There are a wealth of options out there, here is a little direction on which destination might best suit your needs…
EAST AFRICA
Tanzania: For The Family Safari
Tanzania, with its well-developed safari tourism infrastructure and range of accommodation and safari options is the ideal destination for a family safari. Reserves such as Ngorongoro and the Serengeti offer incredible family-friendly wilderness experiences.
*Worthwhile Reading: The Great Migration & The Benefits Of Every Season
If you’re looking to take your family to experience the Great Migration we suggest travelling between July and October. During that time one of our favourite locations in the mighty Serengeti is Lamai Serengeti, it is a family-friendly lodge that sits nestled amongst the rocks of Kogakuria Kopje (‘kopje is a small mountain) with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is only a few short miles from where the wildebeest cross the Mara River.
The famed Ngorongoro Crater (a UNESCO-listed crater) is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Surrounded by verdant highlands, this intact volcanic caldera (said to be the largest in the world) is a prolific game viewing location making for special sightings of the Big Five and a proliferation of lesser game. There are various lodge options and most offer a range of family-friendly activities.
Kenya: For Those Who Want To See Wildebeest River Crossings
There are of course similarities between neighbours Kenya and Tanzania – both countries share a border and have an Indian Ocean coastline.
During different times of the year, they also both play host to the great migration. It is however on the Mara River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara where you have the chance to see thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River in an unforgettable all-sensory spectacular.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for discerning visitors for whom this is perhaps not their first visit to Africa. In addition, Kenya offers the traveller a large variety of beach and bush options – from the pristine white sandy beaches of the East Coast to the free roaming wildlife in its 45 reserves. While the Maasai Mara is the flagship, there are various smaller reserves featuring premium boutique lodges.
Let us tailor a combination trip taking in all the best sites for you. Email us now for a quote.
Zanzibar: For Diving
Looking to explore the underwater treasures of tropical Africa? Whether you’re an experienced diver or first time snorkeler – Zanzibar is for you.
This island paradise off the coast of Tanzania offers a range of accommodation options most with specialised dive centres with access to spectacular coral reefs.
One of our favourites for diving and snorkelling is Sunshine Marine Lodge on the North end of the island. Sunshine Marine Lodge is situated in the north of the island and is the closest lodge to the Mnemba Atoll. The lodge has its own fully-equipped dive centre (called Dive Point) and it is the ideal place for anyone who wants to experience the best snorkelling and diving Zanzibar has to offer.
Find out why we believe Zanzibar is the ideal honeymoon and adventure location here.
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Mozambique: For A Romantic Getaway
There are a host of premium, idyllic lodges in Mozambique offering seclusion, white, palm-fringed beaches and turquoise-blue waters.
Many lodges cater particularly to couples and offer specialized romantic experiences, such as a shore lunch (or as often referred to as a ‘castaway picnic) after a dhow cruise in the pristine marine ecosystem of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.
Depending on the prevailing weather conditions (and tide) location options range from the dunes of South Point Bazaruto to the sand spit of North Point Benguerra. The best time to visit the area, and feel as though you have your own island and indulge in a decadent picnic set, is the dry season (June to October).
Zambia: For The Adventure Seeker
For its range of adventure activities (in wild places), Zambia is arguably Africa’s leading adventure and extreme-sports destination.
Adventure activities centre around the mighty Zambezi River, most accessible near Livingstone in the Victoria Falls area.
Choose from bungee jumping, white water river rafting or fishing for the famed tigerfish. In addition, the game-viewing options Zambia’s wilderness areas also offer a variety of options for adrenaline seekers. For sheer wilderness, we recommend combining game-viewing with fishing in the Lower Zambezi region.
It is renowned as one of Africa’s most thrilling safari regions and game viewing from canoes gives the adventurous traveller a very personal interaction with this incredible ecosystem.
*Worthwhile Reading: Zambia’s Most Authentic Safaris
Aside from canoe safaris, many come to Zambia for its range of walking safari options, such as at Jeffrey & McKeith Safaris. Jeffrey & McKeith is a small, owner-run company based in the Kafue National Park. Kafue is the biggest national park in Zambia and thanks to its size both Musekese and Ntemwa-Busanga, their two camps, offer a remote safari experience unlike any other in Africa.
For a tailor made experience in Zambia, click here.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: For Bird Watchers
The Okavango Delta has so much to offer. It’s a wildly diverse ecosystem that attracts a range of animals and birds.
Birders return year after year to tick specials from the 400-strong bird list in particular looking for water-loving species and waders.
The prime birding season is the Green Season , during the December summer rains.
*Worthwhile Reading: Secrets Of The Green Season
The rains down here are characterised by heavy showers and thunderstorms, intersperse with breaches of sunshine.
The best way to experience the birding (and bigger-game viewing) is to be poled through the papyrus-lined channels in a mokoro (dugout canoe) by an experienced guide.
To say we were blown away by our Botswana experience would be the understatement of the year. Heavenly!
“To say we were blown away by our Botswana experience would be the understatement of the year. Heavenly! Botswana is not only a place, but a feeling. The forever memories we made, and the people we met we will carry with us for a lifetime. Thank you for a remarkable honeymoon, it was everything we dreamed it would be and more.
Sean, thank you to you for putting together a trip of a lifetime for us. From the minute we contacted Wild & Isle for a quote to the final day of our trip, you were only a text away, always professional and happy to assist. You had a brilliant understanding of what we were looking for and we really appreciate all of the advice, effort and the time you took in putting together this fantastic trip for us. It was everything we had hoped for.
Thank you for ensuring each lodge knew we were celebrating our long awaited honeymoon, the private lunches and bubbles were so special to us! The lovely honeymoon suite you organised at Chobe Game Lodge and the kind note was much appreciated too. Your service was outstanding and we hope this is the first of many trips we book with you and Wild and Isle”.
Sabi Sands, South Africa: For Luxury Game Viewing
The Sabi Sand Private Game reserve shares a fenceless border with the Kruger National Park. It was the first-ever private nature reserve established in South Africa and is today home to the country’s most luxurious safari lodges.
This spectacular reserve offers exceptional game viewing opportunities including the renowned Big Five. Gaming viewing is done from open Land Rovers by highly trained guides with the focus on premium luxury client satisfaction.
