Family Safari Holidays are my favourite way of travelling together as a family. There is simply so much to do – which is also away from the social media that has dominated our children’s lives!

Each year I take my own family on two safaris a year – this year it was a riding holiday and a luxury safari in South Africa – ending up in Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay.  Mozambique is a great country to end up at for the coast – gorgeous waters of 30 degrees celsius, amazing snorkelling and we have found a first class lodge which caters really beautifull for younger children – which is owner managed.

Family Safari Holidays with AfricanExplorations.com

Last year it was Kenya – doing a camel trekking safari, doing a riding safari, then spending some time in the Masai Mara at a wonderful tented camp where the owner has his own children – and then ending up on the coast.  We have a handful of places which we use for our famillies which are sensational! They range from a private villa in Lamu complete with private skipper who can take you out snorkelling and sailing around different islands each day – to a lovely Robinson Crusoe-esque place which is family owned and they have more watersports facilities than one can shake a stick at – and that is also based in Lamu. We have some places in Kiwayu which are sensational – notably one where there is fabulous deep sea and fly fishing, great snorkelling, windsurfing, laser sailing and water skiing.  At certain times of year you can go swimming with the dolphins which is simply amazing! I did it this year! Next year we are going back to Madagascar which is great for children – you can take a catamaran for several days around the islands!

Family Safari Holidays with AfricanExplorations.com

Botswana is superb – and a couple of the camps have a special programme for children – and we can arrange a private mobile tented camp which means its a camp that moves and only your family stays there. Go quad biking on the salt pans of the Kalahari desert – learn to fish in the Okavango Delta – learn how to read the stars as well as the footprints of the animals on the sand. Zambia is great – and you can combine it with the Lake of Malawi where one can take a catamaran or simply go sailing .

Family Safari Holidays with AfricanExplorations.com

Then we have Tanzania, which you can team up with either Zanzibar or Unguja or Mafia Island, go snorkelling, diving, dolphining, kite surfing and wakeboarding – just to name a few activities on offer!

Luxury camping is an easy thing to achieve in Africa these days – in fact – we arrange luxury camping simply everywhere in Africa – from Botswana and Zambia to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

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Luxury camping desert with AfricanExplorations.com

This is often the very best way to get really close to wildlife – specifically with an encounter such as the wildebeest migration which occurs for three months of the year in Kenya and Tanzania. Many famillies and groups of friends prefer total exclusivity and want to be by themselves with their own private vehicle and guide and their own space – this allows complete freedom and flexibility. This all comes from having a private, mobile luxury camp. These camps can be erected almost anywhere within reason – close to excellent wildlife locations – we have placed camps close to hyaena or wild dog dens when the animals have had pups, or even close to a nest of a Shoebill Stork – so nothing is too much of a challenge for us!

Luxury Camping safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

A great contrast to having a camp in a wildlife area, such as the Okavango Delta in Botswana – is to have a luxury camp erected in the desert. Here we can offer tremendous luxury camping in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa, the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and the Namib Desert in Namibia. In Namibia – the Namib Desert is home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world, while the reason to visit the Kalahari desert is to see desert adapted species such as the brown hyaena, meerkats, oryx and springbok as well as exploring the salt pans by quad bike and learning about the San or bushman culture. Either way, these are some of the finest safaris in Africa!

Luxury Camping Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

In terms of accommodation, the private camps have their own en suite bucket shower with lots of hot water and  loos and  and some camps even have persian rugs in the tents and tables complete with candelabra and silver cutlery – it all depends upon how grand you would like it to be!

I really don’t think there is any other way of undertaking a safari these days with complete success unless it is entirely bespoke, which is exactly what we do at African Explorations.

Bespoke Safaris from AfricanExplorations.com

In order to ensure the perfect success of a safari, one has to really understand what makes that person tick – the sort of accommodation they would most enjoy – from a luxurious lodge complete with butler service, to a  small, intimate permanent lodge or tented camp in a beautiful location, to a private mobile tented camp erected purely for you. Then if you would require a private guide to accompany you throughout your safari – and if so, we must ensure they match your personality – then we need to include any particular hobbies or interests that you may have. Perhaps scientific – in which case we would arrange for you to accompany a lion scientist, or go out with an elephant specialist, or a wild dog specialist. Perhaps you might be interested in photography, in which case we would select a guide or camp which facilitates just this – camps that provide bean bags and special platforms for your camera – some camps even have a media room – and then one can even join a specialist photographic safari. You might be a keen birdwatcher, in which case we might even place you on a special Shoebill stork safari.

Bespoke Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

It may be a wonderful family safari – in which case we would listen carefully to the interests of your children and match them – sending them to places which offered perhaps a private villa complete with skipper and private boat – or a luxury Robinson Crusoe styled place with more watersports than ever imagined!  We can arrange for you to spend a day with a Samburu or Maasai warrior, learning about their culture – or even visit a school. You may be a rider travelling with a non rider – that is easily arranged, too! You might want to sail at the end of your safari – just say the word! Perhaps you simply want something completely luxurious and utterly romantic – we have all the places at our fingertips! Whatever it is you wish to do – we can tailor it to you – perfectly! Bespoke Safaris are, after all, just what we’re about!

Many people don’t really associate sailing holidays with Africa, but in fact, either as a stand alone holiday or an addition to a safari, we can think of nothing nicer!

The best countries to go sailing in africa, are Malawi – on Lake Malawi, where one can either stay at a beautiful, small lodge and laser sail and catamaran each day or even take the catamaran out and sail around the lake for a week, or the Seychelles, where we can arrange for you to board a catamaran for a few nights to a week in Praslin, or charter a yacht around the shores.

Saling in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Tanzania is also fantastic and many people who dont want to spend a full week on the beach, will opt to spend time on a boat instead, snorkelling and scuba diving and stopping off at different islands along the coast.

One of the most romantic boat journeys is by Arab Dhow along the Kenyan coast, dining on lobster and crab during the evening.

Sailing in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Take a catamaran around Nosy Be and across the ocean in Madagascar, where some of the most powdery white beaches await you when docking.

Sailing in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

We can also provide boat charters in South Africa and the Maldives.

Malawi is one of our favourite countries – its offers simply everything, in my opinion. Unrivalled scenery (especially on the Nyika plateau and on Lake Malawi), incredibly warm and friendly people, interesting places to visit, mountains to climb, the best birdlife in Africa, over 80 species of wild orchid on the Nyika plateau, fantastic elephant and hippo on the Shire River in Liwonde National Park!

Luxury Camping Malawi with AfricanExplorations.com

One can either have luxury camping in Malawi by having a private, luxury mobile tented safari just for your party -whether two or more – and traverse from the Vwaza to Nyika and Liwonde or stay at a luxury tented camp such as the new and beautiful Mkulumadzi Lodge in the Majete Wildlife Reserve. Majete is one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation in an area of over 70 000 hectares, part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. One has the  chance to view many species including black rhino, elephant, buffalo, eland, kudu, sable, suni, klipspringer, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest and zebra.

Luxury Camping Malawi with AfricanExplorations.com

One can then off at the beautiful Kaya Mawa on Lake Malawi, which is heaven itself! Few places can be as special or as pampering as this – with a rocky promontory overlooking the azure waters of the lake.  This safari is for the traveller who has been several times to Africa and is looking for something genuine, authentic, charming and different – and Malawi offers all of this and more! Don’t wait to explore this magnificent and beguiling country!

Kaya Mawa with AfricanExplorations.com

Of all the safaris that one can undertake, I think family safaris must top the list. Simply because there is something wonderful to view life through the eye’s of a child – unlike our vision which tends to be hugely corrupted by cynicism and a variety of other preconceived ideas! To see the wonderment and joy as a child witnesses an entirely new world all around it, new experiences mounting on a daily basis is so incredibly rewarding. It is both profound and simple and entirely pleasurable! I have been taking my daughter on safari every year since she was literally a couple of years old and what is the most important aspect is the equal dose of wildlife and culture.  In addition, one must have a top notch and sympathetic guide. So often, one comes across a truly fantastic guide, who simply isn’t child friendly. This is not their fault. They simply have not had much access to children, invariably they are quite young and they are often focussed on conservation and science. This results in information being proffered to the parents at a scientific level and the child is not engaged at all. Sadly, this is the death knell for taking children on safari (and happens with huge regularity), as the child becomes completely bored! Therefore, a superb and child friendly guide is crucial to the success of any safari. Depending upon the age of the child, one can also have the most wonderful safaris in non malarial areas, both in Kenya and in South Africa in particular.

Family Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

In East Africa particularly, the tribes have the most arresting traditional dress which children always love and they are taught how to make bows and arrows, how to recognise the spoormarks or the prints of animals in the sand, making plaster of paris imprints, teaching them about the night sky and the medicinal properties of plants and trees and the folklore that is attached to them. A safari is also an incredibly bonding form of holiday, where the entire family spends quality time together.

Family Safaris in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Forget all the modern technology, ds’, mp3 players, dvd players, i-pods and all the electronic modern gadgets enlisted to keep your children ‘occupied’. Here, they have something real which is educational and fun with a value which far exceeds anything that could be obtained through the modern medium.Perhaps go on a camel trek safari for a few days with the local Samburu tribe, or sleep out beneath the stars, or in a treehouse. Horse ride and fish or simply learn what it is like to have an uncomplicated yet exciting and simple lifestyle.  Sail on a catamaran around Madagascar or Lake Malawi or Tanzania,  end up on a beach and do some kite surfing in Kenya or Tanzania. It simply doesn’t get better than this! But the best thing of all, is when even the most jaded and widely travelled traveller returns, saying  it is the holiday of their lifetime!

Luxury Safari in Africa- There can be few dreams realised like a luxury safari in Africa. This, surely, must be the ultimate holiday that anybody could ever dream of going on!

Luxury comes in many guises and as the famous HSBC advert that one sees plastered all over airport walls in Africa and Europe alike, aludes to, is that each person’s idea of heaven and hell come in equal quantities and have different meanings!

Beho Beho with AfricanExplorations.com

For some, an idea of heaven, is having the most amazing wildlife viewing perhaps in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and then returning to a hugely luxurious lodge, where fresh roses are flown in daily to be placed next to your bath, which has views over the Crater floor, a chandelier above your head and a butler who waits upon you, even filling your bath so you can simply step into it when returning from your safari.

Abu's Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

For others, it is having a private camp erected just for the two of you, or perhaps even your family in the middle of the Serengeti or the Masai Mara, during the wildebeest migration, with millions of animals around you. Or going one step further, perhaps in the Katavi National Park, where you have a flycamp erected for just the two of you and your guide and staff, sleeping beneath the stars at night and showering beneath the southern cross!

Again, for others, it might well be having a truly sensational private guide to accompany you throughout your safari, explaining every detail to you and perhaps even be flying you in their own private aircraft, which means that no time is wasted and you can do some wonderful game spotting on a low level flight!

Luxury Safari in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Perhaps it is taking a hot air balloon across the Namib Desert at first light, watching the colours change hue before you, the silence simply deafening! Or even taking a flying safari up the Skeleton Coast in Namibia which is about the best thing you can ever do in this country!

Chada Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

For others again, perhaps in Kenya, to have your own private villa in Laikipia and finish off with a private villa in Lamu. Or take Prince William’s route, of staying at a rustic log cabin at the foothills of Mount Kenya, accessible only by helicopter.

Travel on horseback through the Okavango Delta, or even on an  elephant back safari in Botswana. Whatever your idea of luxury is, we have the expertise and the passion to fulfil your dreams!

Luxury Safari in Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Sailing trip Africa – This is a very different way to see Africa! I love sailing along the African coastline, whether it is in an old fashioned, Arab dhow, sailing from island to island, fishing along the way and sleeping beneath the stars or taking a schooner from Tanzania to Mozambique!

Sailing trip Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

Sailing comes in many guises for us. We have lots of really gorgeous catamarans and yachts in Madagascar where one can sail from Nosy Be to the various islands, snorkelling and diving en route (this is the best way of exploring this beautiful coastline) and then we also have them on the East African coastline in Tanzania where one can snorkel and dive and fish, which is the perfect antidote to a family with teenage children who love to be active! Equally, the parents can sit and relax in the sun if they wish, or they can participate in skippering. There is also some excellent sea kayaking along the coastline.

Sailing Holidays on Lake Malawi with AfricanExplorations.com

In Malawi, there is a wonderful catamaran on Lake Malawi to explore the islands on the Lake and there is a super, down to earth, family owned  little lodge which has laser sailing boats amongst a host of dinghys and windsurfers etc, for the sailing enthusiastic family. There is also snorkelling and diving here. Equally, there is tremendous canoeing along the lake and a lovely camp to base yourself at.

Sailing Holidays Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

In the Seychelles, we have some gorgeous yachts that you can board for a a few days to a week, which is the best way of exploring these islands. Start off on terra firma, staying at a lodge in Praslin before being collected and sailing off into the sunset!

Sailing Africa with AfricanExplorations.com

In Zimbabwe, we arrange from three night to a week canoe trails on the Zambezi,  some going as far afield to Mozambique, all guided by a professional guide and again, we have a super sea kayaking adventure from one of the islands in Mozambique taking in anything from three to ten days, snorkelling and scuba diving and fishing. In Botswana, one can take a mokoro trail (a wooden dug out canoe) for three to ten days, exploring the Okavango Delta. The options are endless!

Luxury African Safaris – These are the sort of safaris that we arrange extremely well. But what is the definition of luxury? Well, to some, it is to have a large tented camp, with en suite bathroom facilities, complete with hot water from a bucket shower beneath the stars. To others, it is enjoying a chilled glass of wine for sundowners, whilst looking out over a lake filled with hippos cavorting and grunting.

Shompole with AfricanExplorations.com

Jacks Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

To others, it is the more definite sense of the word, staying in a design inspired lodge with the finest Frette linen, perhaps a private plunge pool, on call butler service so that when you return from a game drive, your steaming bath already awaits you. For others still, it is not being blighted by other people  and therefore having your own private air charter to whisk you to each place, your own private 4 x 4 vehicle and specialist guide. Definitely having a pristine game viewing experience all to yourself must also be categorised as luxury!

Luxury African Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

Whatever your idea of luxury may be, let us at African Explorations realise your dreams for you – the only  limit is the realm of your imagination!

African Safari Holidays – The very best kind of holiday imaginable! I spoke about African safaris in my last blog, dated 02nd November, so do have a look at that, as it really covers exactly how one feels when travelling on an African safari and why I think its the best holiday that anyone can ever travel upon! What I didn’t go into, however, was the sort of accommodation that one can choose whilst on safari, or the various ways in terms of guiding, that one can undertake. In some countries, i have friends of mine who are some of the most amazing guides, who have their own aircraft and are ace pilots. They will both guide and fly you to each of your camps. This is particularly good if travelling to far flung camps. Your guide will arrive at camp with you and guide you in the open 4 x 4 vehicles when you are on safari.

Sand Rivers Selous with AfricanExplorations.com

A lot of our clients are really interested in photography these days. We can arrange for anything from joining a dedicated photographic safari where much time and information is dedicated to the technical aspects (as well as the artistry) of taking an excellent photograph. This is wonderful as it is a skill you will keep for life! There are even art safaris where you can join artists and paint or draw and the same principle applies. Having a private guide when there is a party of four or more often makes a lot of sense. Firstly, you are having the finest knowledge shared with you, you develop a rapport with your guide and invariably become firm friends! In addition, there is continuity – so no sharing a vehicle with other people and having to come back to the camp or lodge because of meals and no having to pander to other peoples interests (lovely if you share them, not so great if you don’t!) . There is flexibility and the continuity I mention comes from travelling to each place, knowing what you have seen before and comparing notes, rather than being asked the same questions or being given the same information many times over. Tedious even for the most ardent wildlife enthusiast! Yes, it costs more money, but safaris as never cheap and you may as well do it properly the first time around! There is also no value that one can place on the difference of having a good safari and a truly sublime safari!

African Safari Holidays with AfricanExplorations.com

Richard's Camp Masai Mara with AfricanExplorations.com

Lastly, one can either stay in a tented camp or a designer lodge, depending upon one’s comfort and taste (and budget!), OR – and again for parties of four or more, have a private camp erected just for you. This really is the ultimate and can be done as plainly or as stylishly as your budget will allow! However, we dont compromise on the guides and a basic level of comfort! Here a camp is set up in the best wildlife viewing areas – particularly important in all countries, but especially at the time of the wildebeest migration, which occurs in Kenya and Tanzania, when 1.5 million wildebeest and 500 000 zebra and a multitude of predators congregate on the plains of the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem! But, best of all, talk to us! We all come from Africa, have a passion for the continent, its wildlife and its people – and to be honest, nobody knows it like we do!

Wolwedans Dune Lodge with AfricanExplorations.com