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Family Safaris in Africa
Let the kids live and learn at Chichele Presidential in South Luangwa National Park
Family-friendly Safari
Wild adventures. Shared experiences. Memories that last a lifetime
A family safari in Africa is so much more than a holiday. It is the excitement of seeing your first elephant together, watching your children discover the wonders of the natural world, and sharing experiences that become part of your family’s story forever.
At Mopani Safaris, we create a tailor-made African family safari around you. We take into account your children’s ages, your family’s interests, the pace you prefer and the experiences you want to share; from unforgettable wildlife encounters and private game drives to walking, boating, conservation and cultural experiences.
Our job is to find the places that work beautifully for families, from welcoming lodges with dedicated children’s programmes to private safari houses where you can enjoy the freedom of travelling at your own pace. Every family is different. A safari with children should be too.
Tell us a little about your family, where you'd like to go and what you'd love to experience. We'll take care of the rest.
Where to go on a family safari in Africa
There is no single best African safari destination for every family. The right choice depends on the ages of your children, the time of year you travel and the kind of family safari holiday you’re looking for. We know the camps and lodges that genuinely work for families. And can match the right destination and style of safari to yours.
Family Safaris designed around your children
One of the most important parts of planning a family safari is choosing the right family safari camps.
Age restrictions, family accommodation, private vehicles, activity options and the style of guiding can make a huge difference to your experience. That’s where our knowledge matters.
We carefully select camps and lodges where families are genuinely welcomed and where the safari experience can be adapted to suit different ages.
Travelling with younger children?
We can look for family-friendly accommodation, shorter and flexible game drives, children’s activities and, where appropriate, malaria-free safari areas.
Travelling with teenagers?
Older children often love the more adventurous side of safari with adventures including walking, boating, fishing, photography, conservation and learning practical bush skills.
Planning a multi-generational safari?
Private safari houses, villas and exclusive-use camps can give grandparents, parents and children the space and flexibility to enjoy Africa together.
Our favourite family safari camps
We don’t simply choose camps because they say they are “family friendly”. We look at what they actually offer. From family accommodation and age policies to private vehicles, children’s programmes, guiding and the activities available.
Some of our favourites include:
Riverdene Family Lodge, South Africa
An excellent option for younger families, with family accommodation, private safari vehicles and dedicated children’s activities at Shamwari... explore
Linyanti Ebony, Botswana
A wonderfully intimate choice for families seeking privacy, with a dedicated two-bedroom family suite and child-specialist guides... explore
Mkombe’s House, Tanzania
A completely private safari home in the Serengeti, particularly appealing to families and multi-generational groups who want their own space, private guide and vehicle... explore
Expeditions Camp, Botswana
An adventurous Okavango Delta option for families with children aged six and over, combining classic game drives with mokoro and boating experiences... explore
Somalisa Acacia, Zimbabwe
Designed specifically with families in mind, with family suites, child-specialist guides and activities created to engage younger travellers... explore
Saruni Mara, Kenya
A beautiful option for families with children aged five and over, with a dedicated family villa and activities designed for younger guests... explore
View all our family-friendly camps & lodges
Ant Africa Safaris
Adult from £
Child from £
What makes a safari camp family-friendly?
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Family tents and interconnecting rooms
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Swimming pools
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Flexible meal times
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Child-friendly safari & guides
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Private vehicles
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Activities suitable for different ages
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Babysitting or childcare where available
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Family discounts and special offers
Things to do on a family safari in Africa
Safari doesn’t have to mean sitting quietly in a vehicle all day.
For children, some of the most memorable moments can happen when they are able to get involved, explore and learn.
Depending on your destination and the age of your children, your family safari could include:
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Junior ranger programmes
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Wildlife tracking
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Birdwatching
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Photography
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Fishing
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Cultural experiences
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Bush breakfasts and dinners
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Storytelling around the campfire
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Arts, crafts and cooking
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Horse riding in selected destinations
We can build your itinerary around the things your family will actually enjoy.
Will my children enjoy a safari?
Absolutely. A well-planned family safari is an incredible experience for children. Game drives become real-life adventures, while activities such as bush walks, tracking, fishing, boating, cultural experiences and visits to conservation projects can keep younger travellers engaged beyond traditional game viewing.
We carefully select camps and lodges that are welcoming to families and consider age restrictions, activities, room configurations and private vehicle options when designing your itinerary.
Why a private safari vehicle makes all the difference
Travelling with your own private vehicle and guide gives your family the freedom to set the pace. Want to spend longer watching elephants? No problem. Need to head back to camp for an afternoon swim? Your itinerary can adapt around you. It also means you don't have to worry about keeping other guests happy - particularly useful when travelling with younger children.
What's the best time for a family safari?
The best time for a family safari depends on where you want to go.
The dry season can offer excellent wildlife viewing in many destinations, while greener months can bring fewer visitors, lush landscapes and attractive rates. School holidays, weather, wildlife movements and the ages of your children all need to be considered.
Rather than recommending one “best” month for everyone, we’ll help you find the destination that works best for your family’s dates.
Let's start planning your family adventure
Every family is different, which is why we don't believe in one-size-fits-all safari packages. Tell us about your family, the ages of your children, when you'd like to travel and what you'd love to experience, and we'll start creating ideas around you.
Your African adventure starts with a conversation.
Or fill out our family-safari enquiry form here:
