Why South Africa Is Great for a Family Vacation
Published on: November 22nd, 2024
Last updated: November 22nd, 2024
When it comes to making memories, there’s nothing quite like a South Africa family vacation. This country is packed with fantastic national parks and game reserves, family-friendly activities and safari lodges, immersive cultural experiences and exhilarating adventures for all ages.
Whether you’re travelling with young children, teenagers or multiple generations, our travel designers can make the trip of your dreams a reality. Get ready for unforgettable wildlife encounters and spectacular natural landscapes – plus details that are carefully customised to meet your family’s needs. Here’s our guide to the ultimate South African family vacation.
Malaria-Free Safaris
If you want to go on safari with your family, South Africa is a fantastic choice. One reason is its abundance of malaria-free parks. Avoiding the risk of malaria makes it much easier and safer to travel with younger children and simplifies the preparation process. This is why most of our favourite family-friendly safaris in South Africa are based in malaria-free areas.
Close to the Kalahari you’ll find Madikwe: the country’s fifth-largest game reserve, which is both malaria-free and brimming with majestic wildlife. Another option is Tswalu Kalahari, an extremely exclusive reserve that only accommodates up to 30 people at once. Here you can get your own private guide, tracker and vehicle to make the experience entirely customised.
Close to the country’s southern coast is Kwandwe, a malaria-free private game reserve that offers a more hands-on and wild safari experience. Near the eastern coast, Phinda is another of our favourite private reserves; although it’s not completely malaria-free, it’s considered low-risk. All of these places offer a wide array of age-appropriate activities for each traveller.
The best time to visit South Africa for safaris is during the dry season from May to October. If you’re planning on combining a safari with visits to Cape Town, the Winelands and other family-friendly destinations, we suggest planning your trip for September or October. These months promise pleasant temperatures and ideal wildlife-viewing conditions across the country.
Cultural Experiences and Learning Opportunities
We believe the best family vacations in South Africa are not only fun, but also educational. Kids of all ages – and adults, for that matter – will have endless opportunities to learn about animals, the environment and local culture through interactive and immersive activities.
Many of the best family safari lodges in Africa have kids’ clubs and special programmes for younger guests. Marataba Safari Lodge – located in a malaria-free part of the Limpopo Province – offers special family game drives, an eco-garden play area and treasure hunts. At Thornybush Game Lodge in the Kruger, children are welcomed with a ‘Little Ranger in Training’ backpack and can go on guided bush walks and customised game drives.
Both of these lodges are part of our Positive Impact Collection and are highly involved in local conservation efforts and community support. Staying at any of our Positive Impact properties means you and your family will have the chance to learn about these initiatives firsthand, whether by working directly with wildlife rangers or meeting local community members.
Adventure Activities for All Ages
Beyond the obvious allure of game drives and bush walks, South Africa boasts a long list of adventurous activities to choose from. Some safari lodges offer boat trips, canoeing and even hot air balloon rides. And outside of the legendary wildlife reserves and national parks, there are plenty of other exciting places to explore and thrilling things to do in South Africa.
Head to the Whale Coast for some of the world’s best whale watching on specialist boats, complete with wet weather gear. There’s also plenty to do in the Winelands besides vineyard visits. Try hiking in Cape Point National Park or visit Boulders Beach to see African penguins in their natural habitat.
Cape Town also has its share of adventures, whether you want to explore Table Mountain or summit the sharp peak of Lion’s Head. If your family is into hiking, visit the Western Cape and the Drakensberg Mountains, where you’ll find some of the best hikes in South Africa. Nature-loving families can also head east of the city to explore the gorgeous Garden Route.
Family-Friendly Accommodation
When choosing a family vacation spot in South Africa, it’s essential to consider accommodation. If you’re travelling with young children, the most important thing is to select a lodge or hotel that accepts younger guests, as some do have age limits. Fortunately, there are plenty of places that not only welcome families with open arms, but also specifically cater to kids of all ages.
For families with children younger children (typically under the age of around six), a camp or lodge with a dedicated childrens’ programme and/or child-minding services can work brilliantly. This will ensure that everyone in your family can fully enjoy the experience; older kids and adults will be able to embark on game drives and walking safaris while the little ones have the time of their lives back at camp.
Some safari lodges offer special game drives for families, which are usually shorter (as young children may have trouble sitting still and staying quiet for hours on end). If you’re travelling with teenagers this probably isn’t necessary, but it can still be a good idea to book a private vehicle. We also recommend lodges with swimming pools and outdoor areas for children to play.
If you want to make sure every aspect of your trip is tailored to your family’s needs and interests, you can also book a property for exclusive use. For example, Tarkuni Private House in the Tswalu Reserve can accommodate up to ten people. It includes a private chef and butler, as well as a personalised itinerary filled with whatever activities you and your family prefer.
Where Should Families Visit in South Africa?
Selecting the best place for a family vacation in South Africa means weighing the benefits of many different regions and experiences. There’s no shortage of incredible places to visit in South Africa, so the choice might seem overwhelming at first. To help you decide, we’ve highlighted a few of our favourite safari destinations and family-friendly regions.
Sabi Sands
Sabi Sands is the best place for Big Five safaris in Africa and one of our top picks for families with older children. Here it’s possible to get up close to some of the most magnificent animals on earth, including elephants, lions and especially leopards – it’s among the best spots to see these big cats in the wild. Older kids can also enjoy walking safaris and wild dog tracking.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and a can’t-miss destination when visiting the country. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with Table Mountain rising above it and the azure ocean lapping at its shores. Family-friendly activities here include hiking, beach days, food tours and museum visits – you certainly won’t run out of things to do.
The Whale Coast
The pristine beaches and charming coves of the Whale Coast make it one of our favourite destinations for a family trip to South Africa. It’s only a two-hour drive from Cape Town, so you can easily combine it with a visit to the city. In addition to spotting marine mammals, this area also offers fun activities like horse riding on the beach and trekking through idyllic valleys.
The Winelands
South Africa’s scenic Winelands have much more to offer than wine tastings (though of course those are on the menu for older family members). Here Dutch-influenced towns and villages adorn the countryside and dramatic coastal scenery is complemented by some of the country’s best birdwatching. Kids will love visiting the Cheetah Outreach centre in Paardevlei, too.
The Elephant Coast
The Elephant Coast is a bit off the beaten track, located on South Africa’s northeastern coast near the border with Mozambique. This area offers unspoilt coastal wilderness, phenomenal snorkelling and scuba diving, turtle tracking and cultural excursions. Thonga Beach Lodge is the best hotel in the area for families, with kid-friendly activities like wildlife walks and kayaking.
Planning Your South Africa Family Vacation
A good family vacation can be a truly life-changing experience for children and adults alike – and we’d love nothing more than to help you plan your dream family holiday in South Africa. To find out more and start crafting your itinerary, reach out to our experienced travel designers.
Trip Inspiration
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