The A-list: Asia and Africa school holiday ideas

Looking for an unforgettable school holiday adventure? Enter Africa and Asia: two dazzling continents with wild wonders, vibrant cultures and beaches made for barefoot days. Whether it’s a half-term break, a summer getaway or a Christmas escape, this guide has the top spots for every school holiday season.


February half-term


South Africa

Enjoy South Africa’s tail-end summer sunshine without the crowds. The Rainbow Nation provides a taste of everything; beaches, city sightseeing and safari. Start in Cape Town where you can explore history on a trip to Robben Island, whiz down the coast in a vintage sidecar then drive out to a malaria-free reserve along the coast like Kariega. If you’re drawn to famous Kruger National Park, Tinga Lodge with its Mack & Madi kids’ club is a hit. You can also road trip along the Garden Route, taking a detour to Oudtshoorn to watch delightful meerkats in their natural habitat.

Top family holidays in South Africa

· The Garden Route – Family edition

· South Africa Family Adventure Self-Drive

· South Africa Family Safari

Kenya

Treat the kids to a dream safari in Kenya. It’s dry season, so you’ll enjoy sunny climes and blue skies. You’ll find family-friendly safari lodges across the country, from the Maasai Mara to the conservancies of Laikipia, arid Samburu plains and maneless lion territory in Tsavo. The best, like Sarova Mara, offer two-bed safari tents for a chic glamping experience, a pool, kids’ club, safari drives and activities for all ages. Introduce the children to new cultures with ethical visits to local villages and head to the sun-blessed Mombasa coast for an idyllic beach escape to end your trip.

Top family holidays in Kenya

· Kenya Family Safari and Beach

Easter holidays and May half-term


India

For an adventure straight out of The Jungle Book, head to India. It’s dry season and the best time for tracking Bengal tigers on safari in national parks like Pench or Bandhavgarh. Set in a tiger reserve, Singinawa Jungle Lodge in Kanha has a pool and family bungalows. If beaches are more your thing, Goa fits the bill, while Kerala offers both soft sands, backwater cruises and family farm stays. India is a top choice for older teens to sink their teeth into cultural tours, from cooking classes and temple-hopping in the Golden Triangle to Bollywood dance lessons in Mumbai.

Top family holidays in India

· Taj Mahal, Tigers and Teens

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a treasure trove for families, best explored in a private car with your own driver/guide. Climb the steps of Sigiriya Rock Fortress for sweeping jungle views and wander through the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, where monkeys swing between crumbling statues. In Nuwara Eliya, trek through misty tea plantations and learn how those delicate leaves become your morning brew. Spot elephants and elusive leopards in Yala National Park, then swap hiking boots for sandy toes on the south coast.

Top family holidays in Sri Lanka

· Sri Lanka Family Itinerary

· Sri Lanka: Safari, Adventure & Beach with Teens

· Sri Lanka and Maldives Itinerary

Thailand

Thailand is brimming with family adventures that are as exciting as they are diverse. Begin in Bangkok, where kids will love zipping through the streets on a tuk-tuk and sampling zingy street food in the city markets. Head north to cultural Chiang Mai for jungle ziplining and bamboo rafting, while down south, calm, reef-filled waters and powdery sands set the scene for laid-back beach days. Don’t miss the chance to spend a few nights between the jungle and lake at Elephant Hills, an ethical wilderness experience where you can get nose-to-trunk with elephants and drift off to sleep in a floating tent.

Top family holidays in Thailand

· Thailand Family Itinerary

· Thailand Beaches and Jungle

· Bangkok & Phuket twin-centre

Summer holidays


Kenya and Tanzania

Buckle up for a bucket-list African safari experience: The Great Migration. Visit either the Serengeti in Tanzania or Kenya’s Maasai Mara to witness the world’s largest mass migration, with million-strong herds of zebra, wildebeest and antelope flooding from the thirsty Serengeti plains across the Mara River in search of fertile grasslands. Dramatic river crossings complete with crocodile and big cat hunts rule, accompanied by Big Five game drives. Stay in luxury tented safari camps with kids’ clubs and activities, like Nanyukie and Sarova Mara, then end with a beach break at an all-inclusive resort like LUX* Marijani Zanzibar.

Top family holidays in Kenya and Tanzania

· Kenya Fly-In Family Safari

· Tanzania’s Great Migration

Malaysia

Malaysia is a winning choice for a family holiday filled with variety. In Kuala Lumpur, wander the market-lined streets of Chinatown and head to Batu Caves to climb colourful steps to a temple guarded by a golden deity. Then, where to next? There’s Penang for mouthwatering street food and afternoons by the pool or Langkawi for mangrove kayaking and golden sands. Over in East Malaysia, spot orangutans swinging through Borneo’s jungles or snorkel the gin-clear waters around Gaya Island Resort. Round it all off with a few days in Singapore, where kids can race down waterslides at Adventure Cove and stroll beneath the Avatar-like trees of Gardens by the Bay.

Top family holidays in Malaysia

· Singapore and Penang

· Highlights of Kuala Lumpur and Borneo

Zimbabwe

Enjoy an adrenaline-pumping family trip to Zimbabwe in the school holidays, a favourite for teenagers. Explore Victoria Falls by zipline or helicopter to get up close to the Smoke that Thunders or take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. In the summer, huge herds of elephants and buffalo can be spotted at Hwange National Park, while UNESCO-listed Lake Kariba and the Mana Pools are ideal for water safaris. Star resorts include Bomani Tented Lodge, which features tented family suites, bush walks, night drives, canoeing and even pump runs to deliver supplies to water stations.

Top family holidays in Zimbabwe

· Family Victoria Falls and Safari Adventure

October half-term and Christmas holidays


Namibia

Namibia makes a superb road trip destination at this time of year, with dry weather in the mid-twenties and clear night skies for stargazing. Parched conditions mean animals gather at Etosha National Park’s waterholes, so all you have to do is park up for African animal sightings. The Namib Desert takes centre stage, providing the chance to sandboard, take fat bike trips on the dunes and search out desert creatures. Enjoy dolphin-watching cruises, then take part in conservation activities at Okonjima, home to the renowned AfriCat Foundation. Their Plains Camp has stellar family lofts, a waterhole, pool and a young explorers’ walk.

Top family holidays in Namibia

· Essential Namibia Self-Drive

Vietnam

Vietnam is perfect for families with adventurous teens. Cruise past limestone karsts in Halong Bay or trek through rice terraces in Sapa, meeting hill-tribe communities along the way. Watch boats piled high with tropical fruits glide through the floating markets of the Mekong Delta and visit Ho Chi Minh City to venture into the winding underground war tunnels. In Hội An, kids can try their hand at lantern-making or cycle past water buffalo in the surrounding countryside. End the trip with some downtime at a family-friendly beach resort like Amiana Resort Nha Trang.

Top family holidays in Vietnam

· Highlights of Vietnam


Inspired?


School holidays, sorted. Chat with our Personal Travel Experts or browse our Families brochure and let's get planning.

This feature was updated on 24th January 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.

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