Travelling with Cubs when on holiday

When planning your holiday to Africa as a family,Children love Jaci's Safari Lodge - they especially
the enjoyment and delight of your children islove the idea of "camping" in a tent! One of the
paramount. Many Safari lodges now acceptthings they comment most about are the bugs,
children under the age of 12 years old , takingthey love the variety and are enthralled by these
family’s travel requirements into considerationcreepy crawlies. Children love the space at Jaci's
– and creating a child friendly environment,Safari Lodge as well as feeling part of the Jaci's
ensuring the enjoyment of your African Safari forstaff family – this sets the pace for how their
both adults and children alike. Many of theseexperience on Safari turns out for them. Jaci's is
lodges offer delightful children programs and childfenced off from the Reserve - but it is still the
game drives – giving your children an ultimateresponsibility of the parents to be mindful of
adventure to share with their friends on theirpotential dangers as Jaci’s is in a wildlife area.
return back home.LALIBELA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - EASTERN
If Malaria areas, such as the Kruger, are an issueCAPE
for family’s with very young children, weThere is a huge demand for families wanting a
recommend enjoying a Safari in one of the Malariasafari holiday in a malaria-free area, because of
free Game Reserves situated in the Eastern Capethe risks associated with taking children to a
or Madikwe areas of South Africa. Cape Townmalaria-infested area. Lalibela's location makes us
and the Garden Route host many child friendlyideal for families travelling with children, who are
hotels and activities and is travelled and enjoyedwanting to combine a family safari with the
by all family’s. The Garden Route and EasternGarden Route and Cape Town. We have devised
Cape in South Africa is filled with beaches anda children's programme which we feel optimises
game parks in close-proximity, a winningthe safari experience with quality family time
combination with children. As many of our TourEach family is different and children require
consultants are parents themselves, we have anvarying degrees of attention, which is why the
intimate understanding of the concerns of parentsemphasis at Lalibela is to be as flexible as possible
and can best advise you how to make yourto ensure memorable family holidays. An
family holiday work for you!overview of our children's programme is as
Garden Route for Childrenfollows:
The Garden Route is an ideal destination for thoseIn the early morning Lalibela's child minders come
travelling with families - with a host of fun filledon duty so that parents can leave for their
and sometimes adrenalin rush activities availablemorning game drive. The children are given a
for both children and adults alike,chance to wake up, get dressed and be ready
The Garden Route is without a doubt, one of thefor the day.
most popular holiday destinations for thoseBreakfast is served and then it is time for the
travelling with children.activities of the morning, starting with a short
Interact with Elephants at the Elephant Sanctuarygame drive with their own game ranger and in
in Plettenberg Bay, marvel at the stalagmitetheir own special game viewing vehicle, taking
formations in Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, play oncare to avoid any close encounters with
the beach in Plettenberg Bay or Wilderness, watchdangerous game. Parents are welcome to stay
the monkeys in Monkeyland, observe the Ostrich'sbehind and accompany their children on the
in Oudtshoorn or enjoya boat cruise on thekiddies' game drive.
Knysna Lagoon - your children will certainly beThe middle of the day is time for the family to
entertained !spend together. Before the adults go out on their
For more information, visit our Garden Routeafternoon game drive, high tea is served for both
activity pageadults and children. The children then head out on
The Garden Route also hosts a wide variety oftheir own afternoon game drive and return to the
child friendly accommodation - contact one of ourlodge for an early dinner before getting creative
travel consultants to design the ideal family holidaywith some arts and crafts activities. Young
for you !children are looked after by child minders during
Child Friendly Game Lodgesthe adults' dinner sitting.
JACI'S SAFARI LODGE - MADIKWE PRIVATEChildren of all ages are welcome at Mark's Camp
GAME RESERVEwhich has 4 twin rooms on one side of the lodge
Situated in the MALARIA FREE Madikwe Gameand 4 family rooms on the other side of the
Reserve. These two exceptional, privately ownedlodge.
lodges, run by Jan and Jaci, together with anSHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE -
outstanding team, will exceed all your safariEASTERN CAPE
expectations boasting 75,000 hectares of "TopA truly unique, educational and fun family safari
Ten" territory.The colonial-style, Riverdene Lodge with nine
Jaci's provides the opportunity for the perfectinter-leading luxury rooms, rim flow pool,
family safari as well as introducing children to thesupervised playroom, spacious green lawns and
wonders and enjoyment of the African bushveld.jungle gym facility will ensure entertainment for
Children of all ages are welcome at Jaci's and arethe whole family.
especially catered for.Upon arrival, the children’s co-ordinator will
Family Safarisdiscuss activity options with the family taking the
Our family safaris have evolved from thefamily’s size, children’s ages and the
specialized children's safaris, as there was aweather into consideration. Child minding facilities
demand from parents to see and enjoy theirare available at an additional cost for children
children's wild experiences first hand rather thanyounger than four years as they are too young
when they returned to the Lodge, so we hadto join game drives.
more parents on the specialized safaris thanEach child will receive an age-appropriate gift pack.
children!! The family safari vehicles are onlyExclusive visit to the Born Free Foundation Big
available at Jaci’s Safari Lodge – nowCat Rescue Centre
enabling us to put families with children ages 5Activities are focused on promoting the
– 13 years old on game drives with theirconservation of species and the protection of
parents for the morning and evening game drives.habitat whilst maintaining a humane and
We still have the fabulous "jungle drive" during thecompassionate approach to the welfare of
day for the very young children 4 yrs and under.animals.
Jungle DrivesShamwari Wildlife Hospital
"Jungle Drives" are provided for children 4yrs andDifferent types of wild animals or raptors that are
younger and go out once a day, between thebeing cared for at the time, under special
morning and evening game drives. Parents aresupervision by the Shamwari veterinarian team,
welcome to join, but they must behave likefor release back into the wild.
children! On the "jungle drive" things of interest toShamwari Film Studio
children are pointed out, e.g. toothbrush plants,Children will be given a sneak preview of the film
beetles, etc. The information on the drive is aimedfootage of the new “Shamwari – a wild
at the age/s of the children on the drive.life” series, which is due for airing in August
The "jungle drive" is included in the children'sSeptember 2008 on the Discovery Channel’s
special rate.Animal Planet.
MealsExclusive access to one of the Shamwari Film
Children 12 yrs and younger will enjoy dinner inStudio crew members is available to film and
the dining room ( as the evening meal is an adultproduce a high quality DVD of your Family Safari
affair :)) and enjoy a child oriented menu withexperience. Advanced bookings are essential as
things that they prefer, like spaghetti bolognaise,the filming and production of the DVD is at an
hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and lots ofadditional cost. You enjoy the moment while we
vegetables(to keep Mom happy) etcetera. Childrenrecord the memories.
12 yrs and under sharing with their parents will notChildren can partake in various social, sporting and
be allowed to eat dinner in the boma – thearts and cultural activities under the supervision of
earlier children's dinner is provided instead. Onour children’s co-ordinator. Options could
arrival the chef will ask the children specificallyinclude: African bead making, clay making activities,
what they like and dislike and use this as aface painting, star-gazing and African story-telling
guideline when preparing the children's menu.Family friendly tours offered by African Welcome
Generalincludes game lodges for children and travelling
Child minding is provided free of charge while thewith cubs under the age of 12 in South Africa.
parents are on game drive and during dinner.