Easter is a wonderful time to visit our favourite continent and with a handy school holiday in the mix, it’s an even better time to bring the kids. It might be a bit late to travel this year, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of forward-planning to get you the best deals for next Easter. So, what are you waiting for? Swap April showers for an April sojourn and get stuck into our favourite family friendly safaris and destinations across Africa. We’ve heard the Easter Bunny (or maybe that’s an African scrub hare in these parts?) might even make an appearance…
Safari in Madikwe
South Africa
Never far from the top of the family friendly safaris list, what makes Madikwe so great for an adventure en famille? Where do we start! The stunning landscape supports a dazzling array of wildlife and the Big Five are present and correct, alongside African wild dog and cheetah. Activities are some of the most child-friendly on the continent – creepy-crawly bug walks and poo identification classes anyone? – as are the lodges themselves. On the practical side, the reserve is an hour’s flight from Johannesburg and, most importantly, is completely malaria-free. From toddlers to teenagers (and big kids of the adult variety) there really is something for everyone at Madikwe.
Sandwich your Madikwe safari with a few days in Cape Town and some time at the beach in Mauritius with our Take the Kids trip.
Self-drive in Namibia
Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha & Otjiwarongo
Safety is always a consideration when taking little ones long-haul, and Namibia tops our list of safe, family friendly safaris. More German than well… Germany, the entire country runs like clockwork and there’s a welcome smile around every corner. To top it off, roads are straight and well sign-posted (thank you again to our European friends) and there’s not a pothole in sight, making self-drive trips a breeze. And there won’t be a moment to get bored either: clamber up the magnificent dunes of Sossusvlei, spot the Big Five in Etosha, quad bike across the sand in Swakopmund and meet the cats at the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
Design your dream family trip starting with A Family Adventure in Namibia.
Take a green season safari in Zambia
South Luangwa & Victoria Falls
When little monsters become slightly older monsters, a whole new world of adventure opens up. Choose your lodges carefully and Zambia is fantastic for family friendly safaris year-round, but the ‘green season’ in the South Luangwa (November to April) is truly magical, with boat trips amid harrumphing hippo and meandering walks along the river bank (some age restrictions do apply) to entertain your young adventurers. Add even more spice to your safari with a visit to Vic Falls. April is ‘high water’ time and the Falls are at their show-stopping best, casting spray hundreds of metres into the air and drenching everything (and everyone!) in sight.
Have a look at our An Emerald Playground trip as a starting point for your family friendly safari.
Hop around Botswana
Victoria Falls, Chobe River & Okavango Delta
Botswana: Perhaps not the first destination that springs to mind for family friendly safaris, our handy tips and tricks might make you change your mind! Firstly, take advantage of April. Officially ‘shoulder season’, it’s wonderfully quiet, prices are cheaper and the weather is dreamy. Animals are beginning to congregate around the Chobe River and in the Delta, the water is beginning to rise making for some quite spectacular game-viewing. Lodges in Botswana are superb and many have swimming pools (lifesavers for siesta-time entertainment), kiddie’s menus and special child-friendly activities and let’s not forget about the Meerkats. Give it a shot and we promise you won’t be disappointed.
Our trip This One’s for the Whole Family is a good starting point, then mix and match to keep everybody happy! We know it can be difficult to please everyone..
Explore the Garden Route
South Africa
The perfect family road trip. April in South Africa is blissful with clear, sunny days, crisp mornings balmy evenings. The perfect time then to take on a self-drive trip of the Garden Route. ‘Cram the kids into a car? Are you crazy!’ we hear you cry… But this isn’t any old driving holiday – the Garden Route is home to a plethora of different places and experiences that kids will love, from safari parks and seaside towns to high-voltage outdoor activities to keep the most fidgety entertained (tree-swinging through the Tsitsikamma forest springs to mind…). Driving distances are short and you’re in control of how much time you spend in the car. Ideal.
Inspiration for a Garden Route trip could start with Hit the Road.
Chill out in the Seychelles
Children in the Seychelles? Yes, it can be done, we promise! The islands might have quite a reputation for honeymooning lovebirds but in recent years a host of resorts and hotels have popped up that are rather more child-friendly. At the Four Seasons Seychelles, there’s a designated kid’s area complete with swimming pool, expansive gardens, tire swings and even sea turtles, whilst at Constance Lemuria younger guests can take part in walking explorations of the island, cooking classes and craft making. And did we mention that the weather is pretty damn good in April too?
Combined with a safari, South Africa’s Bush and Beach itinerary becomes the ultimate Easter trip!
