3 Day Family Safari in South Africa

This three day family Safari in a Malaria Free BIG 5 reserve makes the ideal excursion as part of your longer stay in South Africa.

This safari takes place in Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa’s North West Province, it is one of the largest national parks in the country and is located right next to the world famous Sun City.

Ideal for families as you are actively encouraged to bring your children to enjoy this affordable Big 5 Safari. Included is a spacious vehicle and chalets, safe environment with swimming pool, mini golf and kiddies playground.

Pilanesberg NP is a Big 5 reserve that supports healthy populations of Lion, Leopard, Black and White Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo and a wide variety of rare and common species like the nocturnal Brown Hyena, the fleet-footed Cheetah, the majestic Sable, Giraffe, Zebra, Hippo and Crocodile and other animals. Over 300 bird species have been recorded.

Cost: £475 (USD $736)

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6 Day, Fun Safari, Tanzania

This 6 day, 5 Night Safari in Tanzania takes you to Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & the world famous Serengeti National Park.

Basic Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha National Park – In the morning drive to Arusha National Park for game viewing. Lunch at Momela and there after lunch proceed with game viewing, dinner and overnight, Arusha.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park – After breakfast transfer to Tarangire national park for game viewing, lunch, dinner and overnight, Tarangire.

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park – After breakfast transfer to Lake Manyara national park for game viewing, lunch then after lunch drive to the park again for a second half game viewing. Dinner and overnight, Manyara.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – After breakfast transfer to Serengeti national park via Ngorongoro conservation area, with your lunch box and game viewing enroute. Dinner and overnight, Serengeti.

Day 5: Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Crater – After breakfast take a half day game viewing in Serengeti park, lunch Serengeti, then after lunch transfer to Ngorongoro for Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – After breakfast, with packed lunch descend into the crater for a full day game viewing. Evening drive back to Arusha.

Cost: £879 (USD $1360)

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6 Day, Private Family Safari, South Africa

Currently offered with a 10% discount this South African safari is ideal for those families looking to get away from it all, have a once in a lifetime experience but without having to share!

Located at Kruger National Park where the operator provides private family safari itineraries with no more than 8 people sharing on a full service basis. Neil is accompanied on safari by his hospitality chef, who takes care of the meals – from great cooked breakfasts, light lunches and fantastic dinners – all their cuisine is traditional South African and all this in an incredible outdoor setting.

The Safari includes private road transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Kruger and return. All accommodation, conservation and entrance fees.

All private guiding and game drives in their private open-sided game viewing vehicle.

All meals and refreshments courtesy of your own private hospitality chef.

Refreshments include: South African wine, beer, bottled water and fresh juice.

All safari activities as per itinerary (including two game drives a day and a night drive/bush braai activity).

Cost: £1094 (USD $1692)

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10 Day, Family Wildlife Safari, Kenya

Enjoy 10 fantastic Days with your family safari visiting the most popular wildlife reserves in Kenya.

The safari departs from Nairobi and takes you to Amboseli National Park, located about 250 km South of Nairobi and lying at the base of the incredible Mt. Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is famous for its big game as well as amazing scenic beauty as the entire landscape is dominated by Mt Kilimanjaro.

After Amboseli there is a day/night break in Nairobi so as to cut short the driving distances, before proceeding to Sweetwaters Game Reserve. While in Nairobi, you can enjoy “The Nairobi Safari Walk”, which is quite an adventurous experience, as well as visit the Giraffe Centre, with a chance to feed these most graceful animals.

Sweetwaters Game Reserve is a private sanctuary near the foot of Mt. Kenya and contains a wide variety of wildlife. Among the highlights at the reserve include a visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary located within the reserve, which is the only one of its kind in Kenya, a visit to Morani the tame rhino, the Visitors Information Centre and the optional night game drive.

This Kenya safari then proceeds to the floor of the Rift Valley, to Lake Nakuru National Park, world famous for flamingos that carpet the lake. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino.

Lake Naivasha is the next stop on this adventure, where the family will enjoy a boat ride on the lake and a guided walking safari at Crescent Island, one of the few places in the world where one can walk freely amidst wild animals as there are no predators.

Last but definitely not least is the visit to Maasai Mara, arguably Kenya’s most popular game reserve. Here you will have the best opportunity of spotting the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) as well as many other species.

Cost: £1925 (USD $2980)

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View all available Family Safari Holidays in Kenya.

Further Reading

• Guide to Family & Kids Safari Holidays in Africa
• Guide to Family Holidays Kenya

Taking a family Africa safari may take special planning upfront, but the memories will make the extra effort well worth it. Here are some tips to make for a better experience.

Plan your family safari schedule wisely.
Family safari schedules can get busy, especially when visitors are trying to see a lot of wildlife. Traveling through your destinations will involve being with strangers in small planes, safari vehicles and boats. Think realistically about how much hustle and bustle your children will be able to handle with a good attitude. Too much fussing could put a damper on your once-in-a-lifetime Africa safari and other guests’ vacations too.

Consider the age of your children.
If your children are under the age of eight, it may be difficult to find accommodations at private game reserves. Many of these reserves have age requirements for guests, and sometimes it can be as high as 12 years. Safety is the main reason behind these rules. The animals you can see on a family Africa safari may respond negatively to young children simply because they can sense that children are smaller, younger and slower than they are.

Think about taking a private family safari.
A private family safari might be the best option for a truly enjoyable experience. It is possible to rent out an entire private lodge for your trip. When you do this, most places will then allow children under eight on site. With no other guests involved, you can set the pace of your excursions solely based on your family’s needs.

Look for lodges with children’s programs.
If you don’t want to take a private family safari, you might want to search for options with built-in activities for kids. Some camps plan wilderness activities just for children to pursue during the day while adults are taking other tours.

Try a self-driving family safari.
One of the best Africa safaris as a family can be a self-driving trip with accommodations at a national park, like Kruger National Park in South Africa. In addition to being able to set your own schedule and plan meals according to your children’s tastes, you’ll see lots of other families. Interacting with other kids could put your children at ease with their surroundings.

Avoid malarial areas during a family safari.
You have to be especially wary of malarial areas when going on safari with children younger than 10. Malaria and the available treatments are much more damaging for young children than they are for adults.

Inquire about your camp’s menu in advance.
Most safari camps serve food from a buffet and order food supplies far in advance. Check to find out what types of food they serve before you leave. If your children are picky eaters, you can plan to bring food items they enjoy eating or start introducing them to foods served at your lodge before your trip.

Further Reading

• My full guide to Family & Kids Safari Holidays in Africa
• Kids Safari- Family Safari Holidays in Kenya
• Shamwari Game Reserve South Africa (Family Friendly)
• Family Safaris on Africa Exclusive (External Site)

I have worked at safari lodges that do not encourage children, this was mainly due to the fact that they did not have the facilities to cater for children, this however does not mean that if you have kids, you should not go on safari, you just have to make sure that the safari you are going on is right for you and your family.

All Inclusive Safari Adventures
Probably the easiest way to do this is to go on an all inclusive safari holiday, designed specifically with children and families in mind.

The Adventure Company (see banner link below) offers just this with child friendly safari holidays, not only in Kenya, but Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. And whilst initially their safaris don’t look that cheap, they do include pretty much everything including flights and all transfers. I guess what you are paying for is  not having the hassle of having to organise flights, transport, accommodation and the safaris as well as piece of mind as you know that the holiday is designed with families in mind.

Example Family Safari in Kenya:

Land of The Masai Family Holiday

Highlights include:

• Meet Masai Warriors in Kenya
• Explore the Masai Mara Game Reserve
• Elephant Orphanage & flamingos

Nairobi

You catch a daytime flight to Nairobi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will sleep for 2 nights.

Whilst in Nairobi, the capitol of Kenya, you will be taken to meet the animals supported through local conservation projects, namely giraffes and elephants at the Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Manor where you and your family will get to view the animals in close proximity and learn about them and their plight in the modern world. Your safari begins at the Naro Moru River where Mt. Kenya towers in the distance.

Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes

The Sweetwaters Game Reserve offers excellent game viewing, and has been instrumental, through its breeding programme, in helping to conserve the endangered black rhinos. Onwards to the Rift Valley lakes – Nakuru to see flamingos and rhinos; Naivasha to view hippos from a cruise boat (optional).

Masai Mara Game Reserve

On day 7 of your tour, you’ll descend into the Great Rift Valley and rolling grasslands of the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Mara is effectively a northern extension of the Serengeti, the most famous of neighbouring Tanzania’s national parks, which lies just across the border. Sightings of the ‘Big Nine’ (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and hippo) are common, as are herds of wildebeest which roam across the plains. You should arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. You’ll explore the extensive grassy plains where elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and various gazelles – with attendant predators of lion, cheetah, jackal and hyena can be seen.

Masai Culture

You will also get to meet and know some of the semi-nomadic Masai tribesman to learn about their fascinating culture – including a lesson in how to throw a Masai hunting spear, this is fantastic especially for the children who will learn about a culture completely different to their own.

More Information
For more information on this and other family safaris in Africa take a look at The Adventure Company link below:

Further reading:

• Family Holidays Kenya
• Family & Kids Safari Holidays in Africa