Choosing the Best African Safari for Your Family

Time to answer the call of the wild and take the entire family on safari! But first, it's important to thoroughly research your options. At Tauck, we've been planning adventures to thrill travelers of all ages since 2003 — and we've tapped into this experience to compile a list of criteria that will help you identify the best African safari for your family:

Is it kid-friendly?
We believe it's not truly a family vacation if the kids have to stay behind in supervised activities while the adults are on a life-changing African safari. As you're exploring options, make sure your children meet any minimum age requirements for game drives.

Does it deliver VIP access to the Big 5?
Most safaris will include sightings of the continent's Big 5: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and African buffaloes. But consider these questions… Are you in a closed or open-top vehicle? Is every seat a window seat? How many passengers are vying for the best view? And are all game drives scheduled for the same time every day, or do they include morning, afternoon and night excursions, so you can witness changes in the local wildlife's behaviors?

Where is the safari? 
Many African countries claim to offer the best safaris for families. When traveling with children, or even less-than-patient teenagers, you should consider choosing one with the densest concentration of game drive sites to minimize transport time. Families also find it most convenient to limit their travel to a single country, to avoid the additional paperwork and processes required to cross borders. 

What about other awe-inspiring adventures?
Viewing exotic animals in their natural habitat is, of course, why travelers go on safari. And while these interactions are definitely pulse-pounding, they can make for a rather one-dimensional experience if they are the only offering. When comparing family vacation packages to Africa, ensure that there is a variety of activities to inspire every member of your traveling party.

Are cultural discoveries included?
At Tauck, we believe the best possible souvenir you can take home from your travels––and the most transformative experience you can share as a family — is immersion in a different culture. So, while you're focused on the Big 5, don't forget about making authentic connections with the humans who also live in the destination you're visiting.

How inclusive is the itinerary?
By far, the easiest way to experience Africa is through a comprehensive family safari package offered by a trusted travel provider that takes all the guesswork out of planning. Ideally, one upfront price will include your accommodations, gratuities, meals, game drives, local guides, additional activities, exclusive experiences and more. You don't want to worry about surprise costs or hidden fees when you're enjoying the vacation of a lifetime.

Once you book the safari that meets all of these criteria, in addition to your own, the only focus should be on the amazing experience you'll share together as a family.