South Africa family holidays

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With lots of space, the Karoo suites here are great venues for a family holiday in South Africa. Samara has a children's menu, flexible meal times, baby-sitting options and there’s little very dangerous game here, so children are generally allowed on walks and game drives.

The historic Uplands Homestead, which is always booked exclusively for family safari holidays in South Africa, comes with a private guide, vehicle and chef. Enjoy a relaxed and - for a wildlife area - relatively safe environment just like at home – but in a great reserve!

Sarili Lodge is a good base for family safari holidays in South Africa, in the not too wild and non-malarial Shamwari Reserve. Even under-fours can go on shorter game drives relatively close to the lodge to see hazard-free wildlife, and every child receives a gift-pack.

With a very positive attitude towards children and high flexibility, River Bend Lodge offers excellent South Africa family safari holidays. Kids can participate e.g. in baking and a ‘mini rangers’ programme, or go on a self-drive safari in Addo Park with their parents.

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.

From special touches including bath toys and children’s bathrobes in the rooms, an in-house cinema, buckets and spades for the beach and kids’ menus, there is little the Twelve Apostles hasn't thought about for a family holiday with a touch of luxury in South Africa.

Melton Manor is an ‘exclusive-use’ safari villa that is well-suited for relaxed family safari holidays in South Africa’s Cape. Its courtyard and fenced bushveld areas are particularly nice to play in and game activities here can be tailored specifically to children.

We are increasingly including Addo’s Main Camp in family safari holidays to South Africa; it’s great for self-drive visitors. Children will love their own barbeque, whilst Main Camp has space to run around – as well as an excellent interpretive centre to explore.

The simple Twee Rivieren Rest Camp is set right at the southern entrance to the superb Kgalagadi Transfrontier and works well for self-drive family safari holidays in South Africa. The camp offers both self-catering facilities and a restaurant, as well as a pool.

For economic family safari holidays on a self-catering and self-driving basis, consider Kalahari Tented Camp in South Africa. It has four family desert tents and bunk beds available. Based in a great game park, you can enjoy excellent views over a waterhole here.

With spacious family rooms, a large garden and lawn, three pools and a relaxed atmosphere, Elephant House is well prepared for families. Set just outside the malaria-free Addo Park, it provides a convenient base for family safari holidays in South Africa.

Shamwari’s Riverdene Lodge is suitable for travellers who want to leave small children at the lodge while on safari themselves (4+ are allowed on game drives). There are lawns, a small jungle gym and a playroom with toys, books, games, puzzles and a TV.

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.

The fenced, simple Mata Mata is one of the few camps in the Kgalagadi without any age restrictions. Whilst self-catering here will appeal to those on a tight budget on their family safari holidays in South Africa, others might miss a restaurant.

With wonderful open grounds for children to run free, well-equipped self-catering cottages and a swimming pool that’s big enough to swim lengths, Fynbos Ridge is a good choice to include in a family holiday along South Africa’s Garden Route.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.