Setting up base camp: Best safari lodges for families

Kenya

Naibor Camp, Maasai Mara National Reserve

Naibor is a stylish and contemporary tented camp located in the heart of the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, only minutes from the wildebeest migration crossing site. It offers endless game-filled safari drives, bush breakfasts, and hot-air-ballooning over the grasslands teeming with animals.

Why parents love it

The uniquely designed large two-suite luxury tents are perfect for families who want to have their kids under the same canvas but in their own rooms.

Why kids love it

Kids are able to enjoy breathtaking wildlife throughout the year, and the camp is strategically placed for the wildebeest migration, close to all the crossing sites over the Mara River.

Conservation and community

A bed night conservation fee is donated to the community for every bed night in the camp, which is then dedicated to social-development projects.

Zambia

Ila Safari Lodge, Kafue National Park

This 10-tented luxury eco-lodge sits on the banks of the Kafue River in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Families can explore pristine untouched wilderness teeming with wildlife, game drives, boat cruises, walking safaris and fishing.

Why parents love it

Spacious family tents on elevated private decks.

Why kids love it

Unlimited all-day activities – imposed siesta time is no more! Friendly and fun-loving guides and staff. Junior Guides activity workbook.

Conservation and community

Take a back-of-house tour to learn how our eco-lodge operates. Learn about solar power, bio-gas and recycling. Take a ‘silent safari’ in our electric Land Rover or on our electric boat.

Kenya

The Emakoko, Nairobi National Park, Nairobi

Game drives, walks, bird-watching and relaxation.

Why parents love it

Access to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the staff are great at entertaining children. The family unit is a five-bed cottage split into two separate rooms, and it is all-inclusive.

Why kids love it

There is so much to do, it is not just about game drives.

Wildlife highlights

Nairobi National Park is one of the largest breeding grounds for the endangered black rhino. Not only that, lion are prolific.

Conservation and community

By supporting the lodge you support the park – each adult pays US$50 and each child US$25 towards rhino conservation and general conservation in the park.

Insider tip

The lodge is split into two levels, the top is at the top of the cliff. It’s about 125 steps to reach it – quite a walk – but offers the best views in town.

Tanzania

Fundu Lagoon, Pemba Island

Boutique tented beach safari hotel on Pemba Island, offering natural barefoot luxury, only accessible by speedboat. Some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world is found here, plus fishing and island visits. There’s a sensational infinity pool and spa. And don’t forget about the breathtaking sunsets.

Why parents love it

Huge family Superior Suites with their own plunge pool and spacious deck allows very private restful days. Different dinner events almost daily bring excitement to the evenings.

Why kids love it

Here you can be Crusoe and Cousteau in one day.

Conservation and community

Our wonderful friendly staff will take you on a village walk and describe the many welfare projects all assisted by your visit.

Botswana

Camp Okavango, Okavango Delta 

The newly rebuilt Camp Okavango is located on a remote island in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta, which is a maze of lagoons, lakes, islands and hidden channels which attract wildlife that depend on the permanent waters of this unique wilderness.

Why parents love it

A dedicated staff member, your ‘Safari Hero’, will plan your stay, activities, mealtimes, in-camp activities, storytimes and ensure that both you and your children have an incredible stay at Camp Okavango.

Why kids love it

Experiencing the water wilderness of the Okavango Delta by boat, mokoro (traditional canoe) and educational safari walks.

Conservation and community

Due to the remote location of the lodge, there are no community activities in the area. However, interaction in camp between staff and guests is prominent, and traditions and history are communicated through our staff in activities such as basket-weaving.

Botswana

Camp Moremi, Moremi Game Reserve

At the place where the life-giving waters of the Okavango Delta meet the vast plains of the Kalahari Desert, Mother Nature has created a sanctuary of mopane forests, open grasslands, seasonal floodplains and riverine habitats, resulting in one of the most magnificent and welcoming animal environments in all of Africa.

Nestled beneath giant ebony trees, Camp Moremi brings true meaning to the word safari in the Xakanaxa area of the Moremi Game Reserve. Eleven luxurious safari tents and one luxury family suite consisting of two bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, make up Camp Moremi.

Why parents love it

Days are spent exploring the paradise of Moremi on private activities with your guide.

Why kids love it

Activities are centred around tracking big game on morning and afternoon game drives by open 4×4 safari vehicle in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Conservation and community

Due to the remote location of the lodge, there are no community activities in the area. However, interaction in camp between staff and guests is prominent, and traditions and history are communicated through our staff.

Botswana 

Savute Safari Lodge, Chobe Game Reserve

Savute Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of Botswana’s fabled ‘Stolen River’, the Savute Channel. Stretching from the waterways of the Linyanti all the way to the Savute Marsh, the winding waterways of the Savute Channel have pumped life into the western section of the Chobe National Park for many thousands of generations.

The Lodge consists of 11 luxury thatch and timber chalets and one family suite raised on expansive private decks, accommodating just 24 guests. The family suite consists of two bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms. Families with three children can be accommodated in the family room with the addition of an extra bed in the suite.

Why parents love it

The area is renowned for its population of bull elephant and for the unique interaction of the resident predator species.

Why kids love it

Activities are centred around game drives throughout the Savute area in open 4×4 safari vehicles.

Conservation and community

Families can also enjoy a visit to the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, a small hilly outcrop which forms a remarkable landmark in the otherwise flat landscape. (Visits to these paintings at times when predators are known to be denning near these hills will restrict this activity.)

Botswana

Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Game Reserve

Home to the most incredible herds of elephant on the planet, Chobe National Park has its northern boundary along the Chobe River. The accommodation here is composed of 42 twin/double rooms, four luxury private suites and one family unit. Rooms are all newly expanded and refurbished, river-facing, with spacious decks and air-conditioning, as well as a complimentary mini-bar. The main lodge area offers various places for dining, two bars, many lounges, a curio shop and swimming pool. At the front of the lodge, an elevated boardwalk leads along the river to the ‘Chobe Deck Of Fame’, which overlooks the vast floodplains known as Watercart. At certain times of the year, these floodplains are visited by hundreds and, at times, thousands of elephant, offering possibly the best elephant-viewing experience in the world.

Why parents love it

Guests wishing to pamper themselves are welcome to book one of the delightful treatments from our in-house beautician (for which there is an extra charge) or hit the gym for some exercise between the usual lodge activities (complimentary).

Why kids love it

The large swimming pool and waterfall is a wonderful place to cool off and have some fun. Waiters are on hand to bring you a refreshment from the bar or you can just doze under the shade of the Natal Mahogany tree.

Conservation and community:  The cultural experience is part of a day trip which includes a full day out to the more remote parts of the region. After breakfast at the lodge, you set off for the Chobe Enclave, home to the Basubia people. This is a tribe that prides itself on the rich Batswana culture. After a pleasant break under the canopy of Mahogany trees close to Ngoma, we will continue for the Chobe enclave and village of Muchenje, Mabele and Kavimba. There is a host family waiting to meet you at the village of Kachikau, hub of the Chobe enclave.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa

The hotel faces the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean and the pristine white sands of Paje, one the most beautiful & best kite-surfing beaches on Zanzibar. The 11 stunningly designed huge private villas are tucked away in lush gardens, ensuring kids can make as much noise as they like without disturbing anyone.

Why parents love it

The babysitting service, calm shallow waters, private plunge pools, kids’ playground and spacious two-bed villas are ideal for families.

Why kids love it

Teens can zoom across the water while they kitesurf, spend an afternoon swimming with dolphins, hop on a paddleboard or paddle in the crystal-clear shallows. 

Conservation and community

ZWS is powered by wind and solar energy and also has its own water source and desalination plant.

South Africa

Horizon Horseback, Waterberg Mountains

Outrides in the game reserve, swimming with horses, Western games, polocrosse, cattle-mustering, cross-country jumping, cavaletti jump lanes, treasure hunts and more.

Why parents love it

Horizon understands children. They keep them busy and are completely flexible to individual requests, and nothing is ever too much trouble. This area is a also malaria free.

Why kids love it

A highlight is always swimming with horses, but the variety of activities is a big bonus, plus the freedom to help on the yards, play with the dogs, and generally run around the sprawling, shady gardens

Wildlife highlights

Giraffe, hippo and zebra all up very close and personal.

Conservation and community

Visit the local school and enjoy the children learning their songs, something the people of the area are famous for. Ride through the fifth-generation African villages, with their painted houses, and visit the local leather and bead craft shop set up as a job-creation programme.

Insider tip

The family suites are idea for large families or two families travelling together.