Family Holiday

The family-friendly nature of an African vacation often surprises visitors but it pays to be prepared before you go. Use our Africa family holiday advice feature to get answers to the most important questions you have about the best safari destinations to visit with family.

Malaria & Malaria-free Destinations

Although the risk of malaria varies from season to season, many of Africa’s prime safari and beach destinations lie within Africa’s malarial belt and you are strongly advised to work with your safari consultant to see whether your planned itinerary takes in affected areas and what steps to take in terms of prophylactics. Families with young children and/or babies are advised to avoid malarial areas. Follow our guide on things to know about taking babies or toddlers on an African safari.

If you do go to a malarial area (especially during a rainy season) then prevention is key: use insect repellents, wear long sleeved tops and trousers in the evenings and early mornings and sleep under mosquito nets at night.

Malaria-free destinations include Mauritius and the Seychelles as well as South Africa’s ever popular Cape Town, Sun City and the Garden Route while the country’s Eastern Cape reserves, Madikwe Private Game Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park offer excellent Big 5 game viewing in a malaria-free environment.

Safari Activities

If you’re planning family safari holidays then activities such as game drives, nature walks and canoe trips will be on the cards and your children will be itching to join in. Check first with your safari consultant to see whether they’ll be permitted to join a group activity at the accommodation that you are interested in. Some safari lodges allow children from the age of six on activities; others require that the child is over 12.

Alternatives include engaging a private vehicle and guide for your family or making use of the child-friendly safari activities at our recommended safari lodges.

Kids Clubs

Many of the best family-friendly camps and lodges in popular African holiday destinations offer professional kids clubs or activity programmes that take the pressure of providing entertainment and activities for your children completely out of your hands.

Head for the Indian Ocean islands for destinations that take care of children in style: Mauritius is particularly famous for its excellent kids clubs while many lodges in the Seychelles have activity programmes designed for children.

As for safari destinations, your children will get an excellent introduction to Africa’s wildlife in the safe and professional environments of South Africa’s Madikwe Private Game Reserve and Sun City as well as the Kruger National Park and its adjoining private reserves such as the Sabi Sands. Other destinations in South Africa featuring kids activity clubs include reserves in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape while Kenya‘s Masai Mara and Laikipia Plateau are the places to go in East Africa for kids clubs in a safari environment.

We’ve created a guide specifically around taking babies and toddlers on safari to help you plan your dream family safaro:

Is there a minimum age for an African safari?

While many lodges welcome children of all ages, most traditional safari camps have a minimum age of 6 for group game drives. This is for both safety and the comfort of other guests. However, don’t let this discourage you if you have toddlers! Many lodges offer “private vehicle” upgrades which allow families with younger children to go out on their own schedule. Some specialized luxury lodges are even designed for families with infants, offering professional nannies and fenced-in grounds.

Villas/Family Accommodation

Exclusive-use accommodation is a popular way for families to get the freedom and privacy of home within a holiday environment – consider renting a private villa or family cottage for your African family holiday.

Available in both beach and safari destinations as well as Cape Town, our private family accommodation is fully serviced with the option of engaging the services of chefs, guides and baby-sitters; our recommendations also include accommodation with web connectivity, self-catering and entertainment facilities.

Can we get child-friendly food at the lodges?

Absolutely. Many safari chefs are well-versed in the ‘Picky Eater Protocol.’ While you enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner, the kitchen can very often whip up high-quality, kid-approved favorites like pasta, burgers, grilled chicken, and fresh tropical fruit. Most lodges will discuss your children’s preferences with you upon arrival to ensure every meal is a success.

How safe are the lodges for children?

Safety is our top priority. For families with toddlers or young children, we often recommend fenced camps, which provide a physical barrier between the lodge and the surrounding wilderness. This gives parents peace of mind while kids run around the garden. Unfenced camps are more immersive and suited to older children, safety is always a priority at these camps too.

Self-drive Holidays

Ideal for families who want a holiday at their own pace, a self-drive family vacation is one of the best ways to explore South Africa’s most family-friendly destinations. Have a look at our recommended self-drive tours that take in Cape Town and the Garden Route – the driving is easy, the scenery wonderful and you’ll never be short of an interesting stop-over or tantalising detour en route.

You can even go on a self-drive safari holiday to some of the best Big 5 destinations in the country: the malaria-free Eastern Cape reserves and the Kruger National Park are full of animals, simple to access and once you’re at the lodge, you can relax and go on guided game drives and other safari activities.

Are there long drives between destinations? How do kids handle them?

In Africa, the journey is often as exciting as the destination, but we know ‘car fever’ is real for little ones. To keep the mood high, we recommend fly-in safaris—using light aircraft to hop between camps. This turns a 6-hour dusty road trip into a 45-minute scenic flight. If you prefer a road trip (like South Africa's Garden Route), we'll design your itinerary with frequent fun stops like wildlife sanctuaries, farm stalls, and beaches to keep everyone happy.

Start Planning Your Africa Family Holiday

Chat with someone who’s been there. Get in touch with one of our Africa Travel Experts to help tailor-make a trip to Africa with your family that’s right for you.