How to Plan Your Family’s African Safari
African safari is an unbeatable family experience, from exploring wildlife reserves to spotting the Big Five.
When booking a family safari, many factors need to be considered. To get the right destination and lodge for you, take into account the age of your children as well as what kind of activities they'd like.
Medication and malaria protection is also an important factor, alongside transport arrangements for younger kids.
At Jacada Travel, we can create the perfect tailor made family safari. For some inspiration, here's our pick of some of the best safari lodges for families in Africa.
If you have young children
Tuningi Safari Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa
Set within the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Tuningi Safari Lodge is the perfect place for families with young children. The Little Tuningi family suite is set slightly separately from the main lodge, making it perfect if want some privacy. It’s an excellent choice for families, with lots of activities designed specifically for little ones – from treasure hunts and mini nature walks to lending a hand assembling the pizzas for dinner.
Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Kenya’s Giraffe Manor is the perfect stopover on your way to a safari. The manor is home to eight endangered Rothschild Giraffes, famous for making daily visits to the property to say hello to guests. It’s an unforgettable experience for the kids, who will probably never find themselves that close to a giraffe again! We think it’s the perfect starting point for a safari with your family.
If you’re an active family
Many safaris involve a lot of time sitting in jeeps on game drives, so if your family doesn’t like to sit still, choose a safari that offers a great choice of exciting activities. While staying in Kenya why not try out river tubing, fishing and camel riding, as well as mountain biking, between each of the game drives. You could even go out running with a Samburu warrior. We’ll also suggest active safaris in other regions, such as South Africa.
If you have a large family
Morukuru
Located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Morukuru has some fantastic properties specifically catered to families, the River House, the Owner’s House, and the Farm House (for groups of up to 10). The villas come with a host of staff to assist you throughout your stay, and you will have complete control over your schedule, whether you want to track wildlife on a tailored big game drive, or simply lounge by the pool all day.
Singita Castleton, South Africa
Located in the world renowned Sabi Sands, Singita Castleton is the perfect exclusive-use lodge for big families travelling together. Catering to groups of up to 12, the stylish lodge is perfectly located with a high concentration of big game. Your personal rangers are there to help you do whatever you want: animal tracking, star-gazing safaris or even archery on the lawn.
Phinda Zuka
In South Africa’s Phinda Reserve, Phinda Zuka Lodge can be privately booked for families of up to eight. The lodge welcomes kids of all ages, and is the perfect place to spot a huge array of wildlife from cheetahs and lions to rhinos and leopards. You’ll love the private chef and butler, as well as the flexibility to arrange your own schedules throughout the day.
If you have an adventurous family
Mobile Safari Expeditions, Botswana
Some of your kids, especially the teens, might be in search of adventure, so to make the family holiday one for them to rave about, try mobile camping, the ideal way to explore the spectacular land in the spirit of adventure. Mobile Safari Expeditions is a private expedition that allows you to immerse yourself in Botswana’s fascinating deltas while staying in luxury tents along the way. Whatever your interests are, they’ll plan a safari that suits exactly what you and your family want to do, from leisurely boat rides to picnics in the bush and game walks.
Mara House, Kenya
Nestled on a conservancy next to Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara, Mara House is a three-bedroom bush home is designed to suit a couple, small group or family. You’ll have your own private team, including a chef and a fully-qualified Maasai guide to take you on a range of safari-related activities like walking tours, game drives, and village visits.
Discover our favourite family safaris
Ready to plan the perfect safari for your family? Get in touch with our expert travel designers today!