Luxury Family Safari Holidays in Africa
Experience animals up close in the wild and traverse through sprawling savannas on an action-packed family safari holiday in Africa with Scott Dunn.
- Safe & effortless family safari holidays
- Game drives for all ages
- 24/7 global support
- Award-winning travel experts
African safaris remain one of the most sought-after family holidays, with opportunities for family bonding, intrepid landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences at your fingertips. Whether you’ve been waiting for the right time or just don’t know where to start, we’re here to make your safari effortlessly perfect for your family.
On an African safari, family members of all ages will see a diverse range of wildlife in their natural habitats. The 'big five' roam across private game reserves in South Africa and there are conservation areas across Kenya where visitors can spot white and black rhinoceros and even endemic species like the Grevy's zebra.
From early mornings to late nights, and child-friendly experiences in between, expect meaningful moments throughout with a tailor-made holiday from Scott Dunn.
"A family safari is the perfect opportunity to introduce children to the wonders of Africa in a way that's both educational and exhilarating. Our expert guides help you find and follow various wildlife in their natural environment and every moment is designed to inspire the whole family. You'll want to explore different destinations for a rounded experience – and we can create a tour that helps you do just that!"
Matt Shock, Africa Travel Specialist
Best Family Safaris for Children Aged 5 to 10 Years
East Africa is a very popular choice for those planning a family safari who have children aged 5 to 10. Kenya is perfect for those experiencing their first safari, with many lodges catering to families and honing that perfect familial atmosphere. South Africa is also an excellent choice, with the safari industry well established, providing safe, fun and purposeful environments for little ones to explore in. In both destinations, expect to be led by local experts and properties that have young kids at the front of mind when developing their onsite activities.
Best Family Safaris for Children Aged 10 to 15 Years
Once children enter the pre-teen and teenage stages, lesser-known safari areas become available to families. Swap kids clubs and late-night bug hunting to early morning game drives and cultural experiences with the locals. One of our favorite places is Zimbabwe, where the guides will sit and tell stories around the campfire with the children in the evenings. Combine your family safari with some time at the majestic Victoria Falls and your kids will love all the activities on offer. Alternatively, head to Botswana, which also offers a range of thrilling experiences. Along with views of rarer species like the brown hyena, you can get up close to meerkats and quad-bike through the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
Best Family Safaris for Children Aged Over 16 Years
For families with older children, you can really head off the beaten track and experience some of Africa's wildest and most remote corners! Experience walking safaris in Zambia led by some of Africa's top guides, go on a canoe trail in the Linyanti and get close to the animals, or even go on a gorilla-spotting trek in Rwanda.
What Our Guests Have Said
Luxury Family Safari Holidays FAQs
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Game drives typically require silence and sitting still while cruising through the bush, therefore we don’t recommend your typical game drive until your children are older.
However, many lodges have curated kid-friendly safaris or offer kids clubs while parents enjoy an early morning or evening game drive.
Get in touch with our specialists where we’ll get to know your family before pairing you with the best lodge for you and your little ones. Then, all you have to do is sit back and make memories together.
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For the full safari experience, timing is everything. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season between April and October, when game viewing is likely to be successful; however, some countries' drier periods fall at different points within this timeframe.
We can help you plan your family safari holiday according to the best months for game viewing when you book.
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As well as knowing the best time of year to go, it's important to be aware of the park regulations. There will be rules to follow to keep you and the wildlife safe, and your local guides will be on hand to talk you through them.
Also, staying at a park or conservation area is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the experience. We've handpicked several locations that are designed with families in mind.
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There's a diverse range of wildlife that you can expect to see on a safari in Africa and the animals you see will often depend on where you go. However, you may spot the big five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo), as well as zebras, gorillas and meerkats.
Your guides will take you out at optimal times when you're most likely to see these creatures.
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Absolutely! In fact, at Scott Dunn, we encourage you to travel to more than one location wherever possible as this gives you and your children an all-encompassing experience. Our favourite pairing is a safari and beach holiday, where after a week on a camp, where schedules can feel full-on and high-energy, you fly to Tanzania or the Seychelles for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
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Kenya is arguably the best place for a family safari, as many of the lodges here keep families front of mind and it’s the ideal location for first-timers. South Africa is also an ideal location with its developed safari scene and range of family-friendly holiday types.
However, if there’s a specific destination you have in mind, get in touch and our travel specialists will help advise and curate the best family holiday for you.

Contact our travel specialists to book your tour or to discover more about our range of luxury African safaris.
Why Scott Dunn?

Unique to You

- We listen to your travel goals and craft unique trips that are bespoke to you.
- We’re with you every step of your life’s travel journey, from honeymoons to family trips and beyond.

Seamless Service

- Global offices in the UK, US, and Singapore for 24/7 seamless service.
- We offer flexibility if your plans change so you can book with confidence and peace of mind.

Carefully Curated Collection

- We’ve curated an elevated collection of accommodation, experiences, and guides.
- Committed to fostering close global relationships to continue bringing you unique experiences.

Luxury in Every Sense

- We deliver a sense of luxury that matters most to you.
- Awarded Condé Nast Traveller’s Top Travel Specialists in the World 12 years in a row.
Call us on 212 372 7009 to start planning your holiday