Family holidays in Africa

Get your kids out into Africa’s compelling wilds; you can find safaris that don’t involve long drives – and might even discover you’ve produced a budding conservationist!
The key to happy family holidays in Africa is a good chat with your holiday company - about your children's ages, your comfort zone, and what you want to get out of it. You can find white-sand beaches; safaris led by superb guides keen to educate little ones; and family-friendly camps with swimming pools, age-appropriate activities and menus to suit the fussiest tastes. Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa are probably the best set up, with South Africa in particular being great for a self-drive holiday. To the north, Morocco’s hectic medinas highlights exactly what it’s like as a country – fun. Consider how long you want to fly for to get there and take your pick.

Things to do in Africa with kids

Addo Elephant National Park

South Africa’s Addo Elephant National Park is just a short hop from Port Elizabeth and provides the adventure of an African safari, but without the long drives, the remoteness, or the malaria! Much more than its name suggests, Addo has black rhino, lions, leopards and buffalo, plus you can horse ride, hike and watch whales off the coast.

Get on your bike!

We know what you’re thinking: Cycling around Africa? With kids? Are you mad? Trust us though, trips on two wheels – safaris included – are increasingly popular across Africa and are a fantastic way for families with teenagers to spend quality time together, while creating incredible lifelong memories.

Share your safari

Tim Winkworth, from our supplier The Family Adventure Company:
"Check out small group tours. I always used to wonder why I'd want to travel with other people’s kids. But when you go on one, you realise you’re not travelling with them – your kids are. They’ve got ready-made playmates, they share, they learn. It’s great to listen to them discussing the lions they’ve just seen."

Our top trip

Exciting family holiday in Tanzania

Exciting family holiday in Tanzania

A family holiday for all ages including the best of Tanzania

From £4000 to £6000 13 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements

Contact Us

Responsible Travel, Travel Team

Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.

Responsible Travel, Travel Team

Tips for family holidays in Africa

Simon Mills, from our supplier Native Escapes, shares his advice on family holidays in Africa:
“Africa is a great destination for families – however, that does come with a caveat or two. I think that it is better for children over the age of eight and across much of the continent you’ll need to be comfortable giving your children anti-malarial tablets. Game drives can be long so patience is required, and some driving distances in Namibia and Malawi can seem arduous to little ones. In the main though, what is not to like?”
Tom Harari, from our supplier, Exodus, shares his opinion on Africa for families:
“Africa is a large, diverse continent. Some countries are off limits to tourists, but numerous regions are very safe to travel. The rewards of visiting these areas are extreme natural beauty, rich traditional cultures and, of course, the best wildlife encounters anywhere on Earth. Going on safari in the Serengeti, Kruger or Etosha is a wonderful experience, from large herds of elephants, prowling prides of lions, lanky giraffes or meerkats standing to attention. Beyond inspiring wildlife, going on holiday in Africa takes families into an environment which is likely to be very different to what they’re used to, and show children that the world is made up of a lot more than what can, at times, appear to be homogenised culture.”
Written by Polly Humphris
Photo credits: [Page banner: Dave3006] [Intro: Tim Williamson] [Addo Elephant National Park: Brian Ralphs] [Simon Mills Quote: Tim Williamson]