“Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.” –  Phyllis Diller

Acclaimed actor, Johnny Depp once said “When kids hit 1-year-old, it’s like hanging out with a miniature drunk. You have to hold onto them. They bump into things. They laugh and cry. They urinate. They vomit.”

Take a kid on safari and you will quickly find out just how true those words are in real life. However, despite the fact that little kids can be more of a handful than your best friend on her seventh margarita, there is something to be said about how pure and illuminating they can be. It is said that a child can teach an adult three things:

• To be happy for no reason
• To always be busy with something
• To know how to demand with all his might that which he desires (Paulo Coelho)

As adults, we always come up with reasons to NOT do the things that would make us the happiest…like travel! It’s either too expensive or we do not have the time and sometimes it’s ‘who will mind the kids?’

Well, you can always save for your safari or find ways to make a luxurious one more affordable; you can always take time off work (all work and no play…) and why not bring the kids along if you can’t get their grandma to look after them?

Tips on taking a safari with kids…successfully

Granted, bringing your kids with you for a Kenyan safari can be a little bit more than just challenging. It can be downright disastrous. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. With the right kind of planning and preparation, your family vacation can turn out to be something that your kids will remember and cherish into their old age.

So, if you have decided to take the plunge into the abyss and bring your kids with you the next time you visit the Maasai Mara, here are some tips on how to stay sane through the trip:

1. Prepare them psychologically

The trick with keeping your kids reigned in during your trip is to manage their expectations. Yes, a Kenyan safari sounds like a thrilling idea and for the most part, it is a wonderful experience.

You will get to ride on overland trucks as you make your way through some of the most sublime landscapes. You will get to spy on some of the world’s most iconic wildlife such as the Big Five (Lions, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants and leopards). Sometimes, you might even get to see them up close.

However, depending on the time of day you take your game drives and to some extent, pure luck, you may spend hours trying to find these spectacular creatures. Especially leopards…these stalkers have mastered the art of stealth and camouflage; you may never see a single one throughout your trip.

You need to tell your kids from the get-go that sometimes safaris require a great deal of patience. It could take hours to go from one game park to the next; one hotel room to another and dear Lord the flights can last a lifetime depending on where you are from and where you are going. Your kids need to know all this so they do not drive you up a smooth wall once they start getting antsy.

2. Get them involved

Sometimes as adults we forget that the things we find intriguing really don’t mean that much to our kids. For example, if you are into bird watching, there is a good chance that you can spend the entire day driving around Meru National Park trying to spot that reclusive Pel’s Fishing Owl. All the while forgetting that your kids really do not care about whatever owls you want to see. This will only lead to eardrum ripping cries of ‘I’m bored’ or ‘I want to go home’!

To avoid all that you need to get your kids involved. Get them a camera of their own as well as a guide book teaching them about all the weird wildlife species that they might come across.

Turn spotting and identifying these animals into a game with prizes in it for them (whoever correctly identifies and takes a picture of as many indigenous animals gets to choose the next vacation destination…or something less punishing to your bank balance but just as rewarding for the kids).

This will:

• Keep them engaged
• Give them some much needed education on wildlife and safari etiquette
• Get them involved in the wholesome family experience (especially those moody teenage girls who would rather gauge their eyes out than hang out with their old man)

Most importantly, it will give you guys a chance to actually enjoy the trip without catering hand over foot to your kid’s demands! It will also help them create their own special memories that might just get them excited about the next family vacation.

3. Sync your travel with the off-season

We’ll be honest with you; months like January through to February and from June to October are just crazy! These are the peak seasons when everyone plus their next door neighbour wants to go see the Great Migration at the Maasai Mara. Decembers are hectic as well on the coastal region. If you want to avoid all that drama try to time your travel on any other month.

You should also focus on the lesser visited destinations. Turkana County for example has some wonderful parks, a lake and a bunch of islands that are both exciting and as stunning as most other destinations in the country.

The main difference is that these places do not see as many people and therefore are not as ‘headache-filled’ as the rest. Plus, the fact that they will be so few of you visiting means that you will get more staff members at your disposal. You know, people you can task with keeping the kids contained while the adults let loose a little.

4. Pack appropriately

Sometime back we made a list of all the Apps every modern traveller needs. Add to that list a travel packing App like PackPoint or TravelList. Believe it when we say these apps will prove to be life savers as soon as you get on the road.

Pack appropriately for both you and the kids. We are talking about things like:

• Cargo pants
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Snacks
• Binoculars
• Bottled water

Also pack whatever medication your kids might need as well as an iPad or iPod for the long flight hauls.

5. Prepare yourself mentally and psychologically

Your kids will be your kids whether they are on safari in Kenya or at the mall back in your home town. You can reasonably expect the same kind of tantrums at some point during the trip. Prepare yourself for this and make sure that you have a counter offer just so you do not hold up the rest of the traveling troupe. This is where bribery comes into play. See point number 2!

Finally, before you book anything, double check the age limits for the intended destinations. While most lodges have an allowance for kids, some just do not have the facilities to host them. Ensure that wherever you intend to go is equipped to host kids and is as family friendly as possible. This way you may even find staff members specifically charged with keeping your kids entertained. Win-win!

Do you have any ‘travelling with kids hacks’ that have worked for you in the past? Share them with us in the comments section below.