"Get your children traveling early. Expose them to the people, the food, the real culture of your destination." - Joss Ken CEO of &Beyond
With its warm heart, welcoming people and sunny skies, Africa is a dream destination for a family holiday with children of all ages. A place where time slows down, offering the luxury of a leisurely pace, ideal to reconnect and renew relationships among families, as well as grow friendships between the children and the land, animals and people of Africa.
&Beyond's WILDchild programme is designed especially for children visiting their safari lodges and camps in Africa. The program is filled with fun and interactive activities that offer oppotunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. The programme is available free of charge at all of &Beyond's lodges in Africa, except for &Beyond's Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, where additional costs will apply.
WILDCHILD ADVENTURES
Each night young guests will find an assignment for the following day's expedition laid out on their pillow. All of the expeditions are carefully selected according to the interests and ages of the children and are carried out in the care of &Beyond's friendly staff, from rangers and trackers to child minders and cooks. Expeditions may involve activities such as tracking, finishing, making tradition bows and arrows, beading, crafting and painting, as well as fun in the lodge garden or kitchen and more. Each resort has their own available activities so the experiences are tied into that particular region's environment and local heritage.
WILDCHILD MEMORIES
Each WILDchild adventure is made up of unforgettable moments to cherish forever and to help keep the memories of their safaris fresh, each young traveller receives a WILDchild backpack with a special scrapbook and other goodies at the &Beyond Lodge where they begin their journey. Each lodge offers a different educational or bush-oriented gift that children can collect by visiting multiple lodges! The Safari Shops at &Beyond particiapating lodges and camps also stock a range of WILDchild goodies. By purchasing these mementoes, young guests not only provides themselves with a tangible reminder of their African Adventure but it also helps contribute towards the Community Leaders Education Fun and scholarship programme, which assists students from the comunities boardering &Beyond's conservation areas with funding for their tertiary education.
THE LODGES
Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp - Tanzania: The most luxurious camp in the Western Serengeti, &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is inspired by Tanzania's annual Great Migration. A wild and remote experience in the midst of ample resident game, it is ideally situated situated on the banks of a tributary, which is the most famous fording point of the great wildebeest migration. The camp lends itself to family travel in the form of two interconnected spacious tents that make up a family suite, which can accommodate two adults and two children (three children can be provided for by special request). Each tent has its own ensuite bathroom and private veranda. Rates run from $2,880CAD per night for the Family Tent.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - Tanzania: Perched above cool, swirling mists on the edge of the renowned Ngorongoro Crater, the sumptuous safari suites at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offer breathtaking views. Inspired in design by the Maasai med and stick manyatta, or homestead, this is without doubt one of the most spectacular lodges in Africa. The family suite is comprised of two interconnected suites with a closed walkway, two bedrooms, two sitting areas, four decks and two ensuite bathrooms that boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below. The family suite can accommodate two adults and two children (three children can be provided for by request). Rates run from $5,025CAD per night for the Family Suite.
Serengeti Under Canvas - Tanzania: The luxurious tented camps of &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas moves around the famed Serengeti National Park, attempting to anticipate the movements of the Great Migration and exploring the remote and beautiful corners of this untouched iconic destination. The camp's spacious safari tents, each with a double bed, ensuite bathroom and separate washrooms, as well as his and hers al fresco bucket showers, lend themselves to excellent family adventures. Each family tent can cater to a family of two adults and two children between the ages of 6-16 (children under 6 are not permitted at this camp). A private safari vehicle is at your disposal when you book a family holiday at &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas. Rates run from $3,700CAD per night for the Family Tent.
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp - Kenya: Steeped in the aura of classical safari, the beautiful &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is situated within Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve and provides an unsurpassed wildlife experience. The camp has three family units that comprise of two interconnected tents, an ensuite bathroom, a private veranda and can accommodate two adults and two children (three children can be provided for by special request). Rates from $1350CAD per night for the Family Tent. *The WILDchild program is available for an additional charge at this camp
Phinda Mountain Lodge - South Africa: With wraparound views of the spectacular Ubombo mountain range and the surrounding Zululand bush, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is an exceptional safari destination. Tucked away within the renowned &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, this spectacular lodge is a favourite amongst families. The lodge boasts three family cottages, conveniently interlinked via a door for easy access. Each cottage has its own ensuite bathroom, with indoor and al fresco showers, as well as a private plunge pool. The cottages can accommodate two adults and up to three children. The lodge also offers a family suite for larger families that can accommodate four adults and four children. The suite boasts a shared lounge area, two elegant adult bedrooms with ensuite baths, two interleading children's rooms, and a private veranada. When you book either one of the family cottages or the family suite, you will have exclusive access to a private safari vehicle and guide throughout your stay. Rates run from $30,350CAD per night for the Family Cottage and $54,600CAD per night for the Family Suite.
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge - Botswana: Set in a cool forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge looks out over the spectacular Okavango Delta. Situated on a private concession, Sandibe has exclusive traversing rights over 55 600 acres of wildlife landscape adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. The lodge boasts two spectacular interleading suites that can accommodate two adults and two children (three children can be provided for by special request). Each suite has lovely ensuite bathrooms, private plunge pools, cosy fireplaces and secluded nooks. Rates run from $5,000CAD per night for the Family Suites.
***Children must be accompanied at all times at all of the camps and lodges as they are not fenced off
***Each lodge and camp has its own policies regarding the ages of children and wether or not they are permitted on game drives so please ask your travel agent to look into this when considering booking
If you are looking for the perfect family adventure then connect with one of our Travel Specialists today! We may be reached by phone at 604-736-7447 or by clicking on the 'contact us' button!
Come and share the magic of Africa with the next generation