Family Holidays & Safaris in South Africa

A world in one country – South Africa is one of the most beautiful and diverse places to visit. From South Africa family safaris to see the Big Five, to vibrant cities and landscapes to explore, we can help tailor your South Africa family holiday with:

Safaris guided by experts in world-renowned reserves
Culture, cuisine and Winelands experiences across South Africa
Outdoor adventure from hiking trails to water sports
Hand-picked family-friendly hotels and lodges

When it comes to finding a family holiday that has it all, South Africa is hard to beat. For many, the highlight begins on South Africa family safaris. Game drives give you a glimpse of lions, elephants and rhinos in the wild led by expert guides. Stay in private lodges designed with families in mind, where every detail is taken care of with flexible dining, children’s activities, and luxurious amenities.

Beyond the bush, the adventure continues. Cape Town's distinctive coastal, city, and mountainous combination make it one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Select your adventure with curated experiences perfect for your family’s interests. Travel the famous driving routes along the Western Cape or escape to the glorious countryside in South Africa’s famed wine regions. Just a 12-hour flight from London, family holidays in South Africa are enriching, educational and eye-opening for all ages.

Why Choose South Africa for Family Holiday?

With near year-round sunshine, South Africa is a great destination for family travel any time of year. See what makes South Africa a top choice for family holidays:

Exciting safari adventures - See the Big Five in game-rich parks such as Kruger and Madikwe, all led by expert guides on luxury family safaris in South Africa.
Malaria-free reserves – Ideal for families with younger travellers who cannot take anti-malaria medication, many South Africa reserves and safaris are malaria-free.
Relaxing beaches - Unwind on long stretches of sand along the Garden Route or the Cape coast, where warm shallows and seaside towns offer the perfect balance to days spent exploring.
No jet lag – South Africa is in a similar time zone to the UK, which means you can start exploring straight away.
Direct flights - Overnight journeys from London makes travel easier for families.
Choice of stays - Stay in family-friendly lodges or South Africa family hotels with flexible dining and activities for all ages.

Scott Dunn Africa specialists draw on years of experience to design your South Africa family holiday. We curate a tailor-made trip shaped entirely around your family’s interests, whether that’s seeing lions at dawn, learning to surf on the coast, or relaxing on South Africa’s white-sand beaches.

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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

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Best Places to Stay in South Africa with Family

Whether you are looking for a chic, city boutique hotel, an ultra-luxurious safari lodge or a private space surrounded by nature, Scott Dunn will find the right family-friendly property for you. Find stays for:

Younger children – Find family safari lodges and hotels with kids’ clubs and family rooms designed for little ones.
Older children – Select stays with adventurous activities and easy access to South Africa’s most exciting regions.
Multi-generational trips – Book private lodges perfect for spending time together.
Active families – Choose South Africa family hotels close to outdoor adventures, from hiking and surfing to wildlife tracking.

Properties
Itineraries

Chitwa Chitwa

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa

Chitwa Chitwa enjoys a place of pride on the banks of the largest lake in the exclusive Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Family owned and run this is an intimate ultra stylish game lodge in the unspoilt bush that will exceed your safari desires.

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.

GARONGA - SAFARI CAMP

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Garonga Safari Camp is an exclusive luxury bush retreat comprised of six spacious safari tents within the Makalali Game Reserve. Guests can enjoy a relaxing safari experience, as well as gourmet cuisine and first-class service.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Hermanus, Garden Route, South Africa

Just 2 hours from Cape Town, Grootbos is a superb family-run nature reserve set on the fynbos-clad hills above Walker Bay. 27 luxurious suites are divided between two lodges, set amongst ancient milkwood trees overlooking a majestic sweep of coastline.

Madikwe Safari Lodge

Madikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe

Discover the wilds of South Africa at Madikwe Safari Lodge, where luxury and exclusivity mix for a safari journey none will forget. Whether it be family fun or an intimate honeymoon that’s out of the ordinary, you will find it here.

Thonga Beach Lodge

Maputaland Coast, South Africa

Set on the pristine shores of the Maputaland coast, known as the Elephant Coast, Thonga Beach Lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the last unspoilt and undeveloped wilderness beaches left on the African continent.

Morukuru Beach Lodge

De Hoop Nature Reserve, Garden Route, South Africa

Morukuru Beach Lodge is the newest member of the Morukuru family. With only five suites this intimate property is a luxury boutique eco lodge based along the pristine coast line of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, ideal for those on a self drive adventure.

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.

Boschendal

Franschhoek, The Winelands, South Africa

Set on one of the oldest wine estates in The Winelands, Boschendal Wine Estate gives guests access to the entire farm. With the emphasis being on style and simplicity it is the perfect base to totally relax and explore the Winelands.

13 nights

South Africa with Kids

Madikwe and Mauritius

The perfect combination of wildlife adventure in Madikwe and relaxing during a week of beach and sunshine on the tropical island of Mauritius. This South Africa tour is ideal for families with younger children looking for fun and games to entertain everyone all day long.

From

SGD $8,400 pp

22 nights

Family Fun in South Africa

The Waterberg, Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Cape Town & Hermanus

For intrepid families looking for the extraordinary while spending quality time together, South Africa is the place to be. Canter into the wilderness on horseback, encountering wildlife from a unique perspective. Let your excitement wander through Mashatu, an off-grid game reserve where you can admire big cats and elephants. Gaze out over the Cape’s rugged coastline from Table Mountain and top this off with an indulgent stay in a private nature sanctuary, just outside of Cape Town.

From

SGD $10,900 pp

Things to Do in South Africa With Kids

A safari might be the first thing that springs to mind when planning a family holiday in South Africa but look beyond the incredible wildlife and there’s even more to keep your kids enthralled.

Whale Watching

Spying a whale leap out of the water and back in with an almighty splash has to be one of the most exciting wildlife-watching experiences someone can have. South Africa is one of the best places in the world to see whales, particularly from land. Head to Hermanus, De Hoop, Plettenberg Bay or the Eastern Cape to watch your kids’ faces light up when they see the incredible animals. The season runs from June to December.
Road trip the Garden Route

Families travelling along South Africa’s Garden Route can explore the country’s first Elephant Park for orphaned African elephants in Knysna, enjoy the coastal food scene at Plettenberg Bay, and walk the pristine beaches at De Hoop Nature Reserve. Along the way there’s plenty of charming coastal towns and wildlife excursions to keep children and teens entertained.
Outdoor Activities

Hiking

Depending on the age of your children, you could call this activity hiking or walking. Whether you want to climb up to the top of Table Mountain or Lion’s Head or stroll gently along the beaches that line the Garden Route, South Africa is made for being outdoors. The backdrop for any walk will keep even the most reluctant of walkers from declaring they’re bored, while paths and trails make it easy to navigate.

Quad Biking

Thrill teens by jumping on a quad bike in Grootbos Private Nature Reserve to explore the beautiful surroundings. Whizz up and down scenic valleys, through the fynbos and past dramatic viewpoints.
Wine Tasting

Bear with us here, wine tasting might not sound like the most family-friendly activity, but with our expert guidance and planning, we will ensure the children are occupied and having fun, while you get to sample all the delights that Franschhoek and Stellenbosch have to offer.