Experience — Who you are with
Camps that welcome children, and camps that — very deliberately — do not. The choice of country, region and lodge changes considerably depending on who you are travelling with.
Family safaris
An African safari with children works extraordinarily well when planned with intent — and not at all when not. The keys are choosing camps with a stated child policy (most have minimum ages and dedicated family programmes), choosing malaria-free reserves for younger children, and building an itinerary with shorter game drives, more swimming pool time, and the occasional cultural activity.
The most family-friendly destinations on the continent are the malaria-free reserves of South Africa (Madikwe, the Eastern Cape, Phinda) and the Botswana camps that operate dedicated children's programmes. Kenya, with its Maasai conservancies and accessible Mara, is also a strong second option.
Honeymoon safaris
The classic African honeymoon is two halves — a bush leg, a beach leg, with a short flight between. The most popular pairings are Kenya or Tanzania with Zanzibar or Mnemba; South Africa with Mozambique's Bazaruto or Quirimbas; Botswana with the Cape Winelands; Rwanda or Uganda with a remote Lake Kivu or Kenyan coast extension. Many camps offer free or significantly discounted accommodation for the second half of a honeymooning couple.
For travellers who do not want children at their table during dinner, a number of camps and reserves are adults-only by policy or by minimum age. The most exclusive private islands in Mozambique skew older, as do the boutique camps in Botswana's most remote concessions.
By traveller
Malaria-free South Africa (Madikwe, Eastern Cape, Phinda); dedicated family rooms or villas; shorter activities, pools, swing in the camp garden.
Botswana family programmes; Kenya conservancy stays with walking, riding and cultural activities; the South Luangwa walking trails for an adventurous teen.
"WILDchild" Eco-guide programmes pioneered in Botswana's Okavango; conservation programmes in Phinda; mobile camping; a Kilimanjaro climb add-on.
The bush-and-beach pairing. Most camps and lodges offer 50% discount or free accommodation for one partner; expect this to be quietly handled.
Several Mozambique islands; multiple remote Botswana camps; some of the more exclusive Cape Winelands estates.
The smaller, owner-run camps of Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the natural fit. Single-supplement policies vary; most operators waive them in shoulder seasons.
Countries to consider