Each year we embark on an adventure with our kids and thought it helpful to shine the light on our top family safari properties in Africa for kids in 2019.
Each one of the properties we feature here has some what the Wilsons call ‘some kind of wonderful‘ and we will tell you all about it. First of all, what are the key tips when it comes to choosing the right family safari properties?
Key tips:
- Remember flights add up [time and money], so know the international flight routes before you choose your properties, we can help with that.
- Malaria free means no tablets for you or the kids.
- Some places embrace children, others accept children. We don’t want our children to just be tolerated, we want them warmly welcomed don’t you?
- Age restrictions are in place for a very good reason – the safety of you and your children. So don’t dispute them or try and negotiate.
- Facilities matter when you have smaller children.
Scroll down for our family safari property favourites.
Family safari properties:
Tswalu
South Africa | Light Aircraft from Johannesburg or Cape Town | Malaria free
One of our all time family favourites and we experienced this first hand with our 3 and 6 year old in May. The biggest private reserve in South Africa offers so much to stimulate young minds not to mention exceptional facilities and warm friendly service where nothing is too much trouble.
From babies and toddlers to teenagers, children of all ages are embraced here. You will be able to venture out on foot, in 4×4 and horseback to explore the vast wilderness and see the incredible diversity of wildlife. Tswalu is home to rare and unusual creatures like desert black rhino, sable antelope, pangolin and meerkat.
There are three family suites with two separate bedrooms or why not take Tarkuni, the exclusive use property for ten people? That’s what we did with the family and it’s become our number one family holiday in Africa!
Children are well catered for and meals are served when and where it suits you plus complimentary child minding means you may just get the opportunity to savour a romantic African sunset and private dinner under the stars.
Visit their website to find out more and we will certainly share our adventure when we return.
Tswalu for families
Family safari properties:
Saruni Samburu
Kenya | Light aircraft from Nairobi or long road transfer | Malaria area
A complete contrast to the usual safari experience, this place offers stunning views over endless plains and mountains with open fronted villas, a diversity of experiences like genuine interactions with local Samburu people.
With two family villas and two interconnecting villas this place really is the business! We love their Warrior for the Week program that sees kids exploring local caves, making bows and arrows, lighting fires, learning about animal footprints to name a few. A favourite is the family picnic down by Ewaso Niro River.
Being owner run, expect great service and Italian inspired cuisine that goes down a treat with the kids (focaccia bread, grissini, pasta dishes, pizzas, salads and more).
Saruni Mara is the sister property for the quintessential safari offering in the Masai Mara. It creates a great circuit.
Visit their website to find out more.
Saruni for familiesFamily safari properties:
Thanda Villa iZulu
South Africa | Fly to Durban, road transfer or self drive | Malaria free
For a super luxurious and exclusive family safari experience, you cannot surpass Thanda Villa iZulu. You can expect big game, casually elegant accommodation and complete privacy. Stay in a lavish 1,000 square metre homestead that is geared for families. Whilst not on safari, you can be with the kids relaxing in style around a large heated swimming pool and deck.
The main house is truly stunning with a massive open seating area, library, wine cellar, games room dining area and boma (fire pit). This place comes fully staffed! So you will have a dedicated chef, host, waiter and masseuse plus guide, tracker and private vehicle at your disposal to meet every need.
You will game drive, go on guided walks, enjoy bush picnics, cultural visits and working wit the Thanda Wildlife Conservation Team if you care for it. The bonus is their Bucks and Bugs safari programme and junior rangers course.
Check out the video below.
Family safari properties:
Somalisa Acacia
Zimbabwe | Light Aircraft or road transfer | Malaria area
Now this is one of our ‘go to‘ options for families seeking a tented safari. It is truly stunning and sits in Hwange National Park.
From the moment you arrive, it feels like the set of a classic African safari romance novel. Children of all ages are welcome and get to enjoy the Ngwana Club, a fun and educational environment while on safari. They head out on nature walks around camp and enjoy storytelling, cultural arts and crafts and cub club cooking classes. There are also a load of ways the kids can give back to those less fortunate than themselves with a conservation program, school visits and the Mambanje lion guardians and mobile cattle boma initiative.
There are just four stunning safari suites here, a swimming pool of course for the kids and a wonderful main area that embraces its bush setting and oozes safari style.
Find out more about Somalisa Acacia and its sister properties across Zimbabwe and Botswana. There is a crazy deal for 2019 May, June, July travel where you can get 1 night free on safari. Ask us for details!
Somalisa for familiesFamily safari properties:
Lemala Camps
Tanzania | Light Aircraft or 4×4 road transfer | Malaria area
Welcome to Lemala camps in Tanzania. This is a spectacular group of properties geared for families. They acknowledge travelling with kids in Africa can be daunting and take the pain out of every single ‘effort’ required to get there and enjoy the moment. We organise a private vehicle and guide, stocked esky with water and treats and away you go! You will visit places like Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Accommodation is tented for authenticity and a Lemala Cubs program is on offer giving your children hands on activities that keep their minds racing! Kids learn to throw (blunt) spears, use bow and arrows, track animals around the camp with resident guides and make plaster casts of the night visitor footprints. You have the opportunity to witness the great wildebeest migration, see big cats on the plains and learn about local Maasai culture. As night falls, kids can roast marshmallows by the camp fire while listening to stories from their gifted guides. Then when it’s time to sleep, they will be lulled by the beautiful sounds of the bush.
So for a true adventure visiting some of the world’s most acclaimed wilderness attractions and witnessing the greatest wildlife show on earth, choose Tanzania.
Check out the video below.