Luxury African Family Safari

African family safaris are highly customizable, with top destinations like South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania offering specific advantages depending on the age of your children and your interest in wildlife, culture, or adventure.

African Family Safaris are 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 African’s Leading Safari Company, you can rest assured that we know best.

Contact us today, and let’s start planning so that you can start packing!

Why choose an African Family Safari

• Some safari lodges also offer shorter game drives so that you can share the experience with the kids without them getting restless.
• South Africa has plenty of malaria-free safari destinations to make traveling with kids or grandparents easier.
• Family safaris in Africa offer specially designed kids safari programs to keep little ones entertained and learning along the way.
• You can hire 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.
• 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.
• Many of the lodges have childminders who can keep an eye on the kids while you and your significant other enjoy a date night.

African Family Safari Cost

Family safari prices in Africa vary depending on a number of variables, such as when you travel, where you stay, what’s included, what you do, and more. The finest safari for your family may be planned with the assistance of our travel experts, who can also suggest locations where kids under a specific age can stay for free.

What can kids do on an African Family Safari Holiday

An African safari trip for a multigenerational family does not have to be difficult. Everyone in the family will have a great experience if you pick the proper lodging.

Many premium safari lodges in Africa provide kid clubs to help them feel at home and like true VIPs. From welcome gifts to kid-friendly menus, entertaining events like scavenger hunts, baking classes, board games, crafts, and bedtime African tales.

They frequently learn about the wilderness and its wildlife through these activities. This helps foster a love and respect for nature and a desire to protect our environment from a young age.

The Best Family Safari Holidays with Children

There are several African wildlife destinations that are particularly suitable for people travelling with children. To assist you in beginning to organise your family safari adventure, we offer specific destination choices below, along with a few typical family itineraries tailored to the children’s ages:

Family Safari Holidays with Children Under 5

South Africa is perfect for families travelling with young children as it has a range of malaria-free wildlife areas. These areas are ideal to combine with Cape Town and the Garden Route, both family friendly locations, or even Mauritius, Africa’s most family friendly beach resort. For children under 5, the best option is to travel to malaria free areas for complete piece of mind. South Africa is the only destination we recommend wholeheartedly for families with toddlers and young children as nearly all the rest of Africa sits within the malaria belt.

Family Safari Holidays for Children Between 5 and 10

Family wildlife safaris in South Africa and Kenya are ideal for those with children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. South Africa’s parks are quite child friendly, with a number of hotels offering great children’s programs. Kenya is another great option if you are looking for a family safari. The Maasai Mara is one of the world’s best big game viewing destinations, while Laikipia and Lewa have large private reserves, exclusive-use accommodation and a thrilling range of activities for children and adults, including nite drives, horse riding, quad biking and forest walks.

Family Safari Holidays for Older Children and Teens

If you have older children, you can find the most daring safari experiences in Africa. Tanzania is one of our favourite places for older kids and teens, especially the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you’ll discover the right blend of big game, family orientated lodges, cultural interactions and stimulating activities. Finish on Zanzibar’s tropical beaches, with a choice of family-friendly resorts, active water activities and fantastic diving options on this gorgeous island location. If you are prepared to pay the costs for some of the highest-end lodges in Africa, Botswana is also a varied and adventurous family safari option!

Safari Holiday Activities for Children

Children have infinite opportunity to learn and explore on an African wildlife safari. If you want some best on things for kids to do on safari, our blog piece is a wonderful place to start and covers some of our child friendly faves including:

• Junior Ranger programme: Fun-filled line-ups to keep the kids engaged and inspired!
• Micro safari: Guided explorations around camp in search of lizards, insects, snakes, and scorpions!
• Bush buddies: Key staff members at Wilderness lodges who mentor kids and keep them entertained.
• Fishing: Hours of fun on Zambia’s mighty Zambezi river for slightly older children.
• Frogging: An intro to some of the 40 species of frog across Phinda Game Reserve.
• Archery: Teach kids how to make traditional bows and (blunt) arrows and hone their skills with some target practice.
• Plaster-casting tracks: Interactive wildlife tracking where kids plaster-cast animal tracks as keepsakes.
• Cooking: Includes visiting lodge vegetable gardens, picking fresh ingredients, and even baking classes.

Good to Know:

1. What do I need to pack for a family safari?

Packing for a family safari holiday requires a combination of comfort, ease, and practicality:

• Neutral-coloured clothing for game viewing
• Comfortable, breathable materials
• Lightweight jackets for early mornings and evenings
• A camera to capture lifelong family memories
• Favourite children’s toys and/or games for journeys
• Swimwear and flip-flops for the pool

2. What’s the best age to take children on a safari?

A safari makes a great family getaway for children of all ages. South Africa will be the top choice for families with very young children owing to its malaria free private reserves, while youngsters aged between 5 and 10 will enjoy South Africa or Kenya for its child friendly activities and large game density. Older kids can experience the full range of safari activities, from sleeping out under the stars to bush treks, canoeing and fly camping, and the sky’s the limit.

3. What should you include in a family safari itinerary?

It is contingent upon the destination, and the age of the children. Many of our recommended resorts have children’s programs and child-friendly activities. We’ll let you know the minimum age restrictions and ensure your personalised itinerary contains suggestions for activities that are suitable for your age.

Viewing the Big Five, cultural experiences, bush hikes, conservation projects, arts and crafts, cuisine… the list is endless!

4. Will my family need anti-malaria medication on a safari holiday?

Many safari spots in Africa require anti-malaria medicine. In certain regions the risk is low since the altitude is high and the mornings and evenings are cold. However, we advise all tourists to get medical counsel at least 8 weeks before departure.

If you don’t want to take anti-malaria medicine, try a malaria-free zone such as Tswalu in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa.

5. What are the safest destinations for an African safari?

Your safety is our first priority and we suggest family friendly safari places depending on their suitability for travelling with children. South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Zambia are fantastic options.

We only use tried and tested safari lodges and you will always be escorted by a trained guide or member of staff.