BootsnAll Travel Community

I am planning a trip to Namibia from Botswana in a Landrover with my 2 year old daughter. I really want to go off the beaten track as I've always done that travelling alone. If any of you guys have done something similar can you give me any hints of things I must take to keep my little angel amused and healthy during the trip.

Will you be travelling alone? Just the two of you?

I have a cousin who used to take his daughters on adventure travels when they were young. He and their mother were divorced so he would travel with them on his own. He loved it and they had some amazing times. He said his only concern was his ability to deal with dangerous situation when he was the lone adult. He ran into some problems on a highway in Mexico and, while they all escaped unharmed, he freaked out trying to stay calm and deal with some highwaymen(for lack of a better term) while trying to keep an eye on the kids.

Little children have lower immune systems as a rule. You need to boil their water or filter it, unless you're still breastfeeding. Then you need to filter your own.

They love to be entertained, so bring their favorite dolls and toys, but NOT their 5 pound Barbie car. Paper, pencil, crayons and paper go a very long way, as do little plastic soldiers and "Peoples"

They need to be reasonably travel trained. That means when you tell them to sit down and stay they can actually do it, and not wander off into the bazaar or the street. I hate to say it, but when you really need to keep track of the child, a child leash might not be a bad idea for a two year old. It means when you tell them to be quiet, as in a game, they quiet down so you can speak to officials and friends without distraction.

These are all practical considerations. Everything else is fairly easy as long as you keep them away from areas with infectious child diseases. Has your child been inocculated against Polio and smallpox yet? If you to some primitive areas, it still exists. In the USA, they no longer give polio and smallpox innoculations for the most part.

Travelling with children can be wonderful. You can make friends far more easily, for one. I wish you luck on your trip.

Thanks for the advice guys keep it coming

I have three children, and with each one always waited until age ten to get going on the road. I'm emphatically NOT telling you not to go or not bring your daughter. What I am telling you to do is take your time on the road.

Before about age ten, the kids aren't as prepared to roll with the punches that travel occasionally doles out. They are, after all, still kids, and a lot of their perceptions remain self-centered. Why can't we have lunch right now? Why do we have to wait in line so long? I want a nap! (Come to think of it, not too different from the normal travel experience...)

As much as possible, take a cue from your daughter and slow it down. You'll both be much more relaxed, and can smell the roses along the way a lot better.

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I hate to say it, but when you really need to keep track of the child, a child leash might not be a bad idea for a two year old.

Don't hate to say it; they are indispensible for certain times. It's not cruelty, it's very cheap peace of mind.

I also agree about the slower pace, and the single best thing we've done, and still do with our kids is to get back to the hotel or campspot or whatever is home for now, and rest up for a couple of hours before venturing back out for a meal and more sightseeing. It really helps. Bring lots of water and spare parts for your car, but you knew that better than I did!

Out of curiousity how are you traveling? Cause I know that I would think twice about taking a kid with me the way I travel. Now one thing you might want to consider is how much of it's own gear is the child carrying. Cause while it won't be much it might help keep them involved if she carries a little of her own stuff.

E.

Well guys we did it and had a fantastic time My family went by Landrover from Maun Botswana to Swapumund Namibia we stayed off at Gobabis and Windhoek along the way. Your advice really paid off as I had very few problems with my 2 year old girl, The one problem was travel sickness she threw up quite a bit on the longer journeys. Otherwise she really enjoyed the beach and meeting new friends. thanks again