Mzansi Safari Meets Mozambique

A short walk from the arrivals hall of O.R. Tambo International Airport is your stayover at the Intercontinental Johannesburg. South Africa’s only luxury airport hotel has immaculately appointed rooms and all the creature comforts you can imagine before you start your African safari in earnest. If there’s time, take a dip in the heated swimming pool or visit the spa for some last-minute pampering. Easy car hire and taxi services allow you to get out for a meal or you can enjoy an African dining experience at Quills Restaurant right in the foyer of your hotel.

Your family will be whisked away to Lion Sands Tinga Lodge gloriously set on the banks of the Sabie River in a private concession within the Kruger National Park. All nine secluded river suites offer spectacular views and private decks with an inviting plunge pool. At Tinga, you’re encouraged to wind down and shed the stress of everyday life. Allow yourself to relax and reconnect with your natural surroundings while the wonderful lodge staff take care of the rest. On daily game drives, your expert local guides will follow the tracks of leopard and other Big Five animals, leading you to incredible wildlife sightings. You can also explore nature on foot during a guided bush walk where you’ll learn to appreciate the micro elements of this rich and biodiverse ecology. Some of the interesting birds you can spot are the rare Southern ground hornbill and saddle-billed stork, both of which breed at Lion Sands. With its distinctly African feel, the main lodge includes high thatched ceilings and comfy lounges opening onto a wooden dining deck. Enjoy private family dinners and wine tastings or visit the spa for a rejuvenating treatment while the kids take part in the young explorer’s programme. Stargazing, wildlife lectures and visits to local villages are also possibilities, and for the uber adventurous, spending a night out in a treehouse is a bucket-list experience you shouldn’t miss.

Under the shade of an acacia forest surrounded by impossibly blue waters, this laid-back beach lodge is a refreshing stop at the end of your safari. Benguerra Island Lodge lies 9 miles off the coast of Mozambique and provides barefoot luxury at its absolute best! For families, the exclusive-use Casa Familia is an ideal accommodation option with three ensuite bedrooms, a private deck, an infinity pool and hanging daybeds overlooking the beach. The scuba diving and snorkelling off Benguerra Island are out of this world with opportunities to spot Africa's last remaining population of dugong, a near-extinct manatee weighing 600 pounds. Other family-friendly activities to enjoy include kayaking, sunset dhow cruises and world-class deep-sea and saltwater fly-fishing in the Indian Ocean. Castaway picnics on the north of the island are the best way to admire a perfect African sunset with a cold drink beneath the coconut palms.