No matter what age your family, a safari holiday will be one of the most memorable trips you take together. Families with younger children can explore the wilds of Africa together at camps where staff have been specially trained to work with children. Spotting the iconic African wildlife together in your private vehicle, visiting local schools and villages, baking delicious treats in the kitchen, exploring the area on foot in special bush walks with your expert guide are just some of the activities you could enjoy together. Older families, might like a more active safari; canoeing, walking, white water rafting, swimming, snorkelling and exploring a remote area with lots of adventure. Below are three excellent camps for family safari holidays:
Jack’s Camp
Jack’s Camp is located deep in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and is an ideal choice for families with older children (although all ages are welcome). Situated on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest saltpans on the planet, Jack’s camp is an area of haunting, stark natural beauty. The camp itself has been designed in the classic desert camps style: Persian rugs and cool cottons throughout. There’s lots of unusual things to do with quad biking across the pans, finding fossil beds of extinct giant zebra and hippo, and guided walks with San Bushman being just a few of the possibilities. Many of the guides here are zoologists and, as you explore, they’ll be able to explain the fascinating ways in which the local wildlife has adapted to the harsh environment. Animals you might see include the brown hyena, wildebeest, zebra, flamingo, meerkat and aardvark. You might want to combine your stay with some time in the Okavango Delta, canoeing down its waterways in a mokoro and enjoying some more traditional safari activities.
The Natural History Villa at Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is located in one of Africa’s top family destinations, Kenya. In a private concession just outside the well-known Masai Mara National Reserve you’ll have all the superb wildlife with no crowds, making for a truly authentic safari experience. The wildlife is plentiful here. Think lion, leopard, hyena, buffalo, antelope, zebra, giraffe, warthog, elephant and many more species. One of the best things about the lodge, though, is its Warriors for a Week programme where families can learn to live like the local Maasai. You can be as involved as you like, learning to make fires, track wildlife, how to use bows and arrows, make beaded jewellery all whilst listening to old Maasai stories and folk songs. It’s not only a great adventure, but also a fantastic way to learn more about how life works for the Maasai who live in the wilderness. The Natural History Villa is ideal for families who want to stay somewhere exclusively; somewhere you can call a home away from home during your safari. It comprises two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large sitting and dining area where you can all relax and share your experiences by the warm glow of the fire.
The Zindoga Villa at Camp Jabulani
Camp Jabulani in South Africa is an excellent choice for families with both older and younger children. The camp is in its own private reserve in the wildlife rich Kruger National Park, meaning you’ll be able to see great wildlife with a good degree of privacy. One of the most special things about the camp is its group of habituated elephants. On arrival, you’re matched with an elephant according to temperament and personality and then during your stay you can enjoy time with them taking elephant back safaris and even tucking them up in bed! This is also the only place where you can take elephant safaris at night. For younger children, there’s Team Tusker. There’s a wide variety of activities for children under 12 to enjoy with paper making (from elephant dung!), star-naming, bush cooking and bug catching being just a few. Camp Jabulani has dedicated family accommodation in the form of the Zindoga Villa. It has two suites connected by a lounge and dining area. Both suites have a spacious bedroom with en-suite bathrooms and large wooden viewing decks. There’s a private plunge pool too. You take the villa exclusively and have your own dedicated team throughout your stay including a butler, chef and ranger.