Family Safaris - Accommodation Styles

Lodge

In Africa, lodges are substantial and permanent structures, with rooms stylishly hewn from local rock or wood. Roofs are often thatched, effectively insulating the interior from hot days or cool nights. Almost all rooms have adjoining bathrooms, and some interconnect, which is especially useful for young families. Some lodges go further, with family cottages allowing you to feel private and secure. Lodges are likely to offer a range of family-friendly facilities, including swimming pools, libraries, dining and bar areas, leaving plenty of space to relax between game activities.

Tented Safari Camp

In Africa the tents are nothing like the lightweight equivalents you'll be used to at home. Based on an East African design they are spacious and often luxurious, with plenty of headroom and space to walk around in. Almost all are fully equipped with comfortable beds and wooden furniture, and most have adjoining facilities with flush toilets - only the most remote camps still use long-drop toilets and bucket showers, and they will always provide hot water for washing and showering. Many tents have space for one or two extra beds to be fitted, allowing children to share with their parents, and they are frequently covered with a free-standing thatched over-roof for heat insulation. Tented camps will have a central area for dining and drinks.

Mobile Tented Camp

On a mobile tented safari your camp will be set up for you in an area of outstanding beauty where the game-viewing is at its best. The tents used might vary from simple dome tents to classic East African walk-in tents, and although many have adjoining bathrooms, running water is rarely available: toilets are long- or short-drop and showers use water heated on the cook's fire, simply provided by bucket with a shower head. A small mobile tented camp is ideal for families: days spent in private exploration of remote regions and evenings spent dining together under the stars.

Bush Camp

Bush camps tend to be more permanent than mobile tented camps but are still packed up and taken away at the end of each season. Some will use canvas tents but others are sturdy constructions of timber and thatch. Most guest accommodations have adjoining facilities but some will use long-drop toilets and bucket showers rather than running water, with simple bar and dining areas for sociable gatherings at the end of each day.

Private Houses

To experience Africa in comfort, privacy and security, a number of private houses have recently become available, many in beautiful parts of the continent. Most often found in South Africa, Zambia and Kenya, private houses usually feature comfortable accommodations including adjoining bathrooms, spacious lounge and dining areas, and large gardens with pools and gardens. All have a full complement of house staff and many come with your own dedicated guide and game-viewing vehicle.