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Family Safaris in South Africa

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

A South African safari is a fantastic choice for a family holiday. Go on game drives to spot wildlife, explore pristine beaches, and participate in family-friendly activities that cater to all ages. This will be a memorable experience for the whole family!

Why Should You Go on a Family Safari in South Africa?

Family-Friendly Game Reserves

Explore safe, malaria-free game reserves, perfect for families with young children. Many parks in South Africa welcome travelling families, so expect kid-focused activities and options, especially for families.

Activities for All Ages

Enjoy a mix of wildlife activities, like game drives and walking safaris, as well as cultural excursions to learn from the local people.

Family-Friendly Lodges

Many safari lodges boast family villas and suites with interconnecting rooms and private pools. Some accommodations for travelling families also provide child care services and kids’ programmes, making them even more convenient.

Incredible Natural Settings

Discover the diverse landscapes of South Africa, from endless savannahs in game reserves to stunning coastlines with fascinating marine life just below the ocean’s surface.

Create Lifelong Memories

Create lasting family bonds through shared adventures in the wilderness. A safari holiday is the perfect getaway that will appeal to everyone, from grandma and grandpa who want to relax to kids who are excited to see the Big Five.

Best Destinations for a Family Safari in South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe is one of the best places for cheetah and African wild dog sightings. The reserve houses a couple of wild dog packs, so you have a good chance of seeing these endangered animals.

Also, as a Big Five destination, it offers sightings of lions, white rhinos, and elephants, while leopards and buffaloes are a bit rarer. Travelling families will love the family-friendly accommodations and activities available.

Kruger National Park

There are many reasons why Kruger National Park is among the most famous parks in Africa. From the extensive biodiversity and numerous safari options to the large numbers of Big Five animal species, this is a top safari destination. Kruger provides a wide range of activities and lodging options for family safaris in South Africa.

Garden Route

One of the most iconic journeys in South Africa, the Garden Route is a picturesque stretch of coastline that takes travellers through lush forests, stunning beaches, and charming towns, offering an incredible family holiday filled with safari and coastal adventures.

5 Tips for a Family Safari in South Africa

1. Pack Essentials

Make sure to pack essentials like high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, games for long drives and relaxation days, and snacks for the kids.

2. Go to the Beach

Include beach stops along the Garden Route for variety and fun watersports. The kids will love building castles in the sand!

3. Family-Friendly Accommodations

Choose family-friendly safari lodges and hotels with babysitting services if you’re travelling with toddlers so you and your partner can enjoy a romantic dinner or spa treatment.

4. Be Flexible

Flexibility allows for everyone’s needs and wants to be catered to. This can include sleeping in instead of going on a morning game drive, enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, or opting for a private guided walk later in the day.

5. Involve the Little Ones

If you’re travelling with young kids, involve them in guided walks and interactive wildlife activities. This could spark an enduring interest in nature!

South Africa Tours

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What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

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"What we appreciated was the effort in doing all the best to satisfy our requests! So everything was as expected.. the tented camp (everything was like at home),the game drive( we asked a private tour), the position of the camp ( very important for us, we sa..."

Silvia Del Giovane, Italy12 Nov 2026

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"It was an extensive planning process to put together a 24 day safari and adventure trip covering Victoria Falls, Mana Pools and Hwange Park in Zimbabwe, followed by a wonderful experience in Botswana on the Chobe River and Okvango Delta. There were flight c..."

Tami Jones, United States19 Nov 2025

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"Magic tour, the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in all my life, I really love this ancestral land: nature, wise animals, and humans with very big heart."

Griselda Woo Gonzalez, Mexico12 Nov 2025

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"We truly cherished every moment of our trip—there are countless experiences and memories that words can hardly capture. Cape Town was a vibrant and thrilling city, full of upscale shopping and exceptional dining. Jock Lodge stood out with its charming, rust..."

Christine Zastrow, United States14 Oct 2025

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"Adelle at Discover Africa helped to plan our first safari and everything went so smoothly from our internal flights to the game reserve and the booking at the lodge. Couldn’t fault them and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again in the future :)"

Amy MacDonald, United Kingdom01 Sep 2025

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"I recently returned from my fourth trip to Botswana. Matthys van Aswegen has planned these trips so well for me that it is easy to prepare and go to this country where I now have many friends at the camps and specific animals in the wild that I now follow. ..."

Jeanine, United States10 May 2025

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