South Africa has the key elements for a great family holiday - excellent weather, great scenery, accommodation to suit all budgets, good road infrastructure for self-drives, and superb wildlife. Packed with endless attractions and activities aimed at both adults and children, a family safari in South Africa is the ideal way to spend a family vacation.
Below are some of the places that truly WELCOME CHILDREN, and not merely tolerate them. Our journey specialists will be able to design a routing/itinerary to suit your guests’ specific family needs.
Wilderness Safaris and Safari Adventure Company
This company have put together a variety of activities for kids at selected family camps. Their "Bush Buddies" will be kept busy, being entertained as well as learning about the wonderful African wildlife and environment. At the same time, they can enjoy a little fun time away from mom and dad. All Bush Buddies that are 12 years and under will receive a complimentary backpack filled with selected safari essentials.
Rocktail Beach Camp / Safari Adventure Company (northern KwaZulu-Natal)
Rocktail Beach Camp on South Africa's northern coast has its secluded 40km stretch of beach and forested dune belt to play in; there are intertidal nature walks, shell collecting, snorkelling, fishing and dune boarding, to name but a few. The camp consists of 17 rooms of which 7 are family units with two bedrooms each. A playroom, complete with board games, and child minders can also keep kids entertained while parents relax.
The Oyster Box Hotel & Spa (Umhlanga / KwaZulu-Natal)
This is a luxury family beach destination. Family Suites have a master bedroom along with an additional single room or loft for the children. Beach gear is provided - sun umbrellas, beach bags, balls, bats and suntan lotion. Kids received gift bags on arrival. There are children's bathrobes, prams and cots. Children's films are screened in the hotel's 24 seat private cinema every afternoon. A fully equipped, supervised Children's Club with a range of games and activities is ideal for kids.
Londolozi (Sabi Sands Reserve)
Londolozi offers the Londolozi Cubs programme. The Cub's Den is equipped with fish ponds to splash around in, Land Rovers to "drive", campout tents and an educational centre where wildlife takes centre stage. Activities include, amongst others: Spoor identification, Bug catching, African dance, drumming. Varty and Founder’s camp both accommodate children between the ages of 4 and 16 years. Game drives accommodate children of 6 years and older.
Jaci's Safari Lodge (Madikwe Game Reserve)
Families with children aged 5 - 12 yrs can go together in the family safari vehicles on game drives. Then there are also the "jungle drives" during the day for the very young children 4 yrs and under. Parents are welcome to join, but they must behave like children! Children can sleep in the same room with their parents. Camp beds/stretchers are made up at the foot of the parents' bed for each child (up to 3 children).
Sun City (North West Province)
Besides swimming pools at the 4 hotels, there is also the Valley of the Waves, Kamp Kwena, Waterworld and more! Kamp Kwena is situated at the Cabanas’ children's activities park and offers a daily supervised children's programme. Facilities include a huge selection of books, puzzles, toys, cartoon network channel, playgrounds. Then there is Mini Golf, Trampolines, Bumper Cars and the Finders Keepers Scratch Patch. And, at Waterworld experience the thrill of Jet skiing, Water skiing and Parasailing.
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa (Knysna / Garden Route)
Located on the Eastern Head of Knysna this resort offers a vast choice of activities: archery, fishing, beach volleyball, petanque, canoeing, field of dreams, driving range, hike/walking trails, canoe, horse-riding, swimming and tennis. Family picnics can be had at Noetzie Beach. Nightly en-suite child minding is provided.
Grootbos (close to Hermanus / Western Cape)
Here children can get totally involved, from collecting their own breakfast eggs to helping in the kitchen with their pizza preparation. The Play Ground is a kiddie's paradise, located next to the horse stables, children can explore their natural surroundings while playing with fluffy bunnies, a domestic pig "Emma" or the ducks. Specialised guides supervise children at the playground, and accompany children during exciting treasure hunts through the Milkwood Forest.
Kurland (Plettenberg Bay / Garden Route)
This luxury family hotel (Relais & Chateaux) is situated on a world famous polo venue. Kurland arranges imaginative activities specifically tailored to children of all ages. Lofts have been created above the main suites, and are fitted with 2 or 3 or, if required, 4 beds. Each has its own play area, toys and en suite bathrooms. Children can dine in a variety of venues including their own Children's Dining Conservatory. Experienced nannies available.
Mount Nelson (Cape Town)
Situated in the heart of Cape Town, this leading family friendly 5 star hotel offers complimentary second room for up to two children under 17 years old travelling with their parents. Nine acres of garden, swimming pools, the Nellie & Nelson Children Activity centre and even children's yoga classes are available. Kids receive welcome amenities, and child-size robes and slippers. An exciting annual programme which includes cricket matches, face painting, story-telling, swimming, games and treasure hunts are organised.
With thanks to Wilderness Safaris
Find out more about Family Holidays
What could be more exciting to a child than stroking a baby elephant, feeding giraffes or discovering a lion in the wild? A safari is a perfect holiday for the family, because not only will children will be exposed to incredible wildlife but also a vastly different culture, allowing for a fun and educational experience. Imagine your children seeing a magnificent Maasai warrior for the first time or learning to make a fire from wood and stone!
Planning a safari for the whole family can be a daunting experience. Here are our top 10 things to consider before booking:
1. Consider countries in Africa which have more experience in dealing with families such as South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. These countries have hosted tourists for many years, they are safe and have all the facilities one would want when travelling with children.
2. If you want to take the children away during the European summer holidays it is generally warm and dry during the African winter months, however, if you want to visit The Cape in South Africa you may be in for some rain and lower temperatures (best from Sept onwards).
3. The peak season for safari is usually June to Oct which is the dry season. That isn’t to say, however, that travel outside of this season doesn’t provide a brilliant safari experience, nor does it rain all day every day. If you are looking to save a few pennies and you are tied to travelling during the European school holidays (ie the peak season), consider visiting South Africa or Namibia which are the exception - having their low season during these months. If you must travel in the December holidays, book early as it is an exceptionally busy and pricey time of year to travel throughout Africa.
4. Flights to East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) are shorter (around 8 hrs from Europe) so you may want to take this into consideration. Although in saying that, the 11 hr journey to Southern Africa is usually done on an overnight flight and with the time difference either 1 or 2 hours (depending on time of year) there is no jet lag to contend with.
5. Be sure to ask your tour operator whether or not your children can partake on game drives. Some lodges will not allow very young children to partake in shared game drives. You may need to consider a private vehicle or babysitting services. Your tour operator will know the lodges and camps which are child friendly offering specially tailored child-centred activities which will give parents a break and provide endless hours of fun and learning for the children.
6. Ask your tour operator about which countries require vaccinations and malaria tablets. If you are looking for a malaria free safari you will generally only find these within certain parks in South Africa.
7. Plan your itinerary so that you don’t have too long on a safari. If you are away for 2 weeks combine your safari with a beach break in the likes of Mombasa, Zanzibar or Mauritius. Most of the resorts or hotels on the beach offer kid’s clubs, brilliant activities and water sports and family rooms.
8. Consider a self drive holiday through either South Africa or Namibia. This not only saves money but can be quite an adventure, allowing you to visit a number of places and adding to the overall experience. South Africa in particular has a huge diversity of attractions. Not only can you experience an authentic safari but enjoy a beach stay, visit scenic cities such as Cape Town and experience a variety of cultures all within the one trip to the Rainbow Nation.
9. If you have adventurous teenagers to entertain why not consider Zambia's Victoria Falls? It is known for its adventure activities such as bungee jumping and white water rafting. Following Victoria Falls nothing could be more adventurous than a walking safari in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Namibia may also appeal with adventures such as sand dune surfing.
10. Most importantly find a tour operator or agent that you trust! Safari holidays don’t come cheap and you want to be assured that the agent is fully bonded to ensure peace of mind. As well as this, choose someone that has experience planning family holidays to Africa in order that it is expertly organised and that the destinations chosen for you will be safe, providing not only entertainment but adequate facilities for children.
Photography Credit: Cheli & Peacock, Govenors Safaris, Kasaka River Lodge & Kwandos Safaris
Contact a specialist about a Family Safari