The nostalgia and excitement of a safari is magnified ten-fold when children are involved! From the moment you touchdown, you will all be captivated by South Africa’s vast and awe-inspiring scenery, dramatic landscapes and wilderness, making it an ideal first-time family safari destination. We have tracked down the most child-friendly private safari lodges to help you plan your next family holiday to South Africa…
Little Garonga, Makalali Game Reserve
Why we love it
Charismatic owner Bernie Smith calls it ‘Safari for the Soul’ and there is no doubt that laidback Little Garonga is a place where you can enjoy a little piece of Africa in all her natural beauty! Being set in the private Makalali Game Reserve, just a stone’s throw away from the renowned Kruger National Park, you won’t have to venture far to see any wildlife. With two watering holes right below the rooms, you may have some friendly visitors coming to say hello!
Best family room
Little Garonga’s two-bedroomed Hambleden Suite is perfect for small families as it comes with a closed off room that can accommodate 2 children. It has a private pool and a separate bathroom for the kids. The indoor and outdoor lounge are both covered and offer a great space for dinner and relaxing. If you are feeling extra adventurous you can even spend a night in Garonga’s epic treehouse sleep-out deck (at no extra cost) and enjoy a night under the African sky.
Top family activity
How much wilder the great outdoors is when you can immerse yourself in it without being crowded by other game drive vehicles at a wildlife sighting. The true beauty of Garonga is having precious time with your family, sharing a meal around your private pool or on an early morning game drive, your family are the only company you need when in the bush.
For a more exhilarating safari experience, guides provide wilderness walks and tracking adventures. For something a bit different visit the nearby Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on Earth…
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Chitwa Chitwa, Sabi Sands
Why we love it
Nestled amid the unspoilt bush in the northern region of the world famous Sabi Sands, is the stunning safari lodge of Chitwa Chitwa. Seamlessly integrated into the surrounding bush, Chitwa Chitwa provides a perfect eclectic balance of African chic with environmental harmony. Wake up to the sound of the local wildlife, enjoy your morning coffee in front of the visual spectacle that is an African sunrise, before kick-starting your day on the plains in the company of the Big Five, in particular leopards! The feeling of peace and serenity which surrounds the Chitwa Chitwa lodge is the reason we love this place so much…
Best family room
Chitwa Chitwa’s two-bedroomed Charlsy Suite is superb for families. If you want some extra privacy stay in Chitwa House, which comes complete with your own private chef and private safari vehicle to go on game drives with your guide and tracker.
Top family activity
Go searching for leopards in Sabi Sands, one of the most rewarding regions for spotting leopards in Africa! Head out on an evening game drive when these big cats are at their most active.
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Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Why we love it
Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s unspoilt Eastern Cape province lies Kwandwe Ecca Lodge in the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, a world-class Big Five safari destination in 54,000 hectares of pristine private wilderness. Upon arrival, your little ones will receive ‘Ranger in Training’ backpacks with:
- Containers for collecting bugs
- A magnifying glass
- A booklet for identifying wildlife
- A craft pack made by a local community centre
On the last day, children are awarded a ‘Ranger in Training’ certificate signed by the game ranger. They can also enjoy daily treasure hunts or the one hour ‘Horns and Stripes’ morning game drive after breakfast (with or without parents) to view non-aggressive animals such as giraffe, zebra, monkeys and warthog.
Best family room
Kwandwe’s contemporary Ecca Lodge welcomes children of all ages so is an ideal option for families with young children! Stay in a family suite or book one of Kwandwe’s sole use private villas and enjoy the luxury of your own guide, tracker, chef and house staff.
Top family activity
Our top family activity at Kwandwe is the reserve-wide scavenger hunt. On your game drive follow a map and collect clues that have been strategically placed in the reserve. These items are then used in an activity such as learning how to start a fire with flint and kindling or arts and crafts…
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Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Southern Kalahari Desert
Why we love it
Set amid a spectacular landscape of shimmering grasslands and rolling desert dunes, the malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is situated at the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains in the Southern Kalahari Desert and yet is easily accessible from both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Safari takes on a whole new meaning here: you can track Africa’s wildlife on foot, on horseback or in a 4×4 open-game vehicle and the game viewing is superb! Spot extraordinary wildlife such as desert black rhino, black-maned Kalahari lions and the curious meerkats.
Best family room
Stay at the main lodge, The Motse (meaning the ‘village’ in Tswana), in a two-bedroomed Family Suite with en-suite bathrooms, an outside shower with desert views and a private sundeck with stunning views of the Kalahari. The Motse also has an outdoor heated swimming pool.
Top family activity
Experience the thrill of hot air ballooning over the Southern Kalahari, join a walking safari, go rhino monitoring or savour the simpler things in life such as stargazing and sleeping under the Kalahari night sky!
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Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve
Why we love it
Located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, on the border with Botswana, Makanyane Safari Lodge is just a 50-minute small aircraft flight away (or four-hour drive) from Johannesburg. Makanyane welcomes children over 12 years of age, so is a great option for families with older children! A family safari holiday here will offer an unforgettable wildlife experience that will stimulate, educate and entertain young minds while promoting a deep respect for the environment.
Best family room
Children may share their parents’ suites, which can fit up to two rollaway beds.
Top family activity
Trade a jeep for your feet and see the bush from a whole new perspective on a guided bush walk, led by one of the park’s top guides, who are brilliantly informative.
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Talk to one of our Africa specialists today to book a family safari holiday of a lifetime to South Africa!
There are so many questions you will have about what is right for you and your family when planning a your luxury family safari in South Africa. Our favourite Safari Lodges all have their own unique benefits. Take a look at our South Africa Family Holidays page for an overview. But most importantly, please get in touch with the friendly specialitis at Turquoise, a number who have been on Safari with their own families and can offer first hand knowledge.
- Expand the “Top Family Activity” subsection to either talk more about the activity or perhaps change this section slightly to discuss the top family facilities on offer at each hotel.
