A safari is definitely one of the most exciting family getaways you can choose. Filled with adventure, wildlife, education, and even relaxation it’s a perfect break from daily life. There are many excellent options for school holiday safaris in Africa. Below are just a couple of country ideas and what they might offer for a family looking for a safari holiday.

Kenya

Kenya is a superb safari destination for families with younger children. When you think of Africa images of huge, beaming red sunsets, rolling plains and iconic wildlife all come to mind and you’ll find all of these in Kenya. Many lodges are family orientated here and have staff specially trained in working with children. You could have your own private vehicle for game drives and children can get involved in lots of extra activities such as learning to become a Maasai warrior, baking animal biscuits and bug safaris! Kenya also has a superb coastline with some excellent family hotels, ideal for relaxing in after your days in the bush.

Rwanda and Uganda

Most people visit to see the mountain gorillas, our closest living relatives, that live deep in the forest. Finding them can involve some fairly serious hiking through the rain forest, so you need to be fairly fit and in good health to take this kind of holiday. When you spot them it’s an incredibly rewarding experience, watching as the tiny ones play with one another under the watchful eye of the magnificent silverback. There’s also opportunities for you meet local people, find other primates (including chimps!), go birding, take boat cruises, climb volcanos, find waterfalls and visit various community projects including hospitals, orphanages and coffee cooperatives. Children under 15 are not allowed to trek the gorillas and so this kind of holiday is best suited to an active family with older children.

South Africa

Malaria-free reserves in South Africa make it a popular choice for families who don’t want to give their younger children medication. Both accommodation and wildlife in these reserves are fantastic. You’ll see lots of game, accompanied by an experienced, specialist guide. This is undoubtedly an extremely educational experience, as well as an enjoyable one. South Africa is an incredibly diverse country so there’s more to do than just safaris. Explore the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, relive history at the sites of the Anglo-Zulu battles, go whale watching or even look for meerkats in the desert.