Can you really take children on safari…?

In this episode we explore the magic, and the practical realities, of taking children on safari. Where early wake-up calls meet endless curiosity, and where animal dung can be just as exciting as spotting a leopard.

We talk honestly about: The right age to take kids on safari, private vehicles (sanity-savers for everyone), Malaria questions and how to balance family time and adult time.

I’m joined by 3 guests:

Lex, who shares what it’s like going on game drive with her own young children — including why seeing safari through a child’s eyes makes you notice the small things again.

Laura, who tells us about South Africa’s iconic Sabi Sabi Reservenear the Kruger National Park, where kids can join game drives and dive into creative, hands-on bush education at the Elephant Centre — no screens, just spoor tracking and sand art.

And finally, Manuela from Mziki Safari Lodge, tells us what happens when children build shelters, purify water, learn fire-making skills, and graduate as certified Junior Rangers.

Deutsch: Du kannst diesen Podcast auch auf Deutsch hören: “Africa with André auf Deutsch”

** Please tell your friends about this podcast, and leave me a rating on Spotify or Apple. I would love to hear from you- send me your questions, comments and ideas to podcast@africawithandre.com **

Ultimate Safaris, Namibia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_game

Somalisa Acacia Camp, Zimbabwe: https://africanbushcamps.com/experiences/somalisa-acacia/

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, South Africa: https://www.sabisabi.com/lodges/bush-lodge

Mziki Safari Lodge, South Africa: https://www.mziki.co.za/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africa_with_andre

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Sound credits: uppbeat.io/ and https://pixabay.com/

The Big Five might get all the attention - but game viewing goes way beyond lions, leopards and large grey animals.

Travel with me to Botswana to chat with Grant Reed, co-founder of Letaka Safaris and veteran safari guide who has spent decades exploring the bush, training guides, and reminding guests that the “Small Five,” the “Ugly Five,” and even the “Sexy Five” deserve their spotlight too.

André and Grant unpack:

• Why the “Big Five” started as a hunting term (and why guides now wince when they hear it)
• What happens when you stop chasing sightings and start chasing experiences
• Why birdwatching can be addictive, and how a “little brown job” might just steal your heart
• The magic of mobile tented safaris in Botswana, where you travel lightly and leave only footprints

It’s a conversation that celebrates the whole ecosystem: from black mambas gliding through the grass to lilac-breasted rollers painting the sky.

Because in the end, Africa’s beauty isn’t measured by the size of the animal, but by the stories you uncover when you slow down, listen, and let the bush reveal itself.

Deutsch: Du kannst diesen Podcast auch auf Deutsch hören: “Africa with André auf Deutsch”

** Please tell your friends about this podcast, and leave me a rating on Spotify or Apple. I would love to hear from you - send me your questions, comments and ideas to podcast@africawithandre.com **

The Big Five: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_game

Letaka Safaris: https://www.letakasafaris.com/

Marabou Stork: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marabou_stork

Follow me on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africa_with_andre

Subscribe to Email reminders when episodes go live: www.africawithandre.com

Sound credits: uppbeat.io/ and https://pixabay.com/

What do rhinos, elephants… and succulents have in common? Sadly, they are all poached.

In this eye-opening (and occasionally eyebrow-raising) episode, we meet Paul Vorster from Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in South Africa’s Western Cape.

André and Paul unpack the wild world of plant poaching, where tiny succulents worth a few dollars at your local market can fuel international crime syndicates. From rhino horn smuggling to beetle collectors with big egos, this conversation sheds light on the lesser-known corners of the conservation struggle — and on the quiet heroes fighting back.

Paul also tells us how Sanbona transformed 62,000 hectares of old cattle land into one of South Africa’s most beautiful rewilded reserves.

This episode reminds us that saving Africa’s wild spaces isn’t just about the “Big Five” - it’s about every plant, insect, and person who calls it home.

Deutsch: Du kannst diesen Podcast auch auf Deutsch hören: “Africa with André auf Deutsch”

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: https://www.sanbona.com/

CapeNature: https://www.capenature.co.za/

Klein Karoo: https://www.karoo-southafrica.com/klein-karoo/

Articles from Paul

“Daily Maverick” article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-08-conviction-reveals-criminal-syndicates-shifting-focus-in-illegal-plant-trade/

Youtube video from “Daily Maverick”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRLkwZAhXQ4

👉 If you’ve enjoyed this episode or have thoughts to share, please reach out: podcast@africawithandre.com

Follow me on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africa_with_andre

Subscribe to Email reminders when episodes go live: www.africawithandre.com

Sound credits: uppbeat.io/ and https://pixabay.com/