all day. But on the other hand, if you selfdrive in Kruger you won't have an open vehicle so it's easy to nap or read or whatever in the backseat.

I love the private reserves around Kruger, but I Think I would have chosen selfdrive in Kruger with maybe one or two nights in a private reserve if you'd prefer that. You can control Your day so much more, and you don't have to worry about other people.

I agree with SmithsinSaudi to choose a reserve ajoining Kruger. Timbavati is great. And the off road driving is great as you Get really close to the animals, and there's never a lot of cars like it is in Masai Mara etc. I also prefer going in the winter, but I was there once in March and the game viewing was suprisingly good, but there was also a billion gigantic spiders and other bugs.

6

Hello and I popped on to say that I have just shared a link on Facebook for Elephant Rock Lodge in Nambiti Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal. They are promoting child friendly visits. My page is SafarKZN. Hope this helps.

7

I can also strongly suggest Gomo Gomo Game Lodge in the Klaserie for child-friendly safaris :-)

Jacqui