Top 5 Places to Travel with Kids in Africa
Any parent who has travelled with children – be it international, domestic, or even to the aquarium – will attest to the fact that it requires a whole new level of planning. As a team comprised of parents and frequent travellers, we know how time consuming and complicated (but equally exciting) it can be to plan a holiday and all the intricacies you need to consider.
At Go2Africa, we're fortunate enough to have 21 Condé Nast Travel Specialists with an exceptional range of experience in solo, couple, family, and even multi-generational travel. If asked, they would all attest to the fact that their greatest learnings and insights have come from first-hand experiences – and fortunately, they've all travelled extensively enough to make those insights almost all-encompassing as a brain trust. In short, there are always small elements you discover for yourself when it comes to African travel with your family.
Drawing on their knowledge, there are a couple of destinations we would consider adding to the bucket list for family travel in Africa. We have also included some details on our recommended accommodation and why we think they're a great fit for families.
While there is no shortage of incredible options when it comes to planning a family trip to Africa, there are some that lend themselves better to children and multi-generational travel than others. After consulting our experts on the best family holiday destinations in Africa, we feel confident recommending 5 destinations to add to your bucket list.
If you think you’ve experienced a private island paradise, just wait until you see Rubondo Island Camp, it’s quite literally the only place to stay – unless, of course, you fancy a night spent sleeping al fresco under the stars. The island is fondly known as “Noah’s Ark” simply due to its astounding natural beauty and diversity. It’s also a national park.
For a relatively small place, there is plenty to see and do. Though it is worth noting that if you have younger children, they won't be able to partake in the guided chimpanzee trekking experience as there's an age limit of 16 – for teens and adults, it's an incredible adventure. Instead, opt to explore the forest and ‘plains' on game drives. While they may not look like your regular game vehicles, they're well kitted out Land Rovers designed to traverse the island with ease. Keep a keen eye out for a pleasantly surprising diversity of game – including the likes of giraffe, elephants, rhinos, and hippos. The birding here is also incredibly rich.
Angling enthusiasts can also partake in the Nile perch catch-and-release fishing experience, which is great fun for those of all ages. Two options are available: head out on one of the boats or cast your line straight from the beach and rocks. As Lake Victoria houses some very large predatory species of fish that professional anglers fly-in to wrangle, some may opt to stay on land.
Sunset cruises and guided nature walks provide a wonderful chance to enjoy a lot of quality time as a family – especially while kids see if they can tick off sightings of the 300 odd birding species on the island. Ultimately, it's also very reassuring to know that there is only one property in the area and children can relish in a fair amount of freedom without stressing out their parents.
Aside from organised activities, don't overlook time spent on the beach and by the swimming pool. In the evenings, a roaring fire provides the perfect setting to connect and relive stories from the day. It's easy to feel like the only people on the island here so be sure to really soak up the peace and tranquillity of the island. Just to note: this is not the sort of place to set up on the beach for hours at a time as hippos and crocs also call the area home, but the pool is wonderfully refreshing if you fancy a dip.
For our travellers with a passion for conservation and positive impact, this destination also has an added appeal – for each night spent at Rubondo Island Camp, US $5 is contributed to conservation and community upliftment.
From one extreme to the other; trading remote island life to the vast Namibian Desert. While the name may seem intimidating, it’s only called the ‘Skeleton Coast’ because of the sheer number of shipwrecks dotted along the beaches found north of Swakopmund. Being here is quite a humbling experience. There’s a seemingly endless quality to the desert, ocean, and sky – it’s awe-inspiring, but also a reminder of how vast the world is.
There’s a feeling of being alone and desolate, far away from any type of civilisation. As there are only a handful of lodges in the Skeleton Coast National Park, the chances of seeing any of them, or their guests, is not high. It’s this immense sense of remoteness and isolation that gives an exceptional space to connect and enjoy family time.
Onto what all the children will want to know – what is there to do in the Skeleton Coast? When it comes to things to do in Africa with kids, Namibia is not short on options. Here, it's all about making the most of the beach and dunes on your doorstep – walks to the ocean, searching for shipwrecks, and admiring the way the sand meets the waves. When adventure calls, mount quad bikes and revel in the adrenaline of traversing unspoilt, untouched dunes. It's just you, your family, seemingly endless skies, and brown hyena tracks.
The beautiful antithesis to the adrenaline and excitement is the peace and total tranquillity of sundowner drives and snacks by the ocean. Set out on nature drives in search of brown hyena tracks and spoor while learning fascinating information about the area's desert-adapted elephants, giraffe, lions, and even baboons.
Venture along the beach and search for one of the iconic plane wrecks, a Lockheed Ventura Bomber, which went down in 1942 while dropping supplies. It's an interesting story to read up on if you're interested. For a further expedition head out on a 4×4 Hoarusib River Excursion to the Clay Castles. Perhaps a visit to the Mowe Bay seal colony, which also entails trips to the Karimona and Suiderkus shipwrecks. Expand young minds and try to imagine what the ships looked like afloat in their former glory.
Insider tip: keep an eye out on your dune drives and beach walks as there are a number of interesting skeletons and bones found along the way.
What makes Marataba one of the holiday destinations in Africa for family is the fact that it's malaria-free. Travelling to the likes of Kruger National Park is wonderful but when it comes to families with really young children or older grandparents, it's nice to have a malaria-free option too.
The vast Waterberg Mountains are a spectacular backdrop to your time here. Stay in the welcoming Marataba Safari Lodge and enjoy its beautiful, earthy ambience. A well-appointed, spacious family suite awaits with the one thing guaranteed to excite your kids – bunk beds. While classified as a luxury property, Marataba exudes a home-away-from-home feeling and reduces your fears of kids touching anything.
There is certainly no shortage of things to do at Marataba when it comes to kids. Their Mack & Madi Kids' Adventure Safari Club is a real hit, with consistent activities on the go. From the Eco Garden and learning how to track animals to camping in the bush and evenings spent watching movies under the stars, there's no shortage of entertainment. For the adults, an indulgent spa treatment is a must while kids are kept busy alongside a visit to their incredible Creative Lab to turn your photos into personalised, lifelong keepsakes.
Just to note: children of alle ages are welcome at Marataba Safari Lodge, but the adventure safari club is limited to those aged 5 to 11.
For those travelling with older children, ages 16 and up, their sister property, Marataba Mountain Lodge, is a great option. Almost all of the activities are the same, it’s just geared to an older crowd – for example, full or half day hiking excursions, which are not only great fun, but a perfect chance to connect and explore together.
Die Pirschfahrten am Morgen und am Nachmittag waren faszinierend und wurden von wirklich außergewöhnlichen Führern geleitet. Obwohl der Marakele-Nationalpark kleiner ist als einige der anderen Reservate Südafrikas, kann er in Bezug auf Vielfalt und Tierwelt mithalten. Er ist sogar die Heimat der berüchtigten Big 5. Für Interessierte bietet die Lodge die Möglichkeit, an einem Nashornschutzprogramm teilzunehmen.
Solidifying their position in our list of top family safari accommodation in Africa, morning and afternoon game drives are a fascinating affair, led by exceptional guides. Despite being smaller than some of South Africa’s other reserves, Marakele National Park holds its own in terms of diversity and wildlife. It’s even home to the infamous Big 5. For those who are interested, the lodge offers guests the chance to tag along for a rhino conservation experience.
The bush walks are a phenomenal experience – it’s a chance to notice the smaller details of your surroundings and feel in touch with nature. While the proper bush walks are sadly not suitable for kids, they have their own enchanting nature walk to enjoy. If you can, head out on a bush walk and enjoy seeing wildlife from an entirely new perspective. There's also a barefoot hike in “Gorgeous Gorge”, affectionately named by one of the guides, where cold rock pools beckon between bouts of walking.
Another firm family favourite has to be the water safaris in Marataba’s Matlabas River for the epitome of a ‘slow safari’. Their boat, Miss Mara, gently cruises down the river as you keep an eye out for wild- and birdlife. This is particularly special in the early evening when the final part of the cruise is accompanied by an African sunset. To note: this experience is limited to children aged 6 and up.
For multi-generational groups, embrace the spirit of adventure and spend a night in the Treehouse. Leave the kids with their grandparents and embrace a romantic night spent under the stars in a beautifully built wooden treehouse complete with a sumptuous four-poster bed.
Marataba Safari Lodge is also committed to giving back to their community and currently champions a project called ‘Pack for a Purpose’. The idea is for guests to pack some much-needed supplies in their suitcases and bring them to the lodge for distribution at their partner school, Heuningvley Primary School.
This conservancy is home to the last remaining northern white rhinos – a worthwhile reason for a visit in and of itself, especially if your children love animals. Taking a trip to the enclosure to see them up-close with their zebra and hartebeest companions is a truly touching experience. There is also the option for a supervised interaction as well as a horseback excursion through their enclosure.
As far as other activities go, there is always something to do. Early morning game drives and a bush breakfast are a great way to start the day. One of the real treats is the opportunity to explore on night drives, something only available in certain conservancies in Africa. While it can never be guaranteed, there is also a chance of seeing some of Africa’s ‘shy 5′ in the form of aardvark and bat-eared foxes, as well as leopards.
The nearby Canine Anti-Poaching Unit was also well worth a visit to learn about their intensive training programme and why they are so beneficial. Not only is it a truly interesting tour, but a chance for a fun game of hide and seek with the dogs. If you have time, take an extra trip to visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary to see the endangered chimps – the only place to see them in Kenya.
For active adventurers staying at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, their ‘Running the Wild' experience should feature on the list of what to do. Every Wednesday, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy rangers head out on an early morning run followed by a coffee afterwards. Not only is it a great way to learn more about the people involved in keeping the reserve's animals safe, but to also see the reserve from a new perspective. Back at camp, spend time on guided walking safaris, looking out for birds, and just relaxing. It’s a lovely, peaceful place to enjoy quality time and watch the world go by.
Zu beachten: Kinder müssen über 5 Jahre alt sein, um hier bleiben zu können, aber das Team von Ol Pejeta ist wirklich fantastisch und bemüht sich, Aktivitäten zugänglich zu machen oder sich etwas einfallen zu lassen, was Spaß macht. Die meisten der Aktivitäten außerhalb des Geländes sind mit zusätzlichen Kosten verbunden.
The Wild Coast has earned a reputation as one of South Africa's most beloved destinations. There’s a kind of magic in the Wild Coast that just can’t be described – it’s in the rolling hills, the wild sea, the vibrant nature, the lagoons, the people, and even the odd cow and donkey in the distance. It’s the ultimate soul food and a place to recharge and reconnect.
Es gibt wirklich also much to do here and very few activities are not child friendly. There's no shortage of activities, from swimming, hiking, and mountain biking to body boarding and building sandcastles on the beautiful beach. Honestly, there’s so much to do that kids could create their own day jobs here, occupied from 8am – 5pm. These hours are often spent catch-and-release fishing with parents sitting in the background wondering where they get the patience. There is also an abundance of rockpools which often contain interesting marine life. Outside of that, the stillness of the lagoon is a perfect place to SUP, kayak or even snorkel.
It’s genuinely one of the few places in the world where you can sit and watch as zebra or buck graze while a pod of dolphin surf and whales lobtail in the background. The combination takes a moment to wrap your head around, but it’s a special place where the usual hectic nature of life melts away, replaced by a sense of fun and peace.
GweGwe Beach Lodge is a fantastic option for families with its laidback luxury and locally inspired design. Tasty farm-to-table meals served with your feet in the sand are a real treat alongside spacious and comfortable family suites. Between wellness treatments, pre-prepared picnics, and guided marine or botany walks, there is plenty to keep both parents and children entertained. They have plenty of freedom while still being safe and an accessible child-friendly area with games, entertainment and supervision.
If all of the activities sound like they’re just too much, this is also the perfect place to sit back, unwind and maybe even dare to open that book you keep saying you’re going to read.
Now that wir haben shared some of our top places to visit in Africa with kids, Es ist your turn to experience them. While these are some of our favourites, we are also firm believers dass there’s a corner of Africa for every traveller and every family. Browse our website or chat to one of our experienced and passionate Africa Safari Experts to get even more inspiration and information.
