Less than two hours from Cape Town, Aquila Private Game Reserve offers a great introduction to safari for families, with a relaxed and accessible wildlife experience that’s perfect for first-time safari-goers. Whether you’re visiting as a day trip from Cape Town or staying overnight, it’s an easy way to add a little safari magic to your South Africa Adventure.

Unlike many safari lodges, Aquila welcomes children of all ages on its game drives, making it particularly appealing for families with younger children. Its Junior Ranger Programme gives children aged 4-12 the chance to learn about wildlife, animal tracking and bushcraft, while the dedicated Kids Adventure Zone, complete with mini golf, giant chess and a playground, provides plenty of entertainment between wildlife encounters.

Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge is a fantastic choice for families, combining exciting Big 5 game viewing with plenty of activities designed especially for younger guests. Its Cubs on Safari programme offers everything from kiddie’s game drives and scavenger hunts to bug catching, giving little explorers the chance to learn about the bush in a fun and engaging way.

Set in a malaria-free, private game reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Amakhala Hlosi is also a wonderful addition to a family road trip along the Garden Route. With its spectacular scenery and endless opportunities for adventure, this stretch of coastline has something for children of all ages. The journey can easily be spread over several days, with shorter, manageable drives and plenty of exciting stops along the way, making it an ideal choice for families.

Set within the beautiful, malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve, where the Kalahari meets the lush bushveld, Madikwe Safari Lodge is a great place to enjoy an exciting family safari adventure with a little luxury thrown in. Its family friendly Lelapa Camp welcomes children of all ages, offering a relaxed atmosphere and warm, attentive hospitality that makes families feel right at home.

There's plenty to keep young explorers entertained, with a fun-filled programme of activities including painting, baking and star gazing. Guided bush ‘bumbles’ close to the lodge offer safe outdoor exploration, while afternoons spent splashing about in Lelapa’s main pool are always a family favourite. Overlooking a lively waterhole, it’s the perfect spot to watch wildlife come and go without even leaving the lodge. Children are well catered for, with flexible mealtimes, child-friendly menus and spacious suites making life in the bush as convenient as possible.

For families looking to combine luxury with unforgettable wildlife encounters, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is a fantastic choice. Set within the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of South Africa’s Greater Kruger area, the lodge offers exceptional Big 5 game viewing, with the chance to spot everything from majestic elephants to elusive leopards. Overlooking a busy waterhole, there’s even the possibility of watching wildlife wander past without leaving the comfort of the lodge.

What makes this lodge particularly special for families is the dedicated kids pool and EleFun Children's Centre, designed to nurture curiosity and introduce children aged 4-12 to the wonders of the African bush. Spacious family friendly suites and villas add to the appeal, while the option of arranging childminders gives parents the chance to enjoy a little downtime.

Set on the banks of the beautiful Chobe River, Chobe Game Lodge enjoys a truly special location as the only permanent lodge within Chobe National Park itself. Famous for its incredible elephant populations and spectacular riverfront wildlife, Chobe is an enchanting setting for a family.

The lodge goes the extra mile to make younger guests feel welcome, with family focused game drives, flexible mealtimes and hot chocolates for a cosy start to the day. Its exceptional all-female guiding team, affectionately known as the Chobe Angels, are brilliant at bringing the bush to life for children and sharing fascinating wildlife stories to inspire the next generation.

*Trailfinders offers this lodge to children aged 6 and over.

Set within the Sekenani Sector of Kenya’s spectacular Masai Mara National Reserve, Sarova Mara Game Camp offers a great base to enjoy incredible wildlife encounters, with plenty of fun back at camp too. The camp’s spacious Family Tents feature two separate bedrooms and a comfortable lounge area, giving everyone their own space while keeping the family together.

Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and manicured lawns, the camp offers a relaxed setting with plenty of room for children to explore. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the smaller residents roaming the grounds, including mongooses, dik-diks, monkeys, and colourful agama lizards. There's also a lovely swimming pool for cooling off between game drives, along with mini golf and a fishpond where families can try their hand at a spot of fishing.

This lodge makes a wonderful stop on a wider Kenyan safari adventure. Our Kenya Classic itinerary explores three picturesque regions in Kenya, or why not round off your safari with some beach time? Combine your stay with a family friendly beach hotel on the coast near Mombasa or on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar.

*Trailfinders offers this lodge to children aged 6 and over.

This may not be your traditional safari, but it’s certainly an adventure worth considering! Set within the ancient rainforest of Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Hills Tented Camp combines the spirit of an African safari with Thailand’s enchanting tropical wilderness.

Staying in luxury safari-style tents, families can enjoy a range of exciting adventures, from canoeing along the Sok River and exploring the rainforest on guided walks to spending time observing the camp’s resident Asian elephants. Young nature lovers are in for a treat as they spot colourful butterflies, hornbills and monkeys swinging through the trees. Children aged 4 and over are welcome at the Jungle Camp, while children aged 7 and older can experience the magical floating camp on Cheow Larn Lake. With two, three or four day packages available, Elephant Hills Tented Camp can easily be combined with some beach time in Phuket, Krabi or Khoa Lak or time spent exploring the country's fascinating capital, Bangkok.