Luxury Family Safari Holidays in Africa

Experience animals up close in their natural habitat, traversing through the sprawling savannas of Kenya or the misty mountains of Rwanda, on a tailor-made, luxury African safari for families.

  • Tailor-made, child-friendly safaris designed for unforgettable family adventures
  • Access to one-of-a-kind lodges & private game drives
  • Comprehensive travel planning for stress-free family safaris
  • 24/7 support from our global team of experts
Africa family safari

Gwen Ho

Africa & Safari Specialist

Traveling the world has been a deeply enriching experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to explore so many places through both personal and work trips. So far, I’ve visited 31 countries, 73 cities, and 12 islands. Some of my top destinations include Iceland, Sweden, Spain, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Portugal, and Turkey—each offering a wonderful mix of stunning landscapes, rich culture, fascinating history, and amazing food

Best Family-Friendly Safari Destinations

For the best family safari holidays, East Africa is a very popular choice for those with children aged 5 to 10, with Kenya and South Africa’s safari industry well established, providing safe, fun and purposeful environments for little ones to explore.

Once children enter the preteen and teenage stages, lesser-known safari areas become available to families. One of our favourite places is Zimbabwe, paired with some time at the majestic Victoria Falls. Alternatively, head to Botswana, which also offers views of rarer species like the brown hyena and meerkats.

For families with older children, you can really head off the beaten track and experience some of Africa's wildest and most remote corners! Experience walking safaris in Zambia or even go on a gorilla-spotting trek in Rwanda.

Luxury Family Safari Lodges & Tours in Africa

Browse our curated collection of lodges and example safari tours in Africa. As our holidays are tailor-made, these itineraries are just the first step in crafting your dream escape. They’ll help show you what to expect on your safari, and when you’re ready to enquire, we’ll start the work of shaping the itinerary to your family's needs and wants for the perfect holiday.

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House in the Wild

House in the Wild

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Perched on the banks of the Mara River in the Enonkishu Conservancy, House in the Wild is a private, family-owned boutique lodge located on the edge of the Maasai Mara. This home in the bush offers an authentic stay with friendly and welcoming service.
El Karama Lodge

El Karama Lodge

Laikipia, Northern Kenya, Kenya

El Karama Lodge offers an exciting safari on a working cattle ranch. Family-run, it offers a first-class experience and great value for money. El Karama is ideal for families with a whole host of activities to keep even the most active enthralled.
Saruni Mara

Saruni Mara

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Saruni Mara is perched on a hill in the Mara North conservancy, bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is a luxurious and intimate lodge with just six cottages and a private house overlooking the beautiful valley, offering walks and game drives.
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is an elegant hotel with 197 rooms and suites and is situated within a sprawling lush garden estate in the heart of Cape Town. The hotel is fantastically located to explore the attractions in and around Cape Town.
Marataba Safari Lodge

Marataba Safari Lodge

Marakele National Park, Madikwe and the northwest, South Africa

Marataba is located in a 23,000 ha private concession adjoined to the vast, malarial-free Marakele National Park in South Africa's Limpopo Province. The Camp is set in the bushveld, on a quiet river with dramatic views of the Waterberg escarpment.

Luxury Family Safari Holidays FAQs

  • What is the best age for a child to go on a safari?

    Game drives typically require silence and sitting still while cruising through the bush, therefore we don’t recommend your typical game drive until your children are older.

    However, many lodges have curated kid-friendly safaris or offer kids clubs while parents enjoy an early morning or evening game drive.

    Get in touch with our specialists where we’ll get to know your family before pairing you with the best lodge for you and your little ones. Then, all you have to do is sit back and make memories together.

  • When is the best time to go on a safari to Africa?

    For the full safari experience, timing is everything. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season between April and October, when game viewing is likely to be successful; however, some countries' drier periods fall at different points within this timeframe.

    We can help you plan your family safari holiday according to the best months for game viewing when you book.

  • What do I need to know before our family safari in Africa?

    As well as knowing the best time of year to go, it's important to be aware of the park regulations. There will be rules to follow to keep you and the wildlife safe, and your local guides will be on hand to talk you through them.

    Also, staying at a park or conservation area is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the experience. We've handpicked several locations that are designed with families in mind.

  • What wildlife could we see?

    There's a diverse range of wildlife that you can expect to see on a safari in Africa and the animals you see will often depend on where you go. However, you may spot the big five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo), as well as zebras, gorillas and meerkats.

    Your guides will take you out at optimal times when you're most likely to see these creatures.

  • Can I visit different countries on a safari in Africa?

    Absolutely! In fact, at Scott Dunn, we encourage you to travel to more than one location wherever possible as this gives you and your children an all-encompassing experience. Our favourite pairing is a safari and beach holiday, where after a week on a camp, where schedules can feel full-on and high-energy, you fly to Tanzania or the Seychelles for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

  • Where is the best place to go for a family safari?

    Kenya is arguably the best place for a family safari, as many of the lodges here keep families front of mind and it’s the ideal location for first-timers. South Africa is also an ideal location with its developed safari scene and range of family-friendly holiday types.

    However, if there’s a specific destination you have in mind, get in touch and our travel specialists will help advise and curate the best family holiday for you.

  • Where are malaria-free safari destinations?

    South Africa is the most popular malaria-free safari destination, and we recommend for families looking for a malaria-free safaris. Many of its reserves, like the Madikwe Game Reserve and those in the Eastern Cape, are malaria-free, giving families plenty of options to choose from.

  • Do safari lodges offer kids' clubs or childcare?

    Yes, many of our suggested lodges offer junior ranger programmes that are perfect for keeping little ones entertained and educated, while adults can go on early morning or late-night game drives without worry.

    Get in touch, and we’ll help find the best lodge and childcare for you.

  • How do I start planning my holiday?

    To start planning your trip, fill out our online enquiry form or call us on the number below. From there, we’ll set up a discovery call where we get to learn about you and your family and start building your perfect family safari in Africa.

Great migration of wildebeests across a river
Plan Your Luxury African Safari Tour with Scott Dunn

Contact our travel specialists to book your tour or to discover more about our range of luxury African safaris.

Plan your trip

Call us on +852 2829 2000 to start planning

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