Where is best for a family safari during the October half-term?
Africa is at its best in October, meaning the options are endless, and I can help whittle down the choices. I’ve been planning holidays to Africa and the Indian Ocean for over 18 years, and as a parent myself, I understand the importance of planning the right family holiday. I’ve written this blog detailing the best place to safari with a family to help guide you through the options and to offer some inspiration for your very own tailor-made half-term family safari.
Younger children (6-12 years)
We believe the best holidays for our youngest explorers are where children can be themselves, free to run around, climb trees, get muddy, and have lots of fun without being confined to a vehicle. Of course, you’ll spend a bit of time in a vehicle to see lots of wildlife, but there is so much more to a safari. With this in mind, I would suggest Kenya or South Africa as the ideal destinations for a family holiday.
Elephant watching from the hide at El Karama
Kenya
An all-time family favourite. The Masai Mara is teeming with wildlife, and House in the Wild is the perfect lodge for families. They offer a whole host of activities geared to children of all ages – nature walks to identify animal tracks, bow and arrow making, and fishing on the Mara River. If time and budget allow, I recommend combining this with the activity-rich Laikipia region and a stay at the Hobbit House, El Karama Lodge. Beadwork, clay sculpting, cooking on the open fire and sleepouts on hammocks make this an ideal spot for families. End your safari with a beach flop on the beautiful Kenyan coast, at Manda Bay, where the children will love collecting shells, snorkelling, and splashing about in the pool. There is so much space to explore, and a babysitter or nanny can be arranged ahead of time at an additional cost to allow parents some quality quiet time.
Watersports action at Manda Bay
South Africa
The joy of South Africa is that its safaris are well-developed with superbly equipped lodges – perfect for those new to safari life and incredibly good value for money. The other highlight is that many areas are free from malaria, which can be an important factor for some. Madikwe Safari Lodge overlooks the wildlife filled plains with the Dwarsberg Hills in the distance. Their children’s programme ensures there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained, with their guides offering a variety of outdoor persuits. I would then consider combining your visit here with a private reserve in the Waterberg Region, such as Ant’s Nest. This traditional family-run bush home offers horse riding to suit all abilities, mountain biking, walking safaris and wildlife drives.
Excellent accommodation for families at Madikwe Safari Lodge
Top off your safari with some time at the beach; Paradis Beachcomber in Mauritius has an excellent kids club, and both adults and children can enjoy tuition in a variety of sports from golf to water skiing. Or maybe end your holiday in vibrant Cape Town, where you can visit the penguins and join a whale watching sea safari. The Two Oceans Aquarium is well worth a visit, and I recommend staying at One&Only Cape Town, situated at the iconic Victoria Alfred Waterfront, which is an excellent base and offers a complimentary KidsOnly club for 4-11-year-olds and a fantastic pool.
Children enjoying a boat trip from Paradis Beachcomber, Mauritius
Older children (13 and over)
Tanzania
Get off the beaten track with your teenagers, away from coursework and exams, and immerse yourselves in the wilderness at Ikuka Safari Camp Ruaha National Park. I highly recommend a hot air balloon ride, lifting off at sunrise, you’ll soar into the sky in time to watch the blood-red sun rising over the horizon– truly spectacular. Couple this with three or four nights at Sand Rivers in Nyerere National Park; overlooking the Rufiji River, you can explore on boat as well as on foot or by vehicle.
Soar above the ancient baobabs on a sunrise hot air balloon in Tanzania
The private tropical island of Fanjove is just off Tanzania’s mainland and is surrounded by a vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life. In addition to the many reef fish, spinner dolphins, humpback whales, reef sharks, and green turtles can be seen in the nearby ocean at different times of the year. This idyllic island offers the ultimate castaway beach experience.
Fanjove Island is the ideal spot for some R&R
Botswana
For a truly memorable October half-term family safari, Botswana has it all. This exceptional destination provides a wealth of diverse experiences, starting with three nights at Camp Kalahari in the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Pans, where you can walk alongside meerkats and meet with the Bushmen to learn basic survival skills.
Friendly habituated meerkats in the Makgadikgadi salt pans
Continue your adventure in the wildlife haven of the Okavango Delta at Shinde. This camp’s private concession and permanent waters allow for exclusive exploration via mokoro, boat, walking safaris, and wildlife drives. Conclude your trip with three nights of relaxation at Tongabezi Lodge, boasting a stunning location on the Zambezi River, a stone’s throw from Victoria Falls. For the adventure seekers, white water rafting, helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls, bungee jumps and horse rides are among many other activities that can be arranged.
Teenagers will have plenty to do whilst at Victoria Falls
In my opinion, the best family holiday is a safari; it offers a welcome escape from the distractions of modern-day life, allowing families to truly connect with each other. I hope these ideas will offer inspiration for your own adventure. Booking now for October 2026 will allow you the best chance of securing your first choice of accommodation, but there are also excellent windows of availability for this October half term if you’re considering a trip sooner.
Riding at Ant’s Nest, South Africa
What next?
Get inspired and sign up to our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect half-term family safari, 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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Two eight year olds and parents need a safari
Dear Laura, thank you for getting in touch. Your details have been passed over to one of our family travel experts, who will be in touch soon. Best wishes, Maggie
Where’s best in summer (1 July to mid August) or October half term? Don’t like heat, humidity or mosquitoes. 2 older adults (53 & 66) & a 16 year old boy. Particularly interested in marine life/ snorkeling. Thanks
Dear Janet, thank you so much for getting in touch. I have passed your comment on to our travel experts, who can recommend the best destinations to suit your request. Best wishes, Katy