Summer holiday for the family ??

If the kids are waterbabes/outdoorsy, nothing much beats the north of Western Australia (Cape Leveque, etc). Boating, fishing, hiking, snorkelling, nature tours, swimming, endless beaches, etc. With the possible exception of the Irish, Western Australians are the best hosts in the English speaking world. If you go, don't miss the fish'n'chips at Derby pier on the drive up from Broome - best in the world! And June/July is great for the weather there (unlike the more populated parts of Oz). See

http://www.kooljaman.com.au/



Otherwise - completely different - maybe drive around Namibia in a campervan/RV?.... Unlike Kenya etc, Namibia is an easy self-drive destination with excellent roads. No need to go on organised excursions or get up/eat when a tour leader tells you to!



You can see herds of animals from your self-drive vehicle, especially in Etosha Park (which is huge; you could spend several days there). Amazed if the 9 year old doesn't like seeing herds of elephant and giraffe just yards away at the water holes, and enjoy stroking cheetahs at the sanctuaries. Often, in Etosha, herds of animals wander across the road right in front of you. Fantastic desert scenery in Damaraland and towards Swakopmund (where there is a casino for R&R!).



Good quality accommodation is available everywhere (Best Western standard up to deluxe private lodges), but a campervan gives you flexibility (maybe alternate between nights at lodges and nights in the RV) - our kids like cooking outdoors etc.



As Africa goes, Namibia is safe (except in the capital Windhoek; but there's no reason to stay there after the plane lands); certainly no more dangerous than the US. Fly to Johannesburg (often a cheap route on Cathay) and then a short cheap hop to Windhoek. See

http://www.namibian.org/travel/namibia/etosha.htm