African Travel's 10 Favorite Family Safari Camps

African Travel's 10 Favorite Family Safari Camps
African Travel has been working with families traveling to Africa for decades and wants to let you know about the best in family camps in Africa. The following lists some of African Travel's favorites and have great family accommodations, entertaining kids' activities and offer an overall outstanding experience for kids and adults alike and many are in malaria-free regions. African Travel can create a custom package ideally suited for your family that includes one of these fabulous family camps.

Here are African Travel's Top Picks (in alphabetical order):

Camp Jabulani's Zindoga Villa, South Africa

The Zindoga Villa is Camp Jabulani's most recent addition (end of 2009), and has been designed for the guest who prefers the more exclusive touch, for the smaller group, or for the family traveller with younger children.

The Villa is a mammoth 424m2, with an additional 225m2 of wooden decking overlooking the wild African bush.

A completely self-contained facility, the Zindoga Villa is a palatial replica of Camp Jabulani's style and elemental premise. Two individual suites are connected by a joint lounge and dining area. Each unit has a massive bedroom with bathroom en-suite (including glass enclosed shower), expansive wooden deck, and a private heated plunge pool. One of the suites also has a charming twin room, with private bathroom, for two children sharing. The suites are separated by an interleading door. The Zindoga Villa has wireless internet connectivity throughout for those who need to be connected to business or home, and is serviced by its own dedicated team - including ranger (and private vehicle), chef and butler. Elegance, grand open spaces, luxurious finishes, and a harmonious union with the African wild are the order of the day.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa (pictured above)

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is situated half an hour outside of Hermanus, on the Fynbos and forest clad hills, overlooking the whale watching haven of Walker bay and Gansbaai. The two hour drive from Cape Town provides for a spectacular scenic route along the Cape Whale Coast and gives you the opportunity to stop in Betty's Bay to view one of the last breeding colonies of the African Penguin. With its 5-star luxury accommodation, scenic beauty, unique flowers and abundant marine life, Grootbos truly provides everything the Garden Route and Western Cape have to offer.

Jaci's Lodge, South Africa

Jaci's provides the opportunity for the perfect family safari as well as introducing children to the wonders and enjoyment of the African bushveld. Children of all ages are welcome at Jaci's and are especially catered for.

Lewa Wilderness Camp, Kenya

The Lodge comprises nine well-separated, thatched cottages. Beautifully decorated, the cottages all have adjoining bathroom facilities, a fireplace and veranda. The dining room at the lodge serves wholesome, organically grown produce. Most guests opt to dine outdoors. There is a comfortable lounge as well as a tennis court and a salt-water pool.

Madikwe Safari Lodge, South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest Big Five game reserves. Set in a malaria-free area near the border with Botswana, the 76 000 hectare (187 800 acre) reserve supports a diverse combination of bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari.

Mala Mala Main Camp, South Africa

Mala Mala Main Camp is the ideal family destination. Welcoming children of all ages, youngsters are able to participate in a holistic program tailored to suit their needs. According to the staff at Mala Mala, “With this program we intend to entertain children, but at the same time to educate them about the bush and the wildlife we share our lives with.” Children will always be under the supervision of a responsible ranger while on the program, whether within the confines of the camp, or out in the bush. The program is geared to children aged 12 years and under. Activities will depend on the time of the year and the number of days the children are in camp. On arrival, the ranger looking after the family will assess the enthusiasm and level of independence of the children, and in collaboration with the parents and guardians, various activities will be designed to fill their next few days in the bush.

Mara Intrepids, Kenya

Few places on earth can rival the setting of Heritage Hotels' Mara Intrepids on the vast savannah grasslands of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Offering many activities for children, the Heritage Hotels' Adventurers' Club is Africa's favorite children's safari club, providing a unique close encounter with the African wilderness – and some of the world's oldest tribal cultures. The Adventurers' Club is offered to children between the ages 4-12. The aim of the Club is to offer young safari goers an outdoor hands-on educational program and help children appreciate nature and hence the need to conserve it, taking care of the land, the wildlife and its people. Above all, the Adventurers' Club ensures that all their safari programs are not just instructive and safe, but great old-fashioned fun!

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, South Africa

For decades Bush Lodge has been Sabi Sabi's flagship lodge, famed for its warmth, vibrancy and legendary hospitality. A favourite amongst travellers in search of luxury accommodation, Bush Lodge is a luxurious safari escape set in the heart of the Sabi Sabi bushveld overlooking a waterhole and an African plain.

Shamwari Riverdene Lodge, South Africa

The colonial-style, Riverdene Lodge with nine inter-leading luxury rooms, rim flow pool, supervised playroom, spacious green lawns and jungle gym facility ensures entertainment for the whole family. Rooms are fully air-conditioned; all feature television, telephone and small lounge area, en-suite sandstone bathroom and private balconies leading onto the landscaped gardens. There are two elegantly furnished casual lounges as well as a magnificent rim flow swimming pool to entice guests to relax and restore their energy. The lounge opens onto an outdoor barbeque area.

Tongabezi Tangala House, Zambia

Tangala House is a luxurious family home on the banks of the Zambezi River. This exclusive, private vacation home for you and your family has four bedrooms, three with ensuite bathrooms, and a private swimming pool. Stylishly designed and furnished, it was featured in House and Garden magazine in the UK and comes with a vehicle and boat, chef, waiters and private guide - all courtesy of Tongabezi. Ideal for a Zambia family safari, Tangala House sleeps up to eight and has a children's playroom and a spacious kitchen-dining room. The rooms are enclosed, with large glass fitted windows to keep out the insects and allow guests to enjoy magnificent views across the Zambezi. Over 145 species of birds have been spotted from the kitchen window; elephant herds can often be seen drinking on the opposite bank. The Tangala House provides a truly exceptional family Africa experience.

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With over 35 years providing authentic African experiences, African Travel knows all the options to ensure a wonderful custom wildlife adventure to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia including Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania including Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda including gorilla trekking, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt and Dubai.

African Travel, Inc. was recently nominated by Travel Weekly in their 2010 Readers' Choice Awards as a Top Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter in Travel+Leisure's World's Best Awards. African Travel, Inc. is part of The Travel Corporation, which also includes Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, Lion World Tours, Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

For more information and reservations, Contact your local Travel Agent or call African Travel at (800) 421-8907 or visit www.africantravelinc.com.