Create memorable moments on a bespoke South Africa family safari
We can’t really tell you enough how South Africa is the perfect destination for a family trip.
With such a spoiling choice of locations, landscapes that beg to be explored, and a dizzying breadth of activities to decide upon; we can help you create a trip that not only matches the make-up of your family (be it travelling with toddlers, grandparents or teenagers) but that every member gets to enjoy it with all the ease, comfort and personal service you’re looking for.
We have extensive experience in dealing with family holidays and your personal safari designer will shoulder the detailed planning and a personal itinerary organised to the highest standards. From effortless transfers between all your chosen lodgings, baby-sitter services, restaurant recommendations and bookings, to a diplomatic balance of activities and relaxation that will keep everyone entertained and superb local guides to look after you every step of the way.
See our example family trips below, or we can help to design one from scratch.
Highlights
Go horse-riding through lush vineyards in The Winelands
Keep your eyes peeled for pods of whales frolicking off the coast in Hermanus
Discover the wildest corners of the Kalahari
Jody van Merode
Senior Travel Designer
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.
Jody van Merode
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury family accommodation in South Africa
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.
Family trip inspiration
Where to go
Cape Town
The horizon is dominated by the iconic Table Mountain in the background, whilst in the foreground are the crisp waters of the cape and the laid-back bustle of the city’s waterfront skirted by sandy beaches.
Discover moreDrakensberg Mountains
Dramatic peaks, wind-swept plains, mighty cliffs and glorious waterfalls make up just some of the spectacular grandeur.
Discover moreDurban
This seaside city offers impressive cultural diversity and great surfing and diving.
Discover moreEastern Cape Safaris
Malaria-free wildlife reserves are a big hit with families, as are the long sandy beaches.
Discover moreJohannesburg
Johannesburg has been described as one of the coolest cities in the world, with plenty of street art and important history.
Discover moreKwaZulu Natal
Expect excellent beaches, Big Five game reserves, beautiful scenery and varied cultures.
Discover moreLimpopo Province
Limpopo’s landscapes offer up boundless activities, adventure thrills and horse riding safaris.
Discover moreLuxury 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.
Discover moreMadikwe
One of the country’s more remote of the Big Five safari experiences is malaria-free, making it great for families.
Discover moreManyeleti Private Game Reserve
This is prime Big Five territory so there's a good chance of spotting leopards, lions, rhinos, buffalos and elephants.
Discover morePhinda
hinda is a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland, and rare sand forest interspersed with mountain ranges, river courses, marshes and pans.
Discover morePretoria
Once you’ve had your fill of the city, head to the outskirts to explore one of Pretoria’s many nature reserves.
Discover moreSabi Sands
Widely regarded as Africa’s premier game reserve, Sabi Sands is world renowned for the abundance of game (particularly leopard).
Discover moreThe Elephant Coast
The north-eastern corner of KwaZulu Natal, tucked beneath Swaziland and Mozambique, possesses some of the best beaches in the whole country.
Discover moreThe Garden Route
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise.
Discover moreThe Kalahari
Although termed a desert, this semi-arid sandy savannah supports more animal and plant life than what is typical.
Discover moreThe Kruger
Plentiful game and varied landscapes make the Kruger National Park a great place for families to explore together.
Discover moreThe Western Cape Mountains
This region boasts some the country’s best ‘wilderness retreats’, as well as wildlife and active pursuits and interest-tailored activities.
Discover moreThe 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.
Discover moreThe 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.
Discover moreMeet your Africa team
When to visit
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. If you’re visiting for 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.
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.
We had the most incredible experience visiting South Africa on our trip planned by Tor & Eugenia! Every detail of our vacation was curated to match our style, budget, and desired experiences. We were able to make adjustments and leverage the expertise of Jacada to build our dream itinerary. From our extensive exploration of Cape Town to our luxury safari…
Everything about our trip to South Africa arranged by Jacada Travel was exceptional. Jody Van Merode, Senior Tavel Designer, listened to our wants and needs and put together a perfect trip that was within our stated budget. She was great to work with! Jody and our assigned concierge, Betty Gatwiri, communicated with us frequently before our trip about what to…
Jacada was great. The knowledgeable people at Jacada - James, Betty, Wade to name the ones we were in touch with - plus all the people who were there meeting us at planes, picking us up at hotels -- on time. While the sights and sounds in the bush were amazing, the hospitality at Lion Sands River Lodge and Thornybush…
We recently returned from a trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia booked through Jacada Travel. From the initial stages of planning through to following up with us at the end of our vacation, Jacada went above and beyond our expectations with personalized service. Jamie and Eugenia, our travel designer and concierge respectively, took our ideas and preferences and ran…
My husband and I recently traveled to South Africa and we utilized Jacada travel services. Jody Van Merode planned the perfect trip for us- we spoke over the phone and she put together an itinerary that would best match what we wanted to see, our interests and our budget! We visited two very different game reserves - each beautiful in…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.