Maija's Top 5 Bucket List Places for Family Travel in Africa

Any parent who has travelled with children – be it international, domestic, or even to the aquarium – will attest to the fact that it requires a whole new level of planning. As a parent and frequent traveller, I know how time consuming and complicated (but, for me, equally exciting) it can be to plan a holiday and all the intricacies you need to consider.

When I was named as a Travel + Leisure A-list Advisor and Family Safaris Expert, I was flattered and took a little time to reflect on it. How did I become someone people trust for family travel advice? And while I can confidently say that years of working with Go2Africa's Africa Safari Experts has given me incredible insight, I've learned the most while travelling with my family. There are always small elements you discover for yourself when it comes to African travel with your family.

My kids are now at an age where we can embark on even more exciting expeditions, which means I can share a few of our favourites so far – although that didn’t stop us from taking a newborn on safari!

There are a couple of destinations I would consider adding to the bucket list for family travel in Africa. I have also included some details on where we stayed and why we loved it so you can select the right place for your family.

Rubondo Island As A Family

If you think you've experienced a private island paradise, just wait until you see Rubdondo Island Camp, it's quite literally the only place to stay – unless, of course, you fancy a night spent sleeping al fresco under the stars. The island is fondly known as “Noah's Ark” simply due to its astounding natural beauty and diversity. It's also a national park.

For a relatively small place, there is plenty to see and do. As I have younger children, we didn't take part in the guided chimpanzee trekking experience but I would definitely recommend it to those with older teens (16 and up) and adult children. Instead, we enjoyed some really incredible game drives through the forest and the ‘plains'. These aren't the typical open-top game vehicles but kitted out Land Rovers that traverse the environment with ease. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount and diversity of game – including the likes of giraffe, elephants, rhinos, and hippos. The birding here is also incredibly rich.

We also partook in the Nile perch catch-and-release fishing experience which we all enjoyed. My dad, close to 80, was with us and fulfilled his long life dream of catching one of these beautiful fish with my son, his only grandson. Two options are available: head out on one of the boats or cast your line straight from the beach and rocks. As Lake Victoria houses some very large predatory species of fish that professional anglers fly in to wrangle, we opted to stay on land.

Sunset cruises and guided nature walks gave us the chance to enjoy a lot of quality time as a family, all while the kids tried to tick off sightings of the 300 odd birding species on the island. We all had a lot of fun and I was constantly reassured by the fact that there was only one camp in the area and the children could have a reasonable amount of freedom without stressing their parents out.

Looking away from organised activities, we spent a lot of time on the beach and by the swimming pool. In the evenings, we all gathered around the firepit and shared our best experiences from the day. We did our best to soak up the peace and tranquillity of the island – quite an easy feat when you feel like the only people on the island. Just to note: this is not the sort of place to set up on the beach for hours at a time as hippos and crocs also call the area home, but the pool is wonderfully refreshing if you fancy a dip.

As a repeat and frequent traveller, this destination also appealed to my passion for positive impact – for each night we spent at Rubondo Island Camp, US $5 was contributed for conservation and community upliftment.

My Reasons To Visit Rubondo Island As A Family:

• Plenty of activities to enjoy together and separately
• Rubondo Island Camp is the only accommodation in the national park
• Various species of wildlife and birds
• Chimp trekking (available to older teens and adults)
• Guided nature walks
• Catch-and-release fishing
• Sunset cruises and boating excursions

Visiting Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

From one extreme to the other; we went from remote island life to the vast Namibian Desert. While the name may seem intimidating, it's only called the ‘Skeleton Coast' because of the sheer number of shipwrecks dotted along the beaches found north of Swakopmund. Being here is quite a humbling experience. There's a seemingly endless quality to the desert, ocean, and sky – it's awe-inspiring, but also a reminder of how vast the world is.

There's a feeling of being alone and desolate, far away from any type of civilisation, which was in high contrast to the luxurious Shipwreck Lodge where we stayed. There are a handful of other lodges in the Skeleton Coast National Park and the chances of seeing any of them, or their guests, is not high. This sense of remoteness and isolation gave us the space to connect and enjoy family time.

Onto what all of the children will want to know – what is there to do in the Skeleton Coast? And there really is so much. My family and I made the most of the beach and dunes on our doorstep, we took a lot of walks to the ocean and just soaked in our surroundings. I have always had a prejudice against quad bikes, but when I rode one for the first time on those unspoilt, untouched dunes, I rated the experience as a highlight for us all. We had such fun zooming around and it really was just us and the never-ending skies, dotted with a few lonely, well-preserved brown hyena tracks.

The antithesis to the adrenaline and excitement was the peace and tranquillity of sundowner drives and snacks by the ocean. We also ventured out on a nature drive, searching for brown-hyena spoor, where the kids also got to learn a lot of interesting information about the area's desert elephants, giraffes, lions, and even baboons.

We also visited a plane wreck, I believe a Lockheed Ventura Bomber, which crashed back in 1942 while dropping supplies – worth reading up on if you're interested! Sadly we didn't have time to do this but they also offer a 4×4 Hoarusib River Excursion to the Clay Castles.

Our final experience entailed a visit to the Mowe Bay seal colony, which also involved stops at both the Karimona and Suiderkus shipwrecks. The kids had a great time watching the seals and we were all fascinated by the aged wrecks – it's almost hard to picture them on the ocean but a little imagination sees them in their former glory.

Insider tip: keep an eye out on your dune drives and beach walks as there are a number of interesting skeletons and bones found along the way. This was a truly great place to connect, with so little influence and distraction we could really enjoy the time and activities together.

My Reasons To Visit The Skeleton Coast As A Family:

• Quad biking adventures
• Enjoying the raw beauty of our surroundings – the endless sea, skies, and sand
• Walks along the beach and dunes
• Excursions to view the Mowe Bay seal colony and shipwrecks
• Tracking desert-dwelling wildlife
• Sunset drives, sundowners, and snacks by the sea
• Quality family time without distraction from outside influences

Marataba Safari Lodge In The Waterberg

One of the biggest draw cards to Marataba for family holidays in Africa is the fact that it's malaria-free. Venturing up to the likes of the Kruger National Park is wonderful but, especially for families with really young children or multi-generational groups, it's nice to have a malaria-free option.

The vast Waterberg Mountains were the most spectacular backdrop to our time here. Marataba Safari Lodge has a beautiful, earthy feel to it and the family tented suite was perfect – we had a spacious main suite with a bunk room that the kids loved. Honestly, do kids love anything more than bunk beds? The excitement was unreal. The lodge itself is luxury, but still gives a ‘home-away-from-home' feeling – and removes the panic of the children touching anything! Spacious, comfortable, and great views, it's a lovely base.

There was so much to do, especially when it came to kids entertainment. The Mack & Madi Kids' Adventure Safari Club is a real hit and there were always activities on the go. From the Eco Garden and learning how to track animals to camping in the bush and evenings spent watching movies under the stars. I think what they loved most was the freedom to go off and enjoy themselves without us having to be involved in everything they do. It's a rare occasion that I get to enjoy an indulgent spa session while the rest of my family was occupied, it seemed silly not to. Don't forget to visit their incredible Creative Lab where your photos come to life as personalised keepsakes.

Just to note: children of all ages are welcome at Marataba Safari Lodge, but the adventure safari club is limited to 5-11 year olds.

For those travelling with older children, ages 16 and up, Marataba's sister property, Mountain Lodge, is a great option. Almost all of the activities are the same, it's just geared to an older crowd – for example, they offer a full or half day hiking excursions, which is not only great fun, but a perfect chance to connect and explore together.

Morning and afternoon game drives were fascinating and led by really exceptional guides. Despite being smaller than some of South Africa's other reserves, Marakele National Park holds its own in terms of diversity and wildlife. It's even home to the infamous Big 5. For those who are interested, the lodge offers guests the chance to tag along for a rhino conservation experience.

The bush walks were one of my favourite experiences – it's a chance to notice the smaller details of your surroundings and really feel in touch with nature. While the proper bush walks are sadly not suitable for kids, they have their own enchanting nature walk. If you can, head out on a bush walk and enjoy seeing wildlife from an entirely new perspective. We did an incredible, barefoot hike in “Gorgeous Gorge”, affectionately named by our guide, and dipped into the cold rock pools in between.

Another firm family favourite has to be the water safaris in Marataba's Matlabas River for the epitome of a ‘slow safari'. Their boat, Miss Mara, gently cruises down the river as you keep an eye out for wild- and birdlife. This is particularly special in the early evening when the final part of the cruise is accompanied by an African sunset. To note: this experience is limited to those children age 6 and up.

Although we didn't experience this, if you're travelling as a multi-generational group, try and spend a night in the Treehouse. A beautiful wooden structure complete with a four-poster bed made for a romantic night spent sleeping under the stars – it looked incredible!

Marataba Safari Lodge is also committed to giving back to their community and currently champions a project called ‘Pack for a Purpose'. The idea is for guests to pack some much-needed supplies in their suitcases and bring them to the lodge for distribution at their partner school, Heuningvley Primary School.

Why Visit The Waterberg As A Family:

• The Mack & Madi Kids' Club
• Morning and afternoon game drives
• The Big 5 and other amazing wildlife
• Truly spectacular scenery and views over the mountains
• In-room spa treatments for a little indulgence
• Malaria-free game reserve
• Rhino conservation experiences
• Child-minding services
• Bush walks and water-based safari experiences
• Opportunities to connect with teens in nature
• Really stunning location
• Incredible architecture at both lodges

Ol Pejeta In Kenya

While in Kenya, I stayed at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp; with its position on the banks of Kenya's Ewaso Nyiro River in the Laikipia region, I was treated to incredible views of Mount Kenya and some great sightings from the get go. Just across from the camp is a salt lick that features as a popular spot for local wildlife. It was quickly added to the list of places to take the kids for many reasons.

This conservancy is home to the last remaining northern white rhinos – a worthwhile reason for a visit in and of itself, especially if your children love animals. I took a trip to the enclosure to see them up-close with their zebra and hartebeest companions. There is also the option for a supervised interaction as well as a horseback excursion through their enclosure.

As far as other activities go, there was always something to do. Early morning game drives and a bush breakfast were a great way to start the day. But the night drives were also a real treat as they're only available in certain conservancies in Africa. While it's not guaranteed, there is a chance of seeing some of the ‘shy 5' in the form of aardvark and bat-eared foxes, as well as leopards.

The nearby Canine Anti-Poaching Unit was also well worth a visit to learn about their intensive training programme and why they are so beneficial. It's a truly interesting tour and the best part for my kids was playing hide and seek with one of the dogs – and let me tell you, the dogs found me fast. My kids would love a thrilling activity like this. There is also the opportunity to visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary to see the endangered chimps – the only place to see them in Kenya.

I also opted to head out on their ‘Running the Wild' experience too. Every Wednesday, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy rangers head out for an early morning run that you can join followed by a coffee afterwards. It's such a great way to learn more about the people involved in keeping the reserve's animals safe.

Back at camp, I spent time on guided walking safaris, looking out for birds, and just relaxing. It's a lovely, peaceful place to enjoy quality time and watch the world go by.

To note: children do have to be over 5 years old in order to stay here, but the team at Ol Pejeta is truly fantastic and really focus on making activities accessible or come up with something fun to do. Most of the ‘off-site' activities are also at an additional cost.

My Reasons To Visit Ol Pejeta As A Family:

• Visits to see and enjoy an optional interaction with white rhinos
• Day and night game drives
• Guided walks we could do as a family
• Child-friendly activities
• A focus and education on conservation
• Really beautiful, peaceful setting
• Unique experiences, like the running with rangers
• The anti-poaching dog unit

The Wild Coast, South Africa

My final destination is one of my all-time favourites and somewhere my family have gone every September for the last 8 or so years. There's a kind of magic in the Wild Coast that just can't be described, we go back excited every year – it's in the rolling hills, the wild sea, the vibrant nature, the lagoons, the people, and even the odd cow and donkey in the distance. For us, it's the ultimate soul food and a place where we recharge and reconnect.

There is truly so much to do here and very few activities are not child-friendly. Swimming, hiking, mountain biking, body boarding, and building sandcastles on the beautiful beach. Honestly, my kids generally create their own day jobs here and end up fishing (catch and release) from around 8am to 5pm every day – I don't know where they get the patience but they love it. There are also an abundance of rockpools which often contain really interesting marine life. The stillness of the lagoon is a perfect place to SUP, kayak or even snorkel.

It's genuinely one of the few places in the world to sit and watch a zebra or buck graze while a pod of dolphins surf and a whale lobtails. The combination takes a moment to wrap your head around but it's a special place. We all feel the usual hectic nature of life melting away during our time here, replaced by a sense of fun and peace.

But it's not just the natural surroundings that bring us back each year, it's also the people. We've visited several local villages so far and have not only been welcomed with open arms, but been exposed to Xhosa culture and traditions. I was even invited to a Xhosa wedding, which I gratefully attended.

GweGwe Beach Lodge is a fantastic option for families with its laidback luxury and locally inspired design. Tasty farm-to-table meals served with your feet in the sand are a real treat alongside spacious and comfortable family suites. Wellness treatments, pre-prepared picnics, and guided marine or botany walks, there really is so much to keep you and your kids busy. They have plenty of freedom while still being safe and an accessible child-friendly area with games, entertainment and supervision.

If all of the activities sound like they're just too much, this is also the perfect place to sit back, unwind and maybe even dare to open that book you keep saying you're going to read.

Why We Keep Going Back To The Wild Coast:

• The spectacular natural surroundings
• A seemingly endless amount of activities
• The fishing would feature here if my kids had any say
• Wonderful local people
• Ultimate rest and relaxation
• Pristine beaches and a beautiful lagoon
• A truly wild coastline that never fails to surprise and delight us

Ready To Plan Your Own Family Holiday In Africa?

Now that I've shared some of my top bucket list places in Africa and my families' top destinations, I hope it's inspired you to create some of your own memories? While these are my favourites, I'm a firm believer that there's a corner of Africa for every traveller and every family. Browse our website or chat to one of our experienced and passionate Africa Safari Experts to get even more inspiration and information.