'Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands have always given the impression that they are not the best place to visit with children,' says Hello Africa Travel.

'We would like to prove this wrong,' says the company, which has child-friendly safari and beach holidays in South Africa, Zambia, Mauritius and The Seychelles.

Despite a growing interest in family safaris, it can be difficult to find out which companies offer suitable trips to visit animals in their natural habitat.

Aardvark Safaris says 'more and more top safari camps are now catering for families and have introduced specialist guides, private vehicles, interconnecting rooms, early mealtimes and babysitters'.

Dragoman says overland adventure is perfect for kids aged 7-18. It recommends the 16-night trip from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam as 'an excellent first time family adventure'.

Busbaby Travel specialises in family holidays to South Africa and the Indian Ocean. Namibia is a new destination for 2006.

Explore Worldwide's 16-day holiday in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is suitable for children over six years old.

Reef and Rainforest runs wildlife holidays to tropical destinations as part of its family adventures programme.

The family travel website, www.babygoes2.com, also offers family safaris.

Preparation is key

Planning and preparation is important for any safari, but even more so if children are to spend time on the road.

All family members will have to be flexible and adapt to their surroundings. Parents need to ensure everyone has suitable clothing, equipment and healthcare provision.

Everyone will probably have to get up early for the best wildlife viewing, be flexible about mealtimes and realise that though journey times may be long, the prize of seeing animals in their natural habitat will be well worth the wait.