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FAMILY TRAVEL: YOUR STORIES
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Travel with kids
There’s no reason why children should cramp your globetrotting
plans, as William Gray reveals in his book Travel With Kids.
alone, before any other tourists arrived.
more enjoyable. Not only because I didn’t ■ So, will you and your family be It was one of those moments, no matter how incredible the spectacle,
have the stress of organising everything, joining Kumuka again? I’ve already when you simply had to look away and watch the children instead. The
but also because we had experts in booked our Easter holiday to Egypt on sheer wide-eyed amazement that bloomed across our children’s faces when
charge – this meant we visited sights at Kumuka’s ‘Pyramids, Camels and the they saw their fi rst whale was so captivating that I barely registered the
ideal times. For instance, when I tell the Red Sea’ family adventure tour. Again, it procession of pilot whales off Tenerife’s west coast. As toddlers they didn’t
family we need to be up at 6am to see offers us amazing sights, activities and have the words to spoil the moment with crass exclamations. Instead, for
something, we’ll be lucky to get out by a unique mix of transportation. Our just a few seconds, they were quietly spellbound. Admittedly, they then
8am. When a group leader tells my kids fi rst Kumuka trip has really awakened returned to ransacking the brochure stand in the lounge of our tour boat…
to be up and ready at 6am, they are up an interest in my children and me to We’ve travelled regularly with our twins ever since they were babies, and
and ready at 6am – magic! This allowed travel more – that is something found that the rewards have far outweighed the stresses. The secret is in
us to observe some of the attractions we’re all truly grateful for. planning for the diffi culties you know may be encountered. Here are my top
tips for travelling with babies or toddlers:
■ Reusable cloth nappies are easy to pack and can double up as towels. If
taking disposables, note that your preferred brand may not be available
of the journey? It was undoubtedly Makgadikadi Pans – it was incredible. where you are going. One option is to check in a holdall full of nappies.
the Okavango Delta – it was out of this And it was surprisingly cold at night! I ■ Consider taking your own travel cot for extra familiarity. Many models
world. They found the environment think the temperature dropped to fi ve are lightweight and fold away neatly and compactly. They also make great
enthralling and were captivated by the below zero at one point. Good sleeping ‘holding pens’ while you check out a new room for potential hazards.
remote bush camping. Hearing animals bags and warm thermals are a must! ■ Pack a raincover, sunshade and insect net for your buggy, a non-
at night, including hyenas in our camp, ■ How did fi nd the mix of slip bath mat for the hotel tub, sun protectors for the car windows, a
put them right in the thick of things. It accommodation throughout the waterproof undersheet for small children and a stair gate if staying in
was a real adventure. What made the delta trip? Camping in tents was fantastic. two-storey accommodation.
extra special was our relationship with the It did put us in the thick of things and ■ If renting a car, consider taking your own child seat. The ones provided
mokoro polers. They were a lovely bunch, defi nitely added oodles of adventure to by the rental company may not meet required safety
navigating us safely through the channels the trip. Finishing off with a couple of standards. Use a luggage-wrapping service at the airport
and even entertaining us in the evenings. nights in a cushy hotel in Livingstone to protect the seat in transit.
■ What do you think was most was just the tonic we needed to arrive ■ With check-in times of up to three hours before long
rewarding for your children? Their home rested, yet rejuvenated. haul fl ights, be sure to take plenty of toys and books to
interactions with the people. Their eyes ■ Knowing your children’s keep you and your toddler sane.
were opened to another world, a different initial apprehension to the trip, ■ Travel With Kids by William Gray. £19.99 Footprint Books
reality. It was a priceless education. I imagine your guide must have www.footprintbooks.com
■ What was the most surreal part had his work cut for him. How did
of the trip for you? Camping in the he make them feel comfortable
vast expanse of nothingness that is the in such wild locales?
BOO
K IT
!
FAMILY TOURS
He was absolutely fantastic. He had If you’re looking for a great escape for you and
a wealth of interesting information your loved ones, venture a little further with the great ideas in our family
and always kept us all fascinated by brochure, available online at www.kumuka.com. Also,
their surroundings. I think he also drop us a line and talk to us about putting together a
knew when to keep quiet with the tailor-made adventure just for you. Given that many
kids, not mentioning things that could of our management and staff travel with their own
potentially be frightening. He not only children, we’re confi dent we’ll quickly understand what
entertained us for the length of our trip, you’re looking for and compile a fantastic trip. Try us!
but he also made us feel safe. And
most importantly, he kept us safe.
EXPLORE OUR FAMILY BROCHURE AT WWW.KUMUKA.COM
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