Families often ask us, “Is safari really suitable for children?”
For us, the answer is a resounding yes!.
Over the past year alone, eight members of our team have travelled in Africa with their own children – from a few months old to teenagers. We’ve packed nappies and binoculars, kayaked and hiked, swum, climbed dunes and driven long desert roads. We’ve watched toddlers giggle on beaches and teenagers enlighten us with their growing wildlife knowledge – and, collectively, we’ve discovered first-hand what genuinely works when travelling in Africa as a family.
At Expert Africa, we don’t talk about family safari as a concept. We talk about it as something we’ve done ourselves – at different ages, in different countries, in different circumstances.
We know when flexibility matters more than formality.
We know the value of private vehicles with guides who love children.
We know that sometimes the pool is as important as the game drive.
And we know that Africa stays with children long after they’ve grown up.
If you’re considering a family safari, we’d love to help you plan something special that genuinely works for everyone. And we know where to go because we’ve tested it ourselves.
In the last year, here’s where we went with our children, and what we learnt along the way.
Infants & Toddlers
System’s Manager Tom relaxed in South Africa with his one-year-old daughter
For his daughter’s first big adventure, Tom chose South Africa – nine nights exploring Cape Town, Hermanus, Gansbaai and the Winelands. An easy flight from London, a beautiful and completely malaria-free region, and all within easy reach of excellent healthcare facilities.
At this young age, the trip wasn’t about ticking off wildlife sightings. It was about ease, space and variety. Coot Club worked brilliantly, with room to roam, a pool and a waterslide. The tortoises at The Vineyard were a daily highlight. The Two Oceans Aquarium proved unexpectedly captivating. Whale watching from Gansbaai was unforgettable, while relaxed picnics at Boschendal and the Franschhoek Wine Tram made for easy, flexible days.
What stood out most was how simple it felt — short distances, excellent infrastructure and a huge amount to do without constant moving on.
Tom’s Top Tip for Safaris with Toddlers:
Choose destinations with easy logistics, good medical care (young children do sometimes get sick, holiday or not) and plenty of variety within a small area. Go at your own pace, and always book fast-track tickets for attractions like Table Mountain.
Young Explorers (4-12 years)
Innovation Manager Liz, along with Joe (9), Jasper (6) and Pippa (4), explored Kenya’s wildlife on their first family safari
Liz travelled through Laikipia and the Maasai Mara with her three children, staying at Moon’s Camp, Loldia House, Governors’ Camp and House in the Wild.
The wildlife was extraordinary, but it was the way certain camps embraced children that made the difference. At Moon’s Camp, each child received a safari pack filled with bingo cards, quizzes and activities to take on drives. Marshmallow toasting and star-gazing were as memorable as the lions.
At Governors’, the warthogs wandering through camp were mind-blowing. At House in the Wild, wide lawns and games like volleyball and giant jenga gave the children space to burn off nervous energy between drives.
Flexible dining proved essential. So did private vehicles and family tents, which allowed everyone to relax without worrying about disturbing other guests. And sometimes, simply watching birdlife or lizards around camp was enough.
Liz’s Top Tip for Safaris with Young Children:
There’s a big difference between camps that accept children and those that truly welcome them – it’s well worth talking to us to find the perfect place. Look for flexibility, space to run around or splash in the pool, and don’t be afraid to skip a drive when needed. Everyone will enjoy the next one so much more.
Senior Africa Specialist Anton headed back to Zimbabwe for a big family trip with his trio of daughters (8, 5 and 1)
Anton returned to Zimbabwe with his three young daughters – a trip back to the country he grew up in, and where some of his family still lives. It was both a journey down memory lane and a real Africa adventure for his girls, travelling as part of a large extended family group.
They spent time back in the bush and visiting areas that were part of Anton’s childhood, mixing wildlife experiences with simple, outdoor living. For the children, it was wonderfully uncomplicated. They swam, fished, climbed boulders, chased monkeys around camp, and encountered rhinos and elephants up close – an experience that left a lasting impression.
For Anton, it reinforced the knowledge that some of the most successful family trips aren’t about polish or perfection, but about sharing a place you love with the people you love.
Anton’s Top Tip for Safaris with Young Children:
Children don’t care about luxury, they care about being outside, having fun and getting stuck in. Build in variety, plan regular breaks, pack plenty of snacks, and accept that you’ll probably leave a trail of socks behind you.
Teenagers (13+)
Southern Africa Manager Tracy and her daughter Genevieve (14) had an action-packed trip to the Cape and Winelands
Tracy and her teenage daughter Genevieve combined Cape Town, Hermanus and the Winelands – a combination that offered an incredible variety of activities.
They kayaked with penguins at Boulders Beach, had a gourmet wild picnic on the beach, explored the seabird colonies and giggled at furry dassies at Betty’s Bay, and headed out from Hermanus on a boat to spot the ‘Marine 5’, ticking off southern-right and humpback whales, bronze whaler sharks and even spotted a vast pod of dolphins form the cliffs. In Cape Town, a vintage sidecar tour along Chapman’s Peak (complete with a goggle-wearing dog, Brodie, in the back seat!) was a real highlight, along with heart-thumping zip-lining over Constantia’s gorges, and riding fat scooters through the vineyards. Wine tastings for Tracy were paired thoughtfully with chocolate and juice tastings for Genevieve, ensuring parent and child both enjoyed their holiday!
The balance worked beautifully: active days mixed with cultural stops, private guides and independent exploration, and time to just relax.
Tracy’s Top Tip for Safaris with Teenagers:
Mix and match – the variety keeps teenagers engaged. Follow something adventurous with something historical or cultural; balance action-packed outdoor activities with calmer indoor experiences.
Lucy and her son Sebastian (14) loved the big game and fishing in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
Lucy travelled with her 14-year-old son Sebastian to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, exploring a mix of private concessions and public reserves – from sleek, design-led camps to simpler, more traditional safari settings. The variety proved part of the magic.
For Seb, it was the people as much as the wildlife that made the trip. He loved the guides, the staff and especially the pilots: sitting up front in a helicopter was a dream! He embraced the contrast between camps with swimming pools and gyms, and others where the focus was purely on the bush. And the food – endless choice, generous portions and constant surprises – was fantastic!
The sounds of Africa at night fascinated him: hyenas whooping in the distance, hippos crunching grass just outside the tent. Early mornings brought hot chocolate around the fire; afternoons meant milkshakes packed for game drives. Dramatic thunderstorms rolled overhead, shaking the canvas, while heronries buzzed with life as birds nested and fed their chicks.
And then there were the animals. Dozens of lion cubs tumbling over one another. Leopards relaxed and confident, strolling past vehicles. Herds with new babies everywhere. But perhaps the greatest highlight was tiger fishing. One guide took Seb out for a full afternoon a solo trip and he fished to his heart’s content – catching plenty, too!
For Lucy, the trip was about watching her son experience a big game safari for the first time, the amazement written clearly across his face. Away from busy routines back home, it became rare one-on-one time: a shift from sports fields and surf to stillness and observation. She watched him learn from guides and guests alike, growing in confidence and curiosity. He’s already talking about going back…
Lucy’s Top Tip for Safaris with Teenagers:
Take a good book to makes siestas easy, and if your teen is active, a pool or gym is surprisingly welcome between drives. And while one-on-one trips are special, safari is just as good – perhaps even better – shared with siblings or friends.
Chris & Susie traversed Namibia, Botswana & Zambia with safari enthusiasts James (16) and Charlotte (13) – and Grandma too!
Chris and Susie set off on an epic self-drive journey through Namibia, Botswana and into Zambia with Charlotte and James – and even brought their grandmother along too. It became a true multi-generational road trip, combining independence, shared adventure and some of southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
In Namibia, they took in the country’s dramatic highlights. Charlotte and James were first through the gates of Namib-Naukluft National Park at dawn, climbing the towering dunes alone as the sun rose reaching the summit just as the desert turned gold and apricot beneath them. The photographs they captured from the top remain firm favourites.
On the wild Atlantic coast, they ate fish and chips as huge breakers rolled in and pelicans wandered along the promenade. There were obligatory photo stops at the Tropic of Capricorn, to capture long, open stretches of road, and to indulge in the most remote apple pie shop in Africa.
Tracking black rhino on foot in Damaraland was humbling, as was sleeping out under shooting stars in the desert. Crossing into Botswana, the pace slowed. In the Okavango Panhandle, friendly family competitions revolved around who could land the biggest tiger fish, while at Tsodilo Hills, they spent the night with Bushmen before waking early to scramble up steep granite rocks to see its incredible rock art.
And then there was Victoria Falls. Walking across the Knife-Edge Bridge, drenched in spray, rainbows arching through the mist as the water thundered below: exhilarating and dramatic in equal measure.
Travelling with three generations added something special to this trip: shared memories, different perspectives, and the reminder that safari can work beautifully at any stage of life.
Chris & Susie’s Top Tip for Safaris with Teenagers:
Build in variety and allow space for independence. Older children appreciate some freedom, whether that’s helping navigate, choosing activities or having time to talk to new friends without supervision, and explore new places within safe boundaries. Self-driving works brilliantly, giving flexibility to follow your own routine and take advantage of a whole variety of experiences along the way.
To talk to us about your tailor-made family safari, including similar and other transformative experiences, call us on 0203 405 6666.
