Adventurous African Family Safari with Teens in Uganda
Get re-connected as a family by creating lasting Safari Memories in Uganda.
An African Family Safari with Teens falls into a class of its own. Teenagers are not young children, and neither are they, adults.
They can do most activities on wildlife – primate safari in Uganda, especially if they are over 15 years old.
(Chimpanzee Trekking can be done when children are as young as 12 years old – ).
Unlike other Safari countries in Africa, there is no minimum age for game drives, even moderate hikes if a Parent accompanies children.
Teens can do most other activities with their families in the parks and tourist places. That includes hikes, nature walks, horseback safaris, game drives, boat launch safaris, biking, fishing, and ATV Quad-Biking, which can be done in Jinja and on the Ssese Islands.
White Water Rafting on the Nile also has a minimum age restriction of 16 years old; however, more 
gentle water activities allow teens to participate, including a family float. Bungee jumping has a similar minimum age restriction for the welfare of young teens and children.
Teens can participate in dugout canoe boat outings with life vests, which is our recommendation since Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest Lake in Africa. We recommend that at Lake Bunyonyi, you use a lodge such as Birdnest Resort since they have a safer pool than swimming in the Lake.
An Adventurous Family Safari with Teens is the trip of a lifetime for most. It is not just any trip, but a journey into the heart of Africa, to its Pearl, Uganda.
The Safari will be a bonding time, Creating long-lasting memories as a family on an African Safari Adventure Safari with Teens.
A Family Adventure with Teens on a Hakuna Matata-No-Worry Safari with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris. We have over a decade of experience with Family Safaris that include Teens.
African Family Safari with Teens – Information – Tips:
Helpful Information – Tips and Advice to make your Family Safari with Teens more enjoyable
Plan the Safari together with your Teens:
Involving your Teenagers in planning your Family Safari in Uganda heightens their anticipation and excitement.
Go over the various activities such as Gorilla Tracking, Chimpanzee Tracking, White Water Rafting, Horseback Riding Safaris, ATV Quad Biking in the Wild, Hot Air Balloon Safaris, Hiking, Biking, dugout canoeing, but also relaxing on a sandy beach on the remote, tropical Ssese Islands, or even sports fishing.
Some activities come with a minimum age requirement. We will assist you in planning your Safari to come off hassle-free or like a Safari, Hakuna Matata style, or Worry-Free.
Involving the family in the Safari Planning process is part of the trip journey. The Safari that you are about to take in the Pearl of Africa. Enjoy the Planning Stage.
Things to do and see in Uganda:
There are many things to do and see in Uganda, including activities teens would love to partake in. Activities such as Wild Water rafting come from mild to wild on the River Nile at Jinja. They were ziplining through the treetops of the Mabira Rainforest.
Uganda is a bio-diverse country, a country filled with scenic beauty. 26% of the country comprises lakes and rivers and the activities that go along with them.
Uganda is the most ethnically diverse country globally and the youngest nation, with over 60% of the population below 16 years old.
From dancing and drumming lessons to learning how the ancient hunting and gathering ways of the first people of the forest – the Batwa Pygmies.
How many teens will have experienced gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in the wild? It will be a most exhilarating and memorable encounter that none of their friends will have done.
Your Teens will not get bored while on Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking:
Gorilla Tracking and Chimpanzee Rules in Rwanda and Uganda require a tracking participant who is 15 years old. That is the minimum age when one can track Gorillas and Chimpanzees.
Kalinzu Forest near Queen Elizabeth Park is not part of the Uganda Wildlife Authority Administration, where Pre-Teens aged 12 and up can track Chimpanzees.
Alternative activities for teens at Bwindi Impenetrable are an a5-hours Batwa Experience in the forest where they see how the Batwa Pygmies lived. There is a guided bike ride through the woods, a Village Walk of about three hours, and more.
Other comparable alternative activities for children in other Regions of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. If parents are Chimpanzee Trekking – Teens can visit Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary – a jungle swamp where they might see Chimpanzees, other primates, birds, and mammals while walking through this jungle swamp onboard walks with a guide and driver-guide.
Hiking and Climbing Safaris:
Uganda and Rwanda are two high countries where you can hike and climb.
You can hike through ancient rainforests, the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, or the 3000 meters plus the Rwenzori Mountains Min-Hike.
Climb 4 Volcanoes in Uganda, 3 being one-day round-trip hikes and climbs.
The Hike through Bwindi Forest paddles across scenic Lake Mutanda in a dugout canoe. Hikers will love Uganda.
There are countless opportunities for you to hit the trails, and for the more fit, you can also climb the peaks of the volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. They are all one-day Climbs.
You can even trek Rhinos on foot with your teens, which is another one-of-a-kind activity you can do here on a safari with teens.
Cultural Encounters:
A Family Safari with teens means enriching cultural encounters that your teens and you will never forget.
An African Family Safari with teens is more than a Primate, Wildlife, Adventure, or Excitement – it can be a time of cultural interaction that will enhance your time in Uganda. When one thinks of an African Safari – images of wildlife, exotic settings, and scenery, there are those unique cultural encounters with meaning for all, especially the children.
We can incorporate Village Visits, where your children will learn traditional ways and culture, visit a local school or orphanage, listen to a storyteller, see how things are made, etc. They can spend a day with the Batwa Pygmies and learn the ancient ways of hunting and gathering from the First People of the Forest – there are many cultural options in Uganda for your Family, and in some cases, it depends on your children’s age.
Through Cross-Cultural Encounters, family Safaris can be life-changing, becoming a more meaningful family safari with teens in Uganda.
Read more about culture and the encounters that you can include.
Family with Teens Friendly Lodges: 
We use Family Friendly lodges – children qualify for discounts at clubs up to about 11 to 12 years old depending on the individual lodges. Some have family cottages, where a family of four quickly has their place with even a sitting room.
Many of the lodges that we use have a swimming pool. Some clubs are located on lakes such as Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, and Lake Kivu in the Rwanda area Bilharzia Free, with no Crocodiles or Hippos.
Some lodges have health facilities and spas that Teens may enjoy, such as the famed Chobe Lodge in Murchison Falls park, Bwindi Lodge, and Kyambura Lodge.
Food – most of our family Lodges will cater to the younger crowd when they can. We suggest ordering a Ugandan Rolex, which is a Chapati stuffed with eggs, vegetables, and even things like sausages. A Ugandan breakfast burrito.
Dietary needs will also be met if the Lodge is notified at the time of booking by us. Read more here about Family Friendly Lodges.
Staying in Touch with Home and Friends:
Yes, your teens can go on Facebook while in the African Bush – upload a picture and announce to their friends, “I am in Africa on Safari.”
Some of the Family Friendly Lodges have WiFi – the other solution is to buy a data Sim card from a Phone – Internet Provider like MTN. If you have a tablet or smartphone, you can use an inexpensive USB router, and everyone can be online. You can also use Skype this way.
Phones – you need an unlocked phone – a local sim card people can call you here in Uganda at no charge. There may not be covered in some very remote places, but it is getting better. Most Internet providers will give 3G and a few 4G – however, the speeds may be less.
Here is the reality – the internet may not work in all lodges or parks because they are away from transmission towers. MTN has about the best Internet Coverage.
We suggest that no one advertises on social media that you are away from home for security. Besides friends and family, others with ill intent may see your time in Africa as an opportunity to break into your home.
We will provide vehicle internet access and your family with a MiFi Router. Read more about Staying in touch with a home here.
Vehicle For your Family Safari with Teens:
We use two types of safari vehicles for Family Safaris – 4 Wheel Drive Safari Vans with a pop-up roof, a lot of space, including luggage and seats, and no benches.
The other vehicle we use is Toyota Land-Cruisers, with a pop-up roof. Both cars will have proper seat belts (most Ugandans do not wear seat belts) and a cooler for drinks, such as bottled water and fruit, as we drive between different parks.
Both vehicles will give your family the comfort you need, considering our road conditions in particular places improve yearly.
We do our best to limit drive times between parks for your family’s comfort and well-being. We will also have snacks, bottled water, and juice on board to drive to and in between parks.
We do our best to limit drive times between parks; typically, there are no drive times over four to five hours.
Family Safari – Driver-Guide:
We use driver guides for a Family Safari with Teens, one of our experiences with family safaris. They are more than a driver – they are also Teen-Friendly Tour Guide who speaks excellent English and can introduce your Family to wondrous Africa.
Our Driver Guide will introduce you to African Culture and ways. He knows the roads, does not need a map, and has a sense of humor.
Our Driver-Guide is assisted on game drives by an Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger, and between driver-guide and ranger, there is not much wildlife or birds that you will miss.
He will also help at lodges if things are not how you need them to be – he is one of the essential ingredients to a successful safari, and we have the correct driver guide for you and your family.
The Safari Wear and Gear you will need for your Safari:
Gorilla Wear and Gear that is required.
Here is practical advice about what to wear while on the Gorilla Habituation Experience
- Daypack: Preferably a waterproof daypack, you can use it as a carry-on flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside the daypack.
- Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of merino wool socks.
- Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.
- Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.
- Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.
- Tough Gardening Gloves: This is to protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.
- Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.
- Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.
- Packed Lunch and Bottled Water: You will need your packed lunch from the Lodge and two liters of Bottled Water. We supply the Water.
- Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.
- You will need a Porter and Walking Stick: The services of a porter free you on the often-difficult trail, and a local walking stick helps you and steadies you on the often-challenging path. We supply our clients with both.
Read more about Gorilla Gear and Wear here.
What is included in our private Gorilla-Chimpanzee Wildlife Safaris:
- Experienced Ugandan Driver-Guide: A Safari becomes more enjoyable when you go with a knowledgeable and professional Local Driver-Guide.
- Greet and Meet at Airport upon arrival: We provide meet and greet services, including a welcome gift and Safari Informational Packet.
- Full-Board Lodging: All meals are included except alcoholic drinks, sodas, and snacks that you might order apart from meals. Some luxury Lodges have non-premium alcoholic beverages and sodas.
- Private 4×4 Safari Vehicle with pop-Up Roof: The vehicle has a car fridge, WiFi, bottled Water, Local Fruit, and Nut Snacks; car seats for children are available. Beer, Wine be cooled in Car Fridge upon special request.
- Gorilla Trekking: Permits are included in your Safari. Additionally, we provide porter services, a walking stick for support, and bottled water. Read our Practical Gorilla Trekking Advice:
- WiFi Internet Access: Most Lodges only provide a WiFi Internet Connection in the main Lodge. We offer you a MiFi Router that gives you and your party access to the internet in your cottage or room, depending on nearby transmission towers. Read Staying in touch with home.
- Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic Speaking Driver-Guides: At an extra cost.
- Your Dietary Needs can be met: Notify us if you are a vegan, vegetarian, or need a gluten-free diet. Halala dietary requirements can be completed in most instances. Strictly kosher nutritional requirements cannot be satisfied on safari. The Abhyudaya- Ugandan Jews by choice Synagogues can be consulted for strict kosher meals in Kampala and at their Guesthouse near Mbale in Eastern Uganda.
- Religious Observances: Catholic, Anglican, Born-Again (evangelical), and Pentecostal Sunday services can be incorporated into a Safari, as can be Friday Prayer services for Muslims. Shabbat Services for Jews can be included in a Safari in the Kampala area, where there are several synagogues near Mbale in eastern Uganda.
- AMREF-Flying Doctors Air-Medivac Insurance coverage: Our clients have covered the case with us with n infrequent need for medical evacuation to a hospital that meets international standards.
Our Flexible Booking Policy and our Price Guarantee are additional ways to give our clients peace of mind when booking a Safari with us. We suggest you take out travel insurance with a cancellation policy that Protects you.
Get Started Planning your Gorilla – Chimpanzee – Wildlife Safaris in Uganda!
Contact us and tell us what you would like to include in you Gorilla-Chimpanzee-Wildlife Safari. Let us know whether you would like a midrange or luxury Safari With your input we create the private, luxury or midrange Safari Itinerary that fits you. Permits are bought, Lodges are booked. On the date of your choice - your African Dream Safari in Uganda begins
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