Africa is not the most obvious family holiday destination for those traveling with young children. However, in March 2018, Jenny Lynn and her family landed in Johannesburg to pick up a Land Rover TD5 with roof tents and embarked on a 101-day self-drive adventure through South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Namibia.
Despite having no 4WD experience, dealing with corrupt officials, encountering impassable roads, and managing the usual toddler tantrums, the rewarding experiences far outweighed these challenges. The nights spent camping under the African stars, observing incredible wildlife, and receiving warm welcomes from local villages created unforgettable memories. This journey became our best adventure yet.
Traveling with Young Kids
Since my husband and I met at Hull University back in 2000, we have traveled extensively, often choosing off-the-beaten-track destinations on a budget. Once our children came along twelve years later, we felt it essential to continue our adventures as a family, finding room in our backpacks for diapers and comforters.
Parenting is challenging, regardless of location, with bedtime routines, sleep deprivation, and endless demands. However, travel offers a transformative backdrop, allowing us to share daily experiences uninterrupted by other commitments.
Before Africa, we lived in Bangalore due to my husband’s work. During that time, we seized every opportunity to explore India and neighboring countries. Our boys became adept little travelers, taking overnight sleeper trains, trekking the Himalayas at 3000m, and riding tuk-tuks around Sri Lanka. We knew they were ready for Africa, a continent we had grown to love and were eager to visit again.
When my husband was offered a voluntary redundancy package, we eagerly embraced the chance to travel. Within weeks, we packed up our Bangalore apartment, returned to the UK, repacked, and flew to South Africa.
Planning for Africa
For many travelers, planning a trip to Africa takes years. We didn’t have that luxury.
Our journey began and ended in Johannesburg. With a fixed budget, we calculated a plan that allowed us to travel for 101 days on £50 per day (after flights, visas, and Land Rover hire). While this is tight for Africa, we made it work through camping and self-catering.
We only planned a few days in advance, departing each day with a Plan A and B (often finding ourselves on Plan C). If we enjoyed a location, we set up camp and stayed longer; if not, we moved on. This flexibility made the experience liberating.
As for visas, we arranged them at border crossings. However, arranging them prior to departure could have saved us hours of negotiation at the Mozambique–Malawi border, thus speeding up other lengthy crossings.
How Did the Boys Cope?
The boys didn’t always behave perfectly at border crossings, often due to boredom. I also find these moments frustrating due to the bureaucracy involved. However, I will never forget when Ezra (then two) jumped off a bench to hug a Malawian border guard, who was attempting to extort a bribe from us. It added humor to an otherwise intense situation—kids have a remarkable way of easing travel stresses.
The boys fully embraced this trip, and seeing Africa through their eyes was phenomenal. Southern Africa serves as an incredible natural playground for children—running down sand dunes, spotting elephants and lions during self-drive safaris, leaping into ocean waves, and camping each night under the stars.
We didn’t overthink toys; I packed a few arts and crafts items, yet the most joy came from sticks, stones, climbing boulders, playing in the sand, or examining animal dung on safari drives.
Did We Feel Safe?
Throughout the trip, we never felt unsafe or threatened. We camped at secure sites, ensuring we arrived well before dark. We took precautions by packing a medical kit (including a malaria test kit), taking antimalarials (we cleverly disguised the boys’ tablets in chocolate spread), and staying up to date on vaccinations. Additionally, self-catering minimized any concerns about food poisoning, and fortunately, no one fell ill during our 101-day journey.
The most dangerous situations occurred due to road deterioration. If we ever felt uncomfortable driving down a dirt track, we simply turned around to find another route. This was particularly common in Tanzania, which was facing the worst rains in over two decades.
Back Home in the UK
It’s been over a year since our return from Africa, and surprisingly, the boys still discuss it. Our eldest is particularly captivated by David Attenborough documentaries, likely influenced by our numerous safari drives. Recently, our youngest recounted how he celebrated his third birthday on a boat while viewing Victoria Falls.
People often claim that young kids don’t remember experiences, and I used to agree, believing our travels focused solely on quality family time. Nonetheless, I’ve learned that if moments stand out as different from everyday life, they do indeed leave lasting impressions. The open plains of Africa have a unique way of captivating everyone, regardless of age.
Jenny writes about her family’s adventures at TraveLynn Family, which is a multi-award-nominated blog dedicated to her travelling experiences. For further insights into their African journey, visit this blog post: Self-drive Africa overland with kids.
