Family safaris in Africa

Africa is a treasure trove of wonders waiting to be explored, and there’s no shortage of adventure for families with kids in tow. Whether you’re dreaming of witnessing the majestic migration of wildebeests across the Serengeti or marveling at the playful antics of lion cubs, there’s something for everyone in the heart of Africa.

But let’s be real: planning a family safari isn’t just about picking the perfect Instagram backdrop. It’s about finding the best family-friendly destinations that balance excitement with safety, ensuring that both parents and kids can have a wild time without any worries.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the top kid-friendly safari destinations in Africa, where the whole family can create unforgettable memories without sacrificing comfort or safety.

Best family safari South Africa

South Africa is one of the best family safari destinations.

For starters, it’s almost entirely malaria-free and there’s a wealth of activities to keep both the young and young at heart happy on holiday.

Whether you’re overlanding from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, exploring the Garden Route, or traveling from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park there are endless safari options for the whole family.

 

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This guys happy place is without a doubt the wide open spaces of the bush! He transforms into a mini game ranger interested in every element of nature. So grateful to have the opportunity to share the special time in the bush with family. . . #dinokeng #dinokenggamereserve #bushkid #camoaddict #canidrive #loverhino #familytime #bigsmiles #gamedrive

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Where to safari with kids in South Africa:

Boasting over 20 national parks, South Africa ranks as one of the best African safari destinations. Throw in the country’s world-class facilities and easy to navigate infrastructure, and you’ve got a hassle-free family safari holiday.

From easy nature walks in the lush Tsitsikamma National Park to family camping in the Karoo and child-friendly horseback safaris in Addo National Park, South Africa is tailor-made for an adventurous family vacation.

For that classic safari experience, the Kruger National Park should be at the top of your bucket list.

Spanning nearly 2 million hectares, the Kruger is unrivaled in the diversity of its wildlife and family-friendly facilities. This park is ideally set up for taking kids on safari – featuring fenced rest camps and accommodations replete with swimming pools, restaurants (with most offering special children’s meals), and play areas.

Generally speaking, the south of Kruger National Park is more child-friendly than the north in that the distances are not so great between get-out points, the landscape is varied, and the game is more plentiful.

 

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Right on the border of South Africa and Mozambique, we spent the week at Kruger National Park. We have been a few times over these 15 years of visiting family and friends in South Africa. And nothing compares to the animals in Kruger. We were leaving the park after a full day in our 10 seater rental van, the park was closing, the sun was setting, and we hadn’t seen rhino’s all day. Then, suddenly we saw all of them. They were on both sides of the van and covered in red dirt from a fun day being a rhino. It was the perfect end to our Kruger drive. Think a safari in South Africa has to cost a fortune? Take a look at my budget friendly and family friendly safari in South Africa blog post.

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Activities for kids on safari in South Africa:

There are plenty of things to do for kids on safari in the Kruger National Park.

To combat the boredom, the park has an action-packed children’s program which includes highlights such as traditional arts and craft classes, touch and feel bushwalks led by a trained guide and even safari game drives tailored for little ones.

Age restrictions for children in South African National Parks:

Children under the age of 12 are not allowed on SANParks wildlife walks, and those under six are prohibited from the park’s wildlife drives. Although, if you’re traveling with children under six years old, consider hiring a car and going on a self-driving day tour that’s close to the park.

Best time to go on a family safari in South Africa:

The Kruger Park is an all-year-round destination, with each season bringing its own highlights.

But, if you’re traveling with children, then consider visiting the park in the dry winter months (June, July, and August) when the malaria risk is lowest and the daily temperatures are mild. The wetter summer months from November to April are the riskiest and as such – young children, pregnant women and older travelers – are advised not to go into the area.

Vaccinations for kids prior to a safari:

Because of the hazard of malaria, it is advisable to take only children above the age of five into the park and to get medical advice before visiting Kruger. If traveling with children, it’s best to choose areas that are less than an hour’s drive into the park.

Travelers are advised to be proactive in preventing mosquito bites by using repellents and protective clothing between dusk and dawn and to sleep under mosquito nets. So an extra precaution, consider child-friendly medications that can be taken.

For a malaria-free family safari in South Africa, Addo National Park and the Madikwe Private Game Reserve both offer the quintessential Big Five experience and kid-friendly facilities.

Tanzania

More than any other destination, Tanzania is the land of safaris.

And, it’s a great safari destination for families with a sense of adventure. With almost unrivaled wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s highest mountain, and the tropical island of Zanzibar to enjoy, there’s something for everyone on a family safari holiday in Tanzania.

 

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How cool is this? Seeing a giraffe just walk by your lodge. – Oke dit was echt super vet! Komt er opeens een giraffe voorbij gelopen terwijl we op het terras zitten. Niet eens in het National Park maar aan de rand van Lake Manyara. . . . #gezinopreis #safari #safarimetkinderen #safariwithkids #lakemanyara #tanzaniawithkids #dutchtravelfamily #tanzaniametkinderen #reizenmetkinderen #vakantiemetkinderen #weroam #wanderlust #travelkids #kidslovetravel #kidseropuit #safarikids #afrika #reislustigeouders #vanterschellingtottimboektoe

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Where to have a Kids Safari in Tanzania:

In every direction you travel, nature and adventure abound in this eclectic country.

Over one-third of Tanzania is under environmental protection, meaning you’ll find plenty of opportunities to teach the kids about the importance of conservation and witness true untamed wildlife.

To make it easier to plan your trip, Tanzania has been divided into regional circuits – all offering breathtaking landscapes, intriguing wildlife and a plethora of exciting safari activities!

In the southern circuit, the lovely lake Malawi and the scenic highlands offer plenty of space for kids to run around. While in the west circuit, chimpanzees swing from tree to tree in the jungles of Tanzania and rare roan and sable antelopes roam the Gombe Stream National Park.

To the north, you’ll find excellent classic safari opportunities that are family-friendly and a good selection of child-friendly accommodations and restaurants to top it off. In this popular safari circuit, wildebeest stampede across the Serengeti, elephants seek out water in Tarangire National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area bustles with the densest concentration of wild animals in Africa.

Activities for kids on safari in Tanzania:

There are a number of camps that welcome kids on safari and even offer tailor-made activities to keep the little ones enthralled on and off safari.

From learning about and spotting the Big Five on safari to meeting the Maasai, and exploring Tanzania’s jungles, it’s difficult to be bored in Tanzania’s northern circuit.

To top it all off, Zanzibar island offers travelers of all age a sandy slice of heaven to relax after a wild safari getaway.

Age restrictions for children in Tanzania Safari Parks:

While some safari lodges don’t have an age restriction, we would suggest children age seven years and older will get the most out of a family safari holiday in Tanzania.

Best time to go on a family safari in Tanzania:

If you’re going on a safari with kids in Tanzania, June through September are the ideal months to travel. The overall temperatures are cooler, mosquitoes tend to be fewer (although anti-malaria precautions should still be taken) and travel overall is easier.

Vaccinations for kids prior to a safari in Tanzania:

Check with your doctor about recommended vaccinations and the use of malarial prophylactics.

However, if you’re on safari in Tanzania with the kids, it’s essential to bring along mosquito nets and ensure that your children sleep under them. To be extra cautious, we recommend packing long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and socks for dawn and dusk and to always use mosquito repellent from home.

Namibia

With the world’s largest sandpit to explore, affordable safaris, and incredible wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park, Namibia is the perfect African safari destination for families with little adventurers.

While it may not be the easiest destination to travel, given its long distances and dry heat, these obstacles can be overcome with some sensible planning. And, if done right, Namibia has much to offer families seeking a safe African adventure.

 

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Wake up old man #lion #africananimals #exploresouthafrica #amazing_shots #africanamazing #etosha #lenscoat #wildlifephotography #lionsofinstagram #lioness #safaris #africansafari #africanwildlife #adorable_animal_pictures #wildlifefestival #afrigeophoto #safari #namibiasafari #etoshaexplorer #wildlifeconservation #wildnout #wildlife_vision #caters_news

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Where to safari with kids in Namibia:

Namibia is a classic desert and safari destination with virtually no malaria, safe drinking water, excellent roads, plenty of self-drive options.

From the shipwrecked shores of Skeleton Coast to the Mars-like terrain of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, there’s plenty for little explorers to enjoy.

But for a family safari, nothing compares to visiting Etosha National Park in Namibia’s north. Boasting all the members of the Big Five, well-established self-drive infrastructures, floodlit watering holes, and photography hides, Etosha is the perfect place to introduce kids to the beauty of wildlife.

In addition to this, Etosha also has several family-friendly lodges, with fenced-off areas for kids, shallow swimming pools, and children’s playrooms – ideal for anyone traveling with kids in Namibia.

Activities for children on safari in Namibia:

From climbing some of the highest sand dunes in the world to clambering over rocks looking at ancient Bushmen rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and exploring the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop near Luderitz, this desert country offers so much variety that kids on safari might even forget about their cellphones.

Age restrictions for children in Namibia National Parks:

Given the dry heat and distance, Namibia is not the easiest destination to travel in with small children but there are few attractions or facilities designed specifically for little explorers aged 7 and up.

Full-scale safaris are generally suited to older children and, for the active teenager activities such as horse riding, sandboarding, ballooning, and paragliding are sure to enthrall.

Best time to go on a family safari in Namibia:

Namibia is a scenic country and can be visited throughout the year.

But, if your main objective is to take kids on a safari, we recommend visiting in the Dry season from May to October. During this time, animals congregate around watering holes, the temperature is more bearable, and the climate is not suitable for the mosquitos.

Vaccinations for kids prior to a safari in Namibia:

Etosha National Park is a low-risk malaria region but as a precautionary matter, we do suggest that you consult your GP on Malaria Prophylaxis when visiting Etosha National Park from January to April.

Can you go on an African overland safari with kids?

Children are welcome on overland tours in Africa, however some tours do have restrictions due to the activities and destinations that the tour offers.  Some tour operators have more restrictive age limits, this is for those people who would prefer not to have children on their tour.  Other tour operators are more flexible and will happily accept children on a case by case basis.  Please ask us about the best options for a tour with your children or family, and we will make the best suggestions for you based on your preferences.

Creating Lasting Memories on Safari

An African safari with kids is an unforgettable adventure that instills a love for wildlife and nature. With proper planning, families can enjoy safe, educational, and thrilling experiences.

Here are our top Family Overland Safaris in Southern Africa:

Best Family Friendly Safari Tours in Tanzania:

Top Family Friendly Safaris in Namibia: