Where to go in Africa for a Christmas Safari?

As one who’s been lucky enough to have spent Christmas in Kenya as a child, I can attest to the merits of being on the equator or a little way south of it. Much of east and southern Africa is terrific in December, warm for sure, and occasionally a little damp, but fabulous and filled with light and warmth from people and the sun. It’s also a great time to be on an Indian Ocean beach with generally calm conditions and excellent water clarity.

The Sands Chale Island ocean view, Kenya coast

Because of this, it’s a popular time of year to visit Africa, and finding space in some places can be a challenge even a year ahead. Please remember this if you’re thinking about a large family gathering, as we would be really upset if we couldn’t help.

Kenya, straddling the equator, and Tanzania, a little south of it, are normally blessed with two rainy seasons each year, with November being the time of the short rains, bringing welcome relief from six dry months and encouraging a spurt of green growth around December. Both countries offer superb wildlife viewing in peaceful surroundings with plenty of activities away from the safari vehicle, and the bonus of also having their own gorgeous Indian Ocean coastlines.

Cheetah, Offbeat Mara, Kenya

Kenya is brilliant for families as it has so much wildlife on community-owned or private land, and offers good horse riding, walking safaris, camel rides, mountain biking, fly camping, meeting the local people, and plenty more. Lodges that we love here include Shompole Wilderness, and Offbeat Mara for families, Elsa’s Kopje, Ol Donyo Lodge and Mara Plains for couples. Private villas that suit groups of friends and larger families include Ol Malo House and Segera.

Segera sleepout, Kenya

South Africa’s climate is a story of two parts – most of this huge country gets summer rains during December, but the malaria-free Eastern and Western Cape are mostly basking in sunshine under cloudless skies. There is so much on offer here with the Winelands, Cape Town itself, the Overberg coast to the east, the Karoo, and of course, the Garden Route. We love this region for families of all ages, and among our favourite places are Welgelegen, Coot Club, Morukuru Beach House, and Fairview House.

Coot Club volley ball, South Africa

Families can also enjoy an amazing safari at Kwandwe Melton Manor or Samara Manor House. Adults might enjoy the Dorp, Le Quartier Francais, Birkenhead House, and Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.

Breaching whale Birkehead House, South Africa

They can also enjoy an excellent safari at Samara Karoo Plains Camp and at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge. Extended families and groups of friends have a wealth of choice too, with some super villas in Cape Town, including Ellerman House Villas, , Fynbos Family House at Babylonstoren.

Kwandwe Melton Manor, South Africa

Elsewhere, the semi-arid northwest, such as Madikwe, the Waterberg, and the Kalahari, is spectacular when some rain has fallen. Madikwe Safari Lodge, Jaci’s Safari Lodge andAnt’s Nest all work superbly for all ages. Tswalu offers a classic ‘away from it all’ experience, with private guides and vehicles for every booking, guaranteeing that guests can get the best from 120,000 hectares of private rewilded land.

Ant’s Nest, South Africa

The Kruger region and KwaZulu-Natal are great too, despite it being the rainy season. It might rain for an hour or two some days, but when the sun is out, be ready for the heat. The bush explodes into life, and the wildlife looks healthy and well-fed thanks to the fresh grazing.

Chitwa, Chitwa pizza truck, South Africa

It is also the time to give birth for many, and seeing wobbly babies is an additional joy. Kambaku Safari Lodge, Chitwa Chitwa, and Singita Ebony accommodate families and couples alike in the Kruger region, and offer amazing hospitality too. Phinda Rock Lodge and Rhino Sands Camp are wonderful options in KwaZulu Natal.

Phinda Rock, South Africa

Private villas include Royal Malewane Africa House, and Phinda Homestead. Further afield in KwaZulu-Natal, Fugitives Drift and GweGwe Beach Lodge offer a wonderful contrast.

View of the battlefields, Fugitive’s Drift, South Africa

Botswana gets meagre rainfall, and there is sometimes a shower or two in November or December, but never much or for long. During the green season, the Okavango Delta is paradise personified; vivid green vegetation, blue skies, hot, mostly sunny, and with all the wildlife the country is known for – it doesn’t migrate, except some zebra populations. Visitors can enjoy day and night wildlife drives, walking safaris, boat and mokoro cruises, and in some places, horse riding and e-bikes. Walking with habituated meerkats and parties of Bushmen is also a wonderful highlight for all ages. Although Botswana perhaps lends itself more to adults, teenagers and younger children are also supremely well catered for, and camps such as the following are superb: Camp Kalahari, Splash, Gomoti Plains, and Ngoma Safari Lodge suit all ages.

Beagle Expeditions – mokoro the Okavango Delta

Families with children over 12 can enjoy doing most activities and are welcome at most camps, including the awesome Beagle Expeditions and African Horseback Safaris. Couples will especially enjoy Selinda Explorers  Chitabe and Kwara . Larger groups of friends and families can book entire camps relatively easily, as many are fairly small with just five to eight tents, and good examples include Little Vumbura and North Island Okavango. Private villas for two couples or a smaller family include Jack’s Private, and Zarafa Dhow Suite.

Meerkat Experience, Botswana

Tanzania works really well for families with older children and for adults. Properties that we love here for families include Wayo Lake Manyara Green Camp, Lamai Serengeti and Singita Faru Faru. For couples, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lake Natron Camp and Gibbs Farm are brilliant. Private villas for larger groups or multi-generational families include Entamanu Private, Mkombe’s House, and it’s also wonderful to take a tented camp privately, such as Serengeti Safari Camp or Serian’s Serengeti Lamai.

Gibbs Farm swimming pool, Tanzania

Ready to swap the ski slopes for the savannah?

While we all love a classic winter getaway, there is something truly magical about a festive safari. Swap the crisp mountain air for the golden glow of the African plains. Safari is the ultimate all-inclusive gift: world-class dining, breathtaking wildlife encounters, and stunning landscapes all wrapped into one sophisticated experience. From the heart of the Serengeti to the private reserves of South Africa, we use our deep-rooted expertise to tailor a safari that fits your family perfectly.

These sought-after festive holidays book up fast; availability for premier lodges in South Africa, Tanzania, and beyond is highly coveted and often fills a year in advance. Now is the perfect time to get in touch with our team of travel experts and turn your dream into a reality.

What next?

Get inspired and sign up for our free Insider’s Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help you plan a safari encompassing any of the exclusive stays and trips mentioned here. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally, we make suggestions. If this is your first time in Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.

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