Family Safaris

You’ll find almost year round sunshine, animals that children dream about, fabulous beaches, child-friendly locals. These are all the main elements for a successful African family holiday.

Our specialists take care of everything. Youngsters will typically learn to track animals, cook in a bush kitchen, make fire or simply learn about an active outdoor life. If you’re worried about malaria we’ll steer you towards malaria free destinations.

With careful planning, a family safari can be the holiday of a lifetime. It’ll inspire children and parents alike for years to come.

Under proper supervision, the African bush can be a thrilling playground for youngsters. Activities like brief game drives are geared to shorter attention spans. Whilst learning about little bugs and bigger beasts can capture children’s imagination in a fun, yet informative way. If that wasn’t enough, tracking animals and identifying their spoor can fire the imagination, whilst child-tailored survival skills will often feel more like a game.

Many child-friendly lodges have swimming pools, special guides and menus for children. Another option is to rent a private house - complete with chef and guide. Meeting other boys and girls in local schools and villages, as in Zambia’s South Luangwa, provides enriching experiences for all concerned.

In Kenya, more adventurous youngsters might enjoy camping and riding camels with Masai warriors. Namibia or South Africa, meanwhile, offer self-drive options that allow you to explore the bush and its wildlife at your own (or your children’s) pace. South Africa is also an excellent destination for younger children, with malaria-free areas including Addo, Madikwe and the Eastern Cape.

Concluding a safari with a relaxing break on the beach (perhaps in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique or on Zanzibar’s white sands) can be the perfect ending to an unforgettable family adventure.

How to plan a family safari

Our own families ventured into Africa generations ago so there’s a thriving gene pool who’ve taken travel and exploration for granted. Some of us might be old hands at it but there’re some important tricks and tips to planning safe and memorable family safaris.

• From five to eighty five year olds we know the best spots for families seeking out of this world African adventures…
• for Mums, Dads and kids
• hand-picked camps or lodges tailored with plenty to interest all ages
• professional safari guides experienced with young ones in the bush
• limited periods of intense game viewing with a variety of light adventure and relaxation
• designed to avoid long drives and transfers

Top tips for planning a family safari

We have a few recommendations to make sure your family safari goes as smoothly as possible. Our top tips include:

• Stay within one country and area to avoid long transfers and flights
• Don’t include long game drives at hot times of the year with lots of other people
• Consider travelling in low season to get the most for your money - there will be fewer people and you’ll have the guides’ undivided attention.
• Do combine land and water activities where possible, to allow for variety (and look for camps with swimming pools)
• Avoid camps which are not catering specifically for younger travellers as menus and guides will not allow enough flexibility to suit all needs.
• Engage younger children with wildlife checklists, they’ll soon compete to see who spotted the first / biggest / tallest.
• If you’re travelling to an area where prophylactics are required, do a trial run at home first to ensure there are no side effects.
• Ask us about private safari houses, great for family get-togethers and ensuring you dictate your own schedule

Best places for a family holiday in Africa

• For families with younger children Kenya is the perfect safari destination. Most camps are family friendly and it’s easy to combine safari and beach without too much travel. A number of camps have dedicated family tents with adjoining rooms, pools, child friendly activities and special menus.
• Kenya also has a range of private houses which make for a super easy family holiday with their own staff, guides and vehicles so you can set your own pace.
• Zambia is another great family safari option (South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi) with a wealth of activities specifically geared at children including visits to local schools, fishing and spore identification.
• If you want to avoid Malaria prone areas, ask us about options in Namibia (much of the country is considered Malaria free or low risk) and South Africa (such as Addo, Madikwe and the Eastern Cape).