Why bringing your baby on safari is awesome
If you’re a parent who likes to travel, likes a challenge, and can appreciate an exotic adventure, then keep on reading. I have just the right type of vacation for you.
Over the last couple of weeks, I took my 7-month old son on an African safari in Tanzania. As someone who lives in California, I was facing the challenge of traveling with an infant for at least 30 hours straight -- with 21+ of those hours being 35,000 feet in the air, cramped in an economy seat, and only 100 feet of walking space down a narrow aisle as reprieve. You may think I’m crazy. You may think I’m brave. Maybe I’m a bit of both. But I’ll tell you that those hours of travel with my baby were all worth it for the safari experience I was able to have with him. And here’s my top three reasons why.
The safari vehicle is a natural, vibrating sleep aid.
Let’s face it -- babies are the most adorable when they’re sleeping quietly because this guarantees you’re not losing your mind trying to figure out what they’re crying about. And if your baby is typical, the car lulls them into that dreamy state faster than a cheetah can sprint. Now, imagine this vehicle off-roading in the serene Serengeti or Masai Mara -- the twists, turns, and bumps are enough to knock out your baby for hours. This gives you all the free time to chat up your guide with your burning wildlife questions, snap photos of those zebras showing off their plump tooshies, or get a few Zzz’s of your own (because let’s be real -- that vehicle vibration hypnotizes you into REM just like your baby). Keep in mind to bring along your car seat or have one arranged to be set up with the safari company you booked with.
The car is an all-in-one feeding, changing, and entertaining station.
You’ll be spending hours on the road on a safari. So how do you change, feed, and entertain your baby? You have the convenience of doing it all in the car because you won’t be leaving it much (on safari, this can be a life and death situation). This may sound like a bit of a cramped experience, but the scenery is changing all the time. Even though your baby may not remember what (s)he is seeing, (s)he will be captivated by the various sights and sounds (or the detailing on the seat upholstery).
Just don’t forget to pack your diaper bag with all of the necessities for the day -- including some toys in case that lion just chooses to sit around and be lazy.
Babies can enable interesting animal behavior.
On safari, you’re not allowed to make loud noises because this may disturb the animals in their natural habitat. So leave your foghorns, whistles, and aunt Bonnie at home.
However, a baby crying is fair game. Which opens up the opportunity for the “use your child as bait” game. This game involves taking your crying infant (or in some cases, jolting him out of his peaceful slumber so he starts crying), and placing him in a strategic (and of course, safe) position by an open window or rooftop so the animals can hear him clearly. The herbivores think it’s a distress call and their faces automatically turn to your vehicle to figure out what’s going on. The predators think it’s a distress call, see it as an opportunity for a quick snack, and start making their way towards your car. All of these moments are liberties for getting that money shot on your camera or cell phone.
Now that you’ve read my top three reasons for bringing my infant on a safari, does it convince you to take your own child? Or if you’ve done this already, how was your experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Special thanks to #GoodTravels and #UbonSafari for planning such an incredible experience for my family.