Have you ever heard of multi-generational travel? Many of us have been traveling like this for years without realizing it is the new buzzword in tourism circles. Rather than opting for the backyard braai as an annual reunion, families are getting everyone together and heading off on shared adventures. Imagine celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary or birthday at Victoria Falls with all of your kids and grandkids in tow.
The fast pace of today’s world can make it challenging to get everyone together for dinner, let alone a weekend back home. By planning a trip to Livingstone, we are confident that you can entice teenagers to put down their phones and start planning. We are going to show you how to plan the perfect multi-generational trip to Livingstone.
Budget
Money is often the cause of arguments and resentment in families. When planning a multi-generational trip, the last thing you want to do is start on a sour note. We recommend that you ask everyone to be up-front and honest with what they can afford as individuals or families. Frequently the older generation foots the lion’s share of the bill, but this shouldn’t be an expectation.
Livingstone has accommodation and activity options for all budgets. You could have everyone stay together and book out an entire luxury lodge on the Zambezi River. Alternatively, Livingstone has some of the best backpackers’ lodges in Southern Africa with a wide range of accommodation options at different price points.
Keep in mind that younger family members might need a boost to help with their budget. There is the possibility of having them ‘earn their keep’ by babysitting on specific nights when others might want to have a romantic meal alone.
Plan and Collaborate
The perfect multi-generational trip takes more planning than just a quick phone call and throwing some katundu in a rucksack. Getting a group of people to agree and decide on anything isn’t easy, but it can be more troublesome when adding family politics to the mix.
We recommend having one person to take the lead (or be the scapegoat). They can then decide on dates, length of the trip, where to stay, etc. Like any democratically elected leader, they are best to consider everyone’s wishes so that they don’t cause a coup.
Delegate
One person might be making the decisions, but this doesn’t mean that everyone can’t do their bit. Delegating responsibilities will lighten the load and make everyone feel a part of the action. Don’t discount the little ones either – ask the youngest amongst you what they would love to do while on vacation in Livingstone and plan accordingly.
Me-Time
We can all get too much of a good thing. When planning a vacation to an exciting place like Livingstone, it is understandable to pack in as much as possible. However, the oldest and youngest amongst you will quickly get tired or overwhelmed if you over-schedule every day. We recommend blocking off days for some me-time where some folks can relax or chill by the pool. Others can spend this time doing individual activities.
Guide
Obtaining the services of a personal guide for your time in Livingstone can be surprisingly affordable. You’ll have the advantage of local knowledge and someone to field demands and questions for everyone. Livingstone based travel agents can set up a personal guide to assist with booking activities, making dinner reservations and ensuring that everyone is getting the most out of their vacation.
Photo
It’s not often that you will have all of the family together in one spot. Even rarer is having backdrops like Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, the Zambezi River or Victoria Falls. Be sure to allocate time to have a family photoshoot done while you are in Livingstone. There are excellent photographers available at various price points that can frame these memories forever.
We are looking forward to offering a warm Zambian welcome to all of your extended family upon your arrival to Livingstone. You will have unforgettable experiences and life-changing travel opportunities that will put a smile on your face for years to come.
