Newsletter Articles

Four teenagers, two weeks .... a recipe for disaster?
Author: Charlotte Opperman

Charlotte describes the delights (and perils) of taking teenagers on safari.

From The Horse's Mouth
Author: Richard Smith

Richard interviews top Kenyan safari guide Kerry Glen who runs Karisia walking safaris in northern Kenya.

Private African Houses
Author: Lucinda Rome

Imagine having your own private house in Africa - a real home away from home. The idea's not as far fetched as it might sound.

Beach babies and bush babies
Author: Francis Naumann

Francis reports on his recent family trip to Tanzania

Richard takes his family on a four week trip to Southern and East Africa.

With the right planning a family can enjoy the bush on a walking safari in northern Kenya. With great guides, camels to ride when legs are weary, and incredible food cooked over a campfire, it can be fun for all.

After twenty years in the business John takes his family to Africa

It's not just the young who enjoy safari holidays. We have a number of clients travelling well into their eighties, and with our knowledge of literally hundreds of properties we can suggest accommodation and activities to suit all ages.

The response to our family brochure has been very positive and we continue to plan many family trips.  In addition to the many favourites mentioned in previous newsletters, here are just some of the products that have caught our eye recently for those travelling with children.

Growth in family safaris continues and this area now accounts for about half of our business. Most of us at Aardvark have children and we have plenty of experience planning family itineraries. It’s not just parents and children either – we have had several large family groups spanning three generations.

Cinyanja words still ring in my ears and roll off my tongue. During the recent hot London summer I donned my chitenge (sarong) and chitambala (headscarf) and moved through my daily routine with the imagined sounds of a Kunda tribal village filling my head like a spirited melody.

Ten year old Charlotte Deans went to Kenya with her family in July. Her mother thought we might like to see the email she wrote to her friends on their return. Bits of it made us laugh – walking being boring, Mum ‘scared’ to body board – but it was also interesting to see the reaction of a child to her first safari. Apart from sorting out a few spelling mistakes we’ve left the rest un-edited so you can see at first hand how she enjoyed the trip.

Family trips are the fastest growing area of our business. John visits two families to help them plan their itineraries.

Introducing children to the thrill of Africa is not only great fun, but also an unforgettable and educational experience. We outline here some of the issues to consider when planning family holidays in Africa.

Before joining Aardvark in 2001, I had booked a two week family trip to Mauritius during the Christmas holidays. When Richard and John heard about this they decided to put me to work while I was there. They sent me to visit a number of the top hotels on the island with a view to finding out what Mauritius is like as a family destination.

Beach, safari and riding - Charlotte and her family revisit South Africa.

Bush and beach - A Malaria free Christmas holiday.

Does anyone want to ride an Ostrich?
Author: Charlotte Opperman

Charlotte’s children try their hand at Ostrich riding.

Private houses in Zambia – perfect for family holidays.

Clients are often rather surprised to hear that we are very happy to come and visit them at home and it can be out of hours. We promise we won’t ask you to drop your trousers.