Amplify your family bonding moments in Africa

When my children all lived at home, my wife Gwen and I implemented monthly family forums as one way to nurture our nuclear family relationships. Now that our children are all grown up – with full lives, busy schedules, and families of their own; holidays are the best moments to come together, connect, and bond. If you plan it, they will come! 😊

Africa offers spectacular opportunities to amplify holiday bonding moments. Magnificent wildlife and awe-inspiring vistas, tropical islands and superb lodges, gorilla tracking, and conservation immersions.

The time we spend together as a family on our African vacations is priceless, and we can’t wait for the next one!

So, gather your clan, start planning and let Africa weave her magic into the fabric of your family’s story.

My deep desire is for my grandchildren to inherit a world full of life and opportunity. I want them to fall in love with the Earth and all its wonders.

This is why I am helping to raise them to be Earth Ambassadors.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN EARTH AMBASSADOR

An Earth Ambassador is someone passionate about taking care of our planet and its inhabitants. They are respectful of life, including animals, plants, and people. They understand the importance of conserving our resources, and they are committed to making a difference in the world. As an Earth Ambassador, my grandchildren will learn about the interconnectedness of all life on our planet. They will develop a deep respect for nature and the natural world. And they will be inspired to take action to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

1. The science confirms it: you cannot separate healthy families and quality time.
   Families who enjoy group activities together share a stronger emotional bond, while children and adolescents who spend more time with their parents are less likely to get involved in risky behaviour. The simple act of eating dinner together at home predicts whether kids will have higher scores in school. The research confirms what we all intrinsically understand: quality time is the key to building strong families and well-rounded individuals – something every society in the world desperately needs.
2. When my children all lived in one home, I instituted weekly family forums as one way to protect and nurture our nuclear family relationships. But now that they are all grown up with full lives and busy schedules and have families of their own; holidays are the easiest opportunity to come together as a family, to connect and to bond. If you plan it, they will come.
3. Family getaways provide a wonderful platform for fun group activities, thoughtful chats around the fire pit and plenty of delicious meals together.
4. Bonding through experiences – especially first-time experiences – adds a deeper level of connection. From spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and awe-inspiring vistas, tropical islands and spas, helicopter safaris, gorilla tracking, conservation experiences and boating excursions galore, this continent offers wonderful adventures to amplify your holiday bonding moments.
5. Not only will a visit to this exceptional continent provide a magical, memory-making experience for your clan, but by choosing Africa you will also be contributing to the well-being and conservation of her flora, and fauna as well as her precious, local communities. There’s no better feeling than knowing you’re contributing to a variety of worthy causes during the season of giving!

• Plan well in advance
  While last-minute planned trips have a high success rate, planning your holiday a year in advance helps you to get the best rates and dates and ensures the whole family is available.
• Choice of destination matters
  Choose a multi-faceted destination or combine unique destinations to cover a broad range of interests and travel styles.
• Consider time differences
  Be mindful of time differences and potential travel challenges if you have family joining from overseas.
• Include time for a Digital Detox
  Having the option to go off-grid can be a blessing for those who really need to escape the pace and intensity of their daily lives.
• Plan various activities to suit all ages
  Once you’ve picked a destination, educate, then poll your family members about the kinds of activities they would enjoy so you know which ones to incorporate. Make sure there are lots of exciting group experiences that suit a variety of personalities, fitness levels, and ages.
• Parents also need time out
  If you have young children, consider hiring a babysitter or bringing a nanny for the duration of the holiday so that the parents of young children can get a break, too.
• Free time is to connect
  Schedule lots of free time to support those needing to recharge, in their own way.
• Shop for local gifts
  Encourage family members to hold off buying Christmas presents or other gifts so they can purchase from makers and creatives in Africa to support local industries.
• Do good while travelling
  Schedule at least one philanthropic activity to instill ‘helping others’ into your family values.
• Take advantage of local travel expertise
  Get help from an in-country travel specialist to save time on research and take advantage of their connections, experience and potential preferential rates.

If you would like some ideas for actual trips you may take with your family, do get in touch. I’d be happy to share my travels and those of guests that my team and I have curated at Timeless Africa Safaris over the last 21 years.