Family safari holidays in Africa

Taking the kids on a family safari holiday is always going to be an incredible adventure. The wildlife is of course the highlight, but there’s also something special about staying out in the wilderness, watching the sun set in the African sky and sitting around the camp fire at night. There are no distractions, just a beautiful wild landscape, phenomenal safari experiences and the ultimate in quality family time.

Children will be mesmerised on a family safari, with a seemingly endless series of pinch-me moments as they encounter so much wildlife. Some of the experiences that children on Stubborn Mule holidays have particularly enjoyed include:

There’s so much about a family safari holiday that the children will enjoy. Key to making it a success is to pitch the holiday at the right level and this is where our years of expertise comes into play.

From travelling on safari with our own children, we know that teens and older kids will have more of an appetite for extended wildlife viewing, and might enjoy walking safaris. Younger children, on the other hand, will need variety and it’s important to have a private vehicle so that the experience can be tailored to your needs.

Which country should I choose for my family safari holiday?

This is the million-dollar question! Our experienced team of family travel specialists will be delighted to discuss this with you in more detail, but for a top-level summary, here are our key thoughts about each destination, having arranged hundreds of safari holidays for families over the years.

Kenya
This offers the quintessential safari and combines brilliantly with beautiful Indian coast beaches. If budget permits, it’s preferable to do your wildlife viewing in private concessions rather than national parks (which get busy).
Ideal age: 8+

Tanzania
In Tanzania you’ll find a world-class safari experience which again combines really well with stunning beaches on the island of Zanzibar. There is also an abundance of excellent activities that can be interspersed with the safari which helps to keep children engaged.
Ideal age: 8+

South Africa
This is the ideal option for those with younger children. ‘Taster’ safaris work well here as you can combine a shorter 2-3 day safari with Cape Town and lots of other activities. Non-malarial safari parks are also available and many families choose to self-drive for part of the trip which helps with flexibility.
Ideal age: Any age

Botswana
Botswana is the ‘ultimate’ safari destination, with incredible potential to get away from the crowds and out into the wilderness. It combines well with Victoria Falls for a bit of relaxation at the end of the trip. You can also combine Botswana with beach time in Mozambique or Mauritius, but there’s a degree of inconvenience in getting there. We can advise what will best suit.
Ideal age: 12+ (younger children cannot do all activities)

Zimbabwe
You’ll find brilliant safari opportunities in Zimbabwe, with much of the wildness of Botswana, but a slightly lower price tag and even fewer people. You can combine your safari with time to explore Victoria Falls (and perhaps have a few days to relax at the end of your trip). As with Botswana, you can add beach time in Mozambique or Mauritius, but it’s not an entirely easy transfer. The guides here are renowned for being the best in Africa.
Ideal age: 8+

Namibia
Namibia is a road-trip destination where you can combine an incredible safari with some truly extraordinary landscapes; the diversity and enormity is genuinely breath-taking. There are masses of activities (including many on the coast in the bustling town of Swakopmund) and lots of variety. Although Namibia has a long coastline, it’s not a beach destination, and it’s not entirely straightforward (although nothing’s impossible!) to add a beach ending to your trip.
Ideal age: 10+ due to some longer driving days

Malawi
This is one of Africa’s hidden gems. There is superb safari on offer, which can be combined with relaxation on the shores of Lake Malawi and the gorgeous tea country of the highlands. This is an off-the-beaten track destination that’s perfect for families looking for a varied trip with excellent wildlife, but also some stunning scenery and colonial charm.
Ideal age: 6+

Rwanda
Rwanda is particularly renowned for the incredible opportunity it offers to trek with mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This unique experience can be combined with classic safari and absolutely beautiful mountain landscapes. The genocide memorial in Kigali is well worth a visit as well, for older children.
Ideal age: Strict minimum age of 15 for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking

Zambia
Often overlooked, Zambia in fact offers truly world-class wildlife viewing. It has a fraction of the number of visitors compared to other destinations but still an abundance of incredible game. There are great walking safaris available here and you can also combine your trip with time on the banks of Lake Malawi for some relaxation at the end.
Ideal age: 12+ (younger children cannot do all activities)

What age do children need to be for a family safari holiday?

As a really broad answer, in our experience, children aged roughly 8 years old and over will enjoy an African safari.

However, here, more than ever, we appreciate that every family is different. Some younger children will watch endless re-runs of Planet Earth documentaries and have Deadly Sixty on repeat. In this case, they will probably love a safari (particularly if it’s just a few days as part of a longer trip). Other children will have demonstrated only a passing interest in wildlife and in reality, even as a teenager, may need a decent amount of activity in addition to ‘pure’ safari.

We’ve encountered every possible type of family and have designed trips to suit. Our reviews speak to our particular skill at matching the right destination (and itinerary) to the right family. Get in touch with our friendly team to find out which is the right family safari holiday for you!

Family safari holiday itineraries

All of our family safari holidays are completely bespoke, which means that we will design your trip entirely from scratch. However, to whet your appetite we have a suite of example itineraries which give you a sense of the kind of trip you could enjoy.

Each family will also have different requirements for accommodation. Families with younger children will prioritise family tents or connecting rooms. Those with older children will look for accommodation where there are plenty of different activities on offer. Have a look at our Where to Stay section for inspiration on where you might be spending the night.

Lastly, don’t forget that Africa is a vast continent, and the weather varies substantially depending on where and when you are travelling. Our When to Go page breaks down each UK school holiday with a list of the best destinations to travel to at that time of year.

If you don’t know where to start, just ask us, and one of our family safari specialists will be delighted to talk you through the process.

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