Safaris are an ever-popular choice for family vacations. There are activities for every age and interest, and it’s a chance for parents and kids to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and reconnect with one another. Picking the right camp for a family safari is the most important part of planning – while many camps accept children, not all of them cater to kids equally.
South Africa is a popular choice for family safaris because of its robust infrastructure; myriad choices of both safaris and other activities like city breaks, outdoor pursuits, beach retreats and more; a wide range of accommodations from camps and lodges to luxury private villas; malaria-free safari options; and the simplicity and ease of getting there from North America. Here we dive into a few of our favorite South Africa safari accommodations for families. Be sure to talk with your Journey Specialist to find the right fit for your customized safari with your kids.
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is the perfect place for families to relax, unwind and savor the tranquility of the bush. Their suites are family-friendly with day beds that convert into two children’s single bids along with a private deck and outdoor shower, while their three luxury villas each feature two ensuite bedrooms, a private safari vehicle and guide and private pool.
Children can enjoy the EleFun Centre, a fully-fledged children’s facility designed by childcare professionals. Interesting environmentally themed activities, including hands-on ‘edutainment’ for several distinct age groups, are designed and supervised by qualified childcare professionals. Age appropriate activities are guided and supervised by qualified staff, and include subjects such as wilderness survival, bugs and birds and tracks and signs of wildlife – things every child will find fascinating. Children under the age of six years are not allowed on shared game drives while children between the age of three and six years may accompany their parents on safari if there is exclusive use of a safari vehicle (subject to availability and a surcharge will apply).
Simbavati River Lodge is a child-friendly safari camp with three chalets designed for families, each with two separate bedrooms sharing one bathroom. One of the family chalets can accommodate up to five guests, while the other two family chalets can accommodate four. Simbavati Homestead is another great option for families. It is an exclusive-use villa designed specifically with families in mind.
Kids at Simbavati River Lodge can enjoy a tailor-made kids’ program of experiences at the Cub’s Club where dedicated babysitters will look after your kids. Activities could include a mini-bushwalk during which kids will go out with a guide or tracker and explore the grounds around the lodge to learn all the smaller things they don’t see when out on game drive, baking animal cookies, making chocolates, watching movies, archery, arts and crafts and playing games. Children six years and over are allowed on game drives. Families with younger children can arrange a private vehicle prior to arrival.
With 12 spacious suites, including four family suites, Madikwe Safari Lodge’s Lelapa Lodge Iin the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is the perfect place for parents and kids to enjoy spending time together. Lelapa’s family suites each include an adult room and a children’s bunk bedroom, giving your kids (and you) their own space. The children’s rooms are perfectly kitted out with toys and games, gown and slipper sets, bedside hot-chocolate mugs and storybooks put onto their pillows.
Lelapa’s Eco House offers a range of activities to keep kids engaged and stimulated. It is a tech-free environment (no phones or screens) as kids uncover a love of nature and the beautiful wonders of the outdoors. The Safari Club is a fun-filled adventure that transforms kids into mini-guides, as the kids activities crew explore the lodge in search of animal ‘spoor’ (tracks), as well as surprise treasure hunts and other activities like rock-painting, cookie baking and fun dress up activities. Kids over six are able to join game drives.
Three exclusive use houses – two-bedroom Morukuru Owner’s House, three-bedroom Morukuru River House and five-bedroom Morukuru Farm House – make up Morukuru Family at Madikwe. All of the houses include private, exclusive-use vehicles – with booster seats if required. Families can enjoy their safaris on their own time schedule, and with the expert guidance of a ranger and tracker, enjoy a completely personalized experience. Child-friendly activities keep the kids entertained, and experienced babysitters allow adults some time to relax together.
Morukuru doesn’t offer a set kids program as they believe that children should be given the same individual care and attention as the adult guests, with each child’s preferences and interests considered. Children receive a ‘Morukuru Kidz’ backpack filled with fun and useful goodies. Kids can enjoy a host of child-specific activities, from tracking lessons and bush walks to baking and board games. And for those kids who simply can’t live without technology, there is access to free Wi-Fi, computer stations and DVDs.
Located in the malaria-free Eastern Cape Province, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge’s Private Vehicle Suites host up to two adults and two children and include an exclusive use vehicle and dedicated guide. Up to two kids under 12 in the private vehicle suites enjoy a complimentary stay with their parents! All rooms have private plunge pools and outdoor showers. Guests can design their own safari timetables, with no minimum age restrictions, including game drives at flexible times of the day. For parents looking for a special date night, babysitters are available with prior arrangement at no additional cost.
On arrival, children receive a special welcome gift to make their safari adventure both fun and educational. Kids aged three through twelve receive a Kwandwe water bottle, a bug viewer, an African Big 5 puzzle and ‘My Kwandwe Safari Book’ — filled with checklists, drawing activities, crossword puzzles and more — along with a set of Kwandwe coloring pencils. Little ones aged three and under receive a cozy plush blanket to keep them snug during their stay.
Activities include fishing trips and scavenger hunts that guide young explorers using key landscape features to uncover hidden treasures. Kids can also enjoy face painting, beading, cookie decorating, eco-board games, sand art and African bedtime stories. Kwandwe’s guides introduce kids to ‘spoor’ Plaster of Paris casting, a hands-on tracking and craft activity that’s a firm favorite among young explorers.
Perched on a dramatic hilltop overlooking the lush Lebombo foothills, Phinda Mountain Lodge is steeped in Zulu heritage and offers beautiful accommodations, including a one-of-kind family suite with panoramic vistas and access to a selection of unique safari adventures.
The lodge staff works to create memories for multi-generational safaris that last a lifetime. Space, comfort, privacy and sensational views are all features of the family suite. A sparkling pool is the ideal respite from the heat and provides the perfect spot for kids to spend extra energy and enjoy the sun sheltered under expansive umbrellas. The kids can also put on their chef’s hats and make their own delicious pizzas in the interactive kitchen in the main guest area.
Phinda’s WILDChild kid’s program is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences. The program works to create a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family and strives to forge a strong bond between young guests, our planet and its people. Note that children under six are not permitted on game drives unless a private vehicle has been booked (at an additional cost) and children between six and 12 years of age are permitted on game drives at the manager’s discretion.
Motse Tswalu, a luxury safari camp, accommodates a maximum of 18 adults in suites that include three suites specially designed for families – each includes two bedrooms linked by a living room. For larger families or multi-generational groups, the exclusive-use Tarkuni accommodates up to 10 guests in five bedrooms, all under one roof. The main camp’s communal guest area comprises a series of generous spaces for relaxing and dining indoors and outdoors. Covered verandas lead to two swimming pools and a fire pit for sundowners. Guests can dine together in the main area, or privately in their suites.
Kids will learn about animals, the environment, conservation, the night skies and more during their time at Tswalu. Days on safari are individually tailored for your family – from drives and walks to dining and down time. The duration and scope of each activity, on and off the vehicle, will depend on the age and special interests of you and your children. Activities include game drives, bush walks, picnics, horse riding, pizza making and cookie baking. Tswalu’s Junior Ranger program includes archery, spoor identification and casting and learning how to track animals. Children of all ages are welcome on game drives. Tswalu is in a malaria-free region of South Africa.
Located on a nearly 57,000 acre private concession within the Big 5 malaria-free Marakele National Park, Marataba Safari Lodge offers accommodation in 15 luxury tented suites with four tented family suites, each with a second children’s bunk bedroom to give the kids their own space. The kids’ rooms have their own bathroom and are thoughtfully designed with kids in mind – highlights include kid-friendly amenities, mini robes and slippers, toys, games and storybooks.
In addition to the specially designed kids’ rooms, Marataba Safari Lodge’s Eco Garden is a kids’ clubhouse. It offers a space for kids to engage with many activities available, including a jungle gym, sandpit and swings, puzzles, games, an arts and crafts space, a movie projector complete with popcorn machine and a big backyard where they can run wild. The camp’s dedicated ‘Mack & Madi’ crew of field guides and babysitters will entertain your young ones from five to eleven years old. Kids below the age of six can enjoy activities during the days after morning game drive and those six years and older can join the twice-daily drives. Note that private vehicles are available on request.
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Photos courtesy Marataba Safari Lodge, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Simbavati River Lodge, Madikwe Safari Lodge, Morukuru Owner’s House, Phinda Mountain Lodge and Tswalu Kalahari