This issue of FourThought explores the questions which arose for a multigenerational family — questions about ultraluxury travel, private aviation, emergency medical care, and personal security — as they planned a trip to Tanzania for a safari on the Serengeti Plain. In a trip designed personally for the family, each element of the trip has been tailored to the requirements of all three generations as they travel together.
Points to remember when planning a multigenerational family safari in Tanzania:
Travel — Time your trip so that you’re in the Serengeti Plain at the same time as the annual great migration. This is the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle. Choose two types of accommodation. Take over a luxury safari lodge for the exclusive use of your family during your first few days. Follow that with several days in a mobile tented camp that will enable you to be close to the heart of the migration. Look beyond Tanzania’s Serengeti for other opportunities to learn and fulfill your family’s educational and philanthropic goals.
Private Jet Charter – A trip of this length requires making the right decisions about aircraft type and the many logistical issues presented by such a long flight. A Gulfstream G550 and Cessna Caravan II F406 are the right aircraft for the Wilson’s trip. Runway length, immigration and customs facilities, refueling, crew change, and keeping the aircraft stocked with fresh (and appropriate) food and beverages are just some of the issues to address correctly in order to make the flight as quick, safe, and comfortable as possible.
Medicine – Before taking a trip to Tanzania, a family needs to address the challenge of disease prevention and medical event management with a Global Emergency Medicine team. There is no reason that a multigenerational family cannot enjoy a healthy safari in Tanzania, but, in order to do so, the family needs to prepare. Get advice on immunizations and malaria prophylactics. Take care with what you eat and drink while there. Take a supply of common over-the counter medications. And — if you have a pre-existing condition like the senior Mr. Wilson’s heart problems — get the right medical professional to advise you on how to manage this condition while you’re traveling.
Security – Begin planning for your security on the trip on the same day that you begin planning the trip. A trip to a country with limited in-country response capabilities for security incidents will require your own private security arrangements. A trip of this nature — with arrival and departure, in-country travel, accommodation, and safari drive security concerns — will require a team of at least two very experienced security professionals who arrive at the destination ahead of the family. They will need the proper equipment, as well as the experience to know how to conduct the advance work, protect the family once they arrive, and respond appropriately to any incidents which may occur.
Read the full TJMS White Paper here to learn more.