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View All SafarisDiscover the magic of South Africa with tailored family safari tours
Destinations > SOUTH AFRICA
Why Choose a Family Safari in South Africa?
South Africa is one of Africa’s most diverse safari destinations, offering everything from rugged coastlines and vast savannahs to world-class wine regions and vibrant cities. Home to the Big 5 and countless other wildlife species, it’s the perfect setting for unforgettable family safaris. Whether you’re exploring Kruger National Park, relaxing in malaria-free reserves, or soaking up the views in Cape Town, every trip brings something new.
Travelling with children? South Africa offers some of Africa’s best family safari options, from malaria-free reserves ideal for easy family travel to iconic Big 5 areas like Kruger and Sabi Sands. Depending on your family’s ages and travel style, we can recommend lodges with spacious family rooms, flexible mealtimes, shorter game drives where available, engaging guides and activities that keep younger explorers interested between sightings.
With over 50 years’ experience as a South African tour operator, African Family Safaris & Tours understands how to bring the different parts of a tailored South Africa safari together. Our team personally recommends lodges, guides, routes and tours based on your family’s interests, budget and preferred pace — combining wildlife, culture and comfort for an unforgettable safari holiday filled with discovery, connection and once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve
Cape Town
Sun City
Pilanesberg National Park
4-Day South Africa Malaria-free Safari Package
Enjoy a luxury family safari in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, with glass-fronted suites, guided bush walks, and sightings of the Big Five and wild dogs.
$2,640 pp sharing
5-Day Sabi Sands & Kruger National Park Safari Package
Experience a 5-day safari through Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park, with luxury stays, guided game drives, and close-up sightings of the Big Five and elusive leopards.
$3,297 pp sharing
4-Day South Africa Kruger Park Safari
Enjoy classic Big Five game drives in Kruger National Park, with a stylish safari lodge base, sunrise and sunset drives, bush walks, and expert ranger-tracker teams.
$1,644 pp sharing
6-Day Affordable Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari
Experience a budget-friendly Big Five safari through Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Includes guided game drives and a scenic tour of the iconic Panorama Route.
$2,262 pp sharing
7-Day Two Kruger Private Reserves
Split your week between two exclusive private reserves, with morning and evening drives, guided walks, luxury lodge stays, and exceptional Big Five game viewing.
$3,433 pp sharing
6-Day Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari Tour
Experience an authentic Big Five safari through Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Includes guided game drives, bush walks and close-up sightings of the Big Five.
$3,664 pp sharing
5-Day Sabi Sands + Kruger Park Combo Safari
Blend the intimacy of Sabi Sands with the vast Kruger landscape: twice-daily game drives, superb leopard viewing, guided bush walks, and relaxed downtime at a luxury lodge.
$2,766 pp sharing
9-Day Cape Town, Winelands & Kruger Safari
Pair Cape Town’s coastline and the Winelands’ tastings with a luxury Kruger safari – Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, vineyard lunches, and thrilling Big Five encounters.
$4,558 pp sharing
Garden Route and Kruger Trip Ideas
Discover our Garden Route and Kruger safari packages, perfect for travellers wanting a mix of adventure, nature, and relaxation.
Scheduled Small Group Departure Tours (not private)
Kruger National Park
Price range: R21 105,00 through R22 560,00
Garden Route
Price range: R19 765,00 through R24 825,00
Garden Route
Price range: R15 140,00 through R18 485,00
Garden Route
Price range: R16 850,00 through R18 485,00
Kruger National Park
R17 150,00
Kruger National Park
R12 579,00
Unforgettable Family Safari Experiences
From bush and beach escapes to malaria-free adventures, South Africa offers a wide variety of family-friendly experiences beyond the safari vehicle. Explore the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, discover the dramatic coastline of Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma, combine Kruger with the Garden Route, or enjoy meaningful wildlife conservation experiences.
These handpicked experiences help bring your South African family holiday closer to nature, culture and connection.
Family-Friendly Safari Accommodation in South Africa
Here are some of our favourite safari lodges and hotels in South Africa, combining warm hospitality, family-friendly facilities, and a range of styles and budgets.
Each property has been carefully selected by African Family Safaris & Tours to suit different family needs, from spacious rooms and child-friendly activities to convenient locations and memorable safari experiences.
Sabi Sands
Arathusa Safari Lodge
Arathusa offers an intimate, down-to-earth safari experience in prime Big 5 territory. Overlooking a waterhole frequented by elephants and buffalo, the lodge blends natural beauty with elegant comfort.
Cape Town
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Located on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, this stylish hotel offers superb comfort, direct access to attractions, and iconic views of Table Mountain. It’s a perfect start or end to a South African family safari.
Madikwe Game Reserve
Impodimo Game Lodge
Set along a rocky ridge in Madikwe Game Reserve, Impodimo Game Lodge delivers a malaria-free safari experience ideal for families. This luxury lodge is known for Big 5 game drives and engaging kids’ activities.
Best Time to Visit South Africa for a Safari
South Africa is a year-round destination, with the best time depending on where you’re travelling and what kind of holiday you want. For wildlife viewing in Kruger, Sabi Sands and many inland reserves, the dry winter months from May to October are often best, as animals are easier to spot around water sources. For families combining safari with Cape Town, the Garden Route or the coast, the warmer summer months from November to April can also work well.
- Best for wildlife viewing: May to October
- Best for Cape Town and Garden Route combinations: November to April
- Best for family school holidays: depends on your preferred region and budget
- Best for quieter travel: shoulder seasons such as May, September and October
What our travellers say
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Africa good for a family safari?
Absolutely. South Africa is one of the best safari destinations for families, with Big 5 game reserves, malaria-free safari areas, family-friendly lodges, and easy combinations with Cape Town, the Garden Route, the Winelands and the coast.
Which South African safari destinations are best for families?
Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands are excellent for classic Big 5 safaris, while Madikwe and Pilanesberg are popular malaria-free options for families. The best destination depends on your children’s ages, travel style, budget and preferred time of year.
Do I need malaria medication for a South Africa family safari?
It depends on where you travel. Malaria medication is usually not needed for malaria-free areas such as Madikwe or Pilanesberg, but may be recommended for areas such as Kruger or Sabi Sands. African Family Safaris & Tours can advise based on your route and travel dates, but we also recommend speaking to your doctor or travel clinic.
Are South Africa safaris suitable for young children?
Yes, but it depends on the lodge and reserve. Some lodges are better suited to younger children, with spacious rooms, shorter activities and child-friendly facilities, while others are more suitable for older children and teenagers who can enjoy longer game drives and more immersive safari experiences.
How many days do you need for a South Africa safari?
For the safari portion of your trip, 3 to 5 nights is usually a good starting point. If you want to combine your safari with Cape Town, the Garden Route, the Winelands or the coast, a 7 to 14-day itinerary usually works better.
Should we choose a tailored safari or a scheduled tour?
A tailored safari is usually best if you want flexibility around dates, lodges, pace, budget and destinations. Scheduled tours can work well for travellers who prefer a set itinerary, fixed departure dates and a more structured route through areas such as Kruger, the Panorama Route or the Garden Route.
