12 Best Family Safari Lodges in Africa
There’s nothing like an African safari for thrilling wildlife experiences and magical family bonding. The best family safari lodges offer varied, engaging activities for little ones, teenagers and even grownups. There’s Malaria-free lodges, action-packed camps and captivating wildlife to discover on an ultimate safari adventure with your family.
Namibia’s vast deserts are perfect for adventure activities and South Africa’s malaria-free regions are great for little ones. For exciting family safaris on land, water and in the air look no further than Botswana. The Great Wildebeest Migration can be found in Kenya and Tanzania with plenty of opportunity to connect with Maasai and Samburu culture too. Then, in Rwanda, there’s jaw-dropping accommodation and exciting primate trekking.
At Jacada we’re experienced in arranging bespoke family trips. We have first-hand experience of travelling with our families on safari too. To help you choose the best lodge for your family, our experts have compiled a list of their favourite family safari lodges. We’ll highlight which age-group each property suits best and what makes them so special.
1. Wilderness Little Kulala, Namibia
Best for teenagers
An intimate camp set in an epic orange desert of Sossusvlei with plenty of adventure activities. Adrenaline junkies can make the most of the lunar-like landscapes on quad bike and fat bike adventures. There’s magical sunrise hikes up ‘Big Daddy’, Namibia’s biggest sand dune, and you can even float up and away on an exhilarating hot air balloon safari.
2. Faru Faru, Tanzania
Best for all ages
Set in one of Tanzania’s most exclusive private reserves, the Singita Grumeti, all the family can enjoy an authentic safari, away from the crowds. A Young Rangers program will keep children entertained and educated with animal tracking, astronomy, bird-watching and survival-technique activities.
3. Forest Chem Chem, Tanzania
Best for all ages
A slow paced, authentic, safari camp, set in a shady forest which is perfect for families with young children. In a private conservancy between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park, there’s plenty of wildlife including ‘big tusker’ elephants. A completely bespoke approach to activities and guiding means exclusive activities where cultural connections, such as ‘walking with the Maasai’ are encouraged.
4. Sala’s Camp, Kenya
Best for all ages (from 4 months old)
Sala’s camp in Kenya’s mighty Masai Mara is surrounded by masses of wildlife, the big five and it’s the place to be if you want your family to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. There’s plenty of special touches such as private plunge pools, babysitting services, and breakfast cook-outs. We love their family safari program that encourages children to find the ‘little five’ on their game drives.
5. Lewa House, Kenya
Best for teenagers but suitable from 4 months
A family run lodge where the owners raised their own children; the family-friendly atmosphere here is 100% authentic. Many varied activities make it a great place to safari and also get out of the jeep and explore. There’s horse riding, canopy walks and natural plunge pools in Ngare forest, helicopter rides and walking safaris. Lewa House is serious about conservation, inviting youngsters to get involved too.
6. Arijiju Laikipia, Kenya
Best for all ages
A completely private and secluded safari escape awaits your family at Laikipia’s Arijiju retreat. A beautiful home with guides who expertly tailor your safari experience to suit your whole family perfectly. A large swimming pool and social areas (including a home cinema) make Arijiju a stylish home away from home, perfect for families of mixed ages.
7. Wilderness Vumbura Plains, Botswana
Best for teenagers
Wilderness Vumbura Plains sits in the Okavango Delta, one of the premier wildlife regions in Africa. Huge densities of wildlife, away from the crowds means authentic, secluded wildlife encounters where magical family memories can be built. Move between water, land and air with jeep, hot air balloon and speedboat safaris.
8. Matetsi, Zimbabwe
Best for teenagers but suitable for all ages
Close to the epic Victoria Falls and situated within its own private game reserve, Matetsi boasts excellent safari adventures, tours of the Falls and fun on the Zambezi river. Older teenagers can enjoy canoeing adventures and all the family can take part in memorable, private sunset river cruises.
9. Tarkuni Private House, South Africa
Best for all ages
Situated on the private, malaria-free Tswalu wildlife reserve, you’ll find Tarkuni. A completely exclusive family home, extremely comfortable and superbly spacious for larger families. Private vehicles and guides mean safari experiences adapt to your own requirements. Children can enjoy bush walks, picnics, horse riding, pizza making and for the ‘junior rangers’ there’s archery, spoor identification and an animal tracking class.
10. Londolozi, South Africa
Best for older children and teenagers
Based in the wildlife-rich Sabi Sands private reserve, excellent game sightings are almost guaranteed at Londolozi, even the allusive leopard is sometimes spotted here. Complete luxury with private swimming pools and a dedicated team who are experienced in making game drives magical for children. While in-camp the Cubs Den program will captivate children while they wait for their next wildlife experience in the Bush.
11. Kwandwe, South Africa
Suitable for all ages
Set in a malaria-free private reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Kwandwe is a genuine all-rounder that suits all ages. On arrival children immediately begin their educational and fun safari experience as they’re presented with their activity book and animal check-list. Renowned for their epic treasure hunts this is a great camp for curious minds.
12. Wilderness Bisate, Rwanda
Best for teenagers, 15 years and above
Stunning, distinctive and a conservation spearhead, Rwanda’s Wilderness Bisate is a truly magical lodge, where once-in-a-lifetime memories can be made. A base for primate trekking in the Virunga mountains where you can track golden monkeys and critically endangered, mighty mountain Gorillas.
Our top family safaris
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