Memories made on family vacations are ones to treasure forever. Family holidays are special occasions for every brood; it's a time to come together, strengthen bonds and enjoy new experiences with one another.
Since 1998, we've been taking our own families on safari vacations and understand how to plan family friendly holidays in Africa that are unforgettable for all the right reasons. Africa offers a fantastic array of family accommodation with plenty of outdoor fun and age-appropriate activities for families travelling with kids, teens or even grandparents. Furthermore, if you're looking for the utmost in privacy, luxury as well as health and safety ‘bubbles' for you and your loved ones, Africa has some of the best exclusive-use luxury properties.
Top Family Holiday Picks in Africa:
Mauritius: Ideal for families with young children, offering safe beaches, kids’ clubs, and malaria-free environments.
South Africa: Perfect for multi-generational trips, featuring malaria-free safaris, family-friendly lodges, and diverse activities.
Botswana: Great for adventurous families, providing intimate safari experiences, mokoro excursions, and wildlife-rich reserves.
Based on our extensive experience in planning family friendly holidays, here are our best places to visit in Africa with family:
Africa with Kids
Africa with Kids
Families travelling with small children will battle to beat Mauritius for family-friendly holidays. Easy to reach, safe, friendly and usually bathed in sunshine, this Indian Ocean island has hosted happy families for decades.
Since it's free of both malaria and big animals, it's the perfect place for families with little ones to visit. Not only do the resorts on this slice of paradise have picturesque surroundings and safe swimming beaches, but they also offer extensive entertainment and activity programmes for kids as young as two years old.
Mauritius
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Le Morne Peninsula
Views of Le Morne Mountain from the ocean | Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
Why We Love It For Family-friendly Holidays:
5-star beachfront resort located on a protected peninsula
Variety of room categories and private villas suited for family-friendly holidays
Fantastic kids' food menu
Complimentary baby food, products and facilities available
Paradis Kids Club offers a wide range of fun activities to keep kids (three to 11 years) entertained
Most teenagers love family-friendly holidays that feature unusual or off-the-wall experiences. Victoria Falls is Africa's Adventure Capital and offers thrilling activities like white-water rafting, bridge swings and bungee jumping. Namibia's Sossusvlei and Swakopmund offer the desert equivalent with sand boarding down monstrous dunes, quad biking (ATV) excursions, hiking and hot-air ballooning.
A little more off the beaten track, Lake Malawi is an enormous freshwater adventure paradise and one of the best places for a family vacation in Africa with active teenagers. Settle back in a hammock while your teens go kayaking, sailing and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters, or gather together for unforgettable Big 5 encounters in Malawi's Liwonde National Park. There are several fantastic options for a family trip to Africa, especially for those with teenagers as additional activities become viable.
Victoria Falls
Chundukwa River Lodge, Livingstone
A spacious suite with a view | Chundukwa River Lodge
Why We Love It For Family-friendly Holidays:
Located 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Victoria Falls, Africa's Adventure Capital
Families with older kids stay in the Jacana Chalet that overlooks the Zambezi River
Sunrise and sunset cruises on the river
Heated rock plunge pool for swimming year-round
Walking and cycling tracks through the riverine forest surrounding the lodge
Horse rides and fun polo matches
Scenic helicopter flights over Vic Falls
Interactions with rescued elephants
Swimming in Devil's Pool during low-water season (September to December)
Adventure activities including canoeing, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, bridge swinging and ziplining (age restrictions apply)
Chances are that once they're ‘out of the house', there are only a few occasions when you and your children can spend extended leisure time together. What better way to reconnect than with a life-changing experience?
Family-friendly safari holidays in Tanzania or Kenya during the Wildebeest Migration will provide plenty of memories and anecdotes to share for years to come. For a more ‘hands-on' adventure, gorilla trekking in Africa's pristine rainforests is an encounter that is both humbling and exhilarating. Getting close to these great apes in their natural environment is a window into our deepest past, and Uganda and Rwanda are the best places for a gorilla trekking vacation in Africa with family.
Tanzania
Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Serengeti
Alfresco dining with a view.
Why we love it for family-friendly holidays:
Panoramic views of the Serengeti plains
Front-row seats to the Great Migration (May to July)
Two-, three- and four-bedroom cottages available to accommodate families of all sizes
Each cottage has a private plunge pool
State-of-the-art gym and world-class spa treatments
Older family members can explore Africa in absolute comfort and safety. Rovos Rail is the world's most luxurious train, allowing families to take in the gorgeous scenery from elegant and spacious carriages.
In combination with Rovos Rail or as a stand-alone safari, the lodges of Botswana and South Africa offer unrivalled game viewing, luxurious accommodation, fine dining and world-class service. Tranquil and exclusive, these top lodges deliver equally memorable encounters to those offered in more adventurous destinations but wrapped in a level of comfort better suited to older or more sensitive travellers. Not only will you find some of the best family holiday destinations in South Africa, but you'll also enjoy the very best in Big 5 game viewing.
Rovos Rail
Indulge in the luxury of a bygone era | Rovos Rail
Why We Love It For Family-friendly Holidays:
Experiencing the old-world charm of a long-distance train journey
Admiring the scenery from the Observation Car
Gourmet meals complemented by a selection of the finest South African wines
Boasting your best formal attire for dinner
Extensive book collection and board games for good old-fashioned family fun
Spacious, luxury suites ensure that you travel in style and comfort
Variety of different journeys that span from South Africa to Tanzania
Golf safaris for guests travelling around South Africa, playing on the country's best courses
When the pace of a holiday must be adjusted to include children, parents and grandparents, South Africa is the best place for a vacation in Africa with family. Modern infrastructure and a diverse range of attractions and accommodation make it easy to tailor family-friendly holidays to the varying activity levels of three generations. South Africa is also one of the best family holiday destinations in Africa to combine a wilderness safari with a glorious beach holiday.
South Africa
Morukuru Farm House, Madikwe Game Reserve
Spend time relaxing by the pool | Morukuru Farm House
Why We Love It For Family-friendly Holidays:
Luxury, farmhouse-style homestead in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve
Located in a malaria-free region – ideal for a safari in Africa with kids
The exclusive-use house accommodates up to 10 family members
Situated within a 100-hectare (247-acre), fenced-in area – perfect for a safe vacation in Africa with kids
Warm, welcoming atmosphere will make you feel right at home
Babysitting services
Private swimming pool, butler, chef, guide and game drive vehicle
Fun mini adventures for kids like baking, swimming and fishing
Unforgettable sleepouts under the stars in a private hide
Braais (barbecues) on a picturesque mountaintop or riverside
Guided bush walks for adults and older kids – kids under 16 can enjoy nature walks in a safe and enclosed area