I know it’s daunting, overwhelming even. The idea of being in a car for hours on end with two little ones has me reaching for a glass of wine as I type this. But then, and hear me out, you’re traveling at a snail’s pace, associating every pushed over log with a sleepy lion, stopping for every bright colored bird in sight, all whilst listening to the low rumble of the engine or even from that breeding herd of elephants. Your kids will love it, I promise.
We’ve been around the block when it comes to packing a car for a family of four, heading into the Kruger for the day. Long gone are the days where we got up before sunrise, to make our way to the entrance to be first, second or even third in line. Now, our mornings are filled with the exciting babble of two little ones as they are very much aware what the day will bring.
There’s a couple of basic things, well a few to be exact, when you are traveling with little ones that are still required to be strapped into their car seats!
But first and foremost, I recommend when you enter the park, to either get rid of your toddler’s car seat or, and this is my favorite, load it in the front seat facing forward. My 2+ year old lives for this. She becomes our spotter, our guide and general knowledge enthusiast in that seat. Plus, when she really gets tired, she puts her head back, dummy in and the motion of the car rocks her to sleep.
But here are my essentials and must haves…
- Nappy Bag (of course)
- Kiddos Cooler Box
- Healthy Snacks
- Animal Books
- Water, water & water
If you happen to be traveling with a little one that cannot sit yet, make sure those backseats are flat and you have a mobile hanging from the hanger hook. This was a lifesaver for me a few months back, but now that she can sit, she prefers casting her eyes out the window.
On the traveling side, the main Kruger camps are generally 2 – 2.5 hours’ drive time from one another and where you will find all your basics. I did just that this morning. Stocked up on plain full cream yoghurt, two apples and a bag of seeds and nuts for breakfast for my 2+ year old.
Simple.
Healthy.
No mess.
And off to the next camp we go…
I do know some people are not planners and others like to do just that, plan. And normally those two people are married. For us, Kruger National Park is a 20-minute drive from home, for others it is a distance and worth planning. The park is massive, and it deserves your time and patience to create an unforgettable experience. So, whether you go South or North, and have kiddos in the back, plan the basics such as bush stops, areas where it is safe to stretch legs and of course snack time.
This visit was a quick 6-hour trip, in at the Orpen Gate (H7), up the Timbavati Road (S39/S127) and down (H1-4) to Satara Rest Camp, where we grabbed some lunch, before we headed back (H7), pass Nsemani Dam to the Orpen Gate. And in this time, we got to see two different leopard, sleepy lions at a distance, loads of elephant as well as a herd of buffalo and my favorite part of the day, a female Honey Badger with her youngster.
Let us know how how your “planning” is going and where we can assist