Zambia  is rapidly gaining a name for itself as a child-friendly safari destination for those in the know… In large part this is due to the development of the East African concept of ‘safari houses’. With a safari house, your family party takes the whole lodge, not just one or two inter-leading rooms. The lodge usually comes with its own ranger so that you have a private vehicle for your game drives and a private chef, sometimes even a house-keeper or butler as well. As you can imagine this leads to a much more relaxed and flexible family holiday. No constant worrying about whether Johnny is making too much noisy, no self-consciousness about an impromptu game of rugby on the lawn. You are free to choose your own game-viewing rhythm, heading out early one morning and taking it more relaxed another day. You can choose your own meal times and as importantly decide on what you all want to eat – great for families with slightly picky children.

Three favorites of ours are Chongwe River House in the Lower Zambezi, Luangwa Safari House in the South Luangwa National Park and Tangala House near to the magnificent Tangala House.

Chongwe River House is one of two ‘Safari Houses’ built and designed by Neil Rocher who is well known for his previous work. It is located in the Lower Zambezi National Park close to Chongwe River Camp. This magnificent private house is ideal for families or friends (up to 8 guests) looking for a little privacy.  It is completely self contained with its own private staff (hostess, guide, chef and batman), allowing you complete flexibility. Every bedroom is individually decorated with its own en suite bathroom and there’s a large plunge pool for relaxation. Game viewing takes place on foot, by boat, by canoe or on night drives. Fishing for tiger fish is also available on a catch and release basis.

As the pool is unfenced and close to the house, and as Zambia is an all-year Malaria area, I wouldn’t recommend this lodge for small children under six years old, but other than that I cannot fault it!

Luangwa Safari House is also designed by Neil Rocher. It is located next to the South Luangwa National Park adjacent to Nkwali Camp. As with Chongwe House, it offers 4 bedrooms for 8 guests and also has private staff (hostess, guide, chef and batman). Luangwa Safari House is open all year round and access to the park for most of the season is by boat or our nearby pontoon.  Game viewing takes place on foot or on day and night drives whilst visits to the local village and school of Kawaza are also available. The area is famous for leopard and giraffe sightings.

Tangala House is a large Safari House on the banks of the Zambezi River, 15 km upstream from the magnificent Victoria Falls. Stylishly built and furnished with a recent feature in the UK House and Garden magazine, Tangala sleeps eight and makes an ideal stay for a family holiday, as it comes with its own staff and guide. The house faces the incredible sunsets across the Zambezi and looks onto the Zambezi National Park. Large herds of elephant often come down to drink on the opposite bank and hippopotamus are regularly seen and heard. There is fantastic birdlife, with over 145 species to date spotted. Tangala is ideal for families and is designed to keep insects out, with glass windows all round. Many inclusive activities that are available from Tangala.  These include bird watching; fishing; game viewing; canoeing; boating; island lunches and picnics.

Sindabezi Island is a sister lodge of Tangala and offers a completely different experience -  a private island paradise on the Zambezi river. Sindabezi sleeps only ten people, in five open fronted thatched chalets dotted around the shores of the island. The island is very rustic in style with no electricity, wood fires and hot bucket showers on demand. The unique design of the chalets allows you to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the river including regular visits from Horace, the resident hippo. At night, you will fall asleep in the glow of a hurricane lamp and in the morning you are woken by magnificent sunrises over the flood plains of the Zambezi river.

Sindabezi Island is ideal for families or a small party looking for complete privacy and is particularly good value. Indeed the island is the only bush camp that can be enjoyed exclusively as a private booking with its own private guide, boat and vehicle.

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