Our tips for family safari holidays in South Africa's Cape
Many lodges in South Africa describe themselves as child-friendly and do accept children. Our on-the-ground experience in family safari holidays with small children enables us to pick those which actively welcome children rather than just accept them. These stand out for activities specifically designed for children; flexibility e.g. concerning meal times and children's dietary requests; child-friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere so that children can run around and let off a bit of steam. Most of the properties we've chosen don't have any age restrictions, yet you might need to book a private vehicle at an extra cost if you want to safari with very young children.
Our list of favourites highlights various accommodation options, including some great-value restcamps, usually booked for self-catering and self-drive trips. These give families the freedom to set their own schedule.
Delivering the same degree of flexibility but on the other end of the price scale are a couple of private villas and houses in South Africa where families can keep to themselves and children may feel at home. These usually come with a private guide, chef and safari vehicle.
Kwandwe Self-drive Safari
3 days • 1 location
PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
US$2,430 - US$4,010 per person
Ecca Lodge
For South Africa family safari holidays with small children, Ecca Lodge should be top of your list. This Kwandwe lodge is a bit more pricey but caters exceedingly well to families with children, with special activities like 'frog safaris' to seek out local amphibians.
Cape Genet Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
US$2,860 - US$3,770 per person
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
The Victoria & Alfred Hotel accepts children of all ages and, with its location in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, there is no shortage of activities and local excursions to keep the family entertained.
The Opstal
The Opstal in the De Hoop Nature Reserve offers a range of affordable and child-friendly accommodation options, often self-catered, for family safari holidays in South Africa. Children can enjoy activities like tracking tortoises and (guided) walks through the coastal dunes.
Hunters Country House
For a family holiday in South Africa, the Country House on Hunter’s estate offers a very safe and relaxed environment. There’s an enormous amount of outdoor space, a first-class play area for younger children, and particularly good family rooms.
Mooiplaas Guesthouse
For a relaxing, family stay in Oudtshoorn, Mooiplaas Guesthouse offers very comfortable, farm-style accommodation, in a safe environment suitable for young children. Family room (some with kitchenettes), plenty of outdoor space, and only a short drive to the areas main attractions.
Farmhouse Hotel
The Farmhouse in Langebaan accepts children of all ages and is a very relaxed, unpretentious, family-friendly hotel. The hotel has a small games room, a garden and swimming pool - and it's only a short walk to the beach and lagoon. A very casual spot where you can put your feet up and not have to worry about beach sand on the floor.
Bontebok Self-drive Safari
12 days • 5 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
US$1,360 - US$1,670 per person
Storms River Restcamp
Accommodation at the good-value Storms River Restcamp ranges from campsites to cottages - most of them not for self-catering as there’s a restaurant. During your South Africa family holidays here, explore the forest trails and dramatic rugged coastline of Tsitsikamma Park.
La Petite Ferme
For family holidays in the Winelands with younger children, consider La Petite Ferme’s lakeside lodges or the self-catering Maison Cottage. Older children can be accommodated well in the main suites.
The Opstal
The Opstal in the De Hoop Nature Reserve offers a range of affordable and child-friendly accommodation options, often self-catered, for family safari holidays in South Africa. Children can enjoy activities like tracking tortoises and (guided) walks through the coastal dunes.
Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari
12 days • 4 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
US$3,550 - US$6,580 per person
Garden Lodge
Garden Lodge makes a great stop for a family holiday in South Africa. The lodge’s rooms work well with children, their catering is flexible, with a good children’s menu, and some activities are designed for children. There’s also a designated playroom and a babysitting service.
Waterbuck self-drive
12 days • 6 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
US$2,340 - US$2,910 per person
Hog Hollow
Hog Hollow is great value for a family holiday in South Africa, with family rooms, friendly staff and superb food. Come for lovely walks through the forests, horse riding and to explore the beaches of Tsitsikamma Park.
Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari
19 days • 10 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$3,190 - US$3,660 per person
Okaukuejo Camp
Inside Etosha National Park, overlooking a prolific waterhole, the fenced Okaukuejo Camp is a good option on a family safari in Namibia. It's also one of the more economical options in the area, although it can be a little rough around the edges.
Vineyard Hotel
At the upmarket but good-value Vineyard Hotel children can enjoy a large pool and beautiful, tranquil gardens. Slightly separated from the main buildings, the hotel's individual cottages offer a laid-back option for a family holiday in South Africa. There are qualified child-minders here too.
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
US$14,340 - US$18,210 per person
Mount Nelson Hotel
The Mount Nelson has a vast array of family friendly facilities and activities, but it is the large swimming pool and extensive, beautiful grounds that make it stand out for us as one of the best family hotels in Cape Town.
Family holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Family holidays in other countries.
Botswana
What was regarded unusual ten years ago, is now becoming more and more popular: at a suitable camp, ...
Kenya
With fun activities and the fascinating culture of the Maasai, Kenya offers great family safari ...
Mozambique
Mozambique impresses with pristine beaches and excellent marine wildlife. Therefore it's a worthwhile ...
Namibia
Namibia offers fantastic self-driving family safari holidays. However, as stunning as the country's ...
Seychelles
Being free of malaria and large predators, the beautiful tropical islands of the Seychelles should ...
Tanzania
With excellent wildlife, lovely, white sandy island beaches and good transport links between them, ...
Zambia
Zambia's private safari houses are definitely among our favourites for family safari holidays with ...
Zanzibar
On family holidays in Zanzibar, you can join watersports or simply relax on stunning tropical beaches...
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a great option for a classic family safari. Our family friendly lodges hold anywhere ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,472 sightings from 2,982 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,008 sightings from 3,047 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,504 sightings from 3,850 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,272 sightings from 1,823 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,374 sightings from 3,911 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,562 sightings from 2,875 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,098 sightings from 3,799 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
17% SUCCESS
239 sightings from 1,448 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
1,875 sightings from 3,986 observations
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
82% SUCCESS
2,934 sightings from 3,600 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
31% SUCCESS
607 sightings from 1,963 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
44% SUCCESS
476 sightings from 1,083 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
31% SUCCESS
840 sightings from 2,672 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,383 sightings from 3,524 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
52 sightings from 3,201 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
67 sightings from 3,205 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,405 sightings from 2,877 observations
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
22% SUCCESS
85 sightings from 395 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,684 sightings from 4,366 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
23% SUCCESS
457 sightings from 1,958 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
22% SUCCESS
436 sightings from 1,952 observations