Family Safaris in Africa

A family safari in Africa is the best way to bond with the most important people in your life, where digital distractions are a distant memory, and everyone is dumbfounded with wonder. There's just nothing like seeing your little one's eyes light up when they see the cast of The Lion King in real life! When planning your family holidays in Africa, you can rest assured that you'll be their favourite person for quite some time. With the perfect mix of quality time together and relaxing while the kids are out of your hair and happily entertained, a family safari is the best holiday for everyone.

Why choose a safari in Africa for your family holidays? 

• Family safaris in Africa offer specially designed kids safari programmes to keep little ones entertained and learning along the way.

• Many kids safari programmes are split into different age groups so that even your pre-teen can have some fun and meet some new friends.

• Because family-oriented lodges understand how picky kids can get when it comes to eating, many have kiddie menus with classic dishes guaranteed to please.

• Some safari lodges also offer shorter game drives so that you can share the experience with the kids without them getting restless.

• Many of the lodges have childminders who can keep an eye on the kids while you and your significant other enjoy a date night.

• South Africa has plenty of malaria-free safari destinations to make travelling with kids or grandparents easier.

• Many family-friendly safari lodges have excellent amenities for kids so that they never get bored while you kick back, such as playrooms, swimming pools, and more.

• You can hire out exclusive-use safari villas or lodges with your own private butler, chef, game vehicle, and more to ensure everyone in the family gets a break from chores and have a home in the bush.

What can kids do on family safari holidays?  

A multigenerational family safari holiday in Africa does not have to be a headache. When you choose the right lodge, every family member will have the time of their life. 

Many luxury safari lodges in Africa offer kid clubs to make them feel at home and like true VIPs. From welcome packs, kid-approved menus, fun activities like scavenger hunts, baking lessons, board games, arts and crafts, and African bedtime stories. Oftentimes, these activities also teach them about the wilderness and its wildlife. This helps foster a love and respect for nature and a desire to protect our environment from a young age.

And while they're happily occupied, you can take advantage of childminders to enjoy the more adult side of safaris, like a private dinner under the stars in the middle of the bush. 

The best family safari destinations in Africa

Africa has plenty of different family-friendly destinations for your holiday. From famous South Africa to remote Botswana and authentic East Africa, you'll struggle to settle on only one stop for your family safari in Africa.  

Family safaris in South Africa 

Ah, South Africa. The classic Big 5 safari destination and home to the world-famous Kruger National Park. Here you'll also find many luxury private game reserves like Londolozi Private Game Reserve, offering a more exclusive experience for your family. 

You will often find lodges with exclusive-use villas with a private team dedicated to your family. You also don't have to share any amenities with other guests and can decide on a timetable depending on your mood. This flexibility makes your family-safari experience so much more enjoyable for everyone. 

Although this Big 5 safari mecca is a favourite, there are plenty of other game reserves for your family safari in South Africa. The Garden Route is known as one epic road trip. As you travel along this scenic coast, you'll find many malaria-free reserves like Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, making travelling with kids or older generations a breeze. The landscapes are also different depending on where you go, and some game reserves are even close to the coast, offering the perfect bush and beach holiday. 

Malaria-free Madikwe Private Game Reserve, bordering Botswana and at the tip of the Kalahari Desert, is another excellent option for families travelling with kids or older generations. It’s also famous for its populations of the endangered African wild dogs! 

Family safaris in Botswana

Botswana is one of the most untouched countries and a wildlife haven. A Botswana family safari is something you will all still talk about and reminisce about for years to come! With plenty of water- and land-based safari experiences, you'll be in awe at all the different species, birdlife, fauna and flora you'll encounter. 

If you love gentle giants, you'll be in seventh heaven watching the endless herds of elephants in Chobe National Park. Lodges like Chobe Bakwena also have dedicated and secluded family rooms to give you your own space. Chobe Game Lodge, the only permanent camp in the national park, also has a private family suite and child-friendly activities. 

Another must is experiencing the watery tendrils of the baffling Okavango Delta on a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe). Accommodation options like Machaba Camp in the Okavango Delta welcome children of all ages. But wherever you go and choose to stay, Botswana is a wildlife sanctuary that will fascinate safari enthusiasts of all ages.

Family safaris in Tanzania

A family safari in Tanzania will take you back to simpler times when the world was still vast and untouched. The adventure and authentic East African cultures you'll get to experience here will have your cameras working overtime.  

The younger travellers will also be able to see a sight that's even difficult for adults' experienced eyes to comprehend. Yes, it's the dramatic show East Africa is best known for! It's the dizzying magnificence of the Great Migration, when herds and herds of wildebeest as far as the eye can see, followed by zebra, gazelle, and opportunistic predators, make their annual trip across the Tanzanian plains like the Serengeti National Park to Kenya and back again. They do this in search of greener pastures, and it takes them months, so you really have to plan your trip carefully to get front-row tickets to this mesmerising show when it's in town. 

Tanzania has many family-friendly lodges to choose from. One of them is the Singita Serengeti House at Singita Grumeti. This exclusive four-bedroomed villa goes all out, with everything from an eat-in family kitchen, fitness centre, media room, tented massage suite, and even a tennis pavilion. You also get access to your own household and safari team to take care of your every need. 

Then there's another family favourite for adventurers, Little Oliver's in Tarangire National Park, with a triple tent welcoming families with kids older than five. Our Travel Experts know all the family-friendly lodges that will offer the best experience and ensure you have a memorable experience.

Family safaris in Kenya

When planning your Kenya family safari, you can also try to plan it according to the Great Migration's schedule. Although this is not set in stone and is dependent on various factors like rainfall, our Travel Experts can help plan your family holiday in Kenya so that you get to see all the action. 

The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is one of its biggest attractions, not only because this is where the Great Migration passes through but also because of its high density of big cats like cheetah, lion and leopard. The culture is also fascinating, with the colourful Maasai tribe offering you insight into their daily lives during cultural tours. 

Accommodation options like the Mara Bush House welcome children of all ages in their three-bedroomed, fully-staffed homes. 

Everything you need to know about family safaris in Africa

When is the best time to go on a family safari? 

Whenever, wherever, there's a special place for your family safari in Africa! The best time to go on a family safari holiday really depends on your holiday schedule and preferences. Our Travel Experts can help recommend the best destinations and experiences accordingly. 

Are safaris kids-friendly?

Absolutely, family-friendly safari lodges go the extra mile to ensure the lodge and area around it are fenced and secure to keep out any predators or big game like elephants. Families can also book accommodation such as exclusive-use family villas or interleading rooms to ensure you're all staying close to one another. 

How much does a family safari in Africa cost? 

The cost of a family safari in Africa depends on various factors, including but not limited to when you're travelling, where you're staying, inclusions, activities, and more. Our Travel Experts can help you come up with the best safari for your family and recommend places where children under certain ages can stay for free. 

To give you a rough idea of what to expect, a Kruger National Park safari can cost anything from $500 to $2,500 per person per night, depending on service providers, availability and seasonality. 

Tailor-make your family safari in Africa

A family safari in Africa is so much more than just a holiday. It's a life-changing experience you all get to share and cherish for years to come. Our Travel Experts also understand that no two families are the same, and therefore we'll tailor-make something specific to your needs and wants. And as the World's Best Safari Company, you can rest assured that we know best. Contact us today, and let's start planning so that you can start packing!