African Safari with Kids: Practical Tips
Last Updated on Sep 6, 2024
If you’re thinking of a safari with kids, I’m here to tell you that it can be a wonderful experience. People tend to think that taking kids on a safari, especially smaller children, is scary, boring, and often impossible – all of this is absolutely not true!
African safari with kids is possible at any age depending on the destination. Just because various lodges have a minimum age restriction (which is often 6 or 10 years), it doesn’t mean that safari with a 2 year old isn’t possible.
We took our kids on a safari across multiple countries when they were 2.5 years old and 4 years old. Both kids had a blast and they are already asking to go again. In fact, my 4 year old has been begging us to move to South Africa ever since and he’s pretty serious about it 😉
We weren’t the only crazy family with kids on a safari. We encounter various families everywhere with kids of all ages – from crawling babies, through barely babbling toddlers, curious preschoolers, and more mature kids. I will dare to say that I think 3-5 years old is a perfect age for a safari because the kids were curious in the cutest way.
Remember, people are having babies in Africa all the time and their kids easily take part in game drives and activities from a young age. Here is some practical information on taking young children on a safari.
What Kind of African Safari with Kids Do You Want to Do?
There are basically three types of safaris that you can do:
- Self-Drive: which is basically driving in your own vehicle on your own time.
- Stationary: you stay at one lodge and have arranged game drives on an open vehicle.
- Overland: you change lodges as drive-throughs and in-between different reserves and possibly countries.
Depending on the location and/or provider the last two options might have an age requirement. Remember, just because one operator or hotel tells you that no kids under a certain age are allowed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that another tour company and lodge won’t take babies or toddlers.
In fact, I kept reading that Botswana with kids isn’t possible and even read posts from blogs that stated that Botswana or Tanzania don’t take kids under 6 – all of this wasn’t true. We saw plenty of very small kids in both countries. Ironically, Botswana had the most kids we’ve encountered anywhere.
What Age is Ideal for a Safari? Can You Do Safari with a Toddler?
I think it’s tough to answer this question, as every child is different and matures differently. I know some kids who can sit still at 2 years old and some who cannot sit still even at 5 years old. Ask yourself and be honest with yourself about it.
For example, if your baby hates car rides it’s obviously not a good idea to take him on a safari. If you know your toddler can’t understand to be quiet for 5-10 minutes when near an animal, then maybe you might want to wait a bit.
Our kids were 4 years old and 2.5 years old and did great, so yes – you can absolutely do a safari with a toddler (and ours wasn’t the only one we met!). We did a mix of stationary safari with arranged game drives and some overlanding.
Is Self-Drive Safari the Best Option with Kids?
Personally, unless you have a baby I don’t think so. After doing a self-drive myself I opted against it with kids. With two kids so no space for a parent to sit with them in the back they wouldn’t be able to see much if they were in their car seats, especially considering that many parks require you to keep your windows closed.
On the other hand, if they weren’t strapped into their car seats it would force us to navigate off-roading, potential traffic among animals and having to assess risks on our own while making sure the kids aren’t climbing all over us.
For us, it was just a no-brainer that we wanted to sit back and enjoy the animal viewing on an open-back jeep, while someone else took care of the driving for us. Having a ranger also allows you to potentially go off-road and do evening drives, while if self-driving you must stay on main roads and not drive after dark.
Plus, most arranged game drives are about 3 hours long and include a stop for a snack. You can stretch your legs and go to the bathroom, as your ranger knows where it’s safe to stop. You’re not allowed to stop or even open the door when you’re self-driving.
Where to Go on a Safari with Kids?
There are numerous places known for incredible African safari with kids, but I wouldn’t say that there are some that are better than others. Most typical places in south-east Africa have low malaria risk and the yellow fever vaccine isn’t needed either.
Before kids, I’ve done safaris in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda, so when it came to picking a destination with my kids my reasons were purely pragmatic: I wanted to go where I hadn’t been yet, and why we ended up picking Zambia, Botswana and revisited South Africa.
We did a mix of standard lodges with self-arranged driving in between them. I can definitely recommend our itinerary for African safari with kids:
- Victoria Falls – 4 days
- Chobe National Park in Botswana – 3 days
- South African game reserve (you can truly pick any) – 4 days
Alternatively, I can also recommend a road trip from Cape Town through the Garden Route.
Best Lodges for African Safari with Toddlers and Small Children:
No matter how kid-friendly a place you’re staying is, there will be some things that you might not be able to do with young children. You can either skip these activities or find a spot that offers childcare.
With 2 kids we keep running into occupancy issues in various places (French Polynesia, Maldives and various European destinations) and this trip wasn’t any different. Not all spots had family rooms or simply rooms with two double beds, or extra beds available.
That said, another thing to consider even if a hotel is child-friendly they might simply not have rooms to accommodate a family with 2 children, who obviously cannot stay in a separate room on their own.
A few lodges I recommend with small children:
Mhondoro Safari Lodge at Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa
Most amazing lodge for families and also for those without kids, as it doesn’t take away from the experience. Kids are welcome and cared for but without a Disneylandish feeling. Your child will never forget elephants drinking from the pool!
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge at Kruger National Park in South Africa
Most kids-friendly game lodge at Kruger with a small playground and pools. They cater to all ages as it’s a small family-owned hotel.
Avani Resort in Livingstone (Victoria Falls) in Zambia
Not many people know that this hotel is part of the Royal Livingstone as it’s the same property (and you can use their facilities) with a slightly lower-key vibe. It has a kids club, family rooms, a swimming pool, and friendly zebras and giraffes roaming the property.
Right in the center of Chobe with unique electric game drive vehicles and solar-powered boats, ready. to take the whole family on an adventure. Family rooms have private pools, so you get some privacy.
Four Seasons Serengeti in Tanzania
Your kids can join you there as soon as they turn 2 years old. They have babysitting, game drives can be adjusted and private. They offer small family-friendly activities at the property as well, so while the property isn’t
Which kid wouldn’t like to eat breakfast with giraffes? Giraffe Manor has always welcomed children and it’s a fantastic experience for them. They have a swimming pool and trips to a nearby elephant sanctuary so kids. can be occupied.
