How to choose the perfect African family safari

When researching, planning and booking a family safari in Africa, you’re spoilt for choice. Where to go? When to go? How to go? This can get confusing when all you really have in mind is the perfect getaway with your loved ones. Here are considerations, suggestions and some sound advice for choosing the perfect places for family safaris.

East Africa or Southern Africa

Your first step in choosing the right place for your upcoming African adventure is deciding on whether you want to visit Eastern or Southern Africa. Africa is home to the world’s great game and wildlife reserves the best of which are situated in these two regions on the continent, perfect for family safaris.

Eastern Africa, steeped in Arabian culture, draped in stories of the areas great Masai warrior, is where the Wildebeest migration occurs with a move in the masses migrating between Kenya and Tanzania. This is where we will find some of the greatest national parks on the planet. The world famous Serengeti is located in Tanzania while Kenya offers visitors the opportunity to discover the magic of the Masai Mara.

Southern Africa is where some of the most renowned reserves are situated. Kruger National Park in South Africa, Okavango Delta in Botswana and Etosha National Park in Namibia offer a variety of family safari options. Tailor-made safaris can include other “non-safari” destinations like Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Drakensberg.

Weigh up the regional differences

Accommodation in East Africa is a typical hotel operated lodges while exclusive tailor-made safari options to consider in planning your perfect African getaway for the family include Meru style tents, fantastic for family safaris in Kenya and Tanzania if the hotel style safari is not what you’re after.

In South Africa, the majority of game reserves and most national parks offer exclusive accommodation like cabins, chalets, luxury camps, raised platform permanent tents, standard campsites and self-catering cottages. A general rule of thumb to keep in mind and consider when choosing the perfect safari location for family holidays; the smaller the property and the higher the star rating the more exclusive the safari experience.

The preferred way to safari in East Africa is in an open vehicle style with windows and pop-up roof which allows for standing up and great viewing opportunity. Visitors to the Southern African region will find that game driving vehicles are modified without windows and open sides, designed to enrich your game viewing experience.

The best time to go on safari

When it comes to planning family safaris, the number one frequently asked question is “when would be the best time to travel Africa” and the answer to this question would depend on whether the emphasis of your safari is game viewing.

It is important to consider though that family holidays are dependent on school breaks which would be the best break to take time out exploring Africa on safari.

What is commonly known as Green Season in the game viewing areas of Southern Africa is the rainy season during the summer. It is is from December to March which makes for incredible game watching in certain parts of Africa. The cooler winter months are from May to August. June through to October is high season known as being the dry season. East Africa has a long rainy season from April to May with a shorter one again in November.

The temperatures are generally the same or at the very least they are similar in both East and Southern African game viewing regions. December to mid-January is peak season in both East and Southern Africa.

We tailor make all family safaris

No two families are the same, so neither should any two family safaris. Chat with our journey experts to plan family safari.