Children and malaria – the risk is real
FAMILIES, particularly those
with very young children,
have to choose their travel
destinations carefully and be
particularly mindful of the risk
of malaria.
Dr Albie de Frey, owner of
The Travel Doctor, says it is
best not to travel to malarial
areas with children under the
age of five. “If you have to
travel, it is best to do so in the
cooler, dry season, provided
the area has seasonal malaria
(not year-round as in many
tropical destinations in Africa).
In South Africa, that means
visiting the Lowveld during
the dry, cooler winter months.
This is reflected in the malaria
prophylaxis recommendations
for the Kruger National Park,
where year-round mosquito
bite precautions should
be observed but malaria
chemoprophylaxis (pills to
prevent malaria) are only
advised from September to
May,” he says.
Albie says clients should
be advised that, when
travelling to an area where
malaria is endemic, they
should consult a travel clinic
well in advance of their
departure to discuss practical
mosquito bite avoidance,
insect repellents, malaria
prophylaxis and, importantly,
how to recognise the early
signs and symptoms of
possible malaria, even when
all the precautions have
been taken. “We do not have
accurate data for malaria in
travellers in South Africa, but
anecdotally I have dealt with
several children with malaria
contracted anywhere between
Mpumalanga and the far north
of Benin. Each and every case
was a harrowing experience
that I do not wish on any
parent,” he adds.
If your clients prefer to err
on the side of caution, they
should seek malaria-free areas
like the Eastern and Western
Cape, Gauteng and Northwest,
rather the more risky areas
of northern Limpopo,
Mpumalanga and northern
KZN. Outside SA, Mozambique,
Zambia, Swaziland and
Zimbabwe are all considered
high risk, according to the
December 2018 malaria
map of the National Institute
for Communicable Diseases
(www.nicd.ac.za).
So, where should families
go? Nhlanhla Ngwenya,
communications co-ordinator
for Tourism KwaZulu-Natal,
says domestic travel is a good
option as it tends to be cost
effective and easy to navigate.
“Travelling domestically allows
families to bond and for them
to educate themselves about
their country, history and
heritage.”
The northern reaches of
KZN carry a ‘low-risk’ malaria
warning, meaning that
preventative drugs are not
normally recommended but
anti-bite measures are still
important.
Because the map showing
malaria risk in Southern Africa
is changing and evolving with
the movement of people and
rainfall variations, and because
the consequences of malaria
are so extreme, especially
in children, the best advice
agents can give is for the
family to consult a reputable
travel clinic before booking.
Tips for malaria prevention
Dr Albie de Frey of The
Travel Doctor advises
families with young children
visiting malarial areas as
follows:
Don’t get bitten: This is
more difficult with small,
mobile children.
Cover up: During the day,
in hot areas, parents may
struggle to get children
to wear long sleeves and
trousers, so exposed areas
must be covered with insect
repellent.
Keep them out:
Mosquitoes hunt mostly
between 23h00 and 02h00.
Let children sleep under
a properly fitted, insectrepellent-impregnated
mosquito net. Mosquito
screened windows and
doors as well as airconditioning in well-sealed
rooms are helpful, as is a
fan directed over the bed.
It’s not advisable to camp
with small children in a
malaria endemic area and
it is much more difficult
to make a tent or caravan
mosquito-proof.
Seek early treatment:
Malaria must be diagnosed
and effectively treated within
48 hours of the onset of
symptoms; vital for
babies and children.
Take ‘the pill’: Malaria
prophylaxis is important
for any travel to an
endemic area.
Know the symptoms:
Any flu-like illness in an
adult or child who is in
or has been to a malaria
endemic area is malaria
until proven otherwise.
Symptoms include fever,
malaise, headache,
muscle and joint pain –
even diarrhoea. Parents
might notice something is
wrong with their children
(who aren’t always able to
describe their symptoms
accurately). Once malaria
has become established
in a child, it progresses
much more rapidly (within
hours) than in an adult.
All children with malaria
should be admitted to
hospital on diagnosis.
Your clients will love these great options!
FOR those who want more
than just a hotel stay,
Deidre Ward, international
sales manager, aha Hotels,
recommends aha Shakaland
in KwaZulu Natal and aha
Lesedi in Gauteng. Both offer
accommodation in traditional
huts, singing and dancing,
storytelling around the fire,
traditional meals and village
activities.
The Pilanesberg National
Park delivers an authentic,
malaria-free, Big Five
experience. Deidre says
aha’s Shepherd’s Tree
Lodge in Pilanesberg offers
accommodation in spacious,
comfortable family rooms.
Mauritius s still a very
popular family destination.
“The bonus with this holiday
is that Mauritius is only a few
hours away, there’s no visa
requirement for SA citizens,
kids are entertained at the
kids’ clubs, the ocean is calm
for swimming due to the coral
reef, there are water and land
sports galore… everything
is on your doorstep in a
friendly, safe environment.
What more could you wish
for?” says Joanne Visagie,
sales & marketing director of
Beachcomber Tours SA.
All MSC cruises have a
wide range of facilities and
activities for families, says
Ross Volk, md of MSC
Cruises SA. The cruise
company says cruises that
include beach destinations,
such as Pomene in
Mozambique, are very popular
with South African families.
Thaybz Khan, contemporary
brand manager of Cruises
International, says: “Cruising
is a safe and cost-effective
way to see the world
with your loved ones. Its
inclusive amenities, such as
accommodation, transport
from one place to another,
dining, entertainment and
loads of family-friendly
activities, make it a hasslefree and safe environment for
the whole family.”
Wouter Vermeulen, Air
France KLM gm Southern
Africa, says currently in the
SA market, round trips that
include Disney Paris are
popular. “In my experience,
when you travel with your
family, it is to expose them to
different cultures and places
that they haven’t seen before,
to enrich them and show
them the world.”
Thailand is a safe
destination and no visa is
required for SA passport
holders, making it a great
option for families, says
Lesley Simpson, marketing
representative for the
Tourism Authority of Thailand
SA. She says the locals
are welcoming, the range
of experiences is vast, it
is affordable and has high
standards. Family-orientated
must-visit destinations are
Bangkok, Kanchanaburi,
Pattaya, Koh Chang, Phuket
(particularly Karon Beach and
Ra Wai Beach), and Railay Bay
in Krabi.
Busy-bees make for best breaks
A MEMORABLE holiday is
one where everyone has
fun. The best way to do that
is to give the children loads
to do so that parents can
kick up their heels and not
have to do the entertaining.
Joanne Visagie of
Beachcomber Tours, says
the company places a
strong emphasis on family
holidays. “Parents catch
up with each other and
relax while kids discover
new worlds of fun and
adventure.” Beachcomber
Kids’ Clubs are free to
guests and open daily for
children from three to 11
years old (in two different
age groups: 3-6 and 7-11).
Aha Hotels’ city properties
offer special kiddies’ turndowns and babysitting
services, while the aha
Harbour Bridge Hotel
and Suites has a special
kiddies’ breakfast buffet
at its Canal Café every
morning. The group’s Big
Five lodges run special
bumble drives (shorter, kidfocused game drives) while
certain aha lodges plan
to roll out a Junior Ranger
programme for young safari
enthusiasts. Special holiday
programmes are also run
daily over the festive season
and the Easter holidays.
Aha Hotels’ Deidre Ward
says: “The aha teams are
dedicated to ensuring that
every guest experiences
that ‘aha moment’; from the
toddlers to the tannies.”
“Cruising offers a huge
variety of entertainment,
activities and clubs for all
ages,” says Ross Volk of
MSC Cruises. The cruise
line features kids’ clubs
with dedicated spaces for
all age groups: Chicco Baby
Club (1-3 years); Mini Club
and Juniors Club (3-11
years) and Young Club and
Teen Club (12-17 years).
When it comes to meals,
there are dedicated kids’
menus in the restaurants,
a Kids’ Corner in the
buffet restaurant and fun
kids-only dinners with the
entertainment staff.
Tweens and teens
Nhlanhla Ngwenya from
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal,
highlights some musts for
adventurous youngsters
in KZN. In the Midlands,
she recommends canopy
tours. Explorers might want
to try out hiking in the
Drakensberg or go on an
ocean safari on the South
Coast.
Shobha Dhurumraj,
marketing manager of
Mercure Hotels, says
Mercure Nelspruit on the
edge of the Kruger National
Park is a hit with families as
it allows them to combine
education through wildlife
trips with recreation. The
newly introduced Beauty on
Wheels spa offers special
treatments for kids under
12, and also pampers
parents.
For school-going
children and older, Teresa
Richardson, md of The
Travel Corporation in SA,
says Europe and the US
are ideal. Costa Rica, she
says, with its focus on ecotourism, is great for teens
and tweens.
Teens have a place of
their own with supervised
facilities on MSC cruises.
Some of the activities
include sports tournaments
(football, basketball,
dodgeball, mini-golf and
shuffleboard), dance
contests, social network
games, teenage hair and
beauty treatments, a talent
show and a formal night.
“Royal Caribbean
International offers activities
such as a sky-diving
simulator, bumper cars and
ice skating, all geared to
ensure the whole family
has fun,” says Cruises
International’s Thaybz Khan.
“All Royal Caribbean ships
have teen-only areas. Teens
get to enjoy teen-only pool
parties, socialising at the
teen lounge or arcade, teenspecific spa treatments or
music-mixing at the Scratch
DJ Academy.”
Beachcomber resorts have
Teens’ Clubs with activities
including waterskiing, glassbottom boat trips, pedalo
boats, kayaking, snorkelling,
football, tennis and
volleyball.
Beachcomber’s Teens’
Club app connects them
to other visitors of their
age at Mauricia, Canonnier
and Victoria resorts. It also
features an activity schedule
and chat function.
Joanne Adolphe, ceo
of Thompsons Holidays,
suggests Phuket for a
family holiday with older
kids and teens. Excellent
family options at the resorts
include entertainment
and clubs specifically for
teenagers. She recommends
three-star-plus Kata Sea
Breeze, the four-star Patong
Merlin and the five-star
Phuket Marriott Resort &
Spa.
Joanne says Dubai is also
popular with teenagers,
as are the Indian Ocean
island resorts, which offer
a wide selection of water
sports activities. Locally, she
says self-catering or family
resorts, including familyfriendly bush lodges, are
best sellers.
Lesley Simpson, of
the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, says outside
of the activities at the
various hotels and resorts
in Thailand, teenagers
might enjoy river rafting
in Kanchanaburi or
taking on the rides at the
Cartoon Network Amazone
Waterpark near Pattaya.
Kayaking and snorkelling
are possible at most of the
beach destinations and
families can explore the
Phra Pradaeng (Bangkok’s
so-called ‘Green Lung’)
together by bicycle – tandem
bikes are also available.
“Treat the children to a
day of feeding, bathing and
walking with – not riding on
– elephants at one of the
ethical elephant parks that
aim to take care of these
beautiful creatures,” says
Lesley.
Take note!
Encourage your clients to book well ahead so that they can take
advantage of Beachcomber’s great discounts. Booking 60 or more
days before the travel date could knock as much as 20% to 25% off
the package rate.
Babies on board
THE idea of taking a
hyperactive toddler or a
needy baby on a flight is
enough to put parents off the
idea of a family holiday. Here
are some ways to put their
minds at rest.
Thompsons Holidays’
Joanne Adolphe says
families need good seating
on the flight, which could
entail paying for pre-seating.
“But it’s worth the expense
to ensure the seats are
together and comfortable.”
Wouter Vermeulen of AF
KLM, says the only policy
Air France and KLM have
regarding seating for families
is that children may not be
seated at the emergency
exit. “Other than that, they
can sit together anywhere in
the aircraft.” He adds that
both airlines permit an extra
piece of hand luggage and
10kg of checked baggage
for infants. They also accept
a collapsible stroller and
car seat at no charge.
Priority boarding is given
to passengers travelling
with infants and children,
and those travelling in the
premium cabins on Air
France receive a baby kit.
Wouter advises parents to
book a children’s meal or
baby meal and says the crew
will always assist as far as
possible.
“If age appropriate, a
bassinet seat should be
booked. For younger children,
the main problem is boredom
– take along lots of activities
and make sure those power
banks and iPads are charged
and pack some of their
favourite foods and snacks.”
Kirby Gordon, head of sales
& distribution at FlySafair,
agrees that boredom is the
enemy, even for domestic
flights. “Be sure that you
have something to occupy
them because two hours can
be a long time to sit still.”
He adds that parents should
keep essentials (snacks,
medications, nappies etc.)
with them in case delays
happen. “The last thing you
want is to be stuck in the
terminal without the goodies
you need!”
Kirby reminds agents to
inform their clients that there
can only be one infant on a
passenger’s lap per row of
three seats. “This is because
there are four oxygen masks
above each row, so you can’t
have five passengers,” he
explains. Once they turn two,
children have to sit in their
own seat for take-off and
landing.
On FlySafair, prams and
car seats are carried free of
charge for kids under three.
Parents can check these
in at the check-in counter
or take them through the
terminal and surrender them
at the aircraft door.
Most car-rental companies
have seats that can be
hired when renting a car.
Avis, for example, has seats
ranging from birth to booster
seats for children up to 11
years old. These should be
requested at the time of
booking.
Avis reminds customers
that boot size needs to be
taken into account to ensure
there is enough space for
everyone’s luggage. The most
popular cars with families
are the Car Group K (Hyundai
Tucson/Toyota Rav), Group M
(Ford Eco Sport) and Group N
(eight-seater Hyundai H1).
Book it!
Trafalgar has added a
brand-new tour itinerary
that takes the family on an
adventure to Ireland.
Shamrocks and
Leprechauns explores
castles and visits the set of
Game of Thrones. Activities
include medieval archery,
learning about life on
the farm, discovering the
story behind the Titanic
and lots more. The tour is
priced from R37 800pp
twin share (quad room
share is available). A 10%
Trafalgar’s Young Travellers
Discount for children aged
between five and 17 also
applies.
Ask an expert…
1. Plan
Deidre Ward of aha Hotels,
says families need to
research their destination
and plan each day before
the trip. This will help them
optimise their holiday time.
She suggests a calendar
for the children to count
the sleeps until the family
holiday starts.
Teresa Richardson of The
Travel Corporation says
families should consider
what every member wants to
get out of their holiday and
to ensure that everyone is
catered for.
Nhlanhla Ngwenya from
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal,
says agents should assist
families in ensuring their
itinerary is activity-packed.
“Have a realistic idea
of travel times between
activities, book as many
activities as possible in
advance and communicate
special needs with hotels
and activity places.”
2. Budget
According to Joanne Visagie
of Beachcomber, a holiday
to Mauritius can offer great
value for money, and it is
worth planning it to coincide
with certain special offers.
For families whose children
are not yet at school, Air
Mauritius has a Travel Smart
Programme allowing two
children to fly free (paying
only for airport taxes) during
off-peak seasons. Joanne
says, with Beachcomber,
kids stay and eat free.
Children under six share and
eat free, while those under
12 eat free all year round.
During selected seasons,
kids younger than 18 eat
and stay free, sharing with
parents.
There are also free
all-inclusive options for
families.
Brenda Mitchell, head
of sales for World Leisure
Holidays, suggests that
families be urged to
purchase an all-inclusive
travel plan.
Agents should also ask the
tour operator for the kids’
activity programme for the
resort and find out about the
babysitting facilities.
Joanne Adolphe of
Thompsons Holidays
agrees that full-board or
all-inclusive options result
in cost savings for families.
She says destinations that
offer this are the Far East,
Dubai and the Indian Ocean
island regions. Thompsons,
she says, offers several
packages where kids stay
free and sometimes eat
free, so parents only pay for
their airfare. Joanne’s advice
for agents is: “Actively
look for this type of offer,
especially on local seaside
holidays and in Mauritius.
Alternatively, look at selfcatering options that are
much cheaper.” Joanne says
inter-leading hotel rooms are
normally cheaper than highend room types designed to
accommodate more than two
guests.
Another way to get a good
deal, according to Joanne,
is to be flexible with dates.
She says that often, specific
dates may be a problem, but
departing two days before
official break-up at school
often reduces flight prices as
this is not regarded as high
or peak season.
Teresa says booking early
is very important as it allows
travellers to take advantage
of early-payment discounts
and get their preferred
departure dates.
AF KLM’s Wouter
Vermeulen urges agents to
encourage clients to book
as early as possible and to
look out for sale fares. “In
January and September, Air
France has the ‘Oh la la’
deals and KLM the ‘Dream
deals’, valid for the majority
of Europe and the USA at
greatly reduced levels,”
he says.
3. Fast-track
MSC Cruises has options
that can make life a little
easier for those with
children. These include Easy
On-Board Embarkation to
fast-track embarkation when
passengers arrive at the
port so kids don’t get bored
waiting to board. Priority
Disembarkation gets them to
excursions and destinations
quickly, and MSC Mini Club
staff can be requested to
join an excursion to assist a
family with childminding.
4. Pack
Another tip from Joanne
Adolphe is to make sure
you get all the right
documentation in advance
for taking the kids on holiday
with you. “Don’t leave
home without their birth
certificates, visas and any
other necessary documents.
Take pictures of all your
documentation and keep
them saved on your phone
in case of loss or theft.”
She also suggests that
clients should be told to
take their own emergency
medical kit and ziploc bags
for snacks, wet costumes
and sun cream.
5. Take a package!
Trafalgar’s family
itineraries, says Teresa,
delight the imaginations
of all travellers, from five
years old onwards, and
ensure all the essentials
are taken care of.
“Families can choose
the destination and their
itinerary, and we take care
of the rest.”
Accommodation is sorted
every night – including
a stay from the familyfavourite range of ‘Stays
with Stories’ – and bags
are loaded and taken to
the room.
Breakfast is included
every day, so the little ones
start their exploring on a
full tummy and many of the
other meals are included.
With the transport already
arranged, parents don’t
need to worry about
navigating maps and
getting around.
When it comes to
experiences, Teresa says:
“We take care of the key
sights, and in most places
get guests VIP access, so
there’s no waiting around
in lines – it’s exactly what
you want when travelling
with family, cutting straight
to the action.
“We have crafted ways
for families to taste, touch,
smell and see together for
real cultural experiences,
from making authentic
pizzas to experiencing life
in a gladiator school in
Rome, or meeting a son
of the Lakota nation in
South Dakota.
“The whole family sees
how traditions are kept
alive through song and
dance – it’s all about rich
moments that families will
never forget.
“With everything taken
care of they’re free to just
be – be happy, be inspired,
be in the moment and
truly connect as one,”
says Teresa.
Start early
Teresa Richardson of
The Travel Corporation
says children should be
taught about responsible
tourism from a young
age. “Travellers are
never too young to learn
about the importance
of giving back to future
generations, and looking
after people, places and
the planet.” Trafalgar’s
trips offer opportunities
to learn how to do
this. The Monkeys,
Jungles and Volcanoes
trip in Costa Rica, for
example, teaches guests
of all ages about the
Caribbean green turtles
and allows them to
discover how the Sea
Turtle Conservancy has
saved the creatures from
immediate extinction.
Photocap: Disney fun
Thompsons is offering a five-night Disney’s All Stars Value Resorts
land-only package, valid from May 1-31, from R12 457 per person; kids
between three and nine pay R5 873 and between 10 and 17, R6 186.
Book it!
Thompsons has a huge variety of family packages to suit all needs and budgets.
A self-drive two-night, midweek break at the Cabanas, Sun City, valid until April 30,
is on offer from R2 180pps. Two children under 18 stay and eat free when sharing
with two adults.
If it’s an island break your clients are after, there’s a seven-night fly-in Greek Island
Hopper family package from R22 810pps (kids R16 399).
A seven-night fly-in package for the four-star Adaaran Select Meedhupparu in the
Maldives is available from R27 809pps (two kids under 12 stay and eat free when
sharing the same villa as their parents. They just pay for flights, taxes and transfers).
A seven-night fly-in package for Kata Sea Breeze Resort in Phuket is priced from
R9 829pps (two kids under 12 stay free when sharing with two adults. They just pay
for flights, taxes and transfers).
Just in time for the holidays
WORLD Leisure Holidays is running
Mauritius specials for the upcoming
school holidays, valid from March
21-30. A deluxe superior room at
Pearle Beach Resort & Spa is priced
from R62 000; a family room at
Veranda Pointe Aux Biches from
R67 500; a garden manor house room
at Sugar Beach from R73 210; a
family room ocean view at Outrigger
Beach Resort from R86 150; and a
family suite at Long Beach from
R109 650. The prices are all for seven
nights on a half-board basis (breakfast
and dinner daily) with return flights
from Johannesburg to Mauritius on set
departures: March 21-28 and March
23-30. The prices are for two adults
and two children under 12 sharing with
adults. There are also specials for the
Easter break, valid from April 18-27
starting at R56 120 and for the JuneJuly holidays (valid June 15 to July 7)
starting from R61 440.
Third season of hit kids’ series
FAMILIES with tweens and teens are
sure to be looking at cruising for their
next holiday thanks to the popular
web series Kelly & Kloe – especially
following the launch of the third
season. Since the series debuted in
2016, more than 150 000 kids
have taken part in activities on
board MSC cruises. The online
content has attracted more than
five million views. The new season
focuses on MSC Seaview.
