Kids in Africa

Well, after 3 years rooted in suburban life, it is time to hit the road again...we leave in June for a year or so in Asia and, for the first time, Africa. Our daughter is 8 now and we would like to do a safari in Tanzania, visit Zanzibar, South Africa (Kruger, Garden Route, Cape Town), Namibia, and perhaps Victoria Falls and Madagascar. Anyone with experience in Africa with children? Have I chosen the right places? Would three months be appropriate? Is renting a car our best option? We are Southeast Asia addicts looking to expand our horizons into Africa. I know it is hard to compare, but will Africa be much more challenging than, say, Vietnam? It appears to be a lot more expensive. We usually budget $50US/day for lodging, meals, incidentals, and transportation in SEA. How does that compare with south and east Africa? Any info would help!

Well, we waited 20 years, so do not feel too bad!

Kids love Africa - we took out 10 & 13 year olds in 2000 for 6 months, and again for 3 months last year when they were 13 & 15.

8 is a bit young, but it should be a great time.

We have lots of experience - we went the luxury route (mostly), so have no idea as to how little you can survife on.

Is that $50 per day each? if so, easy, otherwise, you will need to do backpackers. Forget Kruger and most other game parks - they are not really budget sensitive.

We took our own vehicle (yes luxury) and managed about $75 per day for all of us (Zim was VERY cheap though).

Try our home site for a pile of stuff for travelling with kids in Africa

Have fun.

jim

Hi, in November 2003 we took our 3 children to Madagascar for 3 weeks from Australia. What a blast. Our children are 3, 8, and 10, it was a great experience. Our trip was very organised from our end as it had to be with 3, especially a little one. We had an English speaking driver, a 4wd van, all accomodation booked and paid for, National Park fees and guides arranged. Generally though Madagascar is cheap, people very friendly and very interested in the kids. Very few tourists travel there with kids except of course French expats and they attracted alot of attention. The kids certainly slowed us down a bit but the interest and the different experience we had as travellers far outweighed any difficult times. Travelling with kids is a challenge but one worth persuing. I would do it all again tomorrow. I would say my main concerns were health issues, especially malaria. Could not give our 3 year old prophylactics so her and I opted for homeopathics and sensible clothing and insect repellant at dusk and dawn. Our other 2 had a bad reaction to the doxycycline, so they ended up being treated homeopathically too, no ill effects. Madagascar is cheap to travel, eat and sleep. Public transport would be a challenge for a family and alot of roads are atrocious, often impassable in the rainy season. National parks and wildlife absolutely fantastic. Go and enjoy, I am envious.

Thanks, Batsmith... your website had lots of info. We are used to $50/day for all of us together, but expect to pay more in Africa. how feasible is it to buy a car in capetown and resell it 3-4 mos later? Looks like at least US$1,000/mo to rent a 2wd car.

Madyares, from a child friendly perspective, what are the best stops for us in Madagascar? Probably three weeks there and can take an internal flight. Thanks!

philosurfer:

Certainly a vehicle (typically a backie in SA speak) would make everything a lot easier & cheaper. There are very few tourist oriented places where an ordinary backie wont make it (Sosouflei Namibia being one of them).

You will probably have problems at some borders north of the Limpopo/ Zambezi if you have an SA reg vehicle without a carnet. It can be done.........

3 months is not really an option to get from CT, "do" even some stuff on the way, get to Tanzania and then back to SA to sell the vehicle (otherwise import duties etc will hit you)

We tried to get to Kenya from Durban, but only got half way in 4 months, then came back.

As we did not get anal about the whole venture, it did not matter to any of us.

Buying locally, you have to factor in finding, buying, paperwork, checking spares etc on the front end, and finding someone to buy it on the back end. This COULD take 3 - 4 weeks out of your trip, that is why we bought here (in Canada) spent a fair amount fixing it up (a diesel landcruiser) shipped to & from. Only recommended if you have a fair amount of spare cash.........

There are also occasionally vehicles available via LP Thorntree - I think there is a petrol LC out there somewhere in Pretoria now. Search on "LandCruiser/ for sale)

Yes, possible and recommended, but be aware of all those time eating problems.

Mail direct if you like (see website)

Jim

Hi there,

I was in Africa last year for several months, although not with kids (but we now have one on the way!) I would highly recommend a safari in Tanzania, and I think an 8 year old would love that. I might be inclined to skip Zanzibar - although it's a very interesting and worthwhile place to visit, it is also pretty overwhelming, a bit in-your-face until you get used to it, and a bit of a long haul to finally get to beach areas where you could relax (and where it would be fun to have an 8 year old).

South Africa is incredible,and should be relatively easy with a child. Especially Cape Town and the Garden Route. Namibia is neat too, definitely rent a car as you will want your own transporation, and go in the cooler months as it can get really hot and unbearable. But again should be relatively easy with a child.

We spent 3 months total and went to Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Africa and Namibia, and if anything would've liked more time to explore both Tanzania and S.A.