Taking the kids on safari

INSURANCE

Travel with children makes insurance essential - not least to avoid the guilt should something go wrong. A good place to make enquiries is Trailfinders in London.

EQUIPMENT

Depending on the weight of your baby, it's best to choose a backpack carrier with good back support or a pushchair. Personally, I try to avoid carrying anything on my back in tropical heat, and the choice of pushchair depends on where I am going. In a modern city a lightweight folding stroller is ideal. Anywhere else a multi-terrain three-wheeler is essential, as are the rain cover and sunshade. (Most large baby stores now sell these wonderful machines, very expensive (£300-400 new) but definitely worth investing in. If you cannot find one, contact PCD (tel. 01822 618077 in the UK), who will post items straight to you. A harness is also worth its weight in gold not only for keeping stumbling toddlers upright, but also for keeping hold of them on boats or open jeeps.

On a short journey, bring nappies and wipes with you, though all large cities will sell them. On longer journeys, stock up in the towns. A roll of cotton wool, to be used with clean water, will last much longer than wipes and weighs less. Washable nappies are fine, as long as the rainy season does not prevent drying - as it once did for me.

In all cases consider the sleeping arrangements relevant to your destination: light cotton is best for tropical nights. Garments must cover the whole body if there are no mosquito nets, in which case you will need to leave the ceiling fan on all night or use mosquito repellent as well. On long-distance overland journeys you should bring your own mosquito nets.

ENTERTAINMENT AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Songs, stories and (lightweight) books, painting and drawing gear, paper, wipe-slate scribble pads, bucket and spade, one special comfort toy or favourite thing - none of these need take up much room and all can be shared with others, which can make for some great cultural exchanges. Children remember things much better if "doing" as well as seeing was involved. For example, swapping songs with local kids or drawing the animals on safari. Making a conscious effort to give time to your children each day is also very important, even though the older the children the less likely it is that your interests are going to match. The loneliest boy I ever met was stuck with his parents on a seven-month overland journey, when all he wanted was friends to play football with.

PARENTAL SANITY

My personal approach is twofold: accept you are only going to do a fraction of what you would have done on your own, and try to access a good bottle of wine to have on your own or with your partner as soon as the kids are asleep.

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

Published in Travel Africa Edition Fourteen: Winter 2000/2001 Text is subject to Worldwide Copyright (c).