The finest African family safaris for 2026
A family safari is the ultimate shared adventure, a chance to completely disconnect from screens and schedules and connect with the wonders of the African bush. Led by an enthusiastic team of guides, children immerse themselves in the natural world, discovering the fascinations of safari life. The daily activities are wide-ranging and fun – from animal ‘spoor’ tracking and guided sleepouts to pool games, cookie baking, rock painting and even magical cinema experiences under the stars.
Jo is our trusted family safari expert. Having skilfully planned family holidays for guests for nearly two decades, she knows exactly how to strike the balance for both parents and children. Jo has carefully handpicked a collection of the finest family safaris for 2026.
South Africa
South Africa offers a major advantage for families: many of its premier safari areas are malaria-free, providing peace of mind for guests with young children. South African lodges are adept at catering to families. They frequently offer shorter, engaging wildlife drives or private vehicle options, ensuring little ones remain focused, safe, and thoroughly entertained.
Marataba Safari Lodge, Marakele National Park
Probably the most family-friendly lodge in Africa. They have a brand new children’s centre, including a pond for water play and a sand pit to keep children occupied throughout the day.
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge and Kwandwe Melton Manor, Kwandwe Private Reserve
Two superb family-friendly lodges on a vast private reserve offer unparalleled access to nature and an abundance of child-focused activities and conservation programmes. Families can plant Spekboom (a top carbon-storing plant), and older children can assist with crucial wildlife initiatives like rhino notching.
Phinda Mountain Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal
Designed with families in mind, Phinda Mountain Lodge offers a relaxed and inviting safari experience. Take advantage of the easy-going family cycle along the main lodge gravel road through the breathtaking Sand Forest. Phinda’s proximity to the Maputaland coastline means that guests can enjoy beach activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and beach picnics.
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Morukuru, Madikwe Game Reserve
Morukuru offers a collection of private safari houses that promise complete freedom, flexibility, and imaginative bush experiences for children. For the ultimate thrill, guests can request an arranged sleep-out: spending a night under the Madikwe stars on an elevated platform, perfectly positioned to view the waterhole below.
Tswalu Tarkuni, Tswalu Reserve
Tarkuni Villa is in a private area of the Tswalu Reserve in the Korannaberg Mountains and is perfect for families and small groups of up to ten guests. Bird-watching, stargazing, rhino tracking, exciting visits to the habituated meerkat dens of Tswalu and optional horse riding for all abilities with a qualified guide are just some of the activities on offer.
Kenya
For me, Kenya offers the perfect family safari experience. It seamlessly blends exhilarating bush adventures with classic wildlife encounters, and the best part is the easy connection to Kenya’s spectacular coastline. I have chosen Kenya for my own family’s first safari next October, primarily because it’s so easy to travel to and around with children. The Maasai have such a warm, welcoming way with children; it’s really quite special.
Kicheche Mara Camp, Masai Mara
Kicheche’s two-bedroom family suite is perfect for a family with up to three children, and with a private guide and vehicle, it gives complete freedom to come and go as you please. The Maasai staff will show children how to shoot with bows and arrows and throw spears. They can also take them on short nature walks, teaching them about the smaller details of the bush.
El Karama, Laikipia
Children will love the Hobbit House (sleeping up to six). The late-morning Bush School keeps children entertained and educated while parents relax. A major highlight is the adventurous sleep-out, offered in hammocks, bell tents, or in the see-through mosquito dome tents. The expansive four-bedroom Nilotica House is perfect for larger groups.
Borana Lodge, Laikipia
We love Borana for its superb equestrian offerings. Crucially, it’s the perfect place to ensure family harmony, even if you have non-riding parents or siblings. Day and night wildlife drives, fly fishing, and mountain biking can be enjoyed.
Kinondo Kwetu, Kenya coast
This is the perfect beach lodge, set on a beautiful stretch of very peaceful coast, offering space, two pools, loads of activities, excellent family rooms, and fun for all ages. The owners live here with their own young children, so the staff are used to young guests. Beyond the comprehensive water sports, weekly entertainment in the form of acrobat shows, educational visits from the snake park and talks on monkeys from the Colobus Trust.
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Lenguishu, Laikipia
This is a stunning private safari lodge on Borana with different cottages sprinkled through lovely grounds, all with easy access to the main house and the pool. Enjoy a two-hour bush walk to the original Pride Rock, where Disney’s The Lion King took their inspiration. This beautiful rock formation is found at the centre of the conservancy, with spectacular views deep into the Northern Frontier.
Cottar’s Bush Villa, Masai Mara
Cottar’s Bush Villa is set within a 7,600 acre concession in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Very spacious and built in a contemporary African style, the house sleeps up to ten in five en-suite bedrooms. The guides here are excellent with children and will ensure the whole family has a wonderful experience. Children can enjoy the Maasai Warrior School, Mara Minibeasts entomology, as well as swimming and fishing at the waterfall closeby.
Zambia
Zambia is the perfect blend of old-school traditional safari and adventure. It is especially well-suited for families with slightly older children, who can enjoy stepping away from the vehicle on guided walking safaris and thrilling night drives.
Nkwali Camp, Luangwa River
Offers walking safaris for 12 years and over, and day and night wildlife drives. Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre is a great place to learn about wildlife and conservation. Families also enjoy visiting the Kawaza Village and school to meet the local community.
Chongwe River Camp, South Luangwa
Across the Chongwe River is the Lower Zambezi National Park, a pristine wilderness with a wide variety of terrain. Superb for families, and offers walking, canoeing, fishing, boat trips, and day and night drives.
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Luangwa Safari House, South Luangwa
Luangwa Safari House is set on the edge of a lagoon looking towards the Chendeni Hills and has exceptional views of the riverine. Children from seven are welcome. Wildlife viewing in the area is excellent, and, when the water is low enough, there is a fantastic underground hide attached to the deck of the house by the waterhole.
Chongwe House, South Luangwa
A wonderful private house that sleeps eight, with a gorgeous setting on the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi Rivers. There is a permanent water hole in front of the house, providing fantastic wildlife viewing from either the sundeck or the private pool. Fall asleep under a canopy of a million twinkling stars, listening to the nocturnal sounds of the bush. A cosy tent, bush loo, culinary team and night watchman ensure that this experience is as comfortable as it is memorable.
Time + Tide Chongwe House – Oliver Fly Photography
Botswana
More and more camps in Botswana are encouraging family travel, and family rooms are offered in plenty of them. Walking, fishing, boat trips, and mokoro trips are offered for children aged 12 years or over, and most camps offer night drives too. Although Botswana doesn’t offer private safari houses, there is the option to book smaller camps and lodges exclusively.
Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
This is a comfortable tented camp set in a shady grove of trees perched on the rim of an ancient super-lake within the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Children will love visiting the habituated meerkats, but you can also walk with the Bushmen, enjoy quad biking in the dry season, bush walks, fat-bikes, and day and night drives.
Kanana Camp, Okavango Delta
A beautiful camp that has a two-bedroom family tent that overlooks a lagoon and is located in an area which is flooded seasonally. Explore the waterways by boat and mokoro or spend a night under the stars on the sleepout deck.
Beagle Expeditions, Okavango Delta
For adventurous families seeking true seclusion, Beagle Expeditions offers a brilliant, completely private safari experience set within a vast expanse of beautiful, wild country that is yours alone to explore. The Kweene River Trail allows guests to spend time in two exclusive camps set in contrasting locations for the ultimate wild escape.
By listening to our clients, we can tailor a safari that will guarantee that every family member, regardless of age or interest, enjoys a fulfilling and memorable time together. Now is the time to start planning for 2026. We have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the very best it can be. Please get in touch, whatever stage you’re at, as the accommodation can get booked up at least a year in advance.
What next?
Get inspired and sign up to our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari holiday, whenever you want to travel. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
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We would love to go on a safari in 2028 we have mexcio booked for next year but my partner is a teacher so can only.go in the summer holidays our son would be 10 then.
Dear Jamie, Thank you for getting in touch. Your enquiry has been passed on to one of our travel experts who will be contact shortly. Kind regards, Olivia