Question 1

Is Africa a suitable destination for a family holiday?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Africa can be a fantastic destination for families, but  choosing the right destination and way of travelling makes a big difference . With young children, for example, we tend to look for destinations with well-fenced accommodation and wildlife parks, so that you do not have to deal with wildlife roaming freely around your accommodation. We also take travel times and distances into account when making our choice. If your children are a little older, for example from around 10 years old, many more possibilities open up. A guided safari in countries such as  Zimbabwe or Zambia  can actually be a wonderful family experience. Together with an experienced guide, you learn a great deal about wildlife and nature, without having to worry about road conditions, navigation or driving yourself in challenging areas. During a complimentary travel consultation, we therefore look not only at your children’s ages, but also at your family, interests and way of travelling. This allows us to determine together which country and type of trip best suit your family.

Question 2

From what age can children go on safari?

Accepted Answer

The age at which children can go on safari depends largely on the destination, type of trip and accommodation you choose. For an adventurous family trip to South Africa or Etosha National Park in Namibia, you can often travel with relatively young children, as the wildlife parks are fenced and the accommodation offers plenty of freedom to move around. By contrast, an exclusive safari trip in Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe requires extra caution, as wildlife here often roams freely through the campsites and around the lodges. Some private reserves also impose a strict minimum age for open-vehicle game drives, while other small-scale lodges offer special family programmes that are a perfect fit for a luxury African holiday. Thanks to our own travel experience, we would be happy to advise you on which parks and lodges best suit your children's ages, so that the whole family can enjoy the experience safely and to the full.

Question 3

Are there family-friendly safari lodges?

Accepted Answer

We work closely with a selection of excellent accommodation providers that specifically offer interconnecting rooms, family rooms, private villas or spacious tented camps. When designing a family journey to South Africa  or an adventurous self-drive through  Namibia  we pay extra attention to whether the lodges have a swimming pool or offer activities specifically tailored to children. When selecting the right accommodation, we look not only at the location, but also carefully consider your family composition: are you travelling with young children, teenagers, grandparents, or even three generations? What works well for a family in practice varies enormously from country to country. Whereas in South Africa or Namibia you can enjoy enclosed, safe family campsites, a safari in Botswana  or an adventurous journey through  Zimbabwe  and  Zambia  calls for lodges accustomed to wildlife around the tents. Almost all the places we recommend for your Africa journey we have visited ourselves – or our local partners have done so with their own children or grandparents.

Question 4

Can we also choose a malaria-free family trip?

Accepted Answer

Certainly. During a family holiday, the oldest or youngest generation may feel apprehensive about the risk of malaria. Although the risks can be mitigated, we understand if you would rather not travel to a malaria area. For a family holiday, you could consider a tour through the Western Cape, the Cederberg, the Garden Route or various malaria-free safari reserves in South Africa. When putting together the trip, we discuss which route best suits your family and wishes.

Question 5

Can you take medical requirements, dietary requirements or a physical disability into account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided we discuss this thoroughly in advance. Every family is different, which is why we take plenty of time when putting together your trip to discuss your wishes and any points that need special attention. For example, this might include single-storey accommodation for someone with limited mobility, dietary requirements or allergies, extra rest breaks during the trip, or other practical matters that need to be taken into account. Together with our local partners, we look at which accommodation, vehicles and routes best suit your situation and what is realistically possible at each destination. Thanks to our own practical experience and the knowledge of our local partners, we often know better than online information which locations are genuinely suitable. This allows us to design a trip in which everyone can enjoy themselves as comfortably and worry-free as possible.

Question 6

Is a self-drive or a guided trip the best choice for us?

Accepted Answer

That depends entirely on your family and the destination. A self-drive offers a great deal of freedom and is ideal for families who like to travel at their own pace. You decide where to stop, how long to stay somewhere and have complete flexibility along the way. A guided trip offers different advantages. You have a private vehicle exclusively for your family, while an experienced local guide knows the route, shares stories along the way and offers extensive knowledge of the nature, culture and wildlife. You also do not have to drive yourself and can fully enjoy the scenery along the way. During a travel consultation, we discuss together which type of trip best suits your family, the children’s ages, your preferred level of comfort and the destination. Sometimes a self-drive is the perfect choice; at other times, a local guide provides greater relaxation and a richer travel experience.

Question 7

Which destinations do you recommend for a first family trip to Africa?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the children's ages and your preferences. South Africa is an ideal first introduction to Africa for many families, thanks to its good infrastructure, great variety and the option of putting together a completely malaria-free itinerary. Namibia is also a wonderful destination for an adventurous family tour for families who enjoy setting off on their own. Travelling with teenagers? Zambia and Zimbabwe are also fantastic destinations, and a guided trip can be an excellent option. With a private vehicle and local guide, no one needs to worry about navigating or driving. The guide knows the natural environment like no one else, shares their knowledge of wildlife, culture and history along the way, and ensures that you can enjoy the trip to the fullest as a family. Especially for curious children and teenagers, this additional knowledge and personal guidance often makes the safari experience even more impressive. During a travel consultation, we look together at which destination and type of trip best suit your family, so that the journey fits both the children's ages and the way you like to travel.

Question 8

Why book a family trip through Beyond Routes?

Accepted Answer

No two families travel in the same way. That is why we tailor every journey to your family, from ages and pace of travel to comfort, interests and practical preferences. We have visited virtually all the accommodation, routes and experiences we recommend ourselves. If we have not experienced a destination or accommodation with your specific family set-up, our local partners can advise you based on their practical experience. This means we know not only which places are beautiful, but above all which routes, accommodation and activities work well in practice for young children, teenagers, several generations or families with specific requirements. From luxury family tours to relaxing or adventurous family holidays, anything is possible.

Family holidays