An experienced health care executive, Mark Besh most recently served as senior vice president of Cotiviti Healthcare in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mark Besh enjoys taking vacations to travel with his family, who recently joined him on a safari in Africa.
An African safari can bring your family into contact with magnificent animals and breathtaking wild scenery. It also requires a great deal of patience and endurance. Sometimes, visitors can weight in the bush for hours to see only a few animals, and while this anticipation can increase the excitement level for adults, it can frustrate children.
Family-friendly lodges understand this challenge. A number of lodges offer in-lodge clubs to occupy chidren while parents go on longer outings. Some can provide books with pictures and names of animals, so that children can stay engaged by identifying smaller and more unusual wildlife species. Families can also bring their own supplies, including cameras that the children can operate and even paper and crayons for when things get slow.
Finally, keeping children comfortable and rested will help them to enjoy the safari more. A long ride in the car or van can be a great time for a nap and can lead to more patient children when they wake up. Clothing is also important, as moisture-wicking fabric and hats can keep all family members from getting too hot and cranky, while well broken-in shoes with hard rubber soles may prevent blisters in adults as well as children.
