Family Safari Holidays in Africa

As previously suggested, the very best options for a safari and beach combination are in East Africa; namely Kenya and Tanzania. The beaches off east Africa are far more easier to access than in Southern Africa, and the logistics could not be easier.

Zanzibar is the most popular and the best beach destination in Africa for family holidays. It is as little as a 40 minute flight from the nearest safari (The Selous) and has a range of hotel options suitable for all ages and preferences. Private villa experiences, big resorts or our favourite - little boutique hotels with bundles of character - are all done exceptionally well in Zanzibar.

If you like to get more off the beaten track, then there are a few other island options off Tanzania which offer something slightly different...

There are two private island options; one is Mnemba Island which is utter paradise, but also comes with a huge price tag at $1,700 so is not so economical for families. The very best alternative to Zanzibar is the family friendly, relaxed and reasonably priced Fanjove Private Island. The accommodation is authentic so not uber-luxury, but the island is one of the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean and for the adventurous, the activities are endless.

For those adventurous families who do not want to spend their holiday lying on a beach, there is also Pemba Island and Mafia island which offer unbelievable underwater activities but very poor beaches!

Kenya’s coast has had a turbulent recent history, so is not that popular for families at the moment. However, the once bustling Lamu Archipelago is set to be the next best place to visit for our beach extension as there has subsided in recent years. Zanzibar, watch this space!

Africa is enormous and each country’s climate depends on its own certain factors including latitude, altitude, distance from the sea etc. The very best time to safari depends on each particular area, and also depends on what you are after from your experience. For further information please see our individual country pages.

In general terms, East Africa has an equatorial climate, with little seasonal temperature variation across the year, and it is dry in our summer which is confusingly their winter and the best time to go (July – October). Similarly, Southern Africa has the best wildlife and is driest in these months – Southern Africa has a more extreme climate though, and safari is closed throughout their summer (rainy season) from January through until late March. Luckily, the weather is generally best in school holidays and the wildlife is too which is another reason why a safari is such an amazing family summer holiday.

However, there are always exceptions to the rule!. Festive season is actually peak season for East Africa as December falls handily between the two rainy seasons, so a Christmas safari is more than possible and also a very popular choice. Furthermore, although January, February and March are wet and rainy for southern Africa safari, this is one of the very best times to see the Great Wildebeest Migration calving in the Southern Serengeti in Tanzania. Equally, Cape Town is wonderful and sunny and dry in January through until May! It is best to call up with your dates and preferences and we can guide you to the very best destination for you.