Choose your country and language:

Africa

  • Global
  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • DRC
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • shotLeft

Americas

  • USA
  • Argentina
  • Brazil

Asia Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia

Europe

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
Back
South Africa
Adventure
Attractions
Animals
Safari
Routes
Family
Cape Town
Wildlife

TTaking your children on safari is an amazing adventure for the whole family to enjoy together. South Africa, in particular, is perfect for a family safari as it has many child-friendly and malaria-free reserves.

Top malaria-free reserves for families include Madikwe and Pilanesberg in the North West; Sanbona in the Western Cape; and Shamwari in the Eastern CapeSanbona, in particular, is great for young kids and it is just three hours from Cape Town, while the Pilanesberg in the North West is not far from Johannesburg.

To make sure you get the most out of the bush experience, there are few things you can do to make the trip easy to do and safe for the whole family.

Stock up on snacks and things to nibble on (just remember bathroom breaks are scarce).

Did You Know?
null

WWhile it may be a good idea to consider keeping your game drives short to match your kids’ attention spans, you may sometimes end up cruising for a little longer than expected. This could lead to very hungry children. So, stock up on nuts, biltong (a South African speciality of dried cured meat) and dried fruit.

AAlways have a supply of water in the car, especially during summer months. Make sure you ration it to avoid any pit stop emergencies. Remember, disembarking from your vehicle is illegal and extremely dangerous in any game reserve.

Keep your kids cool and comfy. Be sure your kids dress appropriately—light and loose-fitting clothing is always a good way to dress in the bush. Have a swimming kit handy, as most of the rest camps and some of the picnic spots have swimming pools. After a hot game drive kids are definitely going to want to jump in.

Keep them snappy happy—cameras need not be expensive and may become a priceless hobby. If you’re not interested in your kids using your expensive equipment or smartphone, let them snap away with your old point-and-shoot digital camera. You may be delighted and surprised at their perspectives

MMake some new friends with the knowledgeable ranger.

Most camps have a few resident rangers, who often take guests on paid game drives. These super knowledgeable men and women are the heart and soul of every safari adventure. You may not necessarily partake in a game drive, but take your kids to say hi to the ranger. They are really friendly and willing to share their wealth of bush knowledge.

Keep it fun and secretly educational.

Bring in an element of fun - get your kids to keep a list of all the animals you spot and have a prize for the one who managed to spot the most. Not only will the game element keep your children entertained, it will also teach them so much about nature, animals and the wild.

Where to go

Related articles

Breathtaking scenery

Khosi Tyobeka, Zimase Travel

Breathtaking scenery
Khosi Tyobeka, Zimase Travel
Khosi Tyobeka has built her business around making travelling easy and accessible. Her company, Zimasa Travel, provides tailor-made travel solutions; from planning to the execution of travel or conference needs. The award winning entrepreneur’s flair for business runs in her family. When she was growing up her mother operated a food business in their small village in the North West Province .
Breathtaking scenery

Millicent Shai: Founder and owner of Thaba Legae Guest Lodge

Breathtaking scenery
Millicent Shai: Founder and owner of Thaba Legae Guest Lodge
When one thinks of tourism in South Africa, the North West Province and its Magaliesberg mountain range and lush bushes come to mind. Not new to leisure and travel, the province has always held its baton, offering the famous Sun City resort and its surrounding holiday destinations. The province’s natural beauty has always added to the allure.
Wildlife safari

Vervet monkeys: the mischievous primates with long tails are plentiful in many South African habitats

Wildlife safari
Vervet monkeys: the mischievous primates with long tails are plentiful in many South African habitats
Vervet monkeys are playful, mischievous primates that can be found all over eastern South Africa and are hugely entertaining to watch – as long as you keep the kitchen windows closed.
Wildlife safari

The Klein Karoo, Western Cape: beneath the arid exterior, hidden jewels, aeons old

Wildlife safari
The Klein Karoo, Western Cape: beneath the arid exterior, hidden jewels, aeons old
The Klein Karoo in Western Cape might be dry, but it offers unique plants, enthralling nature reserves, magnificent mountain vistas, its own wine route, ostrich farms and the world-famous Cango Caves.
Wildlife safari

Thakadu River Camp in Madikwe Game Reserve: conservation uplifting local communities in North West and Limpopo.

Wildlife safari
Thakadu River Camp in Madikwe Game Reserve: conservation uplifting local communities in North West and Limpopo.
Thakadu River Camp is a Fair Trade Tourism-certified, 5-star lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve, a malaria-free park that brings social and financial benefits to the local Tlokwa community that owns it.
Wildlife safari

The South African savanna – spotting the teeming life in bushveld grasslands

Wildlife safari
The South African savanna – spotting the teeming life in bushveld grasslands
The Big 5 and a bewildering array of life can be found on South Africa’s savanna – regions rich in plant, bird, insect and animal diversity protected in parks like Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Kruger.
Wildlife safari

Sheep shearing in the Karoo Heartland: adding to the fun of your farm stay

Wildlife safari
Sheep shearing in the Karoo Heartland: adding to the fun of your farm stay
Shearing sheep or goats is an art; one much prized on the wool and angora farms of the Karoo – the area produces world champions – so watching the shearing is a fascinating drawcard for tourists.
Wildlife safari

The Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: awe-inspiring Karoo landscapes in Western Cape

Wildlife safari
The Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: awe-inspiring Karoo landscapes in Western Cape
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in Western Cape’s Little Karoo is home to the Big 5, plains game including the endangered riverine rabbit, more than 200 bird species and a landscape of stark magnificence.

South Africa on social media

Copyright © 2023 South African Tourism
|Terms and conditions|Disclaimer|Privacy policy