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How to choose the best safari accommodation for families

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There are many different elements that make up the perfect family safari, but one of the foremost in terms of children’s interest overall is likely to be where one stays. Not only will carefully choosing the right location and style of property or camp ensure that everyone gets a good night's sleep, it can (and will) also fire the imagination of everyone participating.

That is because sleeping in the bush is an experience in itself; there are plenty of options that let you make the most of being so close to nature. Nothing compares to falling asleep to the sound of lions roaring or hippos grunting as they wallow in a nearby river – or, at night, graze close to one’s tent!

Parents are advised to think carefully about the things their family love and match them up with the potential choice and style of accommodation that is available. This will help everyone to get the most out of their time in Africa and create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Treehouses

Sleeping up in the trees is perfect not only for children but also for the child that still hovers in the background of many adults! Treehouses were invented with children in mind!

Everyone will love the excitement of seeing the landscape from a different perspective, with the sound of monkeys or birds waking them up in the morning. It is also great to look down and find creatures below wandering past almost completely unaware of the humans above them.

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Tented camps

Just like the treehouses, kids love tented camps which are much, much closer to nature than being inside brick walls – a completely different “feel” that brings out the essence of a safari.

Despite the fact that, technically, this is “camping”, the sort of camp that we are talking about is, even at the most basic level, still exceptionally comfortable with full size walk-in tents, very comfortable full size beds and, usually, en suite facilities.

Many semi- and fully-permanent camps are essentially tented rooms with, e.g., flush loos and, whilst having canvas walls, are very high quality indeed. For families a camp like this is a great compromise between communing with the environment and having an adventure whilst not losing what are, these days, modern amenities.

Depending on the children’s age/s it is perfectly possible that you can have a mobile camp set up privately in the wilderness. The choice really then comes down to location and everyone’s interests in terms of what they want to see and do.

  • View of bedroom in private tented camp set up to see Great Migration

A private guide is also an enormous “plus”, as this can bring a sense of continuity and definite personality into the safari that will make a huge difference to each day’s adventure.

The chances are, too, that the kids will be less bothered about luxury and more keen to know they can paddle a canoe, go walking or flycamping with everything portered on camels, go mountain biking or just have a sleep-out as much as “just” viewing wildlife.

Just sitting around an evening fire in camp is a magical shared experience - something that people often don't get to share with their children in Europe. All of this makes the most of the time together, engendering stories that will last a lifetime and bring back unforgettable memories of active days and lazy nights under the African sky.

There is only one rule to all of this: with children it’s best to stay longer at places. Get to know the area and also the people who are hosting you and looking after you! Have a relaxed adventure! With children this will make all the difference between “just” a holiday and the greatest holiday of all time.

  • Mobile tented camp in the evening, set up to view the Great Migration

Farm & ranch houses

Staying on a farm or ranch offers children the chance to see what life is like for families who actually live in Africa. The chances are that children will make interesting new friends too.

Being hosted by a family is great fun and allows everyone to relax, as alluded to above. Just “messing around” becomes fun for all ages and whilst, again, wildlife is often the central theme, there is always so much else to do: maybe riding horses or other activities.

Local families & hosts also know the best places to visit, making this a very personal type of safari.

Abodes on the beach...

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Perhaps at the end of a safari or holiday…just step out first thing in the morning, stretch and feel the sand between your toes. Maybe a little yoga whilst the sea murmurs on the shore or just finish that book! Always special!!

This can be achieved is many different ways but I’m not talking about resort hotels; this is about small, often owner-run, properties that range from fully-staffed luxury villas through to something still very high quality but which oozes “Robinson Crusoe” in terms of atmosphere.

A room with open sides, perhaps, closed only by makuti thatch blinds at night so the ocean breeze can waft through the room; fresh fish and shellfish every day, sailing, beach rambles, swimming, lying in a hammock after lunch and a good bottle of wine (for the adults). What a way to round off the adventure of a lifetime!

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Get in touch with us today to learn more about family safaris in Africa

Email: [email protected]

Or call us on: (UK) +44 (0)1367 850566, (USA) 1-855-216-5040

Posted by: Nicola Shepherd

Posted on: 1st August 2016

Read more: Posts about Africa

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