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Taking the kids on safari

by Natascha Scott-Stokes

Travelling through Africa with children may be unpredictable but it isn't unmanageable

My son's first birthday came at the end of a thirty-day journey in Africa, just the two of us, which had involved almost every kind of transport possible, from planes (jumbo and six-seater) to 4x4s to sailing boats and long-distance buses.

"We'll take it easy", I thought. Instead the day began at 4am, when Sascha was sick all over our bed. Later, I accidentally got insect repellent in his eye, which was excruciating for him, but not as bad as falling off the bed, which resulted in a deep cut next to his eye. The bed frame that caught his face had mud on it, so the bloody wound was also immediately contaminated.

"Your baby will be fine but I think you should have these", said the doctor, pressing a small packet of tranquillisers into my hand. I had been crying with guilt and worry for most of the morning.

Yet the added worry and unpredictability of travel with children should certainly not put you off considering a journey to Africa. They can greatly enrich your trip, and the key to success is really the same as for journeys without them: to be as well prepared for your journey and informed about your destination as possible, and to expect the unexpected with good grace.

Of course this is harder the longer the trip, but at least there are a few basics always worth considering, irrespective of the age, sex and number of children travelling with you. There are no comprehensive guides to travelling with children in Africa, but you might find Lonely Planet's Travel with Children useful.

HEALTH

Vaccinations
I recommend you contact one of the specialist travel clinics, such as British Airways Travel Clinics, which are located in several cities and airports. In Britain you can also contact the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (www.masta.org; tel. 09068 224100), which can provide a personalised vaccination schedule you can take to your local medical practice. Ideally, contact any of the above several months prior to departure to ensure the best schedule for any vaccinations you need.

Medical Kit
On the road, your medical kit should also include:

• infant paracetamol (or similar)
• tweezers for removing ticks
• de-worming medication (you can't stop kids putting dirty hands in their mouths)
• antihistamine (for allergic reactions)
• rehydration sachets in case of diarrhoea
• nappy rash cream and teething medication (depending on the age of your child)
• lice shampoo
• an anti-fungal powder for treating anything from athlete's foot to crotch rot (common in children in nappies).

Clearly your medical kit will be tailored to your specific needs: if you are spending a short time in a resort hotel, you are unlikely to need all of the above. In any event sun cream, sun hats and mosquito repellent are essential, and you might consider taking flea powder. I had fleas in my sleeping bag once, which was very unpleasant indeed.

Drinking
Never allow your children to drink local water or unpasteurised milk, no matter how many assurances you get. It is just not worth it. Pasteurised milk and infant formula milk can be bought in all major cities, but you need to bring water purification tablets with you. The best are the ones that purify one litre each, to use with standard size plastic bottles. Small children can dehydrate very quickly, so I always have a drink to hand.

Eating
Breast-fed babies are the ideal kind of children to take with you, as they only need you. Failing that, you must accept that your children might refuse to eat any of the local food, so bring a supply of their favourite cereal or other nourishing food, so they don't go hungry. Toddlers and pre-school children can survive very well on a box of Ready Brek or porridge, and sweet and savoury foods can easily be added.

For further information on travel in Africa, visit Travel Africa Magazine

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