A family safari is a truly enchanting adventure that brings wildlife and excitement to life for children, turning their experiences into vivid tales reminiscent of their favorite storybooks. Thanks to the best child-friendly lodges, your little ones are set to embark on a remarkable journey filled with unforgettable moments. Picture engaging activities such as bushwalks, junior ranger programs, baking, beading, and tailored game drives – just to name a few! Here, we present our top 10 picks where kids are wholeheartedly welcomed, keeping their spirits soaring until they finally drift off into their cozy safari beds.
Safari fun for kids of all ages, Image Credit: Natural Selection
1. Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Nestled in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is the ultimate family sanctuary! Understanding that every family is unique, they customize each safari to fit everyone, from little ones to teenagers. With just six suites – three designed specifically for families – the lodge offers an intimate and stylish atmosphere for a relaxing stay.
Breathtaking views over the acacia valley, Image Credit: Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Ideal For: Children of all ages can partake in a wide variety of enjoyable activities – the lodge’s play den will keep them happily engaged for hours. Plus, the shared pool is perfect for enjoying fun splashes together!
Accommodation: The lodge features six spacious suites – three designed for families, which come complete with a private vehicle and ranger. Each room includes private plunge pools and outdoor showers to enrich your connection with nature.
Children’s Activities: Flexible game drives, scavenger hunts, fishing trips, treasure hunts, beading, cooking classes, eco-friendly board games, sand art, and captivating African bedtime stories.
Each family suite comes with a private guide and vehicle, Image Credit: Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
2. Phinda Mountain Lodge
Perched atop a hill with sweeping views of the verdant Lebombo foothills, Phinda Mountain Lodge is our top recommendation for a family safari in Phinda Private Game Reserve. Every family adventure is uniquely crafted with your specialist guide, taking into account your children’s ages, interests, and family preferences.
Phinda Mountain Lodge is the ultimate family safari destination in Phinda Private Game Reserve, Image Credit: &Beyond
Ideal For: With their WILDchild program, Phinda delights children aged three to 12 years with seasonal activities and a welcome backpack filled with safari-themed goodies.
Accommodation: Phinda Mountain Lodge offers three room types, including suites, cottages (which can be combined into three adjoining family cottages), and one family suite, all featuring private plunge pools.
Children’s Activities: The WILDchild program features numerous fun seasonal activities, including bark rubbing, bug collecting, frog safaris, “poo walks”, baking with the chef, and a game-filled kids’ lounge, plus so much more!
Kids can learn about both large and small creatures while on safari at Phinda, Image Credit: &Beyond
3. The Motse
For child-friendly accommodations at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, The Motse stands out. Surrounded by the stunning Korannaberg mountains, The Motse exudes the earthy charm of the Kalahari with its natural materials and hues. Enjoy family legae (meaning ‘home’ in Setswana), each featuring a main and twin bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and outdoor showers.
Located in the Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Image Credit: Tswalu
Perfect For: Children of all ages will thrive in the outdoor learning environment that is Tswalu; where the guide and tracker become educators, making the wilderness exploration not only educational but incredibly enjoyable.
Accommodation: The Motse features nine legae (suites) – three are particularly designed for families, providing ample space with two linked bedrooms and a living room.
Children’s Activities: These include bush walks, picnics, horse riding, as well as fun activities like pizza and cookie making. Their Junior Ranger program covers archery, spoor identification, casting, and tracking animals.
Tswalu is in a malaria-free area, making it an excellent choice for family safaris with babies or young kids, Image Credit: Tswalu
4. Morukuru Family Houses
We highly recommend Morukuru’s three exclusive-use family houses located in Madikwe Game Reserve for your malaria-free Big 5 family safari adventure. Choose between the cozy two-bedroom Owner’s House, the spacious three-bedroom River House, or the grand five-bedroom Farm House, each with its own dedicated staff, hosts, and guiding teams.
Morukuru River House is a luxury three-bedroom exclusive-use safari house, Image Credit: Morukuru Family
Perfect For:
Morukuru welcomes children of all ages
. Young explorers can participate in game drives to uncover the magic of the African bush with their very own Morukuru Kidz Backpack filled with safari treasures.
Accommodation: Choose from the Morukuru Owner’s House (sleeps four guests), the Morukuru River House (sleeps six adults and four children), or the Morukuru Farm House (sleeps ten guests).
Children’s Activities: The ‘Morukuru Kidz’ program offers a variety of child-focused activities such as spoor tracking, guided discovery walks, catch and release fishing, pizza-making, board games, and even drumming lessons.
A dedicated safari guide ensures children are introduced safely and thoroughly to the wonders of the wild, Image Credit: Morukuru Family
5. Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Overlooking a watering hole in the wildlife-rich Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge has welcomed families from around the globe for over 40 years. The EleFun Centre features a discovery room, arts and crafts studio, outdoor playground, and kids’ pool, allowing parents to unwind while their children have lots of fun.
Thoughtfully designed spaces ensure an unforgettable holiday in the bush, Image Credit: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Perfect For: Developed by childcare experts, the EleFun Center delivers a stimulating array of safari-themed activities and adventures that inspire a love for nature in children aged 4 to 12 years, including the Junior Tracker and Ranger programs.
Accommodation: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge has various luxury suites, including one deluxe suite and two luxury villas.
Children’s Activities: Enjoy bush walks, informative talks, animal identification, child-friendly game drives, arts and crafts, and more.
The EleFun Centre at Bush Lodge is colorful, engaging, and educational, Image Credit: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
6. Samara Karoo Lodge
Embark on a conservation journey at Samara Private Game Reserve, set across 67,000 acres of stunning wilderness in South Africa’s breathtaking Great Karoo. Samara is dedicated to inspiring future eco-warriors by immersing kids in the wonders of nature. Plus, each child receives a delightful goodie bag filled with activities and treats.
The Samara Karoo Reserve is one of South Africa’s most diverse safari destinations, Image Credit: Samara
Ideal For: The Samara Cubs program provides entertaining and educational experiences for children of all ages. Whether parents choose to relax or join in the fun, this is the perfect destination for the whole family to reconnect with nature and each other.
Accommodation: Samara Karoo Lodge includes eight Karoo Suites and two Karoo Family Suites. Alternatively, The Manor can be booked on an exclusive-use basis, separate from the lodge.
Children’s Activities:Engaging activities include track identification, Khoisan painting, walking stick carving, storytelling, t-shirt painting, Spekboom planting, orienteering, and “bumble” drives.
Samara is steeped in history and magic, with the semi-desert Karoo captivating all who visit, Image Credit: Samara
7. Royal Chundu
At Royal Chundu, the Chundu Children’s Club provides a personalized kids-on-safari program tailored for young adventurers. Upon arrival, every child receives a special River Safari Adventure Pack, and the fun kicks off with a welcoming treasure hunt to help them connect with the lodge’s friendly staff and beautiful surroundings.
Royal Chundu River Lodge is located on a private stretch along the Zambezi River, Image Credit: Royal Chundu
Ideal For: Children of all ages are embraced at Royal Chundu, where trained staff provide a variety of activities tailored to your family’s stay and the availability of guides.
Accommodation: Both the River Lodge and Island Lodge comfortably accommodate two adults and two children, with the latter permitting children only when booked on an exclusive-use basis.
Children’s Activities: Guides or Child Minders ensure that children are supervised, allowing parents to unwind. Each child is given a Kids Adventure Passport that includes a variety of delightful activities like fishing, cooking lessons, stargazing safaris, and more.
A variety of fun activities are available at Chundu’s Children’s Club, Image credit: Royal Chundu
8. Somalisa Acacia
Located in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Somalisa Acacia is a wildlife wonderland, ideal for families seeking an authentic safari experience. Overlooking a bustling watering hole, it offers spectators a front-row seat to nature’s captivating wildlife displays. From diverse creatures to striking scenes, this is a safari experience you won’t want to miss.
Somalisa Acacia offers an unparalleled intimate safari experience, Image Credit: African Bush Camps
Ideal For: Children of all ages receive a warm welcome at this family-friendly lodge, where thrilling adventures await with the engaging activities offered by the Ngwana Club.
Accommodation: Somalisa Acacia features two luxurious tented suites and two spacious family suites, each with interconnecting bedrooms and cots for infants to ensure everyone can be comfortably accommodated.
Children’s Activities: Kids can immerse themselves in a world of adventures, designed by expert guides, from traditional storytelling and creative arts to nature walks, where they can earn their own ‘Junior Guide’ certificate.
An ideal sanctuary for families seeking an authentic safari experience, Image Credit: African Bush Camps
9. Angama Mara
At Angama Mara, unforgettable experiences await both young and old alike. Set 300 meters above the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, this lodge provides stunning views of the Maasai Mara, making it an ideal spot to witness the seasonal Great Migration. The lodge’s Swahili name, which translates to ‘suspended in mid-air,’ perfectly encapsulates its breathtaking allure.
The Maasai Mara is a wildlife paradise awaiting your exploration on an East African safari, Image Credit: Angama Mara
Ideal For: Angama Mara welcomes children of all ages, offering unforgettable adventures tailored to their individual interests and ages. The best part? Parents are more than welcome to join in on the fun!
Accommodation: Angama Mara features expansive suites that measure over 100sqm, boasting floor-to-ceiling glass fronts that showcase breathtaking views. For families, the lodge provides two pairs of interconnected tented suites.
Children’s Activities:Children can participate in adventures guided by a Maasai warrior, exploring the rich traditions of Maasai culture. They’ll also enjoy exciting activities like a Shamba Scavenger Hunt, herding chickens, gathering fresh eggs, mastering baking skills, or crafting stunning beaded jewelry with the talented Maasai Mamas.
Spend a memorable time with a Maasai warrior exploring the rich heritage of Maasai culture, Image Credit: Angama Mara
10. Shinde Camp
For a taste of Botswana magic, Shinde Camp in the Okavango Delta is a beloved spot for families. Perfectly located amid lush plains and waterways, this lodge promises an extraordinary experience with both land and water activities. Every detail is curated for an incredible adventure in one of Africa’s most stunning environments.
The lodge is strategically positioned to offer a wide range of activities, Image Credit: Shinde Camp
Ideal For: The Young Explorers Club offers engaging, hands-on activities for children aged seven and older, all designed with a flexible schedule to captivate and inspire.
Accommodation: Families can enjoy comfortable lodging in a custom-built, two-bedroom family tent featuring a shared en-suite bathroom, accommodating up to five guests.
Children’s Activities: The Young Explorers Program, guided by a family specialist, invites families to discover the African wilderness together. With age-appropriate activities, it centers around walking safaris in the Okavango Delta, offering a genuine experience as you track wildlife and uncover nature’s secrets.
Experience tailor-made activities for families, Image Credit: Shinde Camp
Explore Africa’s Best Child-Friendly Lodges
With endless activities and adventures, both kids and parents are sure to have an unforgettable experience. From bushwalks to baking, your young explorers will remain entertained from dawn to dusk. Plus, these top 10 child-friendly lodges are just a glimpse into the adventures that await – there is so much more to discover! Are you ready to create unforgettable memories? Book your family safari today!
Featured Image: African Bush Camps
