As some of the most heavily taxed aviators in the world, British travellers have eagerly awaited the arrival of lower duties on long-haul travel. From 1st May this year, children under 12 will be entirely exempt from air passenger duty.  All this means your holiday money can go further this year, making travelling to far-flung foreign climes with kids in tow more affordable.  With this in mind, we've put together our favourite family-friendly African destinations to please parents and kids:

Exotic adventures, tick.  

Manageable time difference, tick.

A lifetime of memories to fill the family album, tick.

Charge the i-pad, stow a supply of snacks and sticker books and brave that plane... we promise it will be worth it.

Mozambique

Azura Benguerra Island, in southern Mozambique, has self-contained villas with large private pools and bags of space to relax. Children can explore mesmerising marine life, hunt for pansy shells, climb dunes, track down crocodiles, play soccer with the local team or get their hands dirty in the kitchen making a batch of biscuits for the rest of the family to tuck into. The African Spa also caters for kids with a range of treatments including face painting, pamper parties and facials and manicures for teens.

http://www.azura-retreats.com/azura-benguerra

Azura Quilalea Private Island is located in northern Mozambique, within the pristine Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary. There's masses here for families that will make for some marvellous memories: kayaking around the island, traditional dhow sailing, and island hopping for lazy picnics or simply the opportunity to spend an evening stargazing. During nesting season, you can watch turtles lay their eggs or see hatchlings take their first steps to the sea. Pint-sized explorers as young as 4 can learn to snorkel with one of the expert instructors, while older children will love to learn to scuba dive at the properties dedicated PADI 5 star dive centres.   http://www.azura-retreats.com/azura-quilalea

Tanzania

Azura Selous Game Reserve

If you want to expose your kids to Africa in all its jaw-dropping glory then you'd be hard-pressed to beat a safari in the Selous. Bigger than the size of Switzerland, the Selous with its ravines, rivers, plains and maze of lakes is one of Africa's largest Game Reserves. It is also said to offer the most classic and authentic game viewing. Only one word of warning, your local zoo might seem a bit tame after a visit here. With a strong focus on welcoming families, Azura Selous is the only camp in the area to have a dedicated children's programme designed to educate, albeit in a relaxed and informal way, about the Selous and its abundant wildlife. Home to Africa's biggest population of elephant, buffalo, crocodile and hippo, guests big and small can expect intimate encounters with lion, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, bushbuck, eland, greater kudu, leopard and antelope.  As well as game drives, guided nature walks and fishing on the Great Ruaha River there are some thoughtful touches like looking for animal prints that the kids can cast to take home with them as a lasting memento of their trip. http://www.azura-retreats.com/azura-selous

Zambia

Royal Zambezi Lodge

Whether you opt for game drives, a canoe trip spotting hippo and elephant, a walking safari or the chance to engage in some old-fashioned father-son bonding while you haul in a tiger fish, this luxury tented camp on the banks of the Zambezi River is the perfect place to reconnect. Frazzled parents can recharge the batteries with some me time in the Bush Spa while older children swat up on bush lore, animal tracking and get back to basics making a fire from sticks and building a bow. At the end of the day, the Sausage Tree bar makes the perfect place for the family to gather together miles away from the interruptions of work, school and Facebook and watch the sun set over the escarpment. www.royalzambezilodge.com

Kenya

Little Naibor

Minutes from the world famous wildebeest crossing site and nestled in woodland on the banks of the Talek River in the heart of the Maasai Mara is Little Naibor.  Part of the Naibor Camp, this small but perfectly formed sibling comprises of two spacious suites each containing a double and twin bedded room with their own ensuite bathrooms. A communal lounge and verandah area connects them which is ideal for families as kids can be close to their parents under the same canvas, yet still have their own room.  Adults can be off-duty in terms of domestic chores with a dedicated team of staff catering to your every whim, leaving you precious time to go spotting lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and zebra. With thoughts of supper left in someone else's capable hands, you might chose to enjoy an “Out of Africa” style bush meal in a private location or go on an outing to one of the nearby Maasai communities. www.naibor.com

Zanzibar

Zanzibar White Sand

Boasting activities like swimming with dolphins, beach bike rides, paddle boarding and kitesurfing on crystal clear waters, Zanzibar White Sand is a 5 star luxury resort that ticks quite a few bucket list boxes for Mum and Dad, let alone having more than enough wow factor to cut the mustard with kids of all ages. Older children and teens will love the street-cred of kite-surfing, scuba diving and paddleboaring with cool instructors on picture-perfect white sand beaches. Beautiful two bedroom villas with their own private pool cater perfectly for families.  The property also has a babysitting service so grown-ups can enjoy a session in the spa, a sundowner in the rooftop bar or a delicious dinner à deux while the kids drift off dreaming of their day's adventures.  www.whitesandvillas.com

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Small World Marketing offers PR and Marketing services for international luxury tourism products seeking UK and international representation.

For press information and images please contact:
 Julie Hedley at Small World Marketing
e: julie@smallworldmarketing.co.uk t: 0845 634 1460