Game drives with children in Kruger National Park

If you are travelling with young children remember their attention span for wildlife may be significantly less than yours. It helps to have ‘activity packs’ with which to occupy them when they become bored … games, books and so on are great, but you will rue the day you allow the computer games! In addition, make the most of each sighting. In my experience, kids are fascinated with baboons and monkeys and will happily watch their antics way after adults have become bored.

Always take enough picnic goodies to allow you to stop at all the picnic sites where you can get out of the car, have a snack and a drink and allow the kids to let off some steam. Regular breaks are essential in counteracting the inevitable boredom that sets in.

Many of the Kruger Park camps teem with wildlife at night: bushbabies can often be seen and heard at most camps; Letaba is famous for its resident bushbuck; Satara and Shingwedzi for resident scops owlet; and genets often visit the units at Berg-en-Dal and Mopani. Insects such as praying mantis and stick insect can also provide fascinating viewing.

Another sure-fire way to keep children enthralled is to buy one of the great kids’ books that are available and take every opportunity to read excerpts when you come across the animals in question in the wild. Some of the larger Kruger Park camps have children’s holiday programmes during SA school holidays – ask at reception. You should also take along a book for bedtime reading, as this is a perfect opportunity for some family bonding – especially if you are in one of the smaller accommodation units. My suggestion would be Jock of the Bushveld.

Great Kruger Park Books for Kids

• Ntini’s Kruger Activity Book, Jacana.
• When Bat was a Bird and Other Tales from Africa; When Hippo was Hairy…; When Lion could Fly…; and When Elephant was King… by Nick Greaves; Struik.
• A South African Night by Rachel Isadora; W Morrow Publishers.
• A Young Explorer’s Guide to the Bushveld by Nadine Clarke; Struik.
• The Adventures of Mick the Monk in the Kruger National Park; Mick the Monk in the Wild and Mick the Monk and the Birds of South Africa by Ginger Gray; The Portfolio Collection.

More practical tips for venturing Kruger Park

• Cellphone reception in the Kruger area
• Driving etiquette and wildlife viewing

This is an extract from the Kruger Park Guide by Cameron Ewart-Smith and Sunbird Publishers. Want the whole guidebook? Buy the Getaway Guide to Kruger National Park here.