ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - Children on safari can do more than watch wildlife from a game-drive vehicle.
A filmmaking activity at Shiviko Kruger gives young visitors the opportunity to take charge of their own cameras, choose what to record and create a short film documenting their family holiday.
The experience allows children to explore their interests behind the camera, whether capturing wildlife sightings, recording activities or narrating their own adventures.
Professional equipment used by the property's guides is made available to the young filmmakers, while a videographer edits their footage into a short film that the family can keep.
The equipment includes a Canon EOS R6 Mark II camera with a 100-400mm lens for wildlife photography, DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and DJI Pocket 3 devices for handheld footage, a DJI Osmo Action 4 for action shots, and a clip-on microphone for narration.
The activity is part of a wider range of experiences designed to help children engage with their surroundings, learn new skills and take an active role in a family safari.
Learning through adventure
At Elephant Point Private Reserve, where the property is situated, children can join guided walks to learn about animal tracks, known as spoor, and identify indigenous plants.
The reserve is fully fenced and home mainly to gentle antelope species, while guided game drives into nearby Kruger National Park offer opportunities to encounter its famous wildlife, including the Big Five.
Other activities introduce children to practical skills and traditional crafts. During supervised fire-making sessions, they learn how to build and tend a small fire safely before enjoying marshmallows and stories around it.
Traditional beadwork workshops introduce young participants to the making of bracelets, necklaces and headbands, while exploring the meanings associated with different patterns and colours.
Children can also make their own mocktails and milkshakes with the team at the property's Clubhouse bar, or try marimba lessons with musicians who perform at the lodge.
In another hands-on activity, children plant and name a tree with their guide in the boma near the lodge, learning about the role trees play in the environment.
These activities offer alternatives to simply observing the natural world, encouraging children to participate, create and learn while spending time outdoors.
Experiences for different ages
Activities and small touches are adapted for different age groups. Children aged between zero and 11 and tweens aged 12 to 16 receive separate welcome bags containing age-appropriate items, such as colouring activities and a fact book about the property and its wildlife.
Evening activities can include making clay animals or learning animal facts through illustrated stat cards. Bedtime treats are selected according to each family's preferences.
The approach reflects a broader trend in family travel towards experiences that allow different generations to share time together while pursuing their own interests.
“Multi-generational travel is about creating a space where grandparents, parents, and children can move at their own rhythm and create memories on their own terms,” says Anica Jones, General Manager at Shiviko Kruger.
From 16 November, Airlink will fly direct from Gqeberha to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. That means no more connecting through Johannesburg.
A family stay shaped by culture
Shiviko Kruger comprises four exclusive-use villas on the banks of the Sabie River within Elephant Point Private Reserve, near Kruger National Park's Paul Kruger Gate. Each villa draws on a different cultural heritage, expressed through its design, materials and locally made objects.
Ekasi reflects Soweto township culture, including handcrafted wire cars made by local children. Shaka draws inspiration from the traditions and craft of Nguni women, while Pula incorporates Tswana and Sotho influences. Thobela brings together Shangaan, Pedi and Venda influences through its colours, patterns and locally made pieces.
The property's Clubhouse includes a cinema, PlayStation, swimming pool with two slides, gym, sauna and bar overlooking the Sabie River and Kruger National Park, providing a shared space for families between activities.
For children, the opportunity to document their holiday through film adds another dimension to the experience. Alongside photographs, new skills and memories of wildlife encounters, they leave with a story they have helped create themselves.
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