When we create your family holiday the starting point is to decide which country will suit you best. South Africa is one of the best places for family travel. It offers luxury, malaria-free safaris and there is also a lot to see and do beyond game viewing. South Africa is family friendly and is suitable for children of all ages.
Call us. We are a family business and we’ve been arranging superb family holidays for 30 years. We’ll listen carefully and ask the right questions. Then we will create the perfect trip for your family.
South Africa is a large country on the tip of a huge continent. It has a 1,770-mile coastline stretching from the cold South Atlantic to the balmy Indian Ocean. The northern border meets the Kalahari, the East is subtropical and the Cape more like the Mediterranean. South Africa has several distinct climates and a variety of localised weather and precipitation patterns.
South Africa is called “a world in one country”. It’s testimony to the wealth of places to visit and adventures your family can enjoy. When you call, we will ask about your family’s interests, time frame and wishlist and we’ll listen carefully. We will then set about creating a beautifully balanced itinerary where the experiences flow together, immersing you in the best of South Africa.
South Africa has one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines. It stretches 1,770 miles from the Namib desert, through the Cape to the tropical forests of Mozambique. From Namibia to Cape Town, the cold South Atlantic breaks against an arid, rocky shoreline. From Cape Town eastwards, the Indian Ocean waters become ever warmer. We can arrange luxury travel for your family to relax, explore, surf, snorkel and enjoy the wildlife on and around the coasts.
South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach. We usually recommend safaris on private reserves where there are few tourists and the opportunity for more flexible safari activities. We can also arrange private, luxury family accommodation; imagine a palatial villa in the wilds with your own safari guide, pool and private chef.
Cape Town is one of the world’s iconic cities and its scenic setting matches Rio and San Francisco. Downtown there are shops, entertainment, sports stadiums and cosmopolitan restaurants. Cape Town is where the cold Atlantic and warm Indian Ocean meet. You can swim and have fun in the warmer waters and watch penguins beside the cold waters. You’re sure to want to ascend Table Mountain and if you’re an active family with teens, the hike up may be more fun than the cable car.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen ten of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
There are so many travel experiences your family could enjoy on a luxury holiday in South Africa that we’ve had to make another list of ten more! They include exciting ways to encounter wildlife, meet the people and explore the landscapes.
Ant’s Nest is one of the best places in Africa for a family safari. Arriving at Ant’s Nest, you’re welcomed into the family of owners Ant and Tessa Baber. They built the lodge to show people of all ages the magic of this pristine wilderness environment. It is located in the malaria free Waterberg Game Reserve north of Johannesburg and is surrounded by stunning landscapes of hills, forests, areas of open savannah and rivers.
A spectacular private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, Kwandwe offers families a unique Big Five safari experience. The reserve is huge—54,000 acres to be precise—and has one of the highest land to guest ratios in Africa. Of their five intimate lodges, Ecca is our favourite for families, with modern facilities and special activities curated for small children.
Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge is an intimate and luxurious safari lodge in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Little Madikwe is the lodge’s private villa, which welcomes children of all ages. Your safari experience is entirely at your pace, with a private pool, viewing deck, game drive vehicle and ranger.
A collection of exclusive-use bush villas, Morukuru Family welcomes you with top-notch personal service. The unrivaled range of activities, outstanding personal service, expert guiding and world-class cuisine make this portfolio of villas some of the best malaria-free safari properties in South Africa for families or a group of friends.
Leobo Private Reserve is located in the malaria free Waterberg region of South Africa, just a few convenient hours from Johannesburg. This is an exclusive-use, adventure playground, perfect for large family getaways or groups of friends. The 12,000-acre reserve spans rivers and lakes, rolling valleys and jagged escarpments.
Set amidst two rolling mountain ranges, the Motse legae and Tarkuni homestead are the ultimate private sanctuaries on the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Recently redesigned to uncompromising standards of comfort and elegance, Tarkuni is an exceptional choice for families seeking a tranquil, exclusive-use escape.
Pioneering family safaris can be found in South Africa at Madikwe Safari Lodge. Their Lelapa Lodge literally means ‘family’ and is set up to perfectly accommodate parents and children of all ages, including several designated family rooms. 12 spacious suites offer comfortable lodging and specially tailored kids programmes ensure an outstanding experience for even the youngest of guests.
To stay at Grootbos is a unique reconnection with nature. The spacious suites and exciting combination of land and marine based safaris make this perfect for family travel in South Africa. This is the ultimate blend of luxury and adventure.
There’s hardly a more luxurious hotel in Cape Town than the One & Only. It has a prestigious location right on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, perfect for exploring the boutiques, beaches and restaurants nearby. With decadent suites and the only luxury kids clubhouse in Cape Town, this is our top pick for families.
The &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s most unique safari destinations. There are seven distinct ecosystems and a handful of intimate lodges to choose from. Our favourite for families is Mountain Lodge. The views are stunning and the suites spacious, while the activities on offer will keep the kids busy from dawn till dusk.
Children will love the magic and adventure of staying at Tsala Treetop Lodge. What could be more fun than staying in a luxurious suite suspended among a forest canopy on the Garden Route? The cuisine, wine and service are all top notch, so there’s plenty for parents to enjoy, too.