How long do the game drives last?

Game drives usually last approximately 3 to 4 hours, and they’re scheduled to coincide with the times you’re most likely to see wildlife. This means early mornings (typically starting around 5:00 am or 6:00 am), late afternoons (3:00 pm or 4:00 pm) — as well as the occasional night game drive.

Is it safe for a family to go to Africa?

As long as you choose your destination carefully, travelling to Africa can be a perfectly safe and rewarding holiday experience. With its modern infrastructure and world-class national parks, South Africa is one of the best options for a family safari. The country even has a handful of malaria-free game reserves, so you can visit without having to worry about the hassle of taking anti-malaria medication.

How can we make our safari an unforgettable experience for our children?

Mix up your game drives with activities like horseback riding and nature walks, and ask your guide to point out things like animal tracks and edible plants. There’s so much to see and learn in between lion sightings, and a safari holiday is a perfect opportunity to be present and enjoy all the little moments along the way.

What is the most important thing to consider on a trip to Africa with children?

Children may be excited by the idea of a safari, but remember that game-viewing involves a lot of waiting around with little activity. When there are no animals to be seen, your children will become bored quickly, so snacks, games, books, and binoculars are absolutely essential items for every game drive.

How to choose the right safari for my family?

If you want to plan the adventure of a lifetime for your family, put more emphasis on finding the right lodge rather than the right country. Age-appropriate lodges with amenities like swimming pools are a must for rambunctious youngsters, and some family-friendly lodges even offer playrooms with activities such as cooking classes and scavenger hunts to keep kids occupied between game-viewing drives.

How can I book a family safari?

Booking a family safari on TourRadar is a breeze; simply browse our range of family safari tours and choose the one that suits you best! You can filter the results by a specific price range, the country you’d most like to visit, or the highest-rated tours — the choice is yours!

Will there be other families on my tour?

If you book a dedicated family safari tour, you’ll certainly meet other families on your holiday.

How can I find an affordable family safari?

The best way to find an affordable family safari is to keep an eye out for deals. Filter the tours by the lowest price or the biggest deals to save on incredible safari holidays the entire family will love.

Family Safari Holidays

Whether you’re travelling with teens or toddlers, a family safari is an incredible way to vacation with your loved ones. Each day on safari is an opportunity to teach your children about the environment, wildlife, different cultures, and — best of all — it's an unforgettable adventure you can share together.

Ready-made family safari packages

Best family safari destinations

Family safari destination #1 - South Africa

South Africa is arguably the best family safari destination for a trip with little ones; it has excellent infrastructure, the risk of malaria is relatively low, and many parks allow self-driving. The country’s most famous reserve, Kruger National Park, is home to the Big Five and there’s plenty of child-friendly activities on offer to keep kids engaged between game drives. A wide range of accommodation is also available in Kruger, from private villas to high-end bush lodges and self-catering units.

South Africa family safaris

Family safari destination #2 - Kenya

Renowned for its rich culture, tribal traditions, and out-of-this-world wildlife viewing, Kenya is another fantastic family safari destination — especially if your kids are a bit older (over the age of 6). The country also has an array of incredible beaches, so once you’ve had your fill of game drives, you can hit the sun and surf with the entire family in tow. Bear in mind, most parts of the country are medium to high-risk areas for malaria, and the yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Kenya.

Kenya family safari

Family safari destination #3 - Tanzania

Tanzania is an excellent option for a family safari: it offers the perfect balance of safety and adventure, with a diverse range of attractions and some of the best game parks on the planet. With activities from horseback riding to visiting local villages, bush picnics and more, there’s truly something for all ages in Tanzania. Plan your visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve to coincide with the wildebeest migration (between July and October).

Tanzania family safaris

Family safari destination #4 - Botswana

Botswana is home to the stunning Okavango Delta, where you can enjoy the unique experience of spotting hippos and crocodiles from a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). If your child is a fan of elephants, they’ll absolutely love Botswana: Chobe National Park hosts one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa. Additionally, the country has several camps and safaris geared toward families (however, many of the activities available here — including nature walks and canoe safaris — are better suited to slightly older kids).

Botswana family safaris

Best time for a family safari in Africa

Dry Season
May to October
Winter (between May and October) is the dry season in South Africa and Botswana. During this period, vegetation is sparse and animals are more likely to gather around rivers and waterholes, making it the best time to visit for optimal wildlife viewing. The same goes for East Africa: wildlife viewing is typically at its best between June and October. Days are pleasant in winter, but the nights are cold, so be sure to pack layers for those chilly early mornings and nighttime game drives.
Wet Season
November to April
In Southern African, the summer wet season lasts from November to March, which is also the hottest and most humid time of the year. This period sees frequent (but short-lived) bursts of rain, and safari destinations are greener and less crowded throughout these months. Certain areas, like Botswana’s Okavango Delta, are transformed into a lush birder’s paradise. Tanzania and Kenya experience two rainy seasons: the main one runs from April to June, and a second rainy season falls between October and December.

Child-friendly activities on an African safari

Get up close with African wildlife
There’s no better way for kids to learn about the natural wonders of African wildlife than on a game drive or bush walk. And, best of all, you get to watch your child’s face light up when they see a giraffe or elephant stride into view for the first time.
Play a safari quiz
Creating a safari quiz will not only stave off boredom on long game drives, but it can also help kids learn more about the wildlife they’re viewing. Questions like, "What animal needs to sprawl their legs in order to drink from a waterhole?" will keep them occupied when you're patiently waiting for one of the Big Five to appear.
Go horseback riding
Let your kids experience the exhilaration of riding a horse through the African bush! Family-friendly tour operators cater to a range of ages and skill levels (however, children must be at least 12 years old to participate in most instances).
Build a sand castle at the beach
Combining a safari with a beach holiday is a great way to break up your vacation and make things more exciting for the kids. A Tanzania safari adventure pairs perfectly with Zanzibar, and Kruger National Park is only a short flight from the family-friendly beaches of Cape Town.
Fly like a bird
Hot air balloon rides are exhilarating in any setting, but a hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara National Reserve or the Serengeti is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that your kids will never forget! (Keep in mind: the minimum age requirement for this activity is usually 8 years old.)
Count stars
No matter what reserve you choose, you’re guaranteed to see a magnificent expanse of star-studded skies when night falls over your lodge. Far away from any light pollution, you’ll be able to point out all the constellations and stars your kids have learned about in school.

Frequently asked questions about family safari tours

How long do the game drives last?
Game drives usually last approximately 3 to 4 hours, and they’re scheduled to coincide with the times you’re most likely to see wildlife. This means early mornings (typically starting around 5:00 am or 6:00 am), late afternoons (3:00 pm or 4:00 pm) — as well as the occasional night game drive.
Is it safe for a family to go to Africa?
As long as you choose your destination carefully, travelling to Africa can be a perfectly safe and rewarding holiday experience. With its modern infrastructure and world-class national parks, South Africa is one of the best options for a family safari. The country even has a handful of malaria-free game reserves, so you can visit without having to worry about the hassle of taking anti-malaria medication.
How can we make our safari an unforgettable experience for our children?
Mix up your game drives with activities like horseback riding and nature walks, and ask your guide to point out things like animal tracks and edible plants. There’s so much to see and learn in between lion sightings, and a safari holiday is a perfect opportunity to be present and enjoy all the little moments along the way.
What is the most important thing to consider on a trip to Africa with children?
Children may be excited by the idea of a safari, but remember that game-viewing involves a lot of waiting around with little activity. When there are no animals to be seen, your children will become bored quickly, so snacks, games, books, and binoculars are absolutely essential items for every game drive.
How to choose the right safari for my family?
If you want to plan the adventure of a lifetime for your family, put more emphasis on finding the right lodge rather than the right country. Age-appropriate lodges with amenities like swimming pools are a must for rambunctious youngsters, and some family-friendly lodges even offer playrooms with activities such as cooking classes and scavenger hunts to keep kids occupied between game-viewing drives.
How can I book a family safari?
Booking a family safari on TourRadar is a breeze; simply browse our range of family safari tours and choose the one that suits you best! You can filter the results by a specific price range, the country you’d most like to visit, or the highest-rated tours — the choice is yours!
Will there be other families on my tour?
If you book a dedicated family safari tour, you’ll certainly meet other families on your holiday.
How can I find an affordable family safari?
The best way to find an affordable family safari is to keep an eye out for deals. Filter the tours by the lowest price or the biggest deals to save on incredible safari holidays the entire family will love.

Review: Botswana Family Safari with Teenagers, Intrepid Travel

This was a great experience, and the team did a great job! Big shout out! Loved the locations, most of the camps we stayed, game drives, and food! Read more

Review: 6-Day Namibia Desert and Etosha National Park (Lodging), Discovery
We really enjoyed the tour with discovery. We will gladly recommend! Read more

Review: Wildebeest Migration Safari Serengeti, Unique Jungle Tours

Unique Jungle tours - Really great safari company! We have just returned from a fantastic ten-day safari in Tanzania and three-day gorilla safari in Uganda all organised by Unique Jungle tours (and their sister Uganda company). We could not have been more pleased. Read more

Review: 10 Days Namibian Family Adventure Safari (Accommodated), Enrico's Safaris

I cannot thank Enricos Safari Team enough for showing us the beauty of nature. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Everything was perfect and smooth, so we could experience the beauty of the place by the hands of the greatest admirers. We were so astonished to see the beautiful landscapes and wild animals. The price for this trip was affordable and the accommodations and food were great. Thank you for great experience and making us fall in love with Namibia. Read more

Essentials for a family safari

A detailed packing list is essential for any trip to Africa, but there’s even more to consider with kids in tow. Remember, mornings and nights will be chilly, so warm layering pieces are an absolute must!

Top things to pack for your children:

Sunscreen and sunglasses
Child-friendly mosquito repellent
Mosquito nets
Binoculars
Snacks, games, cards, and wildlife books (for long game drives)
Closed-toe sandals and comfortable walking shoes
Sun hat
Warm layering pieces like long sleeve shirts, a thermal vest, and a fleece jacket
Warm sleepwear
First aid kit and anti-malaria medication
Head torch

Check out our Ultimate Safari Packing List for more tips.

Tips for safari holidays with children

Double check age restrictions: Most traditional organised safari tour operators and lodges enforce strict minimum age restrictions, and many won’t let kids under the age of 6 on game drives.
Bring binoculars and wildlife books: These items will help keep kids engaged and entertained on long game drives and during periods of downtime.
Pick an area with an abundance of game and options for other activities: Additional excursions like bush walks and hot air balloon rides can make your safari experience all the more exciting and enjoyable for little ones.

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