Of the four lodges, Bush Lodge is the one most suitable for family safari experiences.

GETTING TO SABI SABI

The Pilatus jet flew from Johannesburg to the air strip of the private game reserve. In a little over an hour, we’d landed and our ranger Michael was driving us to Bush Lodge.

I knew this routine quite well as I’d already been at Sabi Sabi two years ago. I still remember how we’d seen giraffe and zebra from the airstrip. And from that instant, I’d become enamored with the safari experience.

Sabi Sabi Game Reserve

SEEING THE BIG 5 IN SOUTH AFRICA

This time, we were even luckier. Within the first 15 minutes, we’d seen the Big 5. And this was such a shock to us that even Michael could not contain his surprise. “We can go home now,” I’d teased him; for spotting the Big 5 is the ultimate objective of most safari goers.

But, of course, we were here to stay. A group of us had flown to Africa to bring our children on their first safari; and for this special trip, I’d chosen two famous game reserves within the world-famous Kruger National Park because they offered excellent programs for children.

THE SABI SABI SAFARI EXPERIENCE

The Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is considered one of the best safari experiences in the world. Among its four lodgings, Bush Lodge is the only one that accepts young visitors.

Bush Lodge is a sprawling contemporary camp with spacious and well-designed public facilities. It also includes a 1920s-inspired living room and a covered terrace where you can watch animals approach a watering hole.

There’s also a child-friendly dining restaurant that serves buffet meals. If the weather is fine, dinner is outdoors in an enclosed area with a big bonfire in the middle.

As with Sabi Sabi’s more intimate adults-only camps, service is conducted flawlessly. Additionally, you can always expect that friendly South African vibe.

FAMILY SAFARI EXPERIENCES AT SABI SABI

However, for families on safari, the piece de resistance of Bush Lodge is a large compound named the Elefun Center. This is probably the most well-equipped and best-maintained children’s center in a safari camp.

Complete with coloring books and personalized materials, it functions as a school, a daycare, and a creative place for young travelers. And it definitely offers parents significant and much-needed “me” time.

It also has its own dedicated “school” building, a secure outdoor play area and a large playground. And its walls are filled with the happy scribbles and colorful hand prints of the young travelers from all over the world.

CHILDREN ON SAFARI IN AFRICA

There is also a Junior Tracker program for children from ages 4 to 8, and the Junior Ranger program for ages 9 to 12. Bushveld-themed educational and entertainment activities can include specially-planned children’s game drives, games, contests, and walks and talks on animals, bugs and birds, tracking, and map-reading.

Children can be dropped off after breakfast for a morning session, and then again after lunch for an afternoon session, to be picked up just in time for the late afternoon game drives.

WONDER WOMAN AT WORK

When we were there, the Elefun Center was manned by an energetic young lady who taught the children to swing on a zipline, decorate bags, make animals out of paper cups, and even how to spell correctly.

Single-handedly, she ticked off everything on the wish list of the kids and their parents, with a good balance of age-appropriate children’s games, outdoor fun, crafts and school lessons.

Wild animals at the game reserve

The Elefun Center enables an excellent balance of activities for families, including enough time for mom and dad to relax, enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea or a morning of spa treatments between meals and drives.

This is exactly what I did, taking advantage of several free mornings to sample the offerings at the spa of Bush Lodge just before sitting down to a long lunch of salads and kebabs with everyone.

It’s a testament to the game reserve’s success that everyone in our group wanted to do a re-run next year – including the parents.

With the Elefun Center as an anchor – or more accurately, as a lifeline – we all realized that a safari with children need not be stressful after all. There were long faces everywhere as we reluctantly said “See you again soon” – not goodbye – to our new friends at the wonderful Sabi Sabi Game Reserve.

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