Drumbeat Winter 18

www . aardvarksafaris.co.uk l P8 Zambia : Activities range from bungee jumping and helicopter flips by Victoria Falls, to walking and canoeing in the Lower Zambezi National Park. No two days are the same and there’s prolific wildlife in quiet reserves. Home to some of Africa’s original private safari houses, wonderful bush camps, and fine guides, it’s a great choice for families with teenagers looking for a proper African adventure. Stay: Tongabezi, Chongwe River House, Mchenja Bush Camp. Kenya: The epitome of everything African, Kenya hosted the first real wildlife holidays and still draws more people to safari than any other country in Africa. For family safaris it’s a real delight with characterful owner-run camps, Masai and Samburu guides sharing an insight into their cultures, the great wildebeest migration, the Big Five and fabulous beach properties too. Stay: Borana Lodge, Offbeat Mara Camp, Kinondo Kwetu. South Africa: If it’s malaria-free you’re after then look no further. The Eastern Cape, Madikwe, and the Waterberg all tick that box. It’s where we started selling family safari holidays and is still up there with the best. Family run homesteads, luxury lodges and elegant private houses in exclusive wildlife areas guarantee fun safari holidays for all ages. Cape Town is a great add on at Christmas and Easter. Stay: Morukuru Owner’s House, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, Cape Grace. Botswana : Look further than the Okavango Delta – brilliant, but only part of Botswana’s delights – and you’ll be charmed by meerkats, get to ride quadbikes and walk with San Bushmen. Mobile safaris and sleep outs will have you talking for years to come, while equestrian families will be spoilt for choice on the riding safari front. Home to some of Africa’s most exclusive camps, exciting predator action and dense wildlife populations. Stay: Selinda Explorers, Kwara Camp, Jack’s Camp. Tanzania: You won’t ever travel far to encounter animals here. The southern parks of Selous or Ruaha will satisfy those after a really wild experience, choose the Serengeti for classic East African plains, or the Ngorongoro Crater for the most iconic of all African wildlife destinations. Classic tented camps and gorgeous private houses combine for a very special family holiday. Works brilliantly with some time on the beach in Zanzibar. Stay: Mkombe’s House, Kiba Point, Entamanu Ngorongoro, Breezes. Beach: Bush to beach in half a day is pretty standard from most safari destinations and definitely to be recommended. Whether you want a five star resort hotel or barefoot tropical island paradise we’ve something up our sleeves. Stay: Lemuria, Seychelles; Six Senses Laamu, Maldives; Azura Quilalea, Mozambique. We started planning family safari holidays pretty much from the inception of Aardvark Safaris in 1999. Back then a South African combination of Jaci’s Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve and Ant’s Nest in the Waterberg was one of ours, and our clients’, favourite safaris. Just as good today, it’s still a combination we love to sell but in the intervening 19 years a lot has changed in Africa and there are now dozens of lodges, private houses, and safari camps offering a warm welcome to families travelling together. Junior guiding programmes, specialist family guides, babysitting, minibeast safaris are all designed to add to the enjoyment. Here’s a quick round up of what you can find where: Go wild on a family safari