Safari with Kids: Yes or No? (Tips for Family Safaris with Children)

One of the most frequently asked questions our travel consultants get is whether or not families can go on safari with kids in Africa. This question is multi-faceted and in this blog, we’ll offer family safari tips and advice for taking your kids on safari.

Nothing beats a family holiday, especially one to a new country with spectacular scenery and wild animals. Several factors must be taken into account, however, before bringing children (especially small kids) into foreign countries and the wild bush. So, here's the low-down on family safaris in Africa...

Age Restrictions on African Family Safaris

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While many game reserves welcome children and provide wonderful child-friendly activities – see our Family Safari Destinations for examples – others have very specific rules regarding children. Most of the more ‘wild’ camps don’t allow children under 12 years old.

The reason for this is not to be mean, but to protect children from danger. A lot of camps are unfenced, meaning that wild animals roam freely through them. In most, guides walk you to and from tents, but it’s just not safe for younger children!

Game drives in open vehicles, too, generally have an age restriction. Again, from a safety point-of-view, but also because patience and quiet are needed – things most 2-year-olds don’t have in abundance! Many of the child-friendly camps have dedicated closed game-viewing vehicles.

Long Travel Distances on African Safaris

Africa is huge and this needs to be considered carefully when travelling with children. The trip by road from Cape Town to Johannesburg is over 1 400 km and takes the better part of 14 hours. And that’s on well-maintained roads, whereas many of the roads in Africa can be fairly rough and slow-going, especially when venturing off the beaten path.

While it’s thrilling to see Africa’s wonderful animals on a game drive, they generally last upwards of three hours and there are often long periods of time where you don’t see any animals at all (unless you’re in the Ngorongoro Crater!) It’s enthralling for adults, but time goes slowly in a car when you’re five, and there’s nothing that can spoil a holiday more than a bored, and resultantly whiny child in a car.

Again, if you’ve got smaller kids, just plan well. For some excellent advice read African Safaris with Kids Made Easy, written by a mom on safari with her kids in Kruger. Alternatively, speak to one of our ABS consultants and we’ll plan a trip with shorter distances, to child-friendly camps. It’s easy to do, especially in South Africa.

A Backpacking or Africa Overland Safari with Kids

It is important to choose the right trip if you want to go on a safari with kids in Africa.

Accommodation can range from camping in the wild to lodges, and the age of your children will determine what's most suitable. Overland backpacking, which requires plenty of participation from everyone on the trip (setting up camp, cooking etc.) is not suitable for younger children. Some accommodated trips, however, that require minimal participation and go to child-friendly camps, are better suited to families travelling with small children.

Be sure to select Family Safari Tours that welcome families travelling with children.

With careful planning, a family safari with kids can be an unforgettable adventure. For help see How to Plan a Family Safari on a Budget.

Malaria & Your Family Safari

Malaria is not a disease to be trifled with and this applies especially to young children (under 5 years old). While there is prophylaxis (medicine to prevent malaria) to give both adults and children and mosquito nets to prevent bites, they are not 100% effective. Children, if they get malaria, get it severely and symptoms escalate rapidly, so it’s best not to take kids into malaria areas far from medical care.

This doesn’t mean you can’t go on safari, though! Safer options include the Kruger Park in winter (when the risk for malaria is low) and parts of Namibia and Botswana that are free from malaria. Alternatively, a trip along the spectacularly beautiful Garden Route in South Africa (Mossel Bay to Storms River) is malaria-free and very family-friendly!  Take a look at some of the malaria-free game parks in South Africa ideal for travelling with kids.

Many of our Southern Africa Family Safaris travel to malaria-free and low-risk areas in Namibia, South Africa and parts of Botswana.

Happy Families, Happy Safari Holidays

So while safaris into the wild bush of Africa are not always the most suitable holidays for families with small children, Africa – and especially South Africa – offers plenty of wonderful holiday options for both adults and kids to enjoy.

If you're looking for the most budget-friendly family holiday in Africa browse our Camping Family Safaris and Family Overland Tours. For families travelling with younger kids, our Lodge Family Safaris are ideal.

There are plenty of family safaris and African destinations to choose from, which can be overwhelming. Speak to our consultants to book your ideal family safari in Africa!

Briony Chisholm Wordsmith & Pharmacist

Briony is a qualified pharmacist, published author and travel blogger living in Cape Town. She writes her own blog about travel, the arts, music and the good things in life, with a focus on accessibility. She likes watching the world go by, and sometimes it makes her nose twitchy, but mostly it provides golden nuggets with which to light up the page.