Thakadu River Camp

Children Policy

Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Special Childrens game drives are available for children under 6 years of age.

Children's Programme

At Thakadu, their policy is to allow children aged 6 and over on the first game drive, giving everyone the opportunity to determine if the children would like to join the usual daily game drives, or whether the children would prefer to take part in the kiddies programme.

Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on normal game drives (according to the rules of the Madikwe Game Reserve as a whole), but the lodge will, nevertheless, make sure they have a brilliant safari experience and learn a huge amount about the bush.

The kiddies programme starts at 3 pm, after the children have enjoyed high tea with their family. The kiddies guide will meet them at tea, and will be there to wave off their families on their drive.

The kiddies guide will be assisted by a babysitter while he takes the little ones on a 'bug walk' in and around the camp, They will be looking for all sorts of creepy crawlies and the guide will tell a little story about each of the bugs they find. They will also look for birds, butterflies and do a bit of 'bush craft' where the children can learn to make rope, a toothbrush from bushes and other small things. Your little ones can tick off their findings on the checklist provided.

The 'dung garden' will be visited too, where they can identify dung and get real close up with animal skulls and bones.

They can also participate in a small bush treasure hunt to find bird's nests, snake skins, and so on. There will be a small prize for the child who finds the most 'treasure'.

The lodge can do an early dinner for children if you wish. The menu has a variety of kiddies meals that the chef can make for them. The chef will come and meet you during high tea to discuss your kiddies meals for dinner.

Children are welcome to join adults for dinner, and dinner for the entire family can be served straight after returning from your game drive.

On request, the lodge can make a fire in the boma, and take the kids down there after dinner for a marshmallow braai while they listen to bush stories read by the babysitter.

Babysitters are available (rates available on request) should you wish to tuck your little ones into bed with a bed time bush story while you have a dinner for 2.

Wake up call for the adults is at 6 am for the early morning game drive. Should you wish to go, please tell the babysitter the previous night what time you would like them to come to your room. She will then get the children ready for breakfast that will be served any time they wake up. Again, children are welcome to join the adults for brunch when they return from their game drive, normally around 10.30 am.

After brunch, the kiddies ranger and another guide will take your children on a short game drive. This drive will last for about 2 hours, and they will be doing all sorts of activities on the drive like spoor moulding, bird spotting, track identification and looking out for animals too. Please note that babies or toddlers between the ages of 18 months and 3 years must be accompanied by an adult on these drives. Children older than 3 may go without adult supervision, but they will be accompanied by a nanny. Babies under the ages of 18 months may not be taken out on kiddies drives unless the drives do not visit any Big 5 sightings.

The lodge also has a small 'bush exercise' programme that will keep the little ones active. Their ranger will take them for a short jog in the camp, followed by a few minutes of stretches, star jumps, bean bag throwing and ball kicking. This can be done at any time.

Kiddies can also paint their own t-shirts and caps. These are available at reception at an additional cost (prices on request), and the painting can be done with their ranger or their babysitter. There is also play dough available, and clay animals can also be made.

On departure, all children will be issued with a 'Thakadu River Camp Bush Experience' certificate to take home.

Return to the main property page for Thakadu River Camp.

Selection of other lodges that offer a children's programme.