Family Safari Adventures: Why Dinokeng is Perfect for Kids (Age Guide & Safety Tips)
The sheer magnificence and tranquility of the African wilderness is, in my opinion, something every person should experience at least once in their lifetime, and many families with young children may have an African safari on their bucket list, but have questions and concerns as to whether children can, and should, go on safari.
And my answer would be, ABSOLUTELY they should go! Children possess an inherent closeness to nature and love to see and watch animals- from elephants to insects- in their natural habitat, so they would thrive on a family safari!
Why we would recommend Dinokeng Game Reserve for a family safari:
There are many factors to take into consideration when going on a family safari- such as deciding on how to get there; where to stay; is the lodge family friendly for all ages; is it safe for children; are there activities to keep children entertained; what kind of safari should you choose; when is the best time to travel; what to take, and- perhaps most importantly- your budget.
Getting there:
The majority of Big 5 game reserves in South Africa are located in relatively remote regions and a good distance from any of the major cities. This, therefore, generally involves long driving distances to get to the reserves- something that can be a bit of a nightmare for parents travelling with young kids!
Dinokeng Game Reserve is a Big 5 reserve located in Gauteng, South Africa and is a 40 minute drive on good roads from Pretoria, and a little over an hour from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, making it easily accessible and perfect for a short family bush break.
The reserve covers an area of roughly 21 000 hectares and is home to the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) and a diverse assortment of other mammal species such as cheetah, brown hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, red hartebeest, kudu, and hippos- not to mention reptiles such as crocodiles, water monitors, snakes and chameleons; insects; and over 300 recorded species of birds-so there is plenty of wildlife for the kids to enjoy spotting.
Where to stay
There are a number of factors to take into consideration when choosing your accommodation for a family safari and Dinokeng offers a wide variety of accommodation options to choose from.These options range from all-inclusive luxury lodges, a family resort, self-catering safari lodges, rustic or tented chalets, to well-equipped campsites.
The main factors to bear in mind are:
Your Budget
While some of the fully- inclusive, luxury lodges offer exclusive accommodation and facilities; all meals; two game drives a day; and more, they can be extremely pricey- especially when you’re a family of four, for example.
Many lodges, however, offer self-catering options and reduced rates for children or even allow children to stay for free, so be sure to check with your travel consultant so that you can take advantage of the best offer.
Is the lodge family-friendly?
While many lodges permit children from certain ages, they may not necessarily be child-friendly in that they may not offer inter-leading rooms suitable for families staying together, and there may not be any facilities at the lodge such as a swimming pool; a playground/ playroom; large gardens or somewhere where the kids can run around and expend some energy after sitting in a vehicle game- viewing for lengthy periods of time.
Many lodges in Dinokeng are perfectly designed with children in mind- the lodges are fully fenced for safety and they offer incredible child-friendly facilities such as kids’ playgrounds with jungle gyms; kids’ swimming pools; indoor playrooms with movies, board games, soft-play toys and child minders; baking and cooking classes; and Kids’ Safari programmes where guides teach children basic tracking and spoor identification skills, wildlife facts, nature conservation and more.
Does the lodge offer self-catering options?
Many lodges are all-inclusive and all meals are included in the accommodation price. Some families, however, may prefer to cater for themselves as it often proves to be more cost effective; they can choose to eat when and where they want to; and it means that they can cook meals that they know their children will eat.
Dinokeng has a number of lodges that offer self-catering options and have well-equipped kitchens in the guests’ chalets, as well as having restaurants on their premises should you feel like a night off from cooking!
Are children allowed on game drives?
Should you decide on choosing an all-inclusive lodge experience with daily game drives included, be sure to confirm the minimum age requirement for children to be permitted on guided game drives. A number of lodges will not permit children under the age of six years for safety reasons and because children may get bored and fidgety after a period of time. Confirm whether the lodge offers a “Bumble Drive” for kids- a fun, much shorter guided game drive geared specifically to keep the kids engaged, or whether they offer child-minding services where young children can be looked after while the adults go on a drive.
The other option, of course, is to self-drive. Dinokeng has 140 kms of self-drive routes through the reserve, so visitors can go on game drives at their own pace and stop for breaks (and to let the kids blow off some steam!) whenever they choose to.
Be sure to confirm with your travel consultant exactly what your requirements are..
Is the lodge family-friendly for all ages:
Many lodges are family- friendly and will permit children to stay at the lodge, but some may only permit children from the age of three years or six years, for example. If you’re travelling with an infant or toddler, double-check that the lodge you wish to stay at is suitable for very little ones, and that any facilities you may require such as a baby cot; high-chair; or child-minders, are available.
Safety tips
Perhaps one of the main advantages of going on a family safari to Dinokeng Game Reserve is that the reserve is malaria-free so there is no need to take malaria tablets- a definite bonus where children are involved!
To ensure a safe trip, here are both general and child‑specific safety considerations and factors to plan for before and during the safari.
Pre‑Trip Planning
- Check age restrictions and rules such as minimum ages for game drives and bush walks, and whether infants or toddlers need special bookings. Some operators may require booking out a game drive vehicle if there are small children going out on game drives.
- When choosing accommodation, select lodges that are safe for kids as some camps are unfenced and wildlife is able to roam freely through the camp. Also take into consideration that many lodges have swimming pools that are not fenced or netted so the onus is on parents to be extra vigilant and to keep a close eye on their children.
- Make sure you have adequate sun protection such as hats and sunscreen for the whole family- especially during the summer months where temperatures are often in excess of 30°C/ 86°F. Insect repellent is also important because, even though the reserve is malaria- free, there are still mosquitoes and other insects about. It’s also a good idea to carry a small first- aid kit, especially if you’re self driving.
- Pack mainly lightweight clothing as daytime temperatures can be warm, even in winter, but add layers for chilly early mornings and evenings- especially for those game drives in open safari vehicles. A pair of sturdy shoes is also recommended should you decide to go on a bush walk, and for walking around camp, as many of the trees and bushes have very big thorns that could easily penetrate thin-soled shoes.
- Kid supplies: Snacks, water bottles, favorite toys and books, child size binoculars, simple camera, basic first‑aid kit, and any medication they may require.(The entry permit into Dinokeng Game Reserve has fascinating tidbits about animals, birds, and plants- perfect for keeping the little ones entertained.)
- Miscellaneous: Flashlight/torch for evenings, binoculars, camera, small backpacks for kids, rain jacket, emergency contact list.
- If you are travelling from outside South Africa, make sure your travel insurance covers wildlife areas and medical emergencies.
Game Drive Safety
- Stay inside vehicles at ALL times unless you’re in a designated safe zone.Please be aware that, while you are permitted to alight from your vehicle at designated picnic sites, there are still free-roaming wild animals all over the reserve and they might enjoy the picnic spots as much as visitors do!
- Do not hang out of windows or sunroofs; and speed limits and road rules within the reserve must be strictly observed at all times.
- When on a guided safari, listen to the guide and follow the vehicle rules at all times.
- Respect the wildlife at all times. Keep quiet and avoid sudden movements; and do not attempt to approach or feed animals. If large animals like elephants or rhinos are nearby, maintain a safe distance. Do not block their path and do not get between herd members.
- Early mornings and late afternoons are best for game drives as that is when the animals are generally most active and it is cooler. Dinokeng Game Reserve also gets most of its rain in the summer months (October to April) so be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms during this period.
- When heading out on a game drive, make sure you have enough snacks and water for everyone. Sometimes, things may not go according to plan and you may come across an incredible sighting that keeps you out on drive longer than you initially anticipated . . .snacks are a good way of keeping the kids happy!
- Keep emergency contacts for the lodge or reserve staff / rangers on hand.
At Lodges / Camps:
- Check whether your lodging is in a fenced camp, and what measures are in place to prevent wildlife from wandering into guest areas. Some lodges may have antelope such as nyala or impala in their gardens which have become very relaxed around people and they are always a hit with the kids, but please always be aware that they are still wild animals and, therefore, unpredictable.
- Always supervise young children- especially near water such as dams and pools; on walking paths; and particularly at night when walking back to your room from the restaurant or when having a braai/ barbeque outdoors. When walking around camp at night, try to avoid walking alone and always carry a powerful torch.
- Encourage curiosity, but pair it with caution- looking under bushes and rocks is fun and very exciting, but be sure it doesn’t lead to touching or disturbing animals.
Activities for children
Children’s activities in the Dinokeng area primarily revolve around the Big 5 wildlife viewing, with the majority of the lodges having swimming pools and spacious gardens to relax in. Some lodges offer specific children’s activities such as tracking, spoor casting, fishing, nature walks, and games rooms for kids.
Outside of the Dinokeng Game Reserve, but within close proximity to the reserve, visitors with children can explore the Mystic Monkeys and Feathers Wildlife Park, the Sammy Marks Museum, the Cullinan Diamond Mine, go bird watching, or hot air ballooning over Dinokeng Game Reserve.
Best time to travel with children
Fully- inclusive lodge safari:
Here you get accommodation; all your meals ( and sometimes drinks) included; and normally two safari activities a day. Early morning and late afternoon guided game drives in open safari vehicles are a highlight with the expert guides spotting and getting close to the animals, and sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience of the African bushveld with you.
The only drawbacks would be that these lodges can be quite pricey; younger children are often not allowed on the game drives; and guided bush walks generally only allow children over the age of sixteen years.
Lodge accommodation with a hired safari guide:
Another option is to stay at a lodge in the reserve and hire a local guide to drive you (in either an open safari vehicle or closed vehicle) around the reserve. These are typically all day events, which could be very long for small children, but can be shorter if you arrange it with the hired guide.
(A hired guide is a local who knows the areas of the reserve, can gauge the type of animals you are interested in seeing, educate you about the animals and park etiquette, and allow you to look for animals versus having to concentrate on driving.)
Self-Drive Safari:
As the name suggests, this is where you drive yourself around Dinokeng Game Reserve.( If you are wanting to hire a car, it’s probably a good idea to hire a SUV as they are higher up off the ground- making it easier to spot animals and offering better ground clearance on gravel roads- and there is more space for the kids to stretch out!) You pay an entrance fee into the park and have a day pass to explore the park under your own steam and according to your own time-table.There are sign‑posted reference points, spots to eat, picnic sites, and bird hides which offer resting points, ablution facilities, water and spots to stretch your legs.
In conclusion, Dinokeng Game Reserve is perfect for a Big 5 family safari as it doesn’t require huge travel time to get there; it’s malaria-free; there are many different accommodation options; there is a mix of wildlife and kid-friendly amenities; and- above all- it’s a beautiful place for you and your family to reconnect in the stunning African bush!