The biggest mistake in planning a family safari is treating it like an adult itinerary with kids added on. Long, silent game drives waiting for a single sighting test even patient adults; for children, shorter drives with a clear focus, like tracking one specific animal that morning, tend to hold attention far better.
Camp choice matters more for families than almost any other traveler type. Family-friendly camps generally offer connecting or family tents, fenced or closely supervised grounds for younger children, and activity programs, from junior ranger tracking lessons to beadwork with local guides, that give kids something to do beyond sitting in a vehicle.
We also build in more downtime than a typical adult itinerary, with pool afternoons and shorter game drives rather than back-to-back activity. The goal isn't to see less, it's to make sure everyone in the vehicle actually wants to be there for the whole trip.