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Going on safari with kids might seem intimidating — but there is no shortage of family-friendly safari parks and lodges across Africa
Seeing a wild elephant, lion, or hippo is always an exhilarating experience for adults, let alone the kids!
However, not every safari destination is suitable for families, especially those with small children. You’ll need to consider everything from safety concerns to finding kid-friendly activities.
As you likely know too well, not every child will enjoy spending long hours in a safari truck or get bored and irritable during long-distance travel. Picking a destination and activities that cater best to your children’s age, maturity, personality, and special interests is essential.
But with so many countries offering safari tours, how do you know which are best for families? It can be overwhelming to choose the right country, and then th right safari lodge. And finding the best activities for families in each of these countries is also key to a making the most out of your safari.
We’re here to give you a primer: To explain everything you need to know about finding a family-friendly safari destination, and how to make the most out of your time there, whether travelling with younger children or feisty teens.
What Makes a Safari Family-Friendly?
Accommodation and meals
As with any family vacation, especially when planned the Mango Tree way, acommodation is key.
When it comes to safari holidays, that usually means finding a lodge that offers spacious rooms or chalets where a family can stay together, a playground and possibly a swimming pool. Better yet, you may find one that offers child-friendly activities like tribal tours, junior ranger courses, and excellent game viewing with fun and educational anecdotes.
In addition to the standard game drives, family-friendly safari lodges often offer short educational bush walks suitable for little legs, alongside longer and more challenging safaris for older teens. They often show wildlife videos, and some may have impressive libraries to keep curious kids occupied, especially on rainy days.
Travelling with fussy eaters can be challenging, but you’ll be pleased to know that lodges usually serve great options, from set menus to buffets. That said, it’s worth checking their menus in advance or asking if chefs can prepare something specific if you’re really concerned.
Thankfully, safari lodges follow strict food safety guidelines, so you can enjoy your meals without worrying about getting sick. (However, be more cautious when eating in cities – street food isn’t suitable for kids or anyone with sensitive stomachs!)
Activities
Game drives are a fantastic way to see wild animals. But bear in mind that some can involve long days out in the bush and lots of waiting around. Depending on their temperament, many small children may not have the patience to wait around for elusive animals to appear, which is why family-friendly tour guides can be invaluable.
If the idea of long and tedious game drives is out of the question, young kids still have plenty of opportunities to see wild animals.
For example, Nairobi in Kenya offers excellent wildlife experiences, such as the Giraffe Manor, the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, and Nairobi National Park. We love easing Mango Tree clients into their family safaris with stops at these kid favorites.
These attractions are easy to access, entertaining, and educational for young children. A day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Chemka Springs in Tanzania can also provide a welcome break from the bush.
Time of year
Fortunately for much of the world, the best time to go on safari in Africa fits in well with the school holidays, as the dry season falls between June and October. These months have cooler weather, lower mosquito levels, and many exciting animals are easier to spot.
Safety
When it comes to families, especially those with small children, parents may wonder, “Is taking the kids on safaris really a responsible thing to do?”
The quick answer is ‘yes’, as long as you pick the right safari destination and plan carefully. It’s vital to choose a country, a game park, and, finally, a lodge that will provide an incredible safari experience that is safe and pleasurable for both you and the kids.
All game parks employ knowledgeable and experienced game guides, so as long as you and the children follow their rules, safaris can be very safe. We’re here to help you find a place that will make you feel relaxed and confident while having this incredible wildlife experience.
Another thing to consider is that not all lodges are fenced. In this case, the staff will escort you back to your lodge in the evening, so you won’t be in danger – just stay inside after dark as wild animals could be wandering around the premises!
5 Best Safari Destinations for Families
South Africa
South Africa is possibly the best country for family-friendly safaris. It has first-class infrastructure, and modern cities with supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and good roads, allowing quick access to numerous world-class parks, including the famous Kruger National Park.
The Kruger offers fantastic game viewing with the Big Five and all the other key African animals. It also has family-friendly lodges for all tastes and budgets and is ideal for
self-drives, giving families the flexibility of going on safari when and where they please. For an example of a luxury lodge in South Africa with specific kids programming — and elephants! — check out Jabulani Safari Lodge, one of the first safari camps scouted by Mango Tree.
Of course, hundreds of other game parks and reserves scattered across South Africa offer similar activities, plus a host of safaris, such as walking, horse riding, cycling, and guided game drives.
Entrance fees to South Africa’s parks are also far cheaper than in many other African countries. At the same time, the favourable exchange rate makes this country an even more affordable destination, which can be a big bonus for large families.
South Africa also offers opportunities to visit numerous world-class beaches or mountain resorts, and even the Cape Winelands can be explored in a family friendly way. Many resorts are geared specifically for families with children of all ages and provide a host of amenities and entertainment to keep everyone entertained. We currently have a crush on Spier Hotel in the winelands outside of Cape Town”: Wine for adults and the Kids Buzz Club.
Tanzania
Tanzania is undoubtedly one of the best safari destinations in the world. Its iconic Serengeti, Tarangire, and one-of-a-kind Ngorongoro National Parks hold some of the world’s most dazzling concentrations of wildlife.
Tanzania is also the home of the Great Migration, possibly the most remarkable natural spectacle on our planet. The best time to view the Great Migration is between July and October
Arusha is the main entry point to Kenya and the gateway to Tanzania’s premier game parks. It is worth spending a few days here before or after visiting the game parks to enjoy some child-friendly attractions. These include taking a day trip to the Chemka Hot Springs, where the kids can have a ball swimming, snorkelling, or swinging like Tarzan over the crystal clear pools or take a perfectly safe walking safari in Arusha National Park.
You could visit a coffee plantation or a Maasai Village where the kids will be fascinated by the survival skills of the local warriors or have a picnic in the wild in the foothills of Africa’s tallest mountain.
Apart from hundreds of family-friendly lodges and hotels across the country offering child-friendly activities, Tanzania also offers excellent combo beach and bush vacations. The magical Zanzibar Islands are a short flight from most game parks. After a stint in the game parks, spending a few days chilling on the island’s white sandy beaches provides the perfect finale for your African safari adventure.
Kenya
Kenya is another fantastic safari destination packed with some of the most famous game parks in the world, such as the Maasai Mara, which boasts the densest population of big cats and a massive concentration of Africa’s other iconic animals. It is also packed with superb lodges that provide excellent child-friendly activities.
The numerous privately run game reserves in the concession areas provide custom-made safaris and other child-focused activities to suit children of all ages. Being less crowded, they’re able to offer educational bush walks, cycling and even horse riding safaris, while their luxurious facilities provide spacious accommodation where families can stay
together.
As the first entry point to Kenya, Nairobi is close to several premier game parks, which you can reach quickly without spending long hours on the roads.
Nairobi is also packed with child-friendly attractions in the middle of the city. These include the Giraffe Centre or Manor, where the kids can meet and feed baby giraffes. Better still, you can see baby elephants and rhinos playing at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, which is situated nearby.
And then we have the Nairobi National Park with four of the Big Five plus a wide array of wildlife on the city’s outskirts with all the amenities close at hand. The beauty of this park is that your family can view it in a single day.
Like neighbouring Tanzania, you could also end your safari vacation with a short trip to Diani Beach, where the whole family can enjoy relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkelling, or being entertained at the numerous beachside resorts.
Namibia
The vastness of Namibia’s game parks makes the country a top favourite self-drive safari destination, which can be better suited for families on a budget and preferring a flexible schedule. Not only does self-driving give you the flexibility of going whenever and wherever you want, but the flat terrain of Namibia also makes for excellent game viewing, enabling you to spot an animal miles away.
Namibia’s premier game park, Etosha, offers self-catering or all-inclusive lodges with numerous child-friendly accommodations and activities.
Another massive drawcard for families is the number of lit-up watering holes next to campsites. These allow families to view wildlife from their camps throughout the day or night while the kids can run around the enclosed premises, releasing their energy.
Namibia is also a relatively malaria-free country (apart from Etosha in the north).
Botswana
Last but not least, Botswana provides possibly the best and most exclusive safari experiences in Africa. Botswana has some of the most luxurious lodges, excellent accommodation options, fantastic rangers, and an array of safaris ranging from the wildest to the most child-friendly activities.
Families can enjoy educational and enlightening bush walks, uncrowded game drives, and peaceful boat cruises along the Okavango or Chobe’s numerous rivers, lagoons, and waterways.
Needless to say, Botswana is a wildlife paradise. Its pristine landscapes, ranging from lush wetlands to vast open semi-arid desert salt pans, are packed with wildlife. The drier parks in central or southern Botswana make for excellent self-drive safaris.
Like Namibia, Botswana’s country’s flat and open terrain provides excellent game visibility and a different range of wildlife than you’d find in the northern regions.
Tours to local villages are educational and entertaining for kids and adults alike, learning about the ancient traditions and hunting and survival skills of the local San People, also known as Bushmen.
A bonus for families on safari in Botswana is Chobe’s proximity to one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders: Victoria Falls, just across the border into Zimbabwe or Zambia.
Here, parents and children will not only be mesmerised by the sights but also by the number of child-friendly activities available, as well as the number of lodges to stay in and restaurants to enjoy a meal while enjoying the breathtaking views of the falls.
A lodge example: The Royal Livingstone, which is nearby and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and its falls. The kids will love the zebras, buck, and occasional giraffes around the hotel’s poolside and gardens.
Are you ready for Safari?
So, if you thought that going on safari in Africa was out of the cards for families with small children, I sure hope we have put your mind at ease! We can’t wait to help more families plan safari in a smooth and exciting way.
The number of lodges across the continent that cater specifically to families and offer child-friendly entertainment and safari activities will spoil you for choice when deciding where to go, where to stay, and what to do.
With our help and incredible partnerships with Africa tour operators, selecting a safe destination and an incredible lodge will feel not just doable, but even like part of the fun.
