African Safari With Kids: First-timer’s Guide & Helpful Tips
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Are you thinking of going on safari with kids, but not sure what to expect? This post should answer all your questions about taking your kids on safari. Read on!
There is a common belief that safari and family travel doesn’t go well together. Let me tell you that it’s not true. I decided to write this post because of all the emails I get from readers asking me about taking their kids on safari. I hope this will help to answer some of your questions, ease your fears, and most important – show you that you can have an unforgettable African safari experience, also with young children.
We are in no way experts of traveling to Africa with kids. We are just a family who likes to travel, take the kids along, and share our experiences hoping to inspire others to do the same.
It just so happens that South Africa was our first far trip with all three kids. And so the twins went on their first safari game drive when they were just 2 years old. Our oldest was 4. A year and a half later, when our kids were 3, 3, and 5, we made a beautiful four-week road trip in Namibia.
We attended as many sundowners and game drives as we possibly could, we made self-drive wildlife viewing trips, watched animals at the waterholes, and had so many unforgettable safari experiences with kids.
So here is some practical information you may want to know when planning an African safari with young children. I have compiled all kinds of questions that I have received from my readers about taking kids on safari in Africa.
If you don’t find an answer to your question below, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page, and I will try my best to help you out.
Which African countries are best for a safari with kids?
In my opinion, South Africa and Namibia are the best countries for families traveling to Africa. There are several reasons for this.
First, both countries have good wildlife viewing that is easily accessible. You can visit Kruger National Park or Etosha National Park with your rental car. This is not the case in most other African countries, where you need to have a guide/driver to visit national parks. Self-drive safari is always cheaper and it allows you to take kids of any age on safari.
Second, Namibia and South Africa both have very small malaria risk in certain periods. So you can take your kids on safari without having to take malaria pills. See question 4 for more information.
Third, both countries are relatively safe for an individual family trip. I say ‘relatively’, because, well, bad things can happen anywhere. As everywhere else in the world, you have to use common sense. We never felt unsafe anywhere in Namibia. As for South Africa, most places are completely safe, just be cautious around townships next to the big cities, like Johannesburg.
How old do my kids have to be to go on safari in Africa?
While most organized safari trips and game drives have various age restrictions, there is no age limit for a self-drive safari. Our kids’ first safari experience was when they were just 2 years old. It was a guided game drive in a private game reserve on the Garden Route in South Africa. Here you can read more about our South Arica trip with young kids.
In Namibia, we could join several safari rides with a guide, but there were also other places that wouldn’t take kids under 6 years. Some others would allow young kids on safari rides, but would warn you from the start that they would not stop anywhere near the ‘cats’ (lions, leopards, cheetahs) with such young kids in an open vehicle.
If you are thinking of taking a longer safari trip with nothing but animal viewing for a few days in a row, you better check with the organizing company what their policy is in regard to kids’ ages. For Kenya or Tanzania safari trips, I think usually kids have to be at least 6 years old.
How many days do we need for safari with kids?
This will depend on the destination of your choice. In Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and many other African countries, the purpose of the whole trip is often nothing else but animal viewing. So you are in a safari vehicle for days and days in a row.
Honestly, I think that these kinds of trips are too long and too boring for young kids. Even most adults will probably have seen enough wildlife after 7 days, let alone children…
That’s why – again- South Africa and Namibia are excellent choices to take your kids on safari. Both countries have so much more to offer than just animal viewing. So you can combine safari drives with many other sightseeing possibilities.
I think that 3-4 days of safari in a row is more than enough for any child. If you can add some variation to your trip and go watching animals every couple of days rather than a week in one go, you will have a much more relaxing and fun trip.
Can we go on safari with a 2 – 3 year old? 4, 5, 6 year old? And for how long?
I wouldn’t advise long safari trips with kids younger than 6. Here is a breakdown per age of what I think is best when considering safari with young kids.
- 2-3 year old kids: Half-day game drives, self-drive safari and wildlife viewing at waterholes. You can do this for several days, but don’t take a 2-year-old on a 3-day safari experience with nothing else on the program than wildlife viewing.
- 4-5 year old kids: Half-day to full-day safari drives, either with your own vehicle or on guided safari tours. I would advise against a long safari trip with nothing else than wildlife viewing at this age.
- 6-8 year old children: I guess it depends on your child, but most kids at this age should be able to sit still in a car for a day, and so a longer safari trip is possible. You have to be aware though that safari involves lots of driving and searching for animals, which is not always as exciting as the actual viewing of the animals.
Is it dangerous to take young kids on safari?
As with everything, if done with caution, safari is perfectly safe with kids.
For self-drives, remember to stay in your vehicle at all times. It’s not because you don’t see animals, that they are not there. Don’t make too much noise in the car when animals are nearby, and certainly don’t stick your arms outside the window, not even to take a picture.
For guided game drives with kids, you have to remember that you are in an open vehicle. Kids shouldn’t make noise, and the same rule applies here too – you shouldn’t stick your head or arms outside the vehicle. Follow the instructions of your guide.
What about malaria pills for young kids?
I can’t really answer this question, because we have always chosen to visit malaria-free areas with our kids up to now. I always read that malaria pills aren’t advisable for young kids under 5-6 years old. And since there are perfectly nice malaria-free areas to take your kids on safari, why would you take the risk…
We visited Kruger NP and Etosha NP in July (African winter), when malaria risk is very low. We used mosquito sprays with DEET, but that’s it. The southern part of South Africa is malaria-free all year round. There are several private game reserves in that area, and also Addo Elephant National Park is malaria-free. All perfect places for the first safari with kids.
If you are traveling to an area that has high malaria risk, make sure to talk to your doctor before the trip. For more medical information you can check the website of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. You can find medical advice for any country you are traveling to.
Do we need any special vaccinations when going on safari with kids?
In most African countries you do need some type of vaccine, both for kids and for adults. Make sure to check the medical information for the country you are visiting before the trip.
Some countries require a yellow fever vaccination. It’s not the case in South Africa and Namibia.
What to pack for kids on safari?
In one of my older posts, you can find safari tips, including a complete safari packing list.
You don’t really need to pack anything special for kids on safari. Except – my best tip – pack one pair of binoculars for each child. It keeps them interested and engaged during the rides. Safari involves lots of driving and lots of patience. Binoculars are better than any toy. Just don’t waste your money on toy binoculars, there are plenty of affordable decent quality binoculars that kids can use.
If your kids can read already, it might be interesting to take a book or an African wildlife guide, so that they can look up in the book what kind of animals they saw, etc. But don’t count on doing much reading on the bumpy roads in Africa’s National Parks.
Always take a sweater on safari, mosquito spray, sunscreen lotion, a sun hat, and sunglasses. Leave all the toys at home, unless you are doing a self-drive safari, in that case, pack whatever you would normally pack to keep the kids busy and happy in the car. For our kids, audiobooks do wonders!
Do we need khaki color clothing when going on safari?
It’s popular to think that you need to buy a whole new garderobe in khaki colors when going on safari. But in most cases, it’s really not necessary.
It might not be such a good idea to go on a walking safari wearing a red t-shirt, but for a self-drive safari in a closed vehicle colors don’t matter at all. After all, you are sitting in the car all the time.
For open-vehicle safari drives I would advise against bright colors, but then again – you don’t need to buy ten new t-shirts for every kid. Just pick the ones that are less bright and that’s it.
If you buy one thing, then it might be wise to invest in a light-brown safari shirt with long sleeves. You can wear it several times, also over other t-shirts, it protects against mosquitoes, and also against the sun.
As for the colors of sweaters and jackets. Our kids had very bright rain jackets that we packed for our trip to Namibia. I wasn’t going to buy three new jackets just for that trip. And you know what, the only time we needed those jackets was early in the morning or late in the evening, when it was dark, so the color didn’t matter at all.
If you are visiting Kruger in winter (July-August), you may need to wear a sweater or a jacket during the day as well. In that case, it might be wiser to pack something in a light brown or dark color. But you will see people wearing all kinds of colorful clothing on the game drives in Africa.
What kind of shoes to pack for kids on safari?
It doesn’t really matter what kind of shoes you or your kids wear, as you will be sitting in the car all the time anyway. I would advise wearing closed shoes at all times if you are going in an open vehicle. It can get really cold during early morning and sunset game drives.
What if my child has to go to the bathroom during a safari drive?
In some areas, this may be a problem, yes. If you know that you are going to drive in an area where it’s forbidden to get out of the car, make sure that the whole family goes to the bathroom before you leave. Also, be sure to plan some stops in the rest camps along the way.
For example, in Etosha NP, there are some fenced picnic areas with toilet facilities. They are indicated on the map of the park that you get at the entrance. Plan a bathroom stop every two hours or so. And always make your kids go to the bathroom when you can, even if they tell you they don’t have to.
Having said all this, I know that sometimes kids ‘just have to go’. In a way, it’s easier with young kids who still have diapers. Ours were at a difficult age (3) when we were in Etosha. At one moment we just stopped and let our son pee through an open door of the car, while we were watching the area to make sure there were no animals nearby.
Once again, animals can be very well camouflaged, so try to avoid toilet stops in dangerous areas.
What about food – can we take snacks on safari?
Most organized safari trips have some kind of meal included. Usually, the guide will stop the vehicle in a safe area, set the table outside, and you will have an unforgettable meal in an African savannah.
Most guided safaris will include water and other drinks. But you should always take some water with you. I would definitely take some snacks for the kids. There is nothing worse than a tired, bored hungry kid, isn’t it? Favorite snacks can be a life-saver during long safari drives with kids.
Are there better ways to see African animals with kids than sitting in a dusty vehicle driving on bumpy roads for hours?
As a matter of fact, there are. But you will need to do some research before the trip. One of the best ways to see African animals is by visiting waterholes or rivers.
Some lodges, hotels, or rest camps have beautiful waterholes with lots of animals visiting them during the whole day. Some others might have a waterhole where you hardly ever see any animals at all. And many others don’t have waterholes at all.
One of the best waterholes we came across during our trips in Africa is the Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha National Park in Namibia. Animal viewing was so good there that we stayed by the waterhole the whole day, in the evening, and also at night.
It’s by far the most luxurious way to see safari animals with kids! They could even go to a nearby shop and get some ice cream to eat while watching hundreds and hundreds of animals. The best part is that Okaukuejo rest camp is a government-run place and the prices are really reasonable.
Another place that has a really good active waterhole is the Old Traders Lodge in Erindi private game reserve (also Namibia). Staying at the lodge is quite expensive though, but day visitors can sit on the terrace and watch the waterhole too. Still, if your budget allows it, I would advise staying at least one night in Erindi. It’s one of our favorite lodges in Namibia, and no, this mention is not sponsored.
I am sure there are many more lodges that have good waterholes with plenty of wildlife viewing. So do some research and you might be rewarded with the most unforgettable experience!
If you are driving around a national park looking for animals and your kids get tired or car sick, why not take a break and stop by the river or at any waterhole you come across. If you just sit and wait, you might see more animals than by driving around and looking for them.
How expensive is it to go on safari with kids?
As with any trip, the cost can be just as low or as high as you want it to be. As I said, one of the cheapest ways to go on safari with a family is by doing a self-drive road trip in South Africa or in Namibia. Flights, rental car, and hotels are all you need. Park entrance fees are usually very reasonable, and often free for kids.
Here you can find the best accommodation deals for visiting Kruger NP, Etosha NP, and Addo Elephant NP.
You can also opt to do an organized day game drive, in combination with the self-drive safari. This is what we usually do. The price of these game drives depends on location and duration, and also if you are sharing the vehicle with others. It’s really impossible to give an estimate of the price because so much depends on the location and the tour that you book (the duration, private or with a group, etc.).
Here you can find some organized game drives for Kruger National Park (South Africa), Etosha National Park (Namibia), or Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa). It will give you a good idea of the cost.
The good news is that very often kids under 6 travel free (if they are allowed). Older kids get discounts. We were often lucky to pay a shared rate for just 2 adults and have the whole safari jeep to ourselves.
This is not guaranteed (unless you pay the higher rates for a private trip), but from all the game drives we did, we only had to share a jeep with another family once. While most other vehicles departing at the same time usually had 8-12 passengers, we had the luxury of a private game drive for a very low price. You see, traveling with kids has some benefits.
If you are thinking of booking a private safari with a guide/driver in Kenya or Tanzania, then it can quickly cost you 3,000-4,000 EUR/week/person and even more (it all depends on the accommodation choices and the season when you travel). On the other hand, everything is then organized and arranged for you.
Do you have more questions about taking your kids on safari?
So, these are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about taking young kids on safari. My intention is to update this post with any other questions/answers in the future. So don’t hesitate to let me know if I left something unanswered. You can do so by leaving a comment below.
READ ALSO: South Africa with Kids and Namibia with Kids
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Thank you Jurga for information concerning traveling with kids for a safari. But it would be great to travel in a destination whith diverse experiences clustered together to avoid long traveling hours and early waking up of kids. Kenya can be one of the those destinations.
Of course, Wilson, I’m sure that Kenya is amazing. We looked at it more than once but haven’t gotten there yet. Maybe one day.
There is just one main concern for families with younger kids – the risk of malaria and yellow fever vaccinations. For that, South Africa or Namibia are simpler, especially if traveling in certain seasons/areas where you have minimal malaria risk.
South Africa and Namibia are the best countries for families traveling to Africa. For Kenya or Tanzania safari trips, I think usually kids have to be at least 6 years old.
Agree with you on South Africa and Namibia – both wonderful choices for a family trip. I think that taking kids younger than 6 to malaria areas isn’t the best idea anyway, so we never visited Kenya or Tanzania when ours were that young.
Hi Jurga! Enjoyed reading your posts, definitely helpful information when travelling with kids. I know how difficult it can be sometimes to do so. I was wondering if you ever thought of packing meals for your kids while you’re on a day safari adventure. I’ve come to realize how often and quickly kids can get hungry so packed meals are definitely helpful. I’ve looked into sustainable packed meal options because I’d like to be able to enjoy an eco-friendly travel and be sustainable at it. I think it’s important to consider this kind of things because it’ll helpful the location we’re visiting in terms of preserving its beauty and the life there.
Hi Ana, yes, of course, we always pack some food when traveling with kids – on safari or not. It’s not like you can just go to the restaurant when you get hungry in the middle of safari, so it’s essential to take a picnic lunch.
As for sustainable packing solutions, most hotels will pack a lunch for you and it’s usually just some paper bags – not much waste at all. If you travel with an organized safari day trip they will usually foresee meals for everyone and those are packed in reusable containers. Africa never struck me as a place where people pollute too much – unfortunately, that can’t be said about the packaging of meals in the US or most countries in Asia.
Hi Im planning to come in July or August with my nephew will be 12 next year, I dont know what park is the best with more animals to see, we both are animals lovers and my dree is to see a Giraffe in its habitat we are coming all the way from mexico, so I have to see if those months are ok, what park because of the miration of the animals etc… Please help
Hi Susana, yes, July and August are perfect months for safari in Africa.
As for where to go, there are SO MANY options. Do you want a self-drive trip, then I’d suggest South Africa. Kruger NP is great, but there are also several private game reserves, as well as Ado Elephant National Park.
Namibia is also wonderful and it’s quite doable to drive to Etosha NP on your own.
Otherwise, if you are taking a tour, your options are pretty much unlimited. Some of the most popular places for safari are Kenya and Tanzania, but both these countries have malaria risk and require yellow fever vaccination. That’s why we personally opted for Namibia and South Africa when traveling with our kids.
As for giraffes, they are very common in Africa, so I think it’s safe to say that you’ll see them no matter which country or which park you’ll choose.
I’m sorry but I can’t really help more. You should first decide which country you want to visit and how (self drive trip vs a tour) and then you can start looking closer at what options you have.
Hi Jurga. What a really fantastic post! So comprehensive and spot on. I’m South African and married to a Namibian with 3 kids incl twin boys! We haven’t been been on a proper safari yet with all 3 yet but will def go soon. We went with my daughter but not since the boys were born. Love Etosha and Kruger! I’ve just started a family travel blog.
Hi Julie, thanks a lot for your kind words. It’s nice to e-meet you and good luck with your new blog!
Another African safari is also my dream trip, I love African trips. There is something so special about that beautiful continent that you call home..
First, what a great post!
We are going to South Africa in December with two small children (4y, 6y) and with my parents (60+). Our flight is to Cape Town and as Kruger seems to be a bit to far with a car (and flying more is not preferable option), we are wondering, which could be best option to make a Safari for 2-3 days (self driving). Would you recommend Addo or is there some other National Park that you would recommend more? Thanks already in advance!
Hi Jussi, If you are looking for a self drive safari in the South of the country, I think Addo Elephant NP is indeed the best option. There are also several private game reserves, but there you usually can only join game drives that are organised by them.
Hi Jurga!
Thanks for quick reply!
Yes, we are thinking self drive, so then it will be Addo!
If I’ve understood correctly, those organized game tours don’t usually accept kids of 4y.
Most safari drives in big parks don’t allow small kids, yes. But some private ones do, because they know where which animals are, how they behave, etc. In Plettenberg we could take our young kids on safari, it was just a short drive of a few hours, but they were allowed. You can read a bit about it in our South Africa with kids post. But if you are looking for longer rides with kids that young then you probably better look into self drive safari indeed.
If we are planning to go in July with kids do we need to pack plenty of warm clothes?
Hi Usra, it depends a lot on where exactly you go in Africa. July is winter, but the weather is very different in different countries/regions. For example, in Namibia you’ll need a sweater and maybe even a windbreaker for safari rides in the dark (so before sunrise or after the sun sets) and short sleeves/ shorts during the day. It’s about the same in Kruger NP, although the days aren’t that warm, so you’ll probably need a sweater during the day as well. In the southern part of South Africa it can be much much colder. Wind and rain in Cape Town during our trip in July made it feel so cold that we wore sweaters and even winter jackets. Kenya and Tanzania will be much warmer… So it really depends on your destination.
I love your blog! We are considering a trip to Namibia with our two kids 9 & 4. Could you tell me your experience with food and snacks for the kids? Did you keep snacks in the car? My 4 year old turns into a monster when hungry so I’m a little concerned about set meal times at lodges.
Hi Sarah, yes, always make sure you have water and food with you in the car in Namibia. There are no shops or restaurants at most places where you pass during the day, so it’s essential to plan ahead. We bought all kinds of food that can stay in the car for days (dried fruit, cookies, etc) and LOTS of water in the supermarket in Windhoek in the beginning of our trip and then again in Swakopmund and at some other smaller places where we could find shops.
TIP: Ask the lodge where you are staying to pack you a picnic lunch for the next day, they always do it. It’s not expensive and it’s the best way to make sure you have enough food with you on the road.
Also, in the lodges they indeed have set dinner time, but sometimes when it was really too late for our kids we just asked them if they could do it earlier, and it was never a problem. But in general the meals aren’t too late anyway since it gets dark early, so people tend to eat dinner not too late.
Thank you, everyone for your information! Can you all help me think around the following issue: My husband and I want to treat our adults kids and grandkids to a once-in-a-lifetime-gift of a SA safari next year for the ENTIRE family. The grandkids will be 3.5 and 5.5 years old. We picked an all-inclusive place complete with a watering hole on the property, children’s mini-game drives, pool & playground, kids exploring activities, our own private game vehicle for two game drives per day (2-3 hours @), and all meals. To us, it would be a celebration of a lifetime (after beating cancer). However, my daughter and her husband have expressed their hesitation that going this far away (we live in the U.S.) with such young kids, then on a safari-destination on top of that, is a frightening proposition for them. After all, it is completely across the world! And, something that is very hard to wrap your head around, even for the most savvy travelers. Can any of you speak to what your young kids learned, or the benefits from their safari experience? Did these benefits transcend over time? Or, was it lost on them after they got back into their normal routine at home?
You seem to have found a beautiful family friendly safari experience! But if you want my honest reply in regards to traveling with young kids, you don’t make a trip like this for the kids. You do it for yourself, for the time you’ll spend together creating memories that you will keep for many years to come. Kids of that age will not remember much of the trip. Which doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy it… But then you don’t take your grandkids to a playground or a theme park wondering if they will remember it years later or if they will learn something. You do it to have a good time together, to bond, to just enjoy it. It’s exactly the same with traveling. We travel with kids because we love it, but I have no illusions that they will remember a trip to Australia when they were 3 years old… However, all the experiences they had over the years shape them and give them a different view on the world. So yes, they do learn something from traveling even if it’s not something tangible…
If your family doesn’t want to go I’d say just go for it and make this dream trip on your own. You’ll love it. And then take the whole family somewhere closer to home for a trip they are comfortable making. Considering the cost, I think two trips like this will also be cheaper than one family trip to Africa… And you all might enjoy it more. And when you come back from Africa with beautiful pictures and stories maybe you can convince your daughter and her family to do a similar trip a few years later when the kids are older and can enjoy a real safari experience more.
That’s just my opinion of course based on what you tell about your family. If my mom were to tell me let’s go to Africa I’d be on the plane with no questions asked, kids in tow and all :).
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This helps very much! I will keep you posted (and visit your site often! 🙂
I’d love to know where you have booked to stay……..?
Would love to know where you book to stay? I am looking at doing a Safari next summer with my theee kids.
Hi Crystal, it’s a bit tough to say where to stay. Africa is huge and there are countless possibilities.
If you are not sure where to start and want to make an individual road trip, then South Africa is one of the easiest countries to travel on your own. You can find more info including several itineraries here: South Africa travel.
Another good choice for a country to visit on your own (but a bit more adventurous than S-A) is Namibia. More info here: Namibia travel.
If you rather just take a safari (so a trip really focused on that) and don’t know where to start, then look for small group tours to Kenya or Tanzania. Tanzania is supposedly one of the best countries for game viewing, but it’s also more expensive.
PS If traveling with kids, you may want to consider whether you want to go to a place where you need malaria pills and yellow fever vaccinations. If not, then South Africa and Namibia are your best choices, but you’d still need to see what time of the year you travel and where exactly. If you don’t mind medication and shots, then you can go pretty much anywhere in Africa.
Hope this helps.
Thank you for the tips. Thinking of heading to Namibia with my 4 year old in June 2018. I read that petty crime (pick pockets, purse snatching etc) is increasing in Namibia. Any tips on what you did to protect yourself and your family?
Hi Deepa, I read the exact same thing before our trip, but never ever felt unsafe in Namibia. Just use common sense like you would anywhere – don’t leave your belongings visible in the car or in a hotel room, don’t drive around at night (it’s more for the roads and animals on the roads), don’t keep all your money and documents in the same place… We hardly ever visited towns and you don’t encounter many pickpockets on safari. 🙂 Don’t worry, really, Namibia is amazing and the biggest danger is driving on gravel roads, so don’t speed. Here you can find a lot of practical information for your trip to Namibia.
Thank you so much. I think I am just scared of the Cape Town weather now, but it seems all other areas can be nice weather. Maybe I can do capetown briefly (2 days) deal with it and move on ? You are so helpful. Thank you
Hi Jurga, this is a great post! We just returned from 2 magical weeks in South Africa. We are a family of five with 3 kids, aged 12, 12, and 4. We spent a week in the Kruger doing self drives. We stayed in the park at 3 rest camps: Letaba, Skukuza, and Berg-en-dal. It was absolutely fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone. We flew to Cape Town for our second week and explored Cape Town and the surrounding area. We stayed in Arniston for a few nights and in Simon’s Town, right on Boulder’s Beach, for the remainder of our week. We all were sad to leave South Africa. It is a beautiful country!!
Sounds amazing, Jenn. Lucky you! South Africa is stunning and you seem to have chosen the very best places to visit. Kruger is a must, but Cape Peninsula and the Garden Route are my personal favourites!
Thanks for sharing your experience here – I am sure it’s very helpful for other families planning a trip to South Africa.
Hi. Wondering how the weather was!? We are planning to go for my 50th, with our kids who will be 9 and 11. Concerned that it’s winter end June/early July. Looking at beautiful camps in South Africa and then head to Cape Town. Also is there enough to do in Cape Town w kids? Thx so much
Hi Sue, the first time we visited South Africa we went in the same period – first two weeks of July. In Kruger it was cold in the morning and we needed a warm jacket for safari rides, during the day it was sunny and warm enough to just wear a sweater. In Cape Town it was really cold and windy, I even bough a fleece hat and gloves. Garden Route (Knysna and so) was really nice, also mostly ‘sweater weather’. 🙂 Prepare for cold, rain, and wind and if you are lucky you’ll have sunshine.
As for things to do in Cape Town with kids, there’s plenty. Visit a market, go to aquarium, check out the colorful Bo Kaap area, etc. But don’t stay in town all the time – go to Simon’s Town to see the Boulders Beach penguin colony, visit the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens (really worth it), drive the scenic roads, if the weather is nice head to the top of the Table Mountain…
Enjoy it! South Africa is amazing in any season.
Thank you so much. Do you think we are better off in December? Seems weird in summer in USA to go to cold and not be able to swim etc. just easier for us early July with kids home. What is the garden route also? Thx so much!!
Hi Sue, it’s not easy to give you a straightforward answer.
For Kruger park July is just great. It’s dry season which means it’s easier to see animals (less vegetation, and they come looking for water), and there are practically no malaria mosquitoes.
For Cape Town July is not the best time since it’s winter. December is hot and very popular, and also very expensive and busy around Christmas/ New Year. In my view also not ideal, but if you are looking for sunshine and beach, then December is great.
Garden Route is a beautiful area between Port Elizabeth, past Knysna, and in the direction of Cape Town. We spent two weeks there with kids, here you can find our itinerary. It’s a beautiful are to visit with children since you can see monkeys, ostriches, whales, dolphins, penguins, all kinds of birds, and also safari animals. We visited in July and also in November, and both times it was just beautiful there.
Depending on how much time you have for this trip, in July you could just choose to stay in Kruger and North of the country, maybe combine with Victoria Falls… If you decide to do both – Kruger and Cape Town, here is our itinerary to give you an idea of what can be done. We did this trip in July in two weeks and it was really nice introductory trip to South Africa. I don’t have our itinerary on the blog (it was so long ago), but we started in Johannesburg, drove to Hazyview straight from the airport, then spent 2 or 3 nights there. Visited Panorama Route and Kruger. Afterwards we drove through Kruger and Swaziland to St. Lucia, afterwards to Drakensbergen, then Durban. From Durban we flew to Port Elizabeth. I think we drove straight to Knysna from there. We spent 3 night in Knsyna if I recall well and visited all kinds of places nearby from there. Then we drove past Cape Agulhas, Hermanus, to Cape Town. It was a bit rushed, but in 17 days we got to see the best of South Africa, and loved it so much that we returned again, and would go back without hesitation, any time of the year. I’m not suggesting you do the same, but this gives you an idea of what you can do in 2 weeks.
Hope this helps a bit.
This is such a great post! I really want to go on safari, especially now that we have a kiddo to share such an experience. Great tips and I can’t wait to plan our own trip. Any recommendations on where to stay with really young kids (2-3)? Sorry if I missed it!
I would look for malaria-free areas with such young kids. As for hotels, there are plenty of choices in all price categories.
What an amazing resource! An African safari is something we’d love to do someday, but I have to admit, it feels like a daunting trip to tackle with so many choices. I will refer back to this when the time comes. Thank you.
Planning an African Safari is not more complicated than planning any other trip, Dianne. Just go for it 😉
This is a really thorough and informative post! I would have loved going on a safari when I was a kid. I’m sure it would be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. This is maybe a bit random, but I saw you mentioned sundowners. My boyfriend and his family are originally from South Africa but have lived all over the world. Whenever I travel with them, his mom likes to put together drinks and appetizers to have outside as the sun sets. I love this tradition that she calls sundowners. I never realized it was from where she grew up, since she has lived all over the place and picked up traditions from everywhere. Good to know!
Sundowners is a huge thing in Africa, Erin! It’s one of my favourite parts of the trip, some of the best memories.
Great post that clears out any misconceptions. A lot of people do not travel to such countries after having kids. I went to South Africa and confirm that going with kids is absolutely safe. Surely better thank taking kids to zoos..I hope I can make it to Namibia soon as well 🙂
Thanks for your feedback, Lenise. And for sharing your experience. It’s not secret that we love South Africa, so I might be biased when recommending it to others. On the other hand, I still have to meet one person who has been to South Africa and didn’t fall in love with the country…
It’s funny reading this as growing up in Africa we just went on game drives so I didn’t even think about all these questions people visiting Africa for the purpose of seeing the animals would ask! I think it’s an invaluable opportunity for children to see animals in the wild and if people have the opportunity one they should definitely take! Although I have visited game reserves in Zimbabwe and Botswana as well as owning a timeshare in a reserve in South Africa I have never been to Namibia! I will have to remedy that Jurga as your posts about Namibia are fantastic! Great post and I hope it encourages more people to consider taking their children to see animals in their natural environment!
Tank you, Tracy. It’s so true indeed that when you grow up in a place like that you take it for granted. Whereas to someone who has never been there it might seem so difficult to reach. You wouldn’t believe the amount of questions I get from people about taking their kids on safari. So I thought this information will help to clear up many misconceptions and also give people practical tips and very concrete ideas of where and how to actually go on safari with young children.
These are great tips! And I love that you take your kids to so many exciting adventures!!
Thank you Ari. I wish we could do this more often – take the kids to Africa. It’s such an amazing continent, also because it managed to stay more authentic with fewer tourists than anywhere else we had been…