South Africa is the most family friendly country in Africa. Having said this, there are many varites of activities that are family friendly, according to the age of your children.

 Safaris:

A trip to South Africa is incomplete without a Safari to see the wildlife.

However not all Lodges have the same policies with respect to allowing children on game viewing drives.

There are the Public Parks the most famous being the Kruger National Park.  We have  a company that offers 2 and 3 night  packages to the park from Johannesburg, that includes game drives, as well as a return tour through the Panaroma route.

If you prefer a private game lodge, there are lodges that offer game drives to younger children. Depending on the age, we can best fit the Safari Lodge, with your needs. However it will be difficult to expect a lodge to allow infants and real young children of 2, 3, 4, etc on game drives, due to Safety issues.This is due to kids not being able to sit quite for long periods of time.

The main difference between the Public parks and the Private lodges is the ambiance ie the latter are small and intimate, and in the private lodges, you can drive off road and track animals. Also the expereince of being on a  jeep with your own tracker/guide/driver establishes a unique connection, and for older kids this can be a very educational experience. 

Many of the game lodges, have baby siting activities.

Botswana also offers opportunities for family Safaris.

What about the question of Malaria and Safaris:

There are Safari packages that are operated in the Malaria free areas. If Malaria is a major concern for your family, South Africa is blessed with areas that are free of Malaria.

Self Drive Packages:

This is a unique way to see the country at your own pace. We can arrange your  rental car, help plan your trip, prebook hotels, etc.
Self drive packages offer you the opportunity to see parts of the country that others miss out on.

For eg my family and I did a Kruger Park Safari, and on the way we stopped at a family Hot Springs resort with options for all of us.

City Packages:

This can be open ended, as  there are many options...gold reef minds,
beach area, dolphin tours, whale watching,cable car rides, amusment parks, big malls with educational and fun activities,aquariums, musuems of many kinds, arts and craft markets, soft adventure trips like bungy jumping, old growth zip line activities, surf lesons,bike rides, train rides,
short and long, etc.

As there are varied cities, the expereinces are varied....for those who
who enjoy the beach, there ARE MANY BLUE FLAG BEACHS. These are beach areas that have the International Blue flag designation.

Cultural Experiences:
South Africa offers incredible people to people oportunities. Township tours staying overnite in a township B and B, trips to the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, visiting Soweto,the Apartheid Musuem, Disrict Six Musuem, cultural villages, etc.

What about the question of Malaria and Safaris:

There are Safari packages that are operated in the Malaria free areas. If Malaria is a major concern for your family, South Africa is blesses with areas that are free of Malaria

All lodges have different policies, and level of activites that they offer families with children.

Here is a list of some of the policies of various lodges..we can work together to find a Safari package to meet your families needs:

Shamwari Game Reserve

·       Children under 7 years are not allowed on game drives

·       Children under 12 years are only accepted at Long Lee
·       No children allowed at Lobengula Lodge, Bushmans River, Riverdene Lodge, Bayethe and Eagles Crag.
·       No children under 16 years allowed at Eagles Crag and Lobengula Lodge
·       Children under 3 years sharing with parents are free but are not permitted on the game drives

·       Children between 3 and 7 years may share with parents, will be charged 25% of the normal rate, this includes meals

·       Children between 7 and 12 years either sharing a room with parents or in separate room, will be charged 50% of the normal rate, this includes meals and game drives


Jaci’s Safari Lodge

·       Children 7 years and under are accommodated with their own game activity

·       They provide an earlier evening meal for all children under 12 years, as children are not allowed into the boma for the evening meal
·       Nannies can be arranged to baby-sit


Ulusaba
Rock Lodge:

·       Children all ages are welcome to Cub’s Club

·       They do not operate a set programme, but rather a set welcome pack
·       A range of activities are available on request
·       On arrival, children will be given a Cub’s Club Backpack which contains goodies to help keep them entertained and to help educate them about African Bush
·       In every child’s room there is a welcome letter and a list of numbers they can dial to contact other children as well as Ulusaba staff
·       Security guards are on duty all night who pay particular attention to the rooms with children in
·       A welcome treasure hunt to help familiarize themselves with their surroundings
·       Story and educational books in their rooms and in the lounge
·       Range of children’s DVDs and videos that can be watched in the lounge, along with music CDs
·       Many games available that combine entertainment and education
·       Children under 6 years cannot participate in the regular game viewing programe, however they will arrange a closed-vehicle bush drive or similar
·       Children are not allowed to participate in Safari Walks, but short excursions around Rock Lodge to spot birds and insects can be arranged
·       They can arrange bed time story telling in the lounge complete with milk and cookies
·       On departure, children will be invited to become a permanent member of Ulusaba Cub’s Club and will receive a bi-annual newsletter and birthday card
·       Children’s cuisine can be arranged
·       Babysitting service is available with advance notice
·       A programme can be arranged if required, with advance notice of ages and interests of children concerned

Children allowed on Game Drive ;

Sabi Sand

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge : children of all age welcome (they decide after the 1st GD if they come again, depending on their behavior)

Djuma Bush Lodge : to be confirmed

Elephant Plains : to be confirmed

Timbavati

Gomo Gomo : children of all age welcome

Zuma Zuma : children from 5 years

Thornybush

Main Lodge/Jackalberry/Serondella : children from 6 years

Here is a short desription of a lodge children program in the Kruger National Park:

Ø       Children’s Meals

Mothers / Parents are invited into the kitchen to view the premises and have a sit down meeting with the chef, where a menu is designed specifically to meet the child’s tastes and nutritional needs.

The food and Beverage team are extremely flexible as it is our aim to satisfy our guest’s needs and expectations no matter how young or old they might be.


Here is a example of a lodge children program that is in a Maleria Free zone.

 

This lodge, ideally located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, a mere three hours from Johannesburg, has introduced an exciting children's programme to encourage family safaris.

On arrival, the 'little safari enthusiasts' are handed the Madikwe River Lodge Matototo Children's Activity Book, to make their stay more interactive with the rangers and staff. The book includes activities such as puzzles, mazes, join-the-dots-to-find-the-animal and crossword puzzles as well as colouring in and local traditional stories. Also included is a certificate completed by the ranger on the child's departure certifying that he has completed the Matototo Bush Course.

 

The Matototo name means 'little mongoose', and refers to the numerous mischievous resident mongoose at the lodge that keep staff and guests entertained with their many antics.

The book is not the only highlight of a child's stay, as the lodge also provides game drives suited to the tiny guests. As children are not encouraged to join adults on their game drives in view of the fact that the average drive lasts in excess of three hours, they are taken out in their own vehicle after breakfast.

 

The qualified ranger will take them on a short drive and also a short walk to teach them about the different animal spoor that can be seen in the bushveld. The children also have the opportunity to make plaster of paris moulds of the prints they see as a memento of a great safari experience.

In an effort to make every family's stay as comfortable as possible, Madikwe River Lodge has a separate swimming pool situated away from the main lodge, to give families the freedom to enjoy their stay without concerning themselves about the noise factor.

 

Mealtimes are specially catered for, with staff discussing meals with parents on a daily basis to satisfy even the choosiest of appetites.

In addition to these facilities, babysitters are also available at a nominal fee, allowing children to be cared for and entertained whilst their parents are on game drive.

The special rate of R250.00 per child per day applies to children between the ages of two to 12 years, sharing with their parents, including all meals and activities. Two children can be accommodated along with their parents at Madikwe River Lodge.

The camps in Botswana have similair policies...together we can find a safari package that your whole family can enjoy. I have a son my self, and have done a Safari via Self drive,Public secion of Kruger park, and Kwa Zulu Phinda private Safari lodge.

 

                                Sample trip:

Day 1 Sat Depart USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to South Africa.
  

Day 2 Sun Arrive Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg late this afternoon. You will be met and transferred to your hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Your hotel is located in a theme park, with lots of fun activities.
Gold Reef City Hotel  

Day 3 Mon Johannesburg-Sun City
Travel out of Johannesburg to the Lesedi Cultural Center. Here, you will have an opportunity to see examples of the various tribal cultures in South Africa. After lunch, continue to Sun City, arriving late this afternoon.
Cascades Hotel  BL

Day 4 Tue Sun City
Kids are enrolled in Camp Kwena today, with lots of fun activities. Or, the entire family might want to enjoy the Valley of the Waves Ð a full watersports complex, complete with splash rides.
Cascades Hotel  BD

Day 5 Wed Sun City-Kruger National Park
Depart early for Johannesburg Airport to board your flight to Skukuza. Here, you will be met and transferred to your camp. Each rondovel-style chalet is complete with an outdoor kitchen area and grill Ð perfect for family barbeques. A store on the grounds provides plenty of variety for shopping. Later, enjoy your first game drive into Kruger National Park.
Kruger Rest Camp  B

Day 6 Thu Kruger National Park
Day 7 Fri Kruger National Park-Cape Town
Transfer to Skukuza today for the flight to Johannesburg, where you connect to your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your condiminium-style accommodations located on the beach, just 10 minutes from the Waterfront. Local stores will happily deliver provisions Ð as well as take-out meals.
Leisure Bay  B

Day 8 Sat Cape Town
Today, enjoy a full day at Ratanga Junction Theme Park Ð complete with all types of fun rides and attractions for the kids.
Leisure Bay  B

Day 9 Sun Cape Town
A stay in Cape Town would not be complete without a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain. Weather permitting, begin first at Table Mountain, making the ascent by the famous Table Mountain Rotair funicular. Then, continue towards Llandudno and Hout Bay, with an optional visit to Seal Island. Continue over Chapman's Peak and the Cape of Good Hope. After lunch, proceed to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, returning to Cape Town late this afternoon.
Leisure Bay  BL

Day 10 Mon Cape Town
Enjoy a full day in and around Cape Town. Begin with a tour of the Aquarium, located in Cape Town's beautiful waterfront area. Then, enjoy a performance at the IMAX theatre. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the waterfront area.
Leisure Bay  BL

Day 11 Tue Cape Town-Depart
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the USA.
  B

Day 12 Wed Arrive USA
Arrive in the USA early this morning.

For other family themed safari packages click here  Family Safaris

We custom design packages , so if you have a special trips, contact me

  for trip planning,