Luxury South Africa
Family Tours made for you
Start PlanningCreate memorable moments on a bespoke South Africa family trip
South Africa is hard to beat when it comes to family travel. Between its sweeping coastlines and world-class game reserves, the sheer variety of landscapes and activities means no two trips look the same. Whatever your family’s mix – toddlers, teens or grandparents – our team will design an itinerary that caters to everyone, ensuring your adventure feels effortless, comfortable and tailored entirely around you.
Drawing on our extensive experience crafting family trips, your personal safari designer will handle every detail. Expect seamless transfers between handpicked lodges, access to reliable babysitting services and curated restaurant reservations. We’ll balance the pacing of your journey across vibrant city exploration and untamed wildlife reserves. Spend a day exploring Cape Town‘s coastline, browsing small fishing villages packed with interesting shops and strolling the boardwalk at Boulders Beach to catch sight of the resident penguin colony. Wander up through Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to follow the Boomslang Walkway and keep an eye out for the dinosaur sculpture hidden among the cycads. In the city itself you can spend a day looking for ever-changing street art and stop in at a variety of eateries to indulge in local flavours.
In the bush, your family can enjoy the exclusive use of private safari vehicles alongside expert local guides and dedicated trackers who keep younger adventurers engaged with kid-friendly activities. Combined with flexible dining designed around children’s preferences and schedules, every day can strike a harmony between thrilling excursions and rejuvenating downtime, ensuring an unforgettable experience for every generation.
Get inspired with our example family trips below, and then chat to one of our expert travel designers to start planning your adventure.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
Ride through the Winelands
Take a break from wine tasting to horse-riding through lush vineyards in The Winelands stopping to learn about the region and its rich history.
Watch whales off Hermanus
Keep your eyes peeled for pods of whales frolicking off the coast in Hermanus as you explore the beautiful Whale Coast and its villages.
Roam the wild Kalahari
Discover the wildest corners of the Kalahari on thrilling morning and evening game drives.
Get a view from on top
Ride the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain and take in the incredible views out of the city and the Atlantic Coastline, keeping an eye out for the resident dassies (rock hyrax).
Track the big five
Venture out in the Sabi Sands bush with an expert guide and trackers and see how many of the big five you can cross off your wildlife list.
Find street art
Discover family friendly eateries and admire the vibrant street art of Johannesburg’s Maboneng district on a tour with a private guide.
A word from one of our experts
No destination brings a family together like South Africa! World class service, accommodation and entertainment for all ages and interests makes South Africa a truly magical experience.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury family accommodation in South Africa
There are many incredible, family-friendly places to stay in South Africa. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your family’s specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for your family and good for the planet.
South Africa family trip inspiration
Get inspired with our South Africa example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Where to go
Cape Town
Cape Town is an excellent destination for a family adventure. Play on the sandy beaches, explore seaside villages, learn about local cuisine and spend time at the bustling V&A Waterfront.
Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg Mountains offer a wide variety of activities for travellers of all ages. Think hiking beneath dramatic peaks, discovering waterfalls, horse riding and trekking to see cave paintings.
Durban
Durban’s year-round great weather, surfing, diving, child-friendly activities and proximity to natural attractions make it a good destination for families.
Eastern Cape Safaris
Malaria-free wildlife reserves are a big hit with families, as are the long sandy beaches.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg has been described as one of the coolest cities in the world, with plenty of street art and important history.
KwaZulu Natal
Expect excellent beaches, Big Five game reserves, beautiful scenery and varied cultures.
Limpopo Province
Limpopo’s landscapes offer families boundless activities, adventure thrills and horse riding safaris.
Luxury Rail Travel
South Africa has some of the most moving, distinct and dramatic landscapes this world has to offer, which can all be enjoyed from the smooth gait of a luxury locomotive.
Madikwe
One of the country’s more remote of the Big Five safari experiences is malaria-free, making it great for families.
Northern Kruger National Park
The Makuleke is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and dramatic region that is perhaps the park’s most beautiful, yet kept wonderfully quiet thanks to its community-run concession status.
Phinda
Phinda is a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland, and rare sand forest interspersed with mountain ranges, river courses, marshes and pans.
Pretoria
Once your family has had its fill of the city, head to the outskirts to explore one of Pretoria’s many nature reserves.
Sabi Sands
Widely regarded as Africa’s premier game reserve, Sabi Sands is known for the abundance of game, specialise children’s programmes and access to private vehicles.
The Garden Route
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise.
The Kalahari
Although termed a desert, this semi-arid sandy savannah supports more animal and plant life than what is typical.
The Kruger
Plentiful game and varied landscapes make the Kruger National Park a great place for families to explore together.
The Western Cape Mountains
This region boasts some the country’s best ‘wilderness retreats’, as well as wildlife and active pursuits and interest-tailored activities.
The Whale Coast
Some of the world’s premier destinations for viewing nurseries of southern right whales, as well as other marine life, are located on this coast.
The Winelands
Aside from grapes, all manner of fresh produce is made here, much of which you will find adorning the plates of the excellent restaurants.
Meet your Africa team
When to visit South Africa
Cape Town and along the Garden Route are great to visit any time of year, but early summer when the winds drops are particularly pleasant. The peak summer travel season runs from November to March. If you’re visiting for a family safari, the dry winter months are often considered the best but the wetter summer months bring full waterholes, lush bushveld and lots of newborn animals. If you’re aiming to enjoy a Christmas safari with your family, be sure to book nine to 12 months in advance.
Wildlife adventures
May - October
Around Cape Town
October - April
Whale watching
June - August
Plan your family trip to South Africa
Whatever you want from your family adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Ask our experts
Are there age restrictions for game drives in South Africa?
Yes, there are age restrictions for game drives in South Africa, although specific age limits can vary between lodges. As a general rule, most lodges allow game drives for children aged six and over, but in many cases, a private safari vehicle is required for families with children under the age of 12. Many family-friendly safari lodges offer babysitting services for younger children.
What destinations are best for family trips to South Africa?
The best destinations for a family trip to South Africa are Madikwe Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. Madikwe Game Reserve is ideal for families with younger children as it is malaria-free, and is also home to the Magnificent Seven: elephants, rhinos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, lions and African wild dogs. Meanwhile Kruger National Park is excellent for wildlife spotting, including the Big Five and rare predators.
What family experiences are available in South Africa?
Family-friendly safaris are some of the most popular family experiences available in South Africa, including game drives, guided nature walks and conservation experiences. Families can also enjoy exploring Cape Town’s Cape Peninsula or taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, or whale watching on the Whale Coast. Experiences are tailored to suit all kinds of family groups, including those with young children, teenagers and multi-generational families.
Are South Africa's cities suitable for family trips?
Yes, South Africa’s cities are suitable for family trips. Cape Town is a great family-friendly option to complement a family safari. Families can explore Cape Peninsula, including African penguins on Boulders Beach, or the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. You can also head to the top of Table Mountain by cable car to take in views of the city. Jacada will arrange the logistics of your stay and provide an expert local guide to ensure a seamless family trip.
What are the best safari lodges in South Africa for families?
The best safari lodges in South Africa for families are Morukuru Family in Madikwe Game Reserve, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Lion Sands River Lodge in Sabi Sands. These safari lodges are great for families because they offer multi-bedroom private villas to accommodate larger or multi-generational families. Private safari vehicles offer greater flexibility for families and child-friendly activities keep kids of all ages entertained.
Which safari parks in South Africa are malaria-free for families?
Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province is an an excellent malaria-free safari park for families. meaning you don’t need to worry about prophylactic medications or high-risk mosquito exposure for young children.
How far in advance should we book a family safari to South Africa?
You should aim to book your family safari to South Africa at least 12 months in advance to ensure you have access to some of the best lodges and experiences.
Can we combine a South Africa family holiday with a beach extension?
A South Africa family holiday pairs excellently with a stay in Mozambique at the beginning of end of your trip. Spend a few days soaking up the sun on an idyllic beach and enjoying activities in and on the water.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
