The Best Easter and Spring Break Escapes For Families

Namibia is a especially unusual place for a family holiday. You can see desert-adapted wildlife, yet the main attraction is the incredible variety of desert landscapes. We can take you quad biking across Kunene, hot-air ballooning over the Sossusvlei dunescapes and tracking desert-adapted rhino in Damaraland. We can fly you by small plane into the forbidding Skeleton Coast over shipwrecks and giant seal colonies, or to Okonjima Lodge, where they nurse and relocate injured cheetah and leopard. Deserts are rarely empty: you just need to know what you’re looking for.

Weather

Namibia is at its most beautiful as the arrival of the rains brings the landscape to life. The 'rainy' season is during the summer months, from November to March, so by Easter you’re entering the ideal travel time, as vegetation flourishes and animals once again can feast.

Where to stay

Bordering the national park are a number of excellent private reserves, and it is here that you can have some of the most exclusive wildlife encounters. The Onguma Game Reserve is one of our favourites; it stretches for 34,000 hectares and is especially good for families travelling with young children.

You can stay at Onguma Bush Camp, a children’s dream come true, where the kids can climb up a ladder into the loft to sleep. It’s the only fenced camp in the reserve, so it's a very safe place to stay. Families get their own vehicle for game drives, and the guides also lead short interpretive walks around the camp so children can learn to identify birds, plants, insects, and animal tracks.

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If you are looking for a private wilderness, rich in wildlife without the crowds, head for Botswana. The country has taken a deliberate decision to pursue a low volume, high value model of tourism, ensuring that it has a minimal adverse impact on the environment and visitors can explore in relative seclusion. Expert guides will take your family on safari among big cats and vast elephant herds in beautiful deltas and deserts.

Weather

April is a perfect time to explore. It’s not too hot nor too wet, so every region is accessible. In the deserts spot Kalahari lion, uniquely adapted to this arid ecosystem. The species, physical characteristics and habits are distinct from those in the Delta, making for fascinating comparisons and a really rich learning experience.

Where to stay

One of the most family friendly properties in the Okavango Delta, Seba Camp is located on a private reserve only accessible by light aircraft. From your base in one of two luxurious family suites — with adjoining bedrooms and private plunge pools — you can explore by open vehicle, boat, and glide along the waterways by traditional mokoro canoe.

There’s no WiFi at all at the camp, so you all have the perfect excuse to switch off your electronic devices and enjoy some quality time together. Special children’s activities include wildlife photography lessons and cooking delicious meals out in the bush.

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With vibrant cities, rich history and culture, scenic coasts and mountains as well as thrilling wildlife regions, South Africa can justly call itself ‘a world in one country’. There are also great options for a malaria-free family safari. The accommodation can be amazingly luxurious, and the wildlife is abundant. It’s a good choice if you want to combine a luxury safari with other kinds of travel.

Weather

Autumn along the Garden Route and in the winelands is spectacular as the leaves turn gold and red. Weather is good providing easy driving and clear views across the valleys and off the coast where dolphins and whales swim. April is a beautiful time to visit South Africa, with uncrowded beaches and crisp clear days perfect for exploring on foot. For safaris, during this month we recommend Madikwe and Limpopo. Madikwe alone has over 10,000 large mammals including lion, cheetah, and wild dog, and Limpopo’s Waterberg is a protected UNESCO Biosphere.

Where to stay

Experience meerkat madness at Tswalu Kalahari. It’s a superb malaria-free private reserve. Stay in one of nine luxurious suites set at the foot of the mountains. The fantastic Junior Ranger programme is packed with activities from bow-making and archery to bush walks and animal tracking.

Every child receives a Tswalu backpack on arrival, with information, guides, and tools to use throughout their stay. Three of the suites are specially designed for families with two separate bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms and fabulous outdoor showers. Have an unforgettable sleep out under the stars when you spend a night at Malori, which means “dreamer” in Tswana. Complimentary childminding is included in your stay, so you can enjoy some quality adults-only time without worrying.

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Zimbabwe is one of the finest countries for a top-quality wilderness experience. The guides are some of the best in Africa, and the Zambezi River, the open plains of Hwange and the unique Kariba shoreline are settings for enthralling game viewing adventures. Watch tens of thousands of elephants roam and vast numbers of plains game in Hwange with almost no-one else around to see them. Paddle and drift down the Lower Zambezi on a canoe or explore the Chimanimani Highlands for some of the best for walking in Africa.

Weather

The beginning of April sees Zimbabwe come out of the rainy season making the national parks and reserves accessible again. Another benefit of travelling during April is that you will be able to experience the Wonder of the World, Victoria Falls, in full flow. Thanks to the long rainy season, the water levels in the Zambezi are high, so the current and spray of the falls will be powerfully surging over the edge. Parks tend to be quieter so you can enjoy the experience with your family.

Where to stay

Somalisa Acacia Camp is located in the heart of park near the Kennedy Vlei line, which is known to be one of the finest areas for sighting big herds of plains game and predators.

With just four tents comprising of two family units and two standard tents, it is also ideal for small groups wishing to take the camp exclusively, accommodating a maximum of 12 people and is also home to Somalisa’s only family room making it the perfect choice for families who wish to be accommodated under one huge canvas roof.

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Nowhere in the Indian Ocean is the sand as powder white and nowhere has such a wide array of beautiful tiny islands, strung out across hundreds of miles of deep blue ocean. You can island hop with ease across the archipelago. As each island offers a unique combination of isolated coves and quiet beaches, dramatic viewpoints and coral reefs, swathes of rainforest and natural harbours, you’ll want to allow plenty of time to explore.

Weather

The weather is glorious across Seychelles in April. The humidity level drops in April as the trade winds turn around. The air is warm, yet fresh. It’s an excellent time of the year for water sports. Birders should consider visiting Aride Island, a nature reserve with substantial seabird colonies. You’ll find enormous numbers of frigate bird, tropical shearwater, lesser noddy, and roseate tern.

Where to stay

One of Seychelles' most prestigious resorts, North Island is on a private island. This exceptional destination offers peerless service and privacy, yet has a laid-back feel: it’s your tropical home from home. Pamper yourself with massages and treatments, not to mention gourmet feasts on the beach.

Tropical palms and granite peaks dwarf your presence on this luxurious private island. Yours will be the only footprints on the beach. Your villa will look straight out across the ocean; think of this as your home away from home. Parents receive a complimentary welcome treatment in the spa on arrival, while the Beach Buddy programme offers tailor-made activities for kids. The entire island is yours to explore and discover, no matter your age!

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Easter and Spring Break is a fantastic choice for many of Southern and East Africa’s most exciting destinations, so you should plan and book early to ensure that you secure your top accommodation choice.

For a safari tailored to you, click through to leave a message or call us. We look forward to crafting your unique journey.

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