Africa family-friendly travel guide

Southern and Eastern Africa enjoy a warm climate year-round and it’s possible to go on safari at any time of year. In Kruger National Park summer lasts from mid-October to April. October to February bring in welcome rains and young animals are born soon after the first rains.

In the middle of the day temperatures can rise to over 35 degrees Celsius – air-conditioned vehicles and lodges are definitely preferable. Spring is roughly from September to mid-October. Temperatures rarely go above 30 degrees and this can be the most pleasant time to visit, weather-wise. Winter lasts from May to August and is often mild with no rain. Vegetation is at its lowest making animals easier to spot and as water is scarce, large numbers of animals gather at the remaining waterholes.

Tanzania lies just south of the equator and has a sunny, tropical climate. September to March is the ideal time to go, both weather-wise and for wildlife spotting. April and May are the rainiest months. The wildebeest migration is a natural event and, as such, it is impossible to predict exactly what time of year the animals will be in a particular part of the Serengeti.

However, as a general rule the months between December to March the migration is in the Ndutu area in the far south of the Serengeti. From April to May the migration moves north into the plains of the central Serengeti. From June to July the migration splits in two; one group heading west into the Western Corridor before crossing the Grumeti River and the other heading straight up to the north of the Serengeti near Kleins Camp. Between August and October most of the herds will have migrated to Kenya, before returning south into Tanzania in November.

Seasons and average temperatures are dependent on the region you are visiting, so be sure to do your research into your preferred destination.

Passport and visa requirements will differ dependent upon the region of Africa of which you intend to travel.

If you’re visiting South Africa for tourism purposes for a period of up to 90 days, you will not need a visa. All children (under the age of 18) travelling must have a valid passport and a full (unabridged) birth certificate that identifies the parents, which you may be required to present.

For information pertaining to specific regions, go to the Smarttraveller website.

Johannesburg, South Africa’s most populous city, is the country’s transport hub. From Johannesburg, most safari-goers take a short domestic flight to Kruger National Park in the countries northeast or fly south to Cape Town. From Johannesburg there are also onward flights to other popular safari destinations including Arusha, the capital of Tanzania. From Arusha it’s a short and spectacular flight to the mighty Serengeti.

Johannesburg International Airport is the transport hub of all of Southern Africa. It’s easy to navigate and offers a host of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, rest areas and other facilities. There are banks, money changers, car rentals, a medical clinic, wired and wireless internet access and a shuttle bus to ferry passengers between the domestic and international terminals. The nearest hotel is the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport Hotel, just 500 metres from the airport.

It’s quite easy to fly to East Africa, with flights arriving from Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere in Africa. However, from Australia and the United States you’ll most likely have to transit through the Middle East, Johannesburg or Europe.

Most international flights to and from Nairobi arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, just 15 kilometres southeast of the city. There are two international terminals and a smaller domestic terminal, and you can easily walk between the terminals.

Tanzania is easily reached via frequent air connections to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports.

Getting around in Johannesburg and South Africa generally is easiest with a private hire car. Excellent highways connect the cities. If you’re not doing a great deal of travelling between destinations, public transport may be adequate, although it’s fairly limited and expensive. There are two major national bus operators and a good rail network.

Tanzania and Kenya are much less developed and road conditions are variable. It’s possible to hire a 4WD and self-drive, but most visitors go between Arusha or Nairobi and the wildlife parks on scheduled domestic flights or charter planes.

African food is generally colourful with earthy textures and spicy flavours. There are two things all Africans from all nations have in common – they love to eat and it’s almost always a social event.

South African food is a blend of European and traditional African cooking, and is largely a meat-based cuisine. There’s also a great range of seafood harvested from South Africa’s abundant coasts. South Africa is a modern, multicultural country and there’s a great range of cuisines on offer from traditional African fare to excellent Indian and Asian cuisine, European fare and fast food.

A few delicious South African delicacies include biltong (dried, salted meat), boerewors (a handmade, flame-grilled sausage) and bobotie (a Malay-influenced, shepherd’s pie-like dish consisting of ground, curried meat with a bread custard topping).

Tanzanians similarly consume a lot of meat, with beef being by far the most popular. The staple food is ugali or boiled cornmeal mush – similar to polenta. It’s served with almost every meal. Like South Africa, Tanzania has a large Indian population, so there’s excellent Indian cuisine available in the urban centres.

In West Africa millet is common and staples closer to the coast include root crops such as yam or cassava, served as a almost solid glob called fufu. In North Africa, bread is always a major part of the meal and rice is served with most meals.

While shopping isn’t the reason most families come to Africa, both South Africa and Tanzania are great for shopping for souvenirs and handicrafts. Check out small souvenir and homewares stores and markets. Best buys include basketry, woodcarvings, textiles and paintings. Bargaining is possible at most African markets, although it’s not as common in South Africa as it is in some other African nations.

It is customary to tip taxi drivers, porters and waiters approximately 10% of the charges. The lodge staff and your safari driver will appreciate a tip of up to US$10 but tipping is generally at your discretion and is not actively encouraged.

While on safari you should wear comfortable, casual clothing such as shorts, tracksuits, cotton trousers or loose skirts. A jacket is a good idea for night drives, especially in winter when warm clothing at night is essential. Hiking boots are not necessary, but wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. A hat and sunscreen are extremely important, as is the liberal use of mosquito repellent.

In South Africa you can wear clothes similar to what you wear at home. Cape Town can be quite cool in winter, so be sure to pack warm clothing. Dress standards are conservative in Tanzania. Wear light, casual clothing and dress modestly to avoid causing offence to the locals.

While etiquette differs greatly from country to country, Africa in general is conservative. Even so, Africans are usually relaxed in their dealings with tourists, so practicing good manners and modesty will allow for a stress-free trip.

South Africa is largely informal, and Western behaviour is generally familiar in tourist destinations. Religion is more strictly practiced in some regions than in secular Western countries, so jokes about religion might offend.

In most of South Africa the standard power source is 200/230 volts AC and three-pin round plugs are used. Tanzania uses 230 volts, 50 cycles, AC. Plugs and sockets can vary but are usually the three-square-pin (British) or two-round-pin varieties. Adaptors are available in Africa at most major airports.

As long as you are up to date with your vaccinations and take some basic preventive measures, it is very unlucky you will experience any serious health hazards on a trip to Africa.

Malaria is prevalent in Central, East, West and Southern Africa, and there is a slight risk in North Africa. Water-borne diseases are a consideration, so at all times you should drink bottled water outside of major cities. Within major cities, tap water is usually safe but always check.

As always, you should consult your GP before any international travel.

The continent of Africa suffers from numerous conflicts. Although Western tourists are unlikely to be targeted, wherever you are, you should keep yourself informed about the latest alerts and stay aware of your surroundings. 

Crime is a major problem throughout Africa and the various police forces are often limited in their response capabilities.

There are many countries within Africa in which Smartraveller advises against all travel. However, most tourist destinations are safe to travel to as long as you practice caution.

Africa is home to many languages and dependent on the region to which you are travelling, the languages spoken will differ. English is an official language in South Africa.

Swahili is the most commonly spoken language throughout the regions; here are a few basic phrases:

Hello – Jambo
Goodbye – Kwaheri
How are you? – Habari?
Good! – Nzuri!
What’s your name? – Wewe unaitwaje?
My name is… – Ninaitwa….
Pleased to meet you – Nimefurahi kukujua.
Thank you – Asante
I don’t understand – Sifahamu
How much is this? – Hii ni bei gani?
What is this? – Hii ni nini?
Where is the bathroom? – Choo kiko wapi?

The 4560-hectare sanctuary is an attraction both adults and children alike can enjoy. Among the picturesque landscapes provided by Mother Nature, there are plenty of animal encounters and an incredible cultural experience in the nearby Chief’s Village that will supply many opportunities to capture some unique photos.

It’s no wonder the most beautiful city in Africa is also one of its most Instagrammable. With Table Mountain as a backdrop, winding coastal roads (the stunning Chapman’s Peak for starters), gorgeous beaches (such as the penguin-filled Boulders Beach), colourful neighbourhoods like Bo-Kaap and the bustling V&A Waterfront, it’s city life with a side of nature.

The salt pan of Sossusvlei is located in the middle of the Namib-Naukluft Park in the area of the central Namib dunes, which is about 32,000 square kilometres in size. Sossusvlei is the country’s number one attraction and a photographers dream. The otherwordly dunes change colours with the sunrise and make up one of the driest ecosystems on Earth.

One of the world’s most spectacular water spectacles, Victoria Falls (or otherwise known as The Cloud That Thunders) was once recorded flowing at 12,800 cubic metres per second – double that of Niagara’s highest flow! Standing underneath or above the 108-metre-high cascade and feeling its powerful spray is one of the most incredible experiences in Africa.

One of the world’s most iconic sights, the Pyramids of Giza go back to around 2650 BC and witnessing them in person is nothing short of magical. Stepping back in time with a guided tour, a camel ride or simply wandering around the mammoth structures with camera in hand is a once in a lifetime experience for adults and kids alike.