Best Safari Spots for Family Vacation

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a safari addict. I said it there. I honestly don’t think there is anything more special or sobering than seeing lions, giraffes, zebras, and all their friends in the wild. Maybe it’s the fact that you never thought it would happen to you. Or maybe it’s such a deep connection to nature that you feel a sense of fulfillment that you haven’t felt before? Whatever it is, going on safari is pure magic, it never gets old. So if you are wondering where to go on safari, we have listed the best places to go on safari in 2022!

Stepping down from the 6-flight trip to Sandibe Lodge in the Okavango Delta, I wished I could have rested my head on a pillow, let alone the luxurious sheets inside the spacious villa awaiting my arrival at And Beyond. This accommodation is popularly regarded as one of the most exclusive luxury accommodations on the continent, with a natural interior design approach to blend in and complement its surroundings. Check out this post for a full look inside the lodge or watch the video to go on a Botswana safari.

If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing the great migration, look no further than check into one of the Singita lodges on the Serengeti border, Tanzania. Click here to see the inside of Serengeti House, Tanzania’s most luxurious hostel (with a high price to match!). However, if the price isn’t a concern, you can’t get a more luxurious deal in Tanzania’s Serengeti.

This timeless accommodation in South Africa is a dream getaway for couples and the perfect honeymoon spot if you prefer to take your trip at a slower pace. This is definitely a hostel that leans on the romantic side, so be sure to expect lots of couples among you. If you are traveling alone, you may want to look elsewhere for your safari camp.

Located within the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Londolozi borders the western edge of the Kruger National Park and therefore offers ample game viewing at any time of the year. From the privacy of your suite and open-air bathtub, you can watch the animals pass by in the distance, and the small size of this lodge makes it one of the most unique camps in South Africa.

Have you ever imagined having breakfast on your terrace while an elephant walks by, stops to drink from your pool, and then goes on with its day? Now you have it! Click here to see the inside of Singita Boulders, one of our favorite luxury accommodations in South Africa.

Chances are you’ve seen the Instagram photos (who hasn’t?) but regardless of popularity, Giraffe Manor still exceeds expectations and is definitely one of the best hotels on our list! Be sure to plan your stay in advance, as this is one of the most difficult hotels to book in the world.

With a unique tree house atmosphere that will make you feel like a big kid who has stepped inside the Tarzan movie in no time, Singita Ebony is one of the most sought-after accommodations in all of South Africa. If you can make a reservation (often booked in high season), be sure to stay at least three nights to take full advantage of all this all-inclusive accommodation has to offer.

As one of the smallest accommodations in the Singita Collection, Singita Sweni is the perfect private oasis you thought you could only dream of. Treehouse-style rooms overlook a river below that is often frequented by passing hippos and predators.

As one of the oldest safari lodges in South Africa welcoming families year after year, Royal Malewane has a very long legacy that continues to uphold its regular clientele. Read this post to see more photos inside Royal Malewane and get the full experience on offer at this South African luxury hotel.

One safari destination that has long been on my list of must-see camps and will hopefully find its way into my 2019 itinerary is the incomparable Jack’s Camp in southern Botswana. This is the camp to check into if you want to see meerkats up close, along with a wide variety of other wildlife in the Kalahari desert.

If you find yourself totally immersed in the bushes of Africa or perhaps have heard the now infamous story of Prince Harry and Meghan’s magical second date in Botswana, then all your hopes and dreams of staying in the bush will come true at Skybeds Botswana. As part of an add-on package for Natural Selection properties in the Okavango Delta, a night in the jungle atop a bed in the sky is as surreal as it sounds (and in a way, just as terrifying!) but one Once the fear subsides and you realize you’re in good hands, A Night Under the Stars is the kind of story you’ll be talking about over dinner for years to come.

If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, book a stay in the ethereal and surreal Namib Desert. And if only the best is enough, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is the best of the best. This soulful lodge in the heart of the Sossusvlei desert offers an all-inclusive experience, with accommodation, food, drinks and a variety of activities with experienced guides. Although not your ordinary safari experience, this is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime accommodation where you will create memories to last a lifetime.

With a focus on conservation in the Greater Mara, Cottar’s Safari Camp is a World of Wanderlust favorite and also a favorite with celebrities. This classic safari camp feels like going back in time, and no detail is overlooked! From the vintage tents to the antique details, this camp is a great way to get a feel for the bygone era of safari when they first swept through Africa.

Offering the ultimate safari experience in the Samburu National Reserve, Sasaab is part of the celebrated safari collection. With decadent tents and views across the open plains, this camp is one of the most luxurious in Kenya. With Moorish architectural touches and Moroccan antiques, the camp feels otherworldly and is certainly one of our top picks for the best safari camps in 2022.

As one of Kenya’s most celebrated safari lodges and one of Kenya’s newest additions, Angama Mara is a top choice for travelers looking for modern luxury. Situated on top of a hill overlooking the Maasai Mara, you cannot beat this location for exclusivity and serenity overlooking the Mara.

Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson’s 12-tent luxury safari camp in the Kenyan Bush and having earned the #1 position for World’s Best Hotel in 2021, we’re pretty sure you can’t beat this camp for a safari in 2022! Offering refined permanent shops throughout the savannah, the service is just as polished and unforgettable.

If you prefer a more traditional safari camp, Gibb’s Farm in Tanzania is the epitome of the classic luxury safari. This idyllic lodge is located on the outer rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Tanzania’s most sought-after locations. A sanctuary for the senses, gardeners will love spending time in the extensive gardens.

When it comes to safari camps, many of the best camps are owned by tour operators who run multiple camps. And on the luxury circuit, Singita is widely recognized as one of the most luxurious safari operators in African Africa. One of their newer camps, Singita Kataza, offers the ultimate in luxury in Rwanda. And if you are looking for a safari camp in 2022 to experience mountain gorillas in Rwanda, this is it!

Zambia has its fair share of safari lodges to offer visitors, but if you ask us, Thorntree River Lodge is the cream of the crop. This beautiful and ethereal hostel sits quiet and serene on a river, with just eight rooms making it one of the most unique hostels to check into. Activities include a visit to Victoria Falls, village tours, game drives, and river sunsets.

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most sought-after destinations in Tanzania. And if you find yourself on your way to the crater rim, you can’t beat andBeyond’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. This all-inclusive luxury lodge is one of the most romantic and serene safari lodges you’ll ever come across, so be sure to stay for a few days to make the most of the serenity.

If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury in Rwanda, One&Only offers the ultimate trip into Rwanda’s rainforests and jungle terrain. Nyungwe House is located on a tea plantation and offers unreal scenery to wake up to and feel the private serenity of the Rwandan hills.

Last but not least, Sable Alley is one of many lodges located in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. But what makes this lodge a great choice in 2022 is the lodge’s rustic appeal, which really makes you feel like you’re in the heart of the jungle. This is also a great base camp if you fancy spending the night in Skybeds Botswana as it is part of the same group.

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share the inspiration from her travels and inspire others to see our world. Now she divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular soft spot for French pastries.