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A family Safari Holidays is one of the most exciting trips a child can have...
Family Safari Holidays in Africa
A family safari holiday is an experience you’ll never forget. See wild animals in their natural habitat, watch a herd of elephants stroll past your vehicle, spot a mother cheetah with her cubs, or listen to a pride of lions roaring at night… these are memories that will last a lifetime.
Family safari holidays are one of our areas of expertise at Alaitol Safaris. Whether you’re travelling with teenagers, with small children, or as part of a multi-generational group, we’ll listen to your needs and design a trip to suit everyone’s interests.
The Best Family Safari Holidays with Children
Specific African wildlife destinations are particularly well suited to those travelling with children. To help you start planning your family safari holiday, we provide specific destination recommendations below, as well as a few example family trips we've designed based on the age of the children travelling:
Family Safari Holidays with Children Under 5
Tanzania is ideal for families travelling with young children, as it is home to several malaria-free wildlife reserves. These parks can be easily paired with Arusha and the Mwanza, two destinations that are popular with families, or even Mauritius – Africa’s most family-friendly beach destination. For complete peace of mind, the main priority with children under 5 is to travel to malaria-free areas. As virtually all the rest of Africa lies within the malaria belt, Tanzania is the only destination we wholeheartedly recommend for families with toddlers and young children.
Family Safari Holidays for Children Between 5 and10
Family wildlife safaris in Tanzania and Kenya work well for those with children between the ages of 5 and 10. Tanzania ’s parks are well structured for children, with several lodges offering excellent children’s programmes. Kenya is also a fine choice for a family safari destination. The Maasai Mara offers one of the world’s best big game-viewing experiences, while Laikipia and Lewa showcase vast private reserves, exclusive-use accommodation, and an exciting range of activities for children and adults alike, including night drives, horse riding, quad biking, and forest walks.
Family Safari Holidays for Older Children and Teens
Africa’s most adventurous safari experiences unfold for families with older children. Tanzania is one of our favourite destinations for older children and teens, especially the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you’ll find the perfect balance of big game, family-friendly lodges, cultural encounters, and inspiring activities. Zanzibar’s tropical beaches are a superb place to finish, as this scenic island destination boasts a selection of family-friendly resorts, dynamic watersports, and wonderful diving opportunities. Kenya is also a diverse and adventurous family safari destination, provided you’re willing to pay the prices for some of Africa’s highest-end lodges!
Safari Holiday Activities for Children
An African wildlife safari offers endless eye-opening opportunities for children to learn and explore. Our blog post, Things For Kids To Do On Safari, is a great starting point as it highlights some of our child-friendly favourites, including:
- Junior Ranger programme: Fun-filled line-ups to keep the kids engaged and inspired!
- Micro safari: Guided explorations around camp in search of lizards, insects, snakes, and scorpions!
- Bush buddies: Key staff members at Wilderness lodges who mentor kids and keep them entertained.
- Fishing: Hours of fun on Nyerere National Park mighty Selous river for slightly older children.
- Archery: Teach kids how to make traditional bows and (blunt) arrows and hone their skills with some target practice.
- Plaster-casting tracks: Interactive wildlife tracking where kids plaster-cast animal tracks as keepsakes.
- Cooking: Includes visiting lodge vegetable gardens, picking fresh ingredients, and even baking classes.
Recommended Family Safari Trips
FAQs
As you plan your family safari holiday, you’ll no doubt have plenty of questions. Here’s everything you need to know:
What do I need to pack for a family safari?
Packing for a family safari holiday requires a combination of comfort, ease, and practicality:
- Neutral-coloured clothing for game viewing
- Comfortable, breathable materials
- Lightweight jackets for early mornings and evenings
- A camera to capture lifelong family memories
- Favourite children’s toys and/or games for journeys
- Swimwear and flip-flops for the pool
What’s the best age to take children on a safari?
A safari is a wonderful family holiday experience for children of all ages. Tanzania is our first choice for families with very young children due to its malaria-free National Parks, while kids aged 5 to 10 will love Tanzania or Kenya for these countries’ child-friendly activities and big game density. The sky is the limit with older kids, who can participate in the full spectrum of safari experiences, from sleep-outs under the stars to bush walks, canoeing, and fly camping.
What should you include in a family safari itinerary?
This depends on the destination and the age of the children. Many of our recommended lodges offer kids’ programmes and child-friendly activities. We’ll guide you through minimum age requirements and ensure your personalised itinerary includes age-appropriate activity suggestions.
Big Five game viewing, cultural experiences, bush walks, conservation projects, arts and crafts, and cooking are just a few ideas to get you started!
Will my family need anti-malaria medication on a safari holiday?
Anti-malaria medication is required for many African safari destinations. The risk is minimal in certain areas due to high altitude and cold mornings and evenings. However, we encourage all travellers to seek medical advice at least eight weeks prior to departure.
What are the safest destinations for an African safari?
Your safety is our utmost priority, and we recommend family-friendly safari destinations based on their suitability for travel with children. Tanzania, and Kenya are excellent choices.
We only work with tried-and-tested safari lodges, and you will always be accompanied by a professional guide or member of staff.