Travel Tips

Our top 5 recommended African family safari villas

Written by Lindsay Krause

With multi-generational travel as one of the trends on the rise for 2019, we are seeing not only families but groups of travelers who are looking for opportunities to connect and share epic memories together. Keeping this in mind, our team has set out to select our favourite African Villas across Southern and East Africa. These luxury villas offer that extra touch of “home-away-from-home” while simultaneously being in the centre of the African wilderness. Expect all the luxuries, all the attention and the perfect space for your family to relax and spend quality time together while exploring Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the white sand beaches of the Quirimbas Archipelago in Mozambique, Ker & Downey® Africa presents our list of our top recommended villas to book when it comes to an Africa family safari.

Morukuru River House, South Africa

Located in the northern reaches of South Africa, Morukuru River House is situated in a private concession in one of South Africa’s top safari destinations, Madikwe Game Reserve. The diverse reserve covers an area of 75,000 hectares and is home to the Big 5 as well as cheetah, wild dogs and hippos.

Morukuru River House, South Africa.

The diverse reserve covers an area of 75,000 hectares and is home to the Big 5 as well as cheetah, wild dogs and hippos.

Game drives through Madikwe Game Reserve.

Perched on the banks of the Marico River, Morokuru River House is our preferred safari villa for families visiting Madikwe Game Reserve and is the ideal base for a malaria-free safari to South Africa. Close on its heels are the neighbouring villas Morukuru Owner’s House and Morukuru Farm House. The exclusive lodge features 3 air-conditioned, ensuite rooms, each with a private deck overlooking the plains of the reserve, as well as a separate family room that sleeps up to 4 children. The lodge is fully-staffed, including a private chef and childminder as well as an expert tracker and guide for a private safari experience. Spend your days here traversing the Madikwe Game Reserve on exhilarating game drives, guided nature walks and expert lead fishing safaris.

Singita Serengeti House, Tanzania

Home to the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, this fully-staffed family villa allows guests anytime access to one of Africa’s most iconic conservation areas, the Serengeti. Situated in the northern reaches of Tanzania on the slopes of the Sasakwa Hill, Singita Serengeti House boasts uninterrupted views of the active plains. With a private spa, tennis court, fitness centre and infinity pool, Singita Serengeti House offers all the luxuries of a Singita experience with the added exclusivity of a private-use villa. The 4 luxurious suites sleep up to 8 guests and activities here are tailored to suit your mood. Traveling with little ones? Serengeti House offers a Mini Rangers Course, exposing them to the wonders of the African bush from wildlife conservation and tracking to cosmic safaris.

Added bonus – Children of all ages are welcome at the villa and babysitting services are available.

Photo credit | Singita Serengeti House

Home to the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, this fully-staffed family villa allows guests anytime access to one of Africa’s most iconic conservation areas, the Serengeti.

If you’re interested in a Tanzania safari, read our tips on when to travel to Tanzania.

Duba Plains Suite, Botswana

This luxury two-bedroom tented villa is located in the 77,000-acre private Duba Plains Reserve in the heart of the iconic Okavango Delta. Built entirely under canvas, the raised suite offers uninterrupted views of the active floodplains below. Each room in the tented villa features a private deck and an ensuite bathroom, as well as two plunge pools overlooking the Delta. Duba Plains Suite includes a private host and chef as well as a dedicated guide and private safari vehicle allowing your family to safari at leisure. Embark on night drives through the reserve, soar over the water channels on a helicopter safari, and move through the waterways viewing the wildlife from the channels on a flat bottomed motorboat.

Please note – no children under the age of 6 will be allowed

Aerial view of Duba Plains Suite, photo credit | Duba Plains Suite

Embark on night drives through the reserve, soar over the water channels on a helicopter safari, paddle through the waterways in a traditional Mokoro and gallop over the plains by horseback.

Private safari vehicle at Duba Plains Suite.

If you’re looking to travel to Botswana, make sure to download our complimentary South Africa Guide here.

&Beyond Vamizi Suluwilo, Quirimbas Archipelago Mozambique

Set among the Quirimbas Archipelago of Mozambique lies &Beyond’s luxury beach villa Vamizi Suluwil. The villa consists of 4 ensuite bedrooms, a children’s room as well as an adjoining childminder’s room. The villa is an elegant mix of Arabic influences and contemporary finishes and is fully serviced with a private chef on hand to create meals for every age. The villa features a private swimming pool, stargazing and sunset tower as well as a private beach sala for alfresco dinners under the stars.

Photo credit | Vamizi Suluwilo

With direct access to the pristine beaches of this marine reserve, Vamizi Suluwil offers a range of activities for all members of the family. The ultimate island experience, travelers can spend their days lazing on the beach, snorkeling off the coast, exploring the area on guided nature walks and sailing the waters on a traditional sunset dhow cruise. For the little ones, the villa offers a WILDChild programme as well as an entertainment room complete with table tennis, satellite TV and board games and for the not so little ones, enjoy some downtime at the private spa or request private yoga class in the comfort of your villa.

Kayak along the coastline of Vamiziz Suluwil.

The ultimate island experience, travelers can spend their days lazing on the beach, snorkeling off the coast, exploring the area on guided nature walks and sailing the waters on a traditional sunset dhow cruise.

Tongabezi Dog House, Zambia

Elevated above the banks of the Zambezi river, the secluded location of Tongabezi Dog House is our preferred villa to book for families visiting Victoria Falls. The luxury open-plan villa is connected by 3 large wooden decks and sleeps up to 5 guests. Featuring a private plunge pool overlooking the river and an exclusive lounge, bar and dining area, the villa personifies exclusivity. The villa offers a range of activities for you and your family, from tours of the Falls and private game drives to fishing expeditions and sunset cruises. Tongabezi Dog House’s private boat and safari vehicle give you and your family free reign when it comes to planning your Zambian safari.

Photo credit | Tongabezi Dog House

The villa offers a range of activities for you and your family, from tours of the Falls and private game drives to fishing expeditions and sunset cruises.

Aerial view of the mighty Victoria Falls.

For more information on what to do in Victoria Falls, download our guide Victoria Falls.

If a family safari is on your bucket list, get in touch with our expert Adventurists to help you pick the perfect private family villa to add to your safari itinerary.