Incredible family safaris: Adventure awaits in Africa!
Exploring the wonders of nature on a family safari in Africa is a simply fantastic. The wildlife encounters are undoubtedly the biggest draw; it’s a rare chance to see incredible animals up close in their natural habitat. Imagine giggling as you bounce along on off-road adventures, tracking wild dogs on the hunt, watching wide-eyed as lions stretch into action at sundown, or learning to spot the distinctive flight of a bateleur eagle overhead. From pausing to let a tiny leopard tortoise cross your path to witnessing silent herds of elephants on the move, these moments create magical memories that often spark a lifelong love for wildlife and conservation.
What may surprise you, however, is that beyond the wilderness and wildlife, family safaris can far exceed expectations in terms of accommodation, food, and service. Africa’s high-end safari lodges and camps offer an extraordinary range of luxury and comfort. From private suites with plunge pools to charming tented camps nestled deep in the bush, these accommodation options provide a perfect blend of style, authenticity, and relaxation for everyone. Meals can range from gourmet fine-dining in beautifully set dining rooms to delicious campfire cookouts under the stars – and resident chefs are more than happy to tailor menus and meal times to perfectly suit your family.
For parents and grandparents, a family safari provides a rare opportunity to disconnect from the everyday hustle and reconnect with nature – and each other. Away from the usual distractions, families can share adventures on game drives, swap stories over campfires, and enjoy quiet moments under vast, starlit skies. Watching young children’s faces light up at their first giraffe sighting, seeing teenagers laugh with new friends in camp, or simply appreciating the serene beauty of the African wilderness over sundowners, is a real privilege.
Moreover, the staff at our chosen lodges are known for their warmth and attentiveness, going out of their way to entertain and delight younger guests. From storytelling around the campfire to organising fun baking or nature-inspired activities, they make each child – young or old - feel welcome and engaged, ensuring that a family safari is as enjoyable for children as it is for adults.
Our top family safari holidays
Explore Africa's top family safari holidays with tailored experiences for all ages.
Best camps and lodges for family safaris and holidays in Africa
Africa offers a fantastic range of family-friendly safari camps, lodges, and beach retreats, catering to various interests and ages.
In Zambia, Tafika Camp in South Luangwa is a hit with families, offering family chalets, mountain biking, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Machaba Camp in Botswana provides spacious family tents, ideal for wildlife-loving families with older children, while Tau Pan Camp in Botswana’s Central Kalahari offers guided nature walks and stargazing, introducing kids to the wonders of the desert.
For an adventurous twist, a private mobile safari gives families the freedom to explore remote wilderness areas with a private guide, camping under the stars. For those seeking beach relaxation, Kinondo Kwetu on Kenya’s coast is perfect, with family cottages and activities like snorkelling on coral reefs. Each destination combines comfort, adventure, and family-friendly amenities for an unforgettable African experience.
Frequently asked questions
Family safari FAQs
Planning a family safari brings plenty of excitement - and questions! Our family safari FAQs aim to answer all the key considerations, helping you feel confident about your adventure.
From the best age for children to experience the wonders of a safari, to understanding safety protocols in the bush, and discovering family-friendly activities like game drives and bush walks, we cover it all. We’ll also explain the benefits of private guides, which allow for flexibility and a pace that suits younger explorers. Dive into our FAQs for expert advice on creating a safe, fun, and unforgettable family safari, and get in touch with us to talk through anything else.
What is the best age for children on safari?
Expert Africa’s team have taken their own children on safari from as young as a few months old. While that isn’t for everyone, we’ve had wonderful feedback on trips with children as young as four or five. These trips have been huge successes, planting the seeds of life-long fascination with nature for some of the children.
Generally we recommend that children are aged about eight and above for safari, as they can participate in most activities (excluding walking safaris), gain a deeper understanding of the environment, and leave with lasting memories. That said, if you’ve got younger, well-travelled children, or budding wildlife enthusiasts, then don’t hesitate; take them to Africa as soon as you can! There’s simply nowhere in the world quite like Africa for instilling a love for wildlife and the natural environment.
Increasingly, we’re helping grandparents bring their grandchildren (whether aged five or 25), often along with the whole family, to create shared memories. Safari offers a wonderful setting for families to reconnect, with few distractions, plenty of shared experiences, and moments to bond over meals and breathtaking sightings.
Is safari safe for children?
Most safari camps are unfenced, and several are on elevated decks, meaning wildlife can roam freely within the grounds, so younger children must be supervised at all times. Camp staff will always provide a briefing on arrival about any particular safety rules – for example, some will insist that families are escorted by camp staff between their tent and the main areas – and it’s important that parents and children take these instructions seriously.
Many camps recommend private guides and vehicles for families with young children, allowing the guide to focus on their needs and also to ensure their safety. Most safari vehicles are open-sided 4WD Land Rovers or Toyota Land Cruisers. Guides are trained to position vehicles safely around wildlife, but on occasion children need to stay seated and will need to follow the guide’s instructions at all times, especially during close encounters with animals. Whilst the guides will always be friendly in explaining how to behave, it is important that everyone can remain calm and quiet when needed. This is for their safety and to avoid startling wildlife – children are sometimes better at following these instructions than adults.
Some camps offer guided nature walks for older children, usually over the age of 12. These walks are led by experienced guides who will ensure everyone knows how to behave safely around wildlife. These would not be safe or sensible for younger children and as such camps will not allow them to participate.
Many lodges have swimming and plunge pools, and parental supervision is essential to ensure children’s safety around water. The same precautions apply during boat trips, where calm behaviour and close supervision are fundamental for a safe and enjoyable experience.
From a medical perspective, families should take malaria precautions as advised by a travel doctor, including using mosquito repellents and mosquito nets, which are typically standard in camps. Safari camps and lodges are equipped with basic first-aid supplies, have first-aid trained staff for minor injuries, and have procedures in place for emergencies. While camps are remote, all of Expert Africa’s travellers are covered by an emergency response service – in case of real emergency. Families with young children may also want to bring some basic paediatric painkillers, as minor issues like grazed knees or colds are the most common concerns.
Is malaria a risk on family safaris?
Elsewhere, malaria is present in most safari areas across East and Southern Africa, and although it’s exceedingly rare amongst travellers, families should take precautions. You will need to be guided by your doctor or physician, or a doctor at a good travel clinic, based on your specific travel itinerary: the destination and time of year are key.
The malaria risk varies by season, with higher risks often during the rainy season. We’d normally recommend a safari in the dry season for most family safaris, when fewer mosquitoes are present.
We’d expect most doctors to prescribe anti-malarial prophylactics for both adults and children – chosen carefully for you and your family based on your ages and medical background. Small, paediatric anti-malarial tablets (prescribed based on the weight of the child) are available for children, and are taken daily; a syrup version is not currently available on prescription. When our own children were young, we found that these are very easily disguised in a teaspoon of jam!
In addition to medication, preventive measures are important. In the evenings, when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long sleeves, trousers, and closed shoes can help protect against bites. Camps provide insect repellent, spray their rooms in the evening, and most also have mosquito nets for sleeping.
So although many of Africa’s prime safari areas are malarial, provided your children can take tablets and sensible precautions, it’s not a reason not to visit.
The importance of skilled guiding
Expertly trained, the best guides possess a deep understanding of the local ecosystems, from animal behaviour and plant life to local customs and conservation efforts, helping you to experience more than just sightings. Their ability to interpret wildlife and landscapes turns the smallest moment in the bush into fascinating insights about the natural world.
A skilled guide also knows how to engage guests through storytelling, weaving in entertaining and enlightening anecdotes to captivate adults and children alike. For families, guides experienced with young safari-goers can tailor the experience to make it as educational as it is enjoyable. They know how to adapt activities to suit children's interests, from jumping out of 4x4s to identify animal tracks, letting children touch and feel the plants they pass, sparking enthusiasm in racing to identify birds in the field guides, helping them catch their first fish, or simply sharing a joke.
Of course, guides are equally essential for ensuring safety in the wilderness. Their understanding of animal behaviour enables them to make smart, informed choices about safe distances and appropriate interactions. In regions where safari activities, like walking safaris, have age restrictions, guides can recommend alternatives suitable for all family members.
Ultimately, a knowledgeable, engaging, and safety-focused guide is the key to an enriching, enlightening, and secure safari adventure for travellers of all ages.
Do families need a private guide and vehicles?
This flexibility means that the family to set their own pace for the safari: set out when they’re ready, pause when they wish, drive on when they wish, stop for a drink or snack when one is needed, and head back to the lodge when anyone is tired – though many children on safari display astonishing stamina!
Some camps and lodges will insist that a private vehicle and guide needs to be booked by any family with children under a certain age. Twelve years old would be a common for this, though some lodges may have lower age limit.
Almost all of our exclusive-use family safari houses automatically include a private guide and vehicle for your stay.
Are walking safaris in suitable for children?
Most require children to be at least 12 years old, and accompanied by a parent or guardian, in addition to the professional guide. This guideline is in place to ensure safety, as close encounters with wildlife call for calm and attentive participation.
Anybody, regardless of age, who plans to go on the walking safari needs to be mindful of the safety implications and able to follow their guides’ instructions without question or delay.
If you are keen on a family walking safari, we can talk to you about the best options; there are some excellent options for day walks and multi-day trips between lovely bushcamps.
Family safari holidays across Africa
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Africa trips to appeal to many different interests
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