South Africa - Kruger National Park
We have travelled as a family to South Africa since my children were babies and we all fall in love a little more each time we go to this stunning country. It's a long flight but we always did overnight flights, so the children slept most of the way. There is something for everyone: beaches, wine regions, extreme sports, Victoria Falls, driving along The Garden route and of course game drives! It's a perfect winter sun destination and only a one-hour time difference so no jet lag!
My all-time favourite visit was at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge which is in the Kruger National Park. It was six years ago that we visited Sabi Sabi but it was such a magical time that I wanted to share it. It is the most incredible place; the individual lodges with outside showers, eating dinner in the bush, toasting marshmallows over the camp fire, watching the animals at the water hole whilst eating breakfast and the friendliest staff of anywhere I've ever stayed. We were there at the beginning of September which was an ideal time to travel. Warm days meant the animals weren't hiding from the heat of the sun and the cooler evenings meant the animals were ready to hunt. The evening game drives were so exciting! From the sunsets and sundowners, to the chase through the bush watching the lions searching for their dinner! We saw the big 5: lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. We saw many other animals including giraffe, cheetah and had an encounter with a leopard and her two cubs who were very inquisitive and came right up to our vehicle. It is incredible and a little scary how close you get to the animals!
One day we visited a local village and orphanage which is an education in itself. The people were so welcoming and loved the clothes we gave them - I went back to the lodge with no shoes!
If you've been thinking of going to South Africa and to a game park my advice is do it! With children (children of all ages are welcome, under six they generally don't go out on a game drive unless you organise a private drive however, most lodges and hotels in the parks are near waterholes so you will see the animals without going on the drives) or without kids it is truly the most amazing experience and you won't regret it!