Family vacations 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 vacations in Africa is a good chat with your vacation 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 vacation. 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.
Nile felucca cruise for families
Enjoy a fabulous and relaxing felucca cruise .
From
US $550 to US $750
4 days
ex flights
Family horse riding vacation in South Africa
Family horse riding safari vacation in South Africa
From
£2455
9 days
ex flights
South African safaris for families with teenagers
Visit the famous Kruger National Park and Zulu villages
From
US $2285 to US $2660
12 days
ex flights
Morocco family vacation, camels & kasbahs
Family adventure vacation, culture, pools & Sahara desert.
From
£699 to £749
9 days
ex flights
Madagascar family adventure vacation, canoes & camping
Exciting family adventure combining activities and nature
From
US $2450 to US $2595
13 days
ex flights
Morocco family vacation with teenagers
Exciting Moroccan adventure for teenagers and parents
From
£595 to £649
8 days
ex flights
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 traveling 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
South African safaris for families with teenagers
Visit the famous Kruger National Park and Zulu villages
From
US $2285 to US $2660
12 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 18 Dec, 28 Dec
2024: 28 Mar, 1 Apr, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 21 Jul, 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Sep, 26 Sep, 22 Dec, 26 Dec, 31 Dec
2023: 18 Dec, 28 Dec
2024: 28 Mar, 1 Apr, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 21 Jul, 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Sep, 26 Sep, 22 Dec, 26 Dec, 31 Dec
Travel Team
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Tips for family vacations in Africa
Simon Mills, from our supplier Native Escapes, shares his advice on family vacations 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?”
“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 vacation 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.”
“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 vacation 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.”
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