African safaris for families: 11 of the best places to visit

Ah, those carefree overland trips from our 20s, when we threw a toothbrush, some sunblock and a swimming costume into a bag, and went travelling across Africa. Now we’re a little older, and a little more settled (but not enough to want to stop exploring!), and many of us have become parents which is where African safaris for families come in...

Travelling With Children in Africa

Things change when the kids come along, especially travelling. A whole bunch of things need to be considered – safety, malaria (young children should not be taken into malaria areas), long distance-induced boredom, distance to medical care etc. All of these should be considered carefully, before travelling. Luckily, there are many African safaris for families that make things easier.

Kid-friendly African safaris for families

Holidays in Africa are magical for adults and children alike – there’s nothing more thrilling than seeing animals in the wild, learning about how they survive in the bush, and being taught the value of conservation. And nothing better than a bush walk with a trained guide who specializes in educating children. No more staring at screens, let’s get outdoors.

Choosing Where to Travel with Kids

Picking the right place to go is vital. While some safari camps and lodges don’t allow children under a certain age, many welcome kids and offer an array of activities suitable for them. Game-viewing drives and walks often have limitations on ages due to safety considerations, and some places offer exclusive vehicles to families, allowing for shorter, child-friendly family safaris.

East and Southern Africa are the best regions for family travel. The top countries for family holidays in Africa are South Africa, Botswana and Namibia in Southern Africa, and Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa. If your kids are slightly older (over eight years) check out our East African Family Safaris. If you have younger children travelling in Africa with you view our Southern Africa Family Safaris.

Our favourite family safari destinations

Here we list eleven of our favourite spots in Southern and East Africa that are ideal for family holidays with kids – some offer activity clubs, others have ‘Kid-Ranger Courses’ and many offer babysitting, so that the parents can get some downtime too!

1. Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, South Africa

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, provides magical African safaris for families with children. On 54,000 acres of gorgeous bushveld, the reserve is home to The Big Five and more. Ecca Lodge has six stand-alone suites with an interactive kitchen and a play centre for kids.

Children visiting Kwande join the Blue Crane Conservation Club and receive a welcome gift pack. Activities include:

• A daily ‘Hooves & Stripes’ game drive – just one hour, to accommodate short concentration spans – is offered for kids over five. Non-dangerous animals like giraffes and zebras are viewed
• ‘Bugs & Bones’ Walk –looking for insects, bones, tracking animals
• Indoors, there’s face painting, sand art, beading, baking, pizza-making, cookie-baking and chocolate fun (moulded insects, chocolate spider webs!)
• Minnow’s fishing trips (with a ranger)
• Supporting conservation and giving back – planting spekboom, gardening projects, joining in at the local school

And best of all: experienced childminders are available (with prior arrangement) so that parents get to relax too!

2. Umngazi River Bungalows, South Africa

Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa is set at the mouth of the Mngazi River, near Port St Johns, on the pristine Transkei Wild Coast. With bungalows set amongst the bushes and a central lodge with dining rooms (including one specifically for kids!), play areas and more, it's an ideal place for a family holiday.

3. Ant’s Nest, Waterberg, South Africa

Situated in the malaria-free Waterberg, Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill welcome children of all ages. They are located in a beautiful private game reserve which boasts over 40 animal species, including wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, rhino and a vast array of antelope.

4. Jock Safari Lodge, South Africa

Named after the beloved dog, Jock (of the Bushveld), Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park offer families Fitzpatrick’s Lodge (after Jock’s owner, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick). This is a 3-bedroomed, fully-equipped house. On arrival, the host/ranger will discuss activity options to suit each family’s needs.

• See our Kruger Safaris for more budget-friendly options.

5. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia

Set amongst the hills and sand dunes of the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers malaria-free African safaris for families in the desert. It’s an area of vast open spaces, huge skies, spectacular desert colours and breathtaking night skies.

• Namibia is a great family safari destination as a whole. Take a look at our affordable Namibia Tours for more ideas.

6. Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi, Botswana

The pans at Makgadikgadi hold a special magic for adults and children alike. At Camp Kalahari, accommodation is in traditional Meru tents with covered en-suite bathrooms. A family tent is available, which is two adjoining tents with an inter-leading bathroom.

The central area is thatched and cool and holds a library, comfortable lounge and dining area, where the chef is happy to adapt meals to suit kids. A thatched pool area provides a place to cool down in the African heat.

7. Chinzombo, South Luangwa, Zambia 

Kids are well catered for at Chinzombo Camp in the beautiful Luangwa Valley in Zambia. It’s located on the river, with six villas – including a family one – each with its own pool to cool down in. This is the ultimate in luxurious African safaris for families.

They can learn the Zambian way to eat and make traditional clay pots and animals in the village.

8. Singita Pamushana Lodge, Zimbabwe 

Located near the Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park in south-eastern Zimbabwe, Pamushana is an untamed wilderness and has several villas suited to families of four or more.

9. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania

Teach your kids not only about the African wild but let them live some geology too. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is, as its name suggests, on the edge of the crater, with spectacular views across the game-rich crater floor.

10. Mara Intrepids Camp, Kenya 

Located overlooking the Talek River in the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, Mara Intrepids Camp is slap-bang in the middle of the four Mara game-viewing areas. It’s Big 5 country with accommodation in luxury family tents with views over the river.

11. Giraffe Manor, Kenya

While not located in the bush, Nairobi’s Giraffe Manor is a treat for adults and kids alike. Who’s never wanted to eat breakfast with a giraffe?  Set in the leafy suburb of Langata in Nairobi, this old colonial building is on 140 acres of land with an indigenous forest that is home to a large herd of Rothschild Giraffe. They regularly poke their heads into the windows of the manor, especially in the mornings and evenings, when they know a snack may be being served!

Just up the road from Giraffe Manor is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage. This organisation does amazing work in conservation, rehabilitation and education and the Elephant Nursery is open for an hour a day – the kids will love it! 

These are just a few of the ideal places to visit on African safaris for families. Contact one of our ABS consultants, who will be happy to help you find the perfect African safari for you and your family.