Question 1

Is Africa a suitable destination for a family trip?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Africa can be a fantastic destination for families, but  the right destination and way of travelling make a big difference . With young children, for example, we tend to look first at 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 the 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 then be a fantastic family experience. Together with an experienced guide, you learn an incredible amount about wildlife and nature, without having to worry about road conditions, navigation or driving yourself in challenging areas. During a Travel Consult, we therefore look not only at your children’s ages, but also at your family, interests and preferred 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

That depends on the destination, the type of safari and the children’s ages. Some private reserves have a minimum age for game drives, while other lodges offer special family safaris or activities for children. The destination also plays an important role. In countries such as Botswana, Zambia and parts of Zimbabwe, wildlife often roams freely, including on campsites and around accommodation. This requires extra caution and makes some locations less suitable for young children. In Etosha National Park (Namibia) and Kruger National Park (South Africa), wildlife is largely contained within the boundaries of the national park, giving families more freedom of movement around their accommodation. Thanks to our own travel experience, we know which destinations, lodges and safaris best suit the ages of your children, so that everyone can enjoy the trip safely and to the fullest.

Question 3

Are there family-friendly safari lodges?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with accommodation offering family rooms, interconnecting rooms, private villas or spacious tented camps. We check whether lodges have a swimming pool or offer activities specifically suited to families. When selecting accommodation, we look not only at the location, but above all at the family composition. Are you travelling with young children, teenagers, grandparents or even several generations? Then we recommend accommodation that is genuinely suited to your family. We have visited almost all the accommodation we recommend ourselves. And if we have not personally experienced a place with young children, teenagers or grandparents, our local partners have. Together, we continually assess which accommodation works well in practice for different family groups. This means we often know better than online information which places are truly suitable for your family.

Question 4

Can we also choose a malaria-free family holiday?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. If you would prefer not to travel to a malaria area, there are plenty of options. Think of the Western Cape, the Cederberg, the Garden Route or various malaria-free safari reserves in South Africa. When putting the trip together, we will discuss which route best suits your family and requirements.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided we discuss this properly in advance. Every family is different, which is why we take plenty of time when putting the trip together to go through your wishes and any points requiring attention. This might include ground-floor accommodation for someone with limited mobility, dietary requirements or allergies, additional rest periods 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 the different destinations. 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 carefree 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 and how long to stay, with complete flexibility along the way. A guided trip offers different benefits. You have a private vehicle just 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, allowing you to fully enjoy the scenery as you travel. During a consultation, we discuss together which type of travel 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 wishes. South Africa is an ideal first introduction to Africa for many families, thanks to its good infrastructure, great variety and the possibility of creating a completely malaria-free itinerary. Namibia is also a wonderful destination for adventurous families who enjoy setting off independently. Travelling with teenagers? Then Zambia and Zimbabwe are also fantastic destinations; a guided trip is a very good option. With a private vehicle and local guide, no one needs to worry about navigating or driving. The guide knows the wilderness like no one else, shares their knowledge of wildlife, culture and history along the way, and ensures that you can make the most of the journey as a family. Especially for curious children and teenagers, that additional knowledge and personal guidance often makes the safari experience even more impressive. During a consultation, we will look together at which destination and style of travel 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 trip to your family, from ages and travel pace to comfort, interests and practical requirements. We have personally visited almost all the accommodation, routes and experiences we recommend. If we have not experienced a destination or accommodation with your particular family composition, our local partners can offer advice 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, multiple generations or families with specific requirements.

Family holidays