| There is a place in the South African Desert | | | | ones. |
| where families can enjoy the ultimate child-friendly | | | | Family vacations will never be the same after |
| safari experience. The Kalahari Desert is a | | | | visiting the Kalahari Desert. Released from the |
| paradise that offers families a luxury safari | | | | cooped up confines of urban environments, boys |
| experience for both children and their parents. | | | | and girls will relish in the delight of open spaces of |
| American Express recently revealed that after | | | | the African bush; sliding down the red sand dunes, |
| having conducted a survey amongst it's platinum | | | | coming into contact with wild animals on the game |
| card-holders, that more than ninety percent most | | | | drives or on horseback safaris, and being able to |
| often travel with their children. This new breed of | | | | meet their friends from Meerkat Manor in real life. |
| worldly traveler—aged 15 and | | | | And while the children enjoy these new South |
| younger—is accustomed to fine food and | | | | African Safari experiences, parents are free to |
| designer labels, just like their parents. | | | | relax, knowing that their children are safe, cared |
| While an African Safari vacation appeals to many | | | | for and entertained - while they can kick back and |
| international travelers, the up-market traveler | | | | enjoy a truly carefree vacation, maybe do a little |
| yearns for a Safari experience that can offer a | | | | stargazing together at night and take a stroll along |
| family a safari vacation that is an embodiment of | | | | the Milky Way. With the night-time air so clear and |
| luxurious comfort and personalized service. This | | | | so black in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, |
| up-market traveler is enticed by resorts that can | | | | stargazing is a truly special and unique bonding |
| offer superb quality; that offer assurance of the | | | | experience. |
| finest settings and top-quality vacation | | | | The Kalahari Reserve is also renowned as an |
| experiences. | | | | excellent place for bird watching with more than |
| To establish this level of extravagance and | | | | 200 species of birds some of them indigenous to |
| lavishness is often easily attainable and there are | | | | the arid zone, found in the varying habitats of the |
| an abundance of resorts to choose from | | | | reserve. Raptors and in particular, vultures, are |
| throughout South Africa. The more demanding | | | | very well represented. The most abundant |
| challenge however is to discover a luxury safari | | | | species are the white-backed vulture and the |
| resort that is also child-friendly. | | | | lappet-faced vulture. |
| Unfortunately there are many exclusive and | | | | A special treat for children is a hot air balloon ride |
| luxurious South African Safari resorts that do not | | | | across the skies looking down on the red desert |
| welcome children. When children are permitted to | | | | sand dunes and vast African planes. Of course |
| visit the reserves, they often forget how | | | | the most popular activity at an African safari is |
| important it is to cater for children. They may not | | | | game watching from the private game viewing |
| have kid's menus and their idea of | | | | vehicle or by horseback trails. A guided walk with |
| accommodating children often means that they | | | | an experienced game ranger provides and |
| sleep on the corner couch. Safari resorts that | | | | educational and entertaining experience for the |
| claim to be kid friendly should go out of their way | | | | children. |
| to create an environment in which the children are | | | | While the children are entertained, the adult can |
| entertained and where they can feel welcome | | | | enjoy superior facilities such as the tantalizing |
| and at home. | | | | tastes of African cuisine and fine wines, a private |
| Another essential consideration when planning an | | | | chef and a luxury spa treatment. Even the |
| African family safari vacation is to ensure that the | | | | youngsters deserve a little pampering after a hard |
| game reserve is in a malaria-free area and where | | | | and dusty day of game watching and playing |
| there is no need to worry about preventative | | | | under the African sun. |
| malaria medication for the parents or the little | | | | |