When to travel to South Africa
European and American school summer holidays normally fall between the months of June to August. This is the winter season in South Africa but by no means dismisses it as a holiday destination. The vast majority of the country experiences warm and dry winters. Temperatures are generally cool in the morning and evenings allowing for a comfortable night's sleep and fresh start. The day time temperatures can range from 18 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees, depending on the region.
The summer months are generally hot and in some places quite humid, similar to the Florida climate. The whole country can be visited during the summer months but there are certain regions we recommend more specifically for the winter months. Expect short afternoon showers after the heat of the day but these are quick and very pleasurable in cooling things down.
There are a number of excellent areas we particularly recommend travel to between the months June - August. The Kruger Park is arguably at is best in the dry season with the animals centred on the rivers and the foliage a lot less dense providing far superior game sightings. The North West province encompassing Sun City, Pilansburg and Madikwe Game Reserve is malaria free and for this reason many of the lodges cater more specifically for families. Sun City is the home of entertainment with an endless amount of activities to keep a family occupied, the biggest draw card being the Valley of the Waves water park.
Our favourite province during the winter months is KwaZulu Natal situated along the East Coast on the Indian Ocean. Not only is the area famous for its swimming beaches but also for its game reserves, mountains and Zulu cultural activities.
The Cape can be visited during these winter months (an additional bonus is this is whale season) but the weather can be temperamental with cooler coastal fronts. Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape Safari regions are best visited in the summer months from September to May. In these months you are almost guaranteed clear skies and sunny weather.
Safari for Families
While some game reserves are unsuitable for children the majority are more than happy to accommodate them and cater for their specific needs. Different rules apply in each lodge for the age in which children can participate in game drives. It can range from around 7 years to 12 years. Usually children of any age can go on game drives if a private vehicle has been hired. For those very young children unable to participate in the game drives many lodges provide specifically designed children's safaris with activities centred on learning about the animals and the environment while having tons of fun. This way the parents can enjoy a game drive knowing their children are being entertained and educated in a safe environment. We have years of experience catering for families and we will advise you on the best lodges to accommodate you and your children.
Family Hotels in South Africa
South Africa is renowned for having some of the best hotels in the world. Accommodation in the country is of an extremely high standard providing all modern amenities and offering top class food and entertainment.
We will advise you on the best accommodations to suit your family and also the destinations to provide you with all the fun and adventure you could wish for. Our favourite family centred lodges or hotels can be found below. We have chosen these for various reasons but in most cases because they provide family rooms, child friendly meals and are experts in providing family entertainment in a safe environment.