Sure Travel Journey 6.1 Summer 2020 | Page 28

TOUCH WOOD
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Never forget that children run on snacks…
lots of snacks. And that a three-hour drive for just
about anyone under nine is a very long time.
• Activities such as canoeing and
bush walks may be restricted to older
children.
• If camping, travelling with another
family can mean shared childcare,
companionship and relaxation.
• When choosing a lodge or rest camp,
check whether it is fenced, as this will
allow for a little more freedom for
children to roam. Also check whether
rooms are accessed via boardwalks and
other toddler-unfriendly means.
• A swimming pool is a great boon for
children of all ages.
• Never forget that children run on
snacks… lots of snacks. And that a
three-hour drive for just about anyone
under nine is a very long time.
• Are you comfortable taking your child
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into a malaria area? Campers
will find it
harder to keep the mozzies at bay, so find
out about the best prophylaxis for that
area. Some recommend only going on
safari with children over five or choosing
non-malarial reserves. South Africa’s
Eastern Cape, Pilanesberg, Madikwe and
Waterberg areas are all options.
• If travelling with a toddler, Palitza
advises that you take your car seat with
you and check whether you will be able
to use it in the safari vehicle you book.
28 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
“Although you won’t be driving on public
roads in traffic, it’s often quite a bumpy
ride, so you want your child to be safe.”
• Jenny Lynn of the TraveLynn Family
blog picks Etosha, Namibia, as a top
destination for self-driving families with
small kids: it’s easy on the budget, has
lots of waterpoints where animals come
to you, and the driving is easy. Jenny is
not alone – adventure family bloggers
rave about Etosha.
• Kasane, near Chobe, is a good
small-child option, as game drives can be
broken up by river safaris and visits to, for
example, the wildlife rehabilitation centre
in town. Village and cultural tours can also
add another dimension to the trip.
• Checklists add fun to the hunt for
species – and are good distractions for
quiet game-viewing times.
• Camping in unfenced areas is
probably better tackled with older
children or very obedient children who
understand the need for rules like wearing
shoes and socks and not wandering off.
• The sun might just be the harshest
thing you encounter: lather fresh young
skin with sunscreen.
• Most importantly, all families are
different. You know and understand your
child’s needs better than any guide.
Accidents can happen, even
on holiday, as can unexpected
encounters with critters great
and small. The World Health
Organisation (WHO) says five
million people are bitten by snakes
every year, and certain spiders can
inflict painful bites.
Accessing prompt medical help
and advice is essential: pack
emergency numbers and first aid
kits, particularly when going wild
camping. Staying at a safari lodge,
where your family is in expert hands
– including during game drives – is
advisable for families looking for
a soft introduction to the bush.
Comprehensive travel insurance
does much to ease worried parents’
minds. We asked Simmy Micheli
of Travel Insurance Consultants for
some pointers:
“Animal attacks are
covered.” A recent paid
claim was for a 12-year-old
boy who was attacked by a hyena and
received injuries to his leg. He was
moved to medical facilities by road,
then flown by air ambulance back to
Johannesburg.
Monkeys, says the WHO,
are responsible for up
to 21% of animal bite
injuries, and bites require rabies and
tetanus shots. All the more reason not
to feed the monkeys.
“Tropical diseases
[such as malaria] are
not always covered if
you have not taken your preventative
medication. So if a family is travelling
to an area where there is such a risk
and you opt not to take prevention
medication, it is strongly advised that
you check your terms of cover.”
A good policy should
cover leisure activities
such as game drives,
and, for those lovely coastal
KwaZulu-Natal areas, scuba diving.