Livingstone is one of the easier places in Africa to take children on safari. Flights from Johannesburg are short, the Falls are a short drive from most lodges, and on the upper Zambezi you can see wildlife from a boat rather than spending hours in a vehicle. The keys are matching activities to your children's ages, planning around heat and malaria, and keeping the days short.
Why a river works well for children
Long game drives are hard on small children. They have to sit still, stay quiet and wait, often for hours, for something to happen.
A boat safari on the Zambezi is different. Something is usually happening: hippos surfacing, crocodiles on the sandbanks, birds diving for fish. Trips are short, the boat is steady, and you are back for lunch. At Zambezi Dusk, two guided boat safaris a day leave from the lodge and are included in the rate, so you can do one, skip one, and go again tomorrow without counting the cost. See Zambezi boat safaris.
Activities by age
These are general guides. Operators set their own rules, so check with the lodge when you book.
All ages
- Boat safaris, with child-sized life jackets. Tell the lodge your children's ages in advance.
- A Victoria Falls visit. Hold small hands on wet paths.
- Local market visits.
- The pool.
Around 6 to 12
All of the above, plus:
- tiger fishing with a parent, if the operator agrees;
- a game drive in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park;
- a Chobe day trip, for children who can manage a long day.
Teenagers
All of the above, plus, depending on the operator's limits:
- the rhino walk, usually from somewhere between 12 and 15;
- the bungee jump at the Victoria Falls Bridge, from 14 and at least 40 kg;
- white water rafting, usually from the mid-teens for the full gorge;
- Devil's Pool, in season, for confident swimmers, subject to the operator's rules.
At Zambezi Dusk, the partner-run activities are arranged by the lodge, but not all are included in the rate. Ask which are covered.
Malaria
Livingstone is in a malaria area. This is the biggest health question for families.
- See a travel clinic at least six weeks before you travel. Antimalarials for children depend on age and weight, and some are not suitable for young children.
- Dress children in long sleeves and long trousers from dusk.
- Use repellent suitable for children's skin.
- Sleep under nets. At Zambezi Dusk every room has mosquito nets and repellent.
If a child develops a fever during or after the trip, even weeks later, see a doctor and mention where you have been. This is general advice; your travel clinic and your government's travel advice have the final word.
Heat
From September to November, temperatures often pass 35°C, and October is the hottest month. Small children feel it more than adults.
- Plan outings for early morning and late afternoon.
- Keep the middle of the day for shade, lunch and the pool.
- Carry water everywhere.
- Hats and high-factor sunscreen, all day.
If you can choose, June to August is the most comfortable time for young children: warm, dry days and cool nights, sometimes around 10°C. That also lines up with northern hemisphere school holidays.
Pacing the days
The rhythm of a safari lodge suits children if you let it:
- Early morning: boat safari or an outing while it is cool.
- Late morning: back to the lodge.
- Midday: lunch and the pool, then rest.
- Late afternoon: the second boat trip, ending at sunset.
- Evening: early supper, early bed.
Don't plan more than one big outing a day. Children who are tired and hot stop enjoying anything, and so do their parents.
Where to stay
A small lodge with meals included takes a lot of daily decisions off your hands. At Zambezi Dusk, meals, selected drinks, airport transfers, two boat safaris a day and two daily guided activities are included. The Zambezi Dusk Villa keeps a family together under one roof; there are also Superior Zambezi Chalets and safari tents. See family stays for how it works for families, and tell the lodge your children's ages when you enquire.
A river lodge has water and wildlife close by. Keep an eye on younger children near the riverbank at all times, and follow the lodge's guidance on where it is safe to walk.
What to pack for children
- Long, light clothes for dusk.
- A warm layer for early boat trips.
- A wide-brimmed hat with a strap.
- Children's sunscreen and repellent.
- Their own binoculars; cheap ones are fine.
- A small torch.
- Snacks and favourite drinks for long days out.
- Something to do on quiet afternoons: books, cards, a sketchbook.
See the full packing list for everything else.
What goes wrong
- Doing too much. One big outing a day is plenty.
- Underestimating the heat in October and November.
- Leaving malaria advice too late. Book the travel clinic early.
- Choosing activities before checking age limits. A teenager who is 13 can't do the bungee, however keen.
- Long days with very small children. The Chobe day trip is wonderful, and long. Ask yourself honestly if your youngest will enjoy eight hours or more, with two border crossings.