Associating all camps and mobile safaris in Africa by these rugged stereotypes is a false assumption. In fact, there are many camps and mobile camps found throughout each country in Africa that are high-end, extremely comfortable, and equipped with all necessary amenities and highly attentive staff. Although mobile camps are a little more rustic and adventurous than non-mobile camps (mobile camps can be moved, non-mobile camps remain in one location and do not ever move, unless they are semi-mobile), there are many that offer the same luxurious features and amenities.

Below are descriptions and benefits of mobile camps and non-mobile camps to give you a better understanding of what a camp is and what it’s not:

Mobile Camps:

Depending on your personal tastes and preferences, you may choose to experience a four-day mobile safari, where your tent will be moved and set up for you each day as you venture to new locations.

Wilderness Safaris is one of our favorite mobile safari providers. They provide a variety of mobile safaris, which they call Adventurer Explorations. Each of their Adventurer Explorations uses lush duvets, cotton sheets, and GI stretchers for bedding, and is equipped with en-suite bathroom amenities including a toilet, bucket shower, and a hand wash basin, so that each guest’s room is transformed into a luxurious suite.

A mobile safari is perfect for you if:

• You crave the old-fashioned, 19th-century safari feel. Created using eclectic tin finishes, a canvas covering, and lantern illumination, Wilderness Safaris’ mobile camps are direct reflections of safari camps utilized by past celebrities such as Theodore Roosevelt and David Livingstone.
• You want to experience a more rustic safari adventure and discover as much as you can while feeling relaxed and comfortable—all without having to do the hard work associated with camping such as making food, pitching your tent, carrying your tent, cleaning, or anything else laborious. Your tents are taken down for you and are set up at the next location before you even arrive.
• You desire highly personalized safari tours where you explore the most secluded areas of Africa.

Non-Mobile Camps:

Tents used in non-mobile camps are often constructed using more durable materials such as wood or dried clay. Many do, however, incorporate canvas and lighter materials into the design of the tent so that the sights, sounds, and scents of nature can permeate through the tents. Some camps also do not refer to their accommodations as tents; many prefer to call them chalets, bandas, or bungalows.

Non-mobile camps are perfect for you if:

• You want to have a more intimate and private experience. Camps are often much smaller and more intimate than hotels. Although hotels are wonderful to stay at in cities and outside of the bush—such as Cape Town and the Garden Route—they are not ideal for the bush. Because camps are often much smaller than hotels, personal staff is always attentive to your every need, catering to even the smallest of details. The intimacy of the camps also means no children running around, no large groups taking up space in the dining room or on safari, and no wait on anything.
• You wish to seamlessly connect with nature and your immediate surroundings. As camps are designed to incorporate natural elements within their décor, exposure to the breeze, wildlife, and towering fynbos of the bush is effortless. Each and every day, you’ll feel your cares and thoughts of responsibility melt away as you find peace in the surrounding sounds, sights, and aromas of the bush.
• You want to feel secluded while still relishing in luxurious amenities such as underground plunge pools, bomas, and fireplaces. As for meals, dining arrangements often differ at various camps—some are equipped with a main dining tent, others offer lantern-lit outdoor seating, while others offer both.

How do you view camps in Africa now? Let us know in our comments section.

As a culturally and historically enriched region, Cape Town and its surrounding areas are prime destinations for those looking to broaden their horizons of worldly experiences and knowledge. Although the most popular tours and historic landmarks include Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and Dies Bo Kaap, every family’s itinerary differs depending on their personal preferences and needs. No two itineraries are alike.

Below is a 7-day sample itinerary that is designed to give you a better idea for what you and your family could expect on an African family vacation to the Cape Town region:

Day 1: The Mother City Tour: This tour celebrates the best of what Cape Town has to offer. After your first, peaceful night in Cape Town’s luxurious Mount Nelson Hotel, you will awake to a nourishing, traditional English breakfast in one of the hotel’s fine dining areas. After your meal, you will embark on a journey through historic Cape Town.

First, you will enjoy a tour up Table Mountain via rotating cable car, and then a tour of The Castle of Good Hope. Continuing on your exploration, you’ll visit gardens, the Green Point Light House, The Cape Town Stadium, V & A Waterfront, Die Bo Kaap, District Six, and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Once you arrive at the Gardens, you will enjoy a delightful lunch, where you can reminisce about the morning’s adventures.

Day 2: The Peninsula Tour: After a rejuvenating last night at the Mount Nelson Hotel, you will embark on your next journey to Hout Bay. Here, you will take a boat to the beautiful Seal Island where you can relax and enjoy the African ocean breeze. After a day in the sun, you will head over to your next accommodation, The Last Word Long Beach Guest House.

Once you have freshened up at the hotel, you’ll be escorted to Boulders Beach where you will visit an African penguin colony and observe the penguins in their natural environment. Cape of Good Hope will be your final destination for the day.

Day 3: Wine Tastings and Butterfly Sightings: Today, you will relish in some of the Cape’s most exceptional wines when you visit Ernie Els’ wine estate for delightful wine tastings and a cellar tour. And depending on your preference of wine (red or white), you will be escorted to another wine estate where you will enjoy additional wine tastings.

For lunch, you will be brought to the award-winning Overture restaurant where you will delight in the eclectic variety of Chef Bertus Basson and Craig Cormack’s contemporary, Mediterranean, and South African culinary fusions. And don’t forget to follow the Chefs’ wine pairing suggestions!

After a spectacular lunch, you’ll visit the Butterfly World, where you and the whole family can witness a variety of butterflies, birds, reptiles, and peculiar insects.

Day 4: Taking the Scenic Route: Today, you will begin your journey from the Long Beach Guest House to the renowned Birkenhead Villa in Hermanus. During your trip, you’ll stop at various points of interest along the way as you soak in your picturesque surroundings. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic on the way, visit the penguins at Stony Point, or browse some local shops, your trip to Hermanus will, no doubt, be a memorable one.

Once you arrive at the seaside Birkenhead House, you’ll be escorted to your villa where you can lounge by the pool or sit on your private balcony as you look for whales in Walker Bay.

Day 5: The Possibilities Are Endless: Whether your family is comprised of walkers and hikers, beach lovers, ocean enthusiasts, horse lovers, or a mix of all four, Hermanus has it all. Choose from a whale watching cruise, a hike through Hermanus’ Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a relaxing day on world-renowned Grotto Beach,  a Dyer Island cruise, deep sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach, or a rejuvenating day in the spa. Your every need and desire is met at Hermanus.

Is a African family vacation in the future for you? Let us know in our comments section.

White Rhino and Giraffe

Not convinced to visit Zimbabwe yet? Get a taste for your Zimbabwe family vacation or group vacation from the sample itinerary below. But keep in mind, this itinerary showcases just a few activities and accommodations in Zimbabwe. There are dozens of accommodations and hundreds of varying activities to choose from in Zimbabwe. This sample itinerary in particular is for the adventurous traveler.

Below is a sample itinerary for an adventure-seeking family or group:

Day 1: An Exciting Arrival

Arrive at the Johannesburg International Airport, where you will take a short connecting flight to beautiful Harare. Upon your arrival, you will be warmly greeted by a guide from African Bushcamps. You will then be escorted to African Bushcamps’ intimate Vundu Camp in the majestic Mana Pools. Here, sprawling waterways burst with wildlife and over 380 species of indigenous birds speckle the river banks.

As you retire to your spacious walk-in-tent and nestle into your plushy bed, you’ll feel the charm of Africa come to life as the soft sounds of nature put you to sleep.

In the morning, experience traditional hot bucket water showers, and get ready for the exciting day ahead in your personal en-suite facilities. As you take your first step outside your walk-in tent, you’ll be delighted at the sight of elephants sipping from the Zambezi River, and herons sitting peacefully in the cast of the rising morning sun.

Day 2 – 4: Close Encounters

On your second day in Zimbabwe, you will partake in the journey of lifetime through the heart of the Mana Pools on Wilderness-Safaris’ 3-day Mana Canoe Trail. During your first day aboard your two person canoe, you’ll see hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and other shore dwelling animals and birds at an amazingly close proximity.

Each day, you will experience a full day of canoeing safaris, and walking safaris through the lush wilderness of the Mana Pools, and experience a completely new and stimulating side to nature you’ve never seen before.

At night, you will stay in full-serviced dome tented camps and awake to another day of exciting activities and magnificent sights.

The Hide Safari Camp, Zimbabwe

Day 5: “Hiding” in the Bush

After an exciting Mana Canoe Trail experience, you will take an aircraft to your next destination, Hwange National Park. Upon your arrival to the Hwange Airstrip, you will be greeted by a guide from The Hide, a lodge located in one of Hwange’s most wildlife-rich locations. You will then take an hour and a half game drive through the Park, where you will then reach The Hide.

The Hide provides guests with furnished tents—which are built for luxury, not mobility—that exude the essence of the area’s natural surroundings. Each tent provides guests with their own en-suite bathroom for convenience and privacy.

During your stay at The Hide, you’ll partake in an assortment of fantastic safaris including night drives, day drives, and walking safaris in the bush. When you are not on a safari tour, but still feel the urge to get up-close to the wildlife of Zimbabwe, visit one of The Hide’s two concealed “hides” located on either side of The Hide’s waterhole. Here, you can see elephants and other large game at a remarkably close proximity with the security of the hide.

At the end of your stay at The Hide, you will clearly understand why The Hide has coined the phrase: “You’ll arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend.”

Day 9: The Rumbling Falls

Today, you will journey to one of the world’s seven natural wonders where you will experience an explosive energy you’ve never felt before. This riveting wonder is none other than Victoria Falls.

But, before you can arrive at Victoria Falls, you must take two-hour road transfer with a Hills of Africa guide to your next accommodations, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Located on an exclusive, natural plateau overlooking The Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge offers a panoramic view of an on-site waterhole, sprawling grasslands, and lush treetops. During your stay, you’ll have the ability to sharpen your photography skills as you witness residential wildlife flock to the waterhole for a morning drink.

As night falls, watch as the sun melts behind the horizon while enjoying a five-star dining experience at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s relaxing outdoor dining area.

Day 10: The Grand Finale

Your adventure in Africa is by no means over yet! Today, you will experience a once-in-a-lifetime, private elephant back safari at The Elephant Wallow. After your personal guide takes you through the expansive and wildlife-rich landscape of The Zambezi River area, you’ll embark on your next journey, the Tour of the Falls. Here, you’ll witness Victoria Falls up-close and immediately understand why it is categorized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

After your Tour of the Falls, you will embark on your next adventure—a favorite among travelers to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge—where you will walk with the lions.

On this activity, you will visit with lion cubs at an ongoing research project, which is a captive breeding program to safeguard the genetic diversity of Africa’s greatest carnivore. The adult lions have been rescued from all parts of the world and were never introduced to the wild. They are treated and introduced to their new dwelling and once established, the adult lions are bred. Then, the cubs are reared and introduced to the wild, and will one day be fully released. Part of the re-introduction is walking in the bush, on a daily basis. On this activity you will join a professional guide in the national park, while he walks with his cubs. A truly exciting and rewarding experience to take part in!

The day isn’t over yet.

As the evening approaches, you will experience a traditional African nighttime experience with food, music, and plenty of dancing.

Day 11: The Journey Will Continue Once Again

You will arrive home and eagerly book your trip to Africa for next year!

Did you find this post helpful? If so, let us know in our comments section.

Where the eco-systems are as diverse as the people, Africa has a profound impact on travelers, leaving some with a new outlook on life and a new found appreciation for worldly cultures. Immersing yourself in the varying cultures and terrain across this continent have the indescribable power to enlighten, connect, and inspire. Wouldn’t you love to introduce your family to this rare and unique experience?

Even though you’ll have the opportunity to purchase valuable African keepsakes such as hand-crafted art, pottery, and sculptures, you and your family will return home with more than just tangible souvenirs. You’ll return with a large variety of priceless keepsakes including knowledge, unforgettable memories, and quite possibly, a new outlook on life. Whether your children are in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or out-of-college, a family vacation to Africa will give the entire family first-hand knowledge of some of the world’s most fascinating geography, nature, culture, history, and anthropology.

Taking the whole family on vacation–especially to an international destination–may seem stressful, but at Kruger National Park, South Africa, all your worries are left behind you. From your first step onto African soil to your last, South Africa has the power to make every family’s vacation one with life-lasting memories of sprawling flood plains, adventurous activities, and sightings of the Big Five, unusual game, and exotic birds.

Kruger National Park is a private reserve and is celebrated for being one of Africa’s best game-viewing destinations. This premier wildlife reserve was the first to be established in southern Africa and boasts some of the best-known and exclusive safari lodges in the world. There are a handful of accommodations in and in the surrounding areas of Kruger National Park that cater to each and every family’s individual preferences and needs, and provide wonderful activities for families. Two of the Park’s most highly-acclaimed lodges for family vacations are the Tintswalo Manor House and Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge:

Designed specifically to accommodate families, Tintswalo Safari Lodge’s Manor House can hold up to 10 guests and requires occupants to have a minimum of six members in their party. During your stay, you will be provided with a private safari vehicle, expert guide, and tracker. In addition to these included features, Tintswalo’s staff is their to accommodate your every individual preferences–down to the very last detail. Their superior service and staff ensures that stress is completely absent from your vacation.

In the Manor House, you will find three twin or double bedrooms downstairs with an optional child room attached to one of them. Upstairs is the main double bedroom with spectacular views of the African bush.

During the day, enjoy relaxing and socializing by the pool or read a book on the patio or boma or take part in one of Tintswalo’s numerous activities. Whether your looking to spend most of your day on a vehicle safari, a walking safari, enjoying a long and leisurely tea time, or relaxing at the Vital Source Spa, Tintswalo caters to your every desire and is completely flexible to ensure your stay is filled with only the things you want to do. In the evening, dinner is served on the patio or in the open air boma and each meal is prepared with the freshest ingredients and with a contemporary flare.

If you are bringing a younger child with you to Africa, Tintswalo Manor House is the place to stay. With an exceptional Children’s Program that takes children on safaris that are specifically catered to their age group, you can enjoy a variety of adult-oriented safari excursions without the worry of ensuring your child’s safety. Tintswalo even has a children’s menu for the young travelers in your group.

Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp:

Situated between the Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp is a family-friendly accommodation where you and your family can enjoy some of the best game-viewing Africa has to offer. With accommodations for up to 20 individuals, this luxury safari camp has an intimate atmosphere that makes it possible for staff to provide each guest with extremely personal and superior service. Whatever your need or desire, Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp is dedicated to fulfilling it to the best of their ability.

With exclusive tented-suites that are not only luxuriously decorated but also extremely comfortable and safe, this Camp prides itself on its ability to bring the African bush into its accommodations. Inside each suite there are twin or double beds, a private veranda, double showers, and a separate bathroom.

Activities offered by the Camp include walking and vehicle safaris that take you through the Manyeleti Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. You will be able to see the Big Five as well as a wide spectrum of other game and animals. When you return from an adventurous day in the African bush, you can enjoy a delectable meal in the dining area, which encircles a log fire, or have cocktails at the bar.

If you’re traveling with younger children, you can rest assured that they’re in good hands at the Camp’s private children’s center, which has a DVD player and a large variety of nature and animal films and documentaries, as well as toys and children books. Kids can also enjoy the children’s pool area under supervision or enjoy walking and vehicle safaris with their parents if they are of appropriate age.