This article has been written by BushBabyTravel who are experts safari's with young ones in South Africa

Baby on Safari? Surely not! Travel to the malaria free parks and reserves in South Africa and it’s more than possible, it’s great.

Getting there
South Africa is an overnight flight away with little time difference to disrupt routines and your little traveler should sleep a fair portion of the journey too! Babies under a year old and certain weight are generally offered a bassinette cot which is attached to the internal aircraft wall in the bulkhead section. Seats for children under 2 do not have to be purchased unless you would like to free up some lap space.

Where to Start
It is a great idea to combine your actual safari visiting other wildlife-centred attractions in the Cape, such as the Penguins at Boulders Bay. Spier Village in the Winelands has a Cheetah Outreach Project as well as Eagle Encounters, a sanctuary for Birds of Prey, all set in spacious grounds. On the Garden Route, a 5 hour drive from the Cape, further excellent experiences can be found such as Monkeyland, where primates roam a woodland setting (backpacks for younger visitors provided) and Birds of Eden, the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world, set over a deep valley. Several Elephant sanctuaries also provide the change to learn more and touch these magnificent creatures.

Where to go
The malaria-free reserves are placed in two regions within South Africa. Firstly Eastern Cape which is a 3 hour drive on from the Garden Route and thus easy to combine with a holiday in this area and suggested for those looking to keep journey times to a minimum. Here you will find Addo Elephant National Park as well as a number of excellent private reserves such as Kwandwe and Lalibela. Alternatively, you can consider the North West Province, north of Johannesburg. Pilanesburg National Park is a 2 hour drive from the City whilst the journey to the Waterberg Region is 3 hours. Madikwe Game Reserve can be reached in about 4 hours by road or 1 hour by shuttle flight. Madikwe, on the border with Botswana, is ideal if you are prepared to go further off the beaten track (as perhaps you have been on safari before having children)

Where to stay
Determining the best place to go on safari, depends on the age of your young traveler. All hotels and Lodges will offer babysitting although out of the Cities this may be a trusted member of staff rather than a registered childminder. Costs vary from approx £2 - £5 an hour. Staff will also be happy to help with aspects such as warming bottles or mashing food!

Lodges with an Under 1
If you are traveling with a baby under a year, it is probable that you are simply looking for a child friendly environment and good babysitter to look after them whilst you go on a game drive. These generally take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon for approximately 3 hours. However, if you are still feeding, then obviously this might not work! You can therefore opt to self drive in Addo Elephant National Park (staying at a nearby guest house or River Bend Lodge) or Pilanesburg National Park (Bakubung Lodge). Alternatively book a sole-use Lodge with your own dedicated ranger and private vehicle with baby seat and you won’t be restricted to timings and they can come to (Ant’s Nest in the Waterberg, the Nare Suite at Jaci’s, Uplands or Melton Manor at Kwandwe). However, please note it will not be usual to approach predators with a baby on board.

Lodges with a Toddlers & Pre-schooler
As your baby turns to toddler, they will become more interested in the world beyond! Toddlers will enjoy watching things that move – so whilst a rhino sighting may be very boring, however much you try and convince them otherwise, they will love watching the birds and faster moving game such as running zebra as well as simply driving along in an open vehicle. However, most Lodges don’t accept children under 6 on game drives and instead offer a shorter drive after breakfast for younger guests with their parents (Ecca Lodge, Kwandwe and Jaci’s Safari Lodge). You therefore have the option of self drive or sole-use Lodges as above or booking a stay at Riverbend Lodge in Addo Elephant National Park where there are no age restrictions as long as you feel your child will be happy participating in the drive. Mark’s Camp at Lalibela also has a dedicated children’s safari vehicle and ranger and offers drives twice a day for children (parents welcome too!) at normal game drive times, but these may be a little shorter than the adult drives and not approach dangerous game too closely.

Cape Hotels
Some key properties which cater well for babies and toddlers include Cape Grace in Cape Town, if you are looking to stay in the heart of the V&A Waterfront area or The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa if you would prefer an ‘out of town’ property near the beaches of Camps Bay. If you are looking for garden space, then both The Vineyard Hotel & Spa or Mount Nelson offer acres to explore. In the Winelands you can consier the Spier Hotel with all its added animal attractions or Le Quartier Francais in the pretty village of Franschhoek which offers baby listening as part of its VIK (Very Important Kids) programme. If you are withing whale watching season (June – November) you could include a stay near Hermanus, about 2 hours from Cape Town. Grootbos Nature Reserve has an excellent children’s programme or you could opt to stay at Schulphoek Guest House or Blue Gum which welcome families on a more informal level. In the Garden Route, a further 3 hour drive from Hermanus, both Hunters Country House and the Kurland have great indoor and outdoor play areas for young guests, ensuring they enjoy their stay.

Bushbaby Recommended Itinerary for Pre-schoolers

Cape Adventure

• Fly direct, overnight to Cape Town
  
• Upon arrival you will be met at the Airport and transferred in a private car to the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa where you will stay for 4 nights in a Luxury Room including breakfast.
  
• The next morning AVIS will deliver your Group C hire car with baby seat so that you can explore the Peninsula.
  
• Drive to the Garden Route (approx 5 hours) for 4 nights at Hunters Country House in a Garden Cottage including breakfast.
  
• Continue your journey to Riverbend Lodge, Addo Elephant National Park (3 hours) to enjoy your 2 night Safari on an All Inclusive basis.
  
• Drive to Port Elizabeth Airport (1 hour) return your hire car and fly home, changing planes in Johannesburg
  

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For further information on travelling to this region please visit BushBaby Travel and quote "HOLIDAYWITHBABY"