Families

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An African family safari and beach holiday might be one of the most rewarding you ever spend together. Watching the Africa day as it unfolds in front of you and through the eyes of your children can be simply magical and an experience you’ll remember forever.

Have a look at sample itineraries for family safari ideas or read what makes a good safari holiday

But remember, budget, age of children, family size, timing all have an impact on our recommendation. (NOTE: for a lot of families, timing will be dictated by school holidays. This will also affect price – with international flights being quite hefty unless they are booked in advance. A top tip is October half term where many lodges and flights are out of peak prices.)

Many parents have concerns about safety of their children. Is it safe? Yes. Camps are set up to ensure all guests are safe. Some have specially appointed staff to keep an eye on your children. Some also have guides that are specifically chosen for their ability to stimulate children and get them really excited about the safari experience.

Health can also be a concerning factor with worries about malaria and other tropical diseases. Your local doctor will advise you regarding innoculations and malaria prophylaxis. All camps have mosquito protection and are regularly sprayed.

Families are welcome at many of the lodges but there is often a limit to the age group. Safari in Africa is not ideal for babies/small children. For the investment required and, for you all to take something out of it, we would suggest safaris are better suited to older children – probably 7/8+.

Sharing a lodge with family friends often means camp take-overs in the smaller camps, allowing you to dictate your own timing preferences and often saving you money. But there are many options available to you and countries have developed their own way of delivering the best family experience.

A Tanzania safari is often perfectly set up for family groups, particularly in the north (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire). Here, by having your own vehicle with driver, you are already self contained and able to move from camp to camp. Although this is probably better for those families with slightly older children (12+) who will enjoy the variety of game longer excursions can bring. An alternative option is to chose a more lodge based safari where you can create more of your own agenda and timetable. Here it could be better to head to the Selous.

Tanzania family safaris combine well with a beach holiday in Zanzibar. Throughout Zanzibar there are numerous family friendly beach options from resort type hotels to cheaper guesthouses, all offering varying degrees of watersport activities.

Kenya also offers some fabulous options for a family safari experience – with a gentle introduction around Nairobi and then a full variety of options as you head out to the parks – depending on how deep (or how wild) you wish your family safari experience to be. There are some great family friendly lodges in the Mara plus some more lifestyle lodges in the northern parks including Lewa and Meru. With easy access to the beach, this makes Kenya an idea destination for a family safari and beach holiday.

Zambia is home of the safari house where families all sleep under the comfort of one roof. Ideal for 2 or 3 families travelling together. Many owner-run smaller camps who either have their own or had children at the camp are remarkably child friendly. Having the camp to yourselves allows you to develop an agenda suited to your own preferences. A Zambia safari can combine with some extreme sports your older children (or you) may enjoy – whether it be bungy-jumping over the Victoria Falls or white-water rafting down the Zambezi rapids- these are amongst the best of the best.

Botswana game rich classroom but often expensive since families are required to take-over entire camps with high entry costs. But, if you can afford it, Botswana can quickly and without too much strain, make animal story books, films and zoos all come to life. We would recommend heading to the Okavango Delta and trying Chitabe or Seba camps.

Namibia’s surreal landscape offers fun and adventure and, like the hybrid animals that have evolved within it, so have some of the sports: like sand-boarding, dune buggying, desert ballooning, kayaking and cycle safaris (all probably suited to slighty older families). Younger families may prefer a self-drive safari although it does mean some hefty mileage. But Central Highlands, Etosha National Park and Twyfelfontein regions are all possible.

For families with younger children, South Africa is often an easier option – malaria free and very child friendly. A family safari in South Africa can combine well with a trip to the cape for some beach fun. Kruger National Park has some great private concessions or cheaper government owned options both of which will give you an exciting family safari.

Our recommendation is do it – you’ll spend some real quality time together. It’ll be the best holiday you’ve ever had.

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Itineraries

Families

Basecamp Masai Mara

Located on the bank of the Talek River, Basecamp Masai Mara is a proper tented camp that offers an authentic safari experience within a...

S&B Rating:
$300 Per person, per night  
Basecamp Masai Mara

Chameleon Hill

Chameleon Hill is unique. Located beside Lake Mutanda with incredible views, it is a quirky and fun place to stay with Bwindi and Mgah...

S&B Rating:
$250 Per person, per night  
Chameleon Hill

Desroches Island

Desroches Island is just 6km in length allowing total escapism at this small luxury island resort, surrounded by white sandy beaches an...

S&B Rating:
$450 Per person, per night  
Desroches Island

Kazkaz Mara Camp

A new luxury semi permanent camp ideally placed, close to the Mara river, and perfect for catching the great wildebeest migration and q...

S&B Rating:
$500 Per person, per night  
Kazkaz Mara Camp

Kubu Kubu Tented Camp

Kubu Kubu is a lovely new permanent tented camp well located in the Central Serengeti.  Each of the tented suites are on raised platfo...

S&B Rating:
$300 Per person, per night  
Kubu Kubu Tented Camp

Lewa Safari Camp

Lewa Safari Camp has a stunning location within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with outstanding game viewing, and spectacular views to Moun...

S&B Rating:
$500 Per person, per night  
Lewa Safari Camp

Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House is a stunning private house situated in the Nkwali area of central South Luangwa. A superb bush location on the ed...

S&B Rating:
$200 Per person, per night  
Luangwa Safari House

Lux Belle Mare

A luxury hotel in Mauritius with a cool vibe and nicely placed on the east coast at Belle Mare against a vivid backdrop of the Indian O...

S&B Rating:
 
Lux Belle Mare

Machaba Camp

Situated in the Khwai concession on the north eastern part of the Delta, this area is great for game watching from land and water. You...

S&B Rating:
$850 Per person, per night  
Machaba Camp

Mount Meru Game Lodge

Mount Meru Game Lodge is a charming lodge on the outskirts of Arusha, well placed for the airport at Kilimanjaro and heading off on you...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
Mount Meru Game Lodge

Naona Moru Camp

Award winning luxury tented camp from this fabulous Tanzanian operator....

S&B Rating:
$250 Per person, per night  
Naona Moru Camp

Ndovu Tented Lodge

Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge is a luxury camp perfectly placed to track massive herds of elephant as they look for fresh water within M...

S&B Rating:
$290 Per person, per night  
Ndovu Tented Lodge

Saruni Samburu

Saruni Samburu is a 'design' lodge located 7km north of Samburu National Reserve, in Kenya's wild north....

S&B Rating:
$650 Per person, per night  
Saruni Samburu

The Safari Series

The Safari-Series is a new semi permanent camp set in a beautiful wilderness location in a private conservancy in northern Kenya. The ...

 
The Safari Series

White Sands Luxury Villas

A stunning beach chic hotel made up of a collection villas spreading across this beautiful stretch of coastline....

S&B Rating:
$400 Per person, per night  
White Sands Luxury Villas

Zuri Zanzibar

Zuri is a welcome new style of property in Zanzibar. For those looking for the ultimate stylish, hip and cool beach break – Zuri is ...

S&B Rating:
$365 Per person, per night  
Zuri Zanzibar

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Shadow Effect

Mount Meru Game Lodge

Northern Circuit, Tanzania, Arusha

Chameleon Hill

Bwindi Forest, Uganda

Basecamp Masai Mara

Masai Mara, Kenya

The Safari Series

Laikipia, Northern Parks, Kenya

Machaba Camp

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Zuri Zanzibar

Zanzibar

Kubu Kubu Tented Camp

Serengeti, Tanzania

Desroches Island

Seychelles

Kazkaz Mara Camp

Serengeti, Tanzania

Lux Belle Mare

Tanzania, Mauritius

favourite Families places to stay

Rufiji River Camp

Rufiji River Camp newly refurbished, charming camp located on the banks of the Rufiji river, at a point where the ample and tranquil ri...

S&B Rating:
$345 Per person, per night  
Rufiji River Camp

Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House is a stunning private house situated in the Nkwali area of central South Luangwa. A superb bush location on the ed...

S&B Rating:
$200 Per person, per night  
Luangwa Safari House

Shooting Star Lodge

Shooting Star Lodge is a relaxed, family-run, boutique resort situated on the eastern beaches of Zanzibar. The Lodge has just been ref...

S&B Rating:
$120 Per person, per night  
Shooting Star Lodge

Itineraries

Design your own safari&beach itinerary: see examples from our experts for inspiration.

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Holiday Types

Honeymoons, family holidays, diving, trekking... there's plenty to keep you busy.

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Planning

Unsure or almost there: wherever you are in the process we will guide you to the right trip.

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