Africa bucket list experiences for families

A family safari holiday with bucket list experiences has never looked more appealing. From paddling with African penguins, to visiting the Victoria Falls, our Family Travel Specialists have put forward a range of Africa bucket list experiences for families seeking an unforgettable getaway with their loved ones. Our LuxVenture® Designers are on hand to collaborate with you to ensure that your itinerary is customized to suit each family member’s unique interests and travel requirements.

East Africa’s revered Great Wildebeest Migration has ranked on travelers bucket lists year after year. The African continent, however, has another migration – and it’s in Botswana. An incredible sight to see, the Makgadikgadi Nxai Pan National Park sets the scene for the world’s second largest zebra migration each year. This spectacular wildlife phenomenon sees approximately 25,000 – 30,000 plains zebras journey from Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the nutrient dense salt pans in search of fresh grazing. The zebras are the plans zebras but formerly known as Burchell’s zebras and travel around 1,000kms or 621 miles every year.

This usually takes place form May to November each year and the Zebra start in the north of this game rich country and move towards the Kalahari Desert. They should reach Makgadikgadi in January. The migration is triggered by the start of the rains at the end of the year and they move from the dry-season water.

Located on the western edge of the pan, the family-friendly Nxai Pan Camp overlooks the open grasslands and gives you front row seats to the mega-herds of zebra each year. This lodge offers great seasonal game-viewing. Guests can see zebra, wildebeest, springbok, gemsbok and of course many predators including lion, cheetah, hyena (both brown and spotted) plus bat eared fox.

Overlooking Cape Town’s famous Boulders Beach, Tintswalo at Boulders offers families a seaside escape in the charming suburb of Simon’s Town. The star attraction is undoubtedly the colony of African penguins right on the property’s doorstep. This area is a stunning year-round destination and is considered one of the best places in the world to see penguins in the wild.

The popular tourist spot became a colony when they started to settle here in 1982 and it does form part of the famous Table Mountain National Park. These penguins are only found on the coastlines of Southern Africa and Namibia. You and your family can visit any time of year but we do recommend the best months from October to March.

While most are happy to watch the penguins frolic on the shores of Boulders Beach, we recommend taking to the water for a 2-hour paddle alongside Cape Town’s feathered-friends, as they head out to their fishing grounds. Accompanied by a qualified marine biologist, the sea kayak experience combines adventure, education and conservation for families traveling with children 16 years and older.

Ideally situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, The Anantara Royal Livingstone gives guests direct access to one of the Natural Wonders of the World – the mighty Victoria Falls. Here, you can wake up to the sight of zebras grazing on the hotel grounds, picnic under the shade of monkey trees, and choose from an array of Africa bucket list worthy experiences. An experience not to be missed is having a sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River. There are a variety of luxurious cruises and this is one of the best ways to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Zambezi River. Also offers great photographic opportunities.

We recommend this luxury 173-bedroomed 5* resort as it provides direct access to Victoria Falls between 06h00 and 18h00 daily with the falls being just a five-minute easy stroll for you and your loved ones. The perfect location alongside the Zambezi River, there is definitely unrivalled sunsets.

For families traveling with children, we recommend lodges that engage our youngest clients with Junior Ranger Programmes. From treasure hunts and spoor identification to bush walks and bumble drives, kids can enjoy fun-filled activities that teach them the importance of caring for our wildlife and environment. Usually each programme is tailored to the age group and Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge has a junior tracker program for ages 4-8 and then 9-12.  The children will love to receive certificates at the end of their stay which shows that they have become certified junior rangers. This lodge has been proudly welcoming families for over 40 years and they know how important little people are in our lives.

Some of the activities can include:
+ learning facts about the game reserve

+ exciting outdoor adventures

+ nature walks

+ identify animal tracks

+ learn how to read a map

+ name different birds

+ learn bush survival skills

The programmes are great as they aim to inspire kids with a love for animals and nature. These are always complimentary activities and how to protect nature for the future generations. Ker & Downey® Africa carefully choses properties that offer fantastic junior rangers programmes.

Finding the perfect family lodge for an Africa bucket list safari that keeps children of all ages occupied can be tricky, that is why you need to entrust your family safari with the professionals like Ker & Downey® Africa.

A visit at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a must for all families traveling to Kenya on an Africa bucket list safari. It was established in 1977 and is a wonderful and educational experience for the entire family. The Trust operates the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world, and has successfully raised 262 elephant orphans and 17 rhino orphans to date.

Located in Nairobi National Park, you and your family can visit the orphanage from 11 to noon each day. Here, you can meet the keepers and listen to stories of the orphans while they play, enjoy a mud bath and drink their milk. The attendants know every elephant by name and provide you and the family with fascinating insights.  You will also have the opportunity to learn about the threats facing elephants, why there are orphans, and the work being done by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to protect wildlife in Kenya.

This is an excellent and highly recommended way to start your safari.

Note: For as little as US$50 a year, you can foster an orphan elephant, rhino or giraffe.

Ready to start planning your family safari? Get in touch with our team who will help create a bucket list worthy itinerary just for you.