Family retreats aren’t just about getting family members together in exotic locations. If done right, they can be the tool to help further a family’s legacy for many generations. For this week's story, Susan Barnes talked with experts about how to pull it all together with the help of key consultants, a thoughtful plan and team-building activities aimed at bringing family members closer.
One of the biggest luxury travel trends playing out this year is going on an ultimate African safari. We’ve compiled a list of the most luxurious wildlife safaris, complete with experienced guides who will no doubt help you capture the social-media-worthy photos of a lifetime. And who knows, it could serve as the backdrop for your next family retreat.
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HANDPICKED: How to maximize a family retreat to further legacy planning
By SUSAN B. BARNES
When it comes time to hold a family office retreat as a tool to approach legacy planning, professionals within family offices who are tasked with planning that retreat often realize that it is a much larger undertaking than they anticipated.
We’ve previously shared insights from experts at Bernstein Private Wealth on hosting a successful family retreat, including bringing in outside consultants to help structure what the experience can look like.
Before you start planning your retreat, take a look at these key themes and insights we’ve rounded up from experts at Bessemer Trust, the Council on Foundations, the National Center for Family Philanthropy and Warner Norcross + Judd.
DEFINE YOUR WHY
Before any planning begins, it is important to define why a family retreat is needed at this time. Perhaps the family office is venturing in a new direction or there is a changing of the guard, whether due to retirement, additional family members coming of age and becoming a part of the office, or a death. A few other examples of the "why" behind organizing a family retreat: reviewing governance, revising roles or welcoming new generations into the family office.
In addition to the “why,” determine what you hope to accomplish with a family retreat. In Principled Planning: A Guide For Family Foundation Retreats, published by the Council on Foundations, author Elaine Gast suggests taking time to clarify two or three outcomes you would like to see result from the retreat.
Think along the lines of “What do we want to be different?” and “How can we use a retreat or meeting to move toward our goals?”
THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE
Once the “why” and anticipated outcomes are defined, next up is finding the right time and place to gather key members of the family office together for a retreat.
This can be challenging — some family members may find the thought of a retreat a burden, while others may act disengaged or simply not reply to inquiries about their availability. This is a good time to entice prospective participants with the “where” of the family retreat.
A family retreat is a special event, and location does indeed matter, said Susie Meyers, a partner at Warner Norcross + Judd. She recommends selecting a place to host the retreat that is away from anyone’s home and the office. Doing so keeps distractions at bay, and those who work in the office will not think that the retreat is “just another day at work.” One idea Meyers shares is to book rooms at a resort and turn the family office retreat into a family weekend getaway.
MAKE A PLAN
Once the participants of a family retreat have been identified and the time and place has been determined, it is time to make a plan for the retreat itself. This is when planners outline topics to be discussed, who will lead each discussion and establish a time frame to devote to each topic.
Depending on what is being discussed, it may be a good idea to bring in an outside facilitator to help navigate conversations, especially if topics can be deemed touchy or controversial among family members. It is important to schedule breaks throughout the day, too, to be sure participants remain energized and engaged during the retreat.
To help organize and streamline the planning, Janice Simsohn Shaw Consulting LLC created a planning template for the National Center for Family Philanthropy that can be used time and again. The template is an appendix found in Meetings Matter: How to Plan Effective, Efficient, and Enjoyable Family Meetings.
ENJOY EACH OTHER
In addition to conversations around the family office and business, Donna E. Trammell, head of family wealth stewardship at Bessemer Trust, suggests building time into family retreat agendas to share the family’s history and stories, especially if younger family members are joining the office.
She also said it is important for family members to connect, and even reconnect, on a personal level. To that end, Trammell suggests team-building activities “to add to the family’s collective bank of goodwill.”
Warner Norcross' Meyers agrees.
“Choosing the right location, choosing the best meeting format and choosing family bonding activities which have meaning to multiple generations of family members will go a long way toward increasing a sense of purpose and engagement.”
The ultimate guide to luxury safaris
By SUSAN B. BARNES
Imagine traveling across the Serengeti and various African plains and natural landscapes to watch the "Big 5" — lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros — go about their days and nights in their natural habitats. Herds of elephants bathing in rivers, antelopes gracefully sprinting across the plains, lions and leopards lazing in the sun, rhinos grazing on grasses. Or, follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey and travel to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The opportunities for African wildlife safaris are bountiful.
To help make your wildlife dreams come true, we have compiled some of the most luxurious African safaris that will pamper you after days spent spotting animals with experienced guides.
Kruger National Park
For a unique safari experience, set your sights on Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge. This luxury accommodation is unlike any other — the 31-room reimagined train is permanently stationed high over the Sabie River on the Selati Bridge, which is steeped in history. Choose from the 24 Train Carriage Suites and seven Bridge House Suites, all of which are tailored for the utmost in comfort, providing bird's-eye views of the river and landscape below. After a day of wildlife spotting on two daily game drives in the heart of Big 5 territory, relax beside one of three pools or indulge in a spa treatment or savor a meal of African-inspired fare. Every luxury is included, from in-room air conditioning, Wi-Fi and Juliet balconies (Train) to patio and gardens (Bridge House).
Sabi Sabi Nature Reserve
Redefined luxury is the name of the game at Cheetah Plains, an exclusive-use safari experience in the Sabi Sabi Nature Reserve, sharing a fenceless border with Kruger National Park and Mala Mala Game Reserve to the east. Cheetah Plains’ three exclusive, luxurious villas can each accommodate eight guests In four suites, each with expansive bedrooms, lounges and fireplaces; dual vanities; double rain showers; and more. The shared living space in each villa features formal and entertainment lounges, living and dining rooms, swimming pool decks, fine-wine galleries and fully equipped chef’s kitchens. A complete hospitality team of a host, butler, culinary team, spa therapist, and expert field guide and tracker are dedicated to each villa, ensuring customized and personalized experiences for everyone in your group.
Waterberg
A few hours from Johannesburg is what is considered South Africa’s best-kept secret — Waterberg. Here you will find Red Savannah’s Private House Safari, a weeklong experience at two exclusive-use houses. The fully staffed Observatory in Leobo comfortably accommodates up to six adults and three children, with a number of indoor and outdoor terraces on which to relax and a talented chef who will impress with innovative dishes. The highlight of The Observatory is a 20-inch telescope housed in a two-level library with a domed roof for exceptional stargazing. Within the Madikwe Game Reserve, a Big 5 reserve, is Morukuru River House, a three-bedroom safari house that accommodates six grown-ups and four children. Dive into the heated infinity pool and you may spot elephants, buffalo or antelopes who make their way to the Marico River to drink.
Tanzania
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti consists of 77 rooms, suites and villas, all of which feature the same luxurious accommodations and impeccable service you’ve come to expect from the Four Seasons. Besides spotting the Big 5 on game drives in Serengeti National Park, guests can choose their favorite spots on elevated platforms and walkways tucked alongside an animal watering hole to see herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo and more quench their thirst. Other experiences include walking and hot-air balloon safaris, relaxing in the Kani Spa and dining at the resort’s two restaurants serving African-inspired dishes highlighting locally sourced ingredients.
This summer, luxury safari outfitter Asilia Africa is debuting its new Kokoko Camp in Ruaha National Park on the banks of the Mwagusi River. The camp, which operates from July through October, is reserved on an exclusive-use basis and can accommodate up to six guests. During their time at Kokoko, adventurous safari enthusiasts enjoy day and night game drives, walking and early morning hot-air balloon safaris. In addition to Africa’s iconic animals, more than 570 bird species can be seen and heard at the camp.
Last summer, Asilia Africa introduced The Retreats at Sayari and Namiri, ideal for multigenerational and small-group travel. Sayari Retreats, open June to March, and Namiri Plains Retreats, open year-round, each offer two retreats (two bedrooms each) that share a pool and lounge and a spacious deck with a sunken fire pit from which to enjoy expansive views across the Serengeti. Private guides, hosts and dedicated chefs provide the utmost in personalized safari experiences for all their guests.
With offerings throughout Africa, Cape Town-based Go2Africa specializes in catering to every type of traveler, from honeymooners to multigenerational families, to create exceptional experiences. The Serengeti Explorer, a reimagined safari lodge perched on the Nyaboro Hills Tanzania, opened in January. Overlooking the Serengeti Plains, the 68-room, six-suite lodge provides a terrific vantage point and access to the Great Migration, with six restaurants, a wellness center, outdoor cinema and a stargazing deck to recharge.
Botswana
Another new offering from Go2Africa is now open: Atzaro Okavango Camp in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Powered entirely by solar energy, the camp has all the comforts to make you feel at home in the middle of “savanna meets delta.” Each luxurious tent boasts air conditioning, private plunge pools and Wi-Fi. Beyond the camp you’ll get up close to myriad wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes and hippos.
Africa by jet
Abercrombie & Kent curates a number of Wings Over the World Journeys, including a few in Africa. The 11-day Wings Over East Africa is an intimate journey limited to 16 guests, who travel by private aircraft to experience encountering mountain gorillas in Uganda, tracking wildlife across Tanzania’s Serengeti and witnessing the Great Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara by hot-air balloon.
Wings Over Southern Africa is a 14-day journey limited to 15 guests — who experience the best of the region, including Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Luxury accommodations range from tented suites to private bush pavilions, elegant private villas or a chic Cape Town hotel.
New in 2025 is Africa: Across a Continent by Private Jet. This 23-day journey will feature epic wildlife encounters and incredible experiences in Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa, Benin and Morocco for an unforgettable night at the secluded A&K Private Desert Camp.
John Hall’s Alaska takes its expertise in creating exceptional small-group experiences across the globe with its World Adventures, including African safaris. Partnering with local outfitters like the Shamwari Private Game Reserve and Zambezi Queen by Mantis and working with local guides, World Adventures guests enjoy the same high-quality exploration of culture, history, local flavors and, in this case, wildlife — not to mention four- and five-star accommodations that they’ve come to expect from John Hall’s Alaska.
LOOSE CHANGE
UBS wealth exec to lead Citi Private Bank’s family office unit: In an internal memo, the bank’s top executive said the hires reflect Citi’s effort to “bolster its capabilities” as it focuses on ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Sotheby’s Sports Week to include collectibles from LeBron, Ali, Kobe: The series of six auctions, online and live, features collectibles from basketball, baseball, racing, boxing and football.
Sun Belt cities adding millionaires faster than New York: Texas, Arizona and Florida are home to the cities seeing the fastest growth of millionaires in the U.S.
Help us with a story: We’re working on a story about the co-investment experiences of real estate families. If you have any comments on the topic, reach out to [email protected].