Shiviko Kruger in South Africa has introduced a hands‑on filmmaking activity that puts kids behind the camera, allowing families to capture their own holiday story while the resort’s staff handle the usual logistics.
Kids become directors for a day
The program supplies the same professional gear used by the resort’s guides: a Canon EOS R6 Mark II with a 100‑400 mm lens, a DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal, a DJI Pocket 3, a DJI Osmo Action 4 and a clip‑on microphone. Young guests decide what to film—whether a wildlife sighting, a craft lesson or simply the feel of an adventurous day—and record narration as they go.
After the outing, a resident videographer edits the footage into a short film that families receive at departure. The result is a personal souvenir that differs from a standard photo album, offering a narrative shaped by the youngsters themselves.
“Multi‑generational travel is about creating a space where grandparents, parents, and children can move at their own rhythm and create memories on their own terms,” said Anica Jones, General Manager at Shiviko Kruger.
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Beyond the camera: activities for all ages
Each of the four exclusive‑use villas comes with a private guide and chef, but itineraries remain unscripted. This flexibility lets families decide how much of the day the youngsters spend filming versus exploring other offerings.
Elephant Point Private Reserve, a fenced area home to gentle antelope, offers guided walks where kids track spoor and identify native plants. A short drive brings guests to Kruger National Park for a Big Five safari, detailed on the park’s Wikipedia page.
Junior fire‑making sessions teach safe techniques before marshmallows are toasted for storytelling. A bead‑work workshop introduces the cultural meaning behind patterns and colours, while the Clubhouse bar lets youngsters mix mocktails and milkshakes with staff assistance.
In the boma, families plant a tree that the guide helps name, linking the experience to the land. Evening turndowns include build‑your‑own clay animals for the youngest guests and animal‑themed stat cards for tweens, with bedtime treats tailored to each family’s sugar preferences.
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The accommodations draw on four distinct cultural heritages. One villa reflects Soweto township life with handcrafted wire cars made by local children; another celebrates Nguni women’s traditions through patterns and crafts. A third showcases Tswana and Sotho influences, while the last blends Shangaan, Pedi and Venda elements.
The Clubhouse serves as the social hub, offering a cinema, PlayStation, and a pool. Families gather there between activities, while the private villas provide a retreat at day’s end.
From a cautious viewpoint, the emphasis on unscripted experiences could challenge families accustomed to tightly planned itineraries. Yet the freedom may also encourage spontaneous learning, especially when youngsters take charge of storytelling. If the resort balances guidance with independence, the model could set a precedent for other multi‑generational destinations.
By the time guests leave, the young participants have a film they produced, photographs they captured, a tree they planted, and stories they can recount as their own.