Wilderness guides are experts in making each experience safe but thrilling for every member of the family. They’re excellent entertainers and educators, with encyclopaedic knowledge and vast experience in the wild, and their passion for nature is contagious. They’ll show children of all ages how to observe, identify, and track wildlife.
All children and teenagers staying at Wilderness’ family-friendly camps across Southern Africa receive an age-related bag filled with supplies (and some surprises) for their safari. Included is an interactive, illustrated field guide with a wealth of information, checklists, maps and entertaining facts, created to inspire a love for the wilderness and encourage younger guests to explore and learn about their wild surroundings.
Bush Buddies – dedicated staff paired to every child – are also available for family safaris in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and are in charge of keeping the children in the their care safe, curious, and busy. They’re available to accompany families on game drives, fill downtime in camp with age-appropriate activities, or simply bring children to the dining room for morning hot chocolate while parents sleep in.
Spacious accommodation, specially configured for families, with shared or separate facilities, is available at many Wilderness camps, ensuring parents remain close to their children. There are several styles of family accommodation, and Wilderness’ Travel Designers are experts at recommending the offering best suited to each family’s needs.
Wilderness also recognises the significance of meal times, and along with its celebrated and sophisticated food offering, a newly reinvigorated children’s menu has been introduced to satisfy the youngest taste buds. Using healthy, local produce, with a variety of plant-based alternatives, Wilderness’ chefs are happy to cater to any allergens, preferences, and dietary restrictions. Boma evenings around the fire showcase traditional African dishes, and kids can get creative in the kitchen, helping the camp chef make pizza, cookies, and other delights.
“We are passionate about nurturing our young explorers, to hopefully spark a lifelong passion for nature and conservation. Our staff are experts at ensuring the entire family is catered for, so that young and old alike are able to reconnect – with themselves, each other, and nature, creating memories of a lifetime, but also leaving inspired to respect and conserve their own natural worlds for generations to come”, Hadley concluded.
