Experience animals up close in their natural habitat, traversing through the sprawling savannas of Kenya or the misty mountains of Rwanda, on a tailor-made, luxury African safari for families.
African safaris remain one of the most sought-after family adventures, offering unparalleled opportunities for family bonding, intrepid landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. Whether you've been waiting for the right time or simply don't know where to start, we're here to make your safari effortlessly perfect for your family, with every detail handled to ensure safe and seamless travel.
A family safari is more than just a holiday; it's an educational adventure where children of all ages can witness the 'big five' roaming across private game reserves in South Africa, spot white and black rhinoceros in Kenya's conservation areas, and discover endemic species like the Grevy's zebra in their natural habitats. These expertly curated family experiences create meaningful connections with nature while fostering curiosity, respect for wildlife, and memories that last a lifetime, all in a safe, age-appropriate environment designed for families.
From early morning game drives to child-friendly bush walks and sunset experiences, expect meaningful moments at every turn with a tailor-made family adventure abroad from Scott Dunn.
Our dedicated safari specialists bring years of first-hand knowledge and insider expertise to design a bespoke itinerary that matches your family's interests, pace and needs. Whether you're travelling with curious toddlers, adventurous teens, or a multi-generational group, we'll recommend the perfect lodges, the most rewarding wildlife experiences, and the ideal balance of excitement and relaxation. From your first conversation to your return home, we handle every detail so you can focus on what matters most.
"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!"
Tom Turner, Africa Travel Specialist
For the best family safari holidays, East Africa is a very popular choice for those with children aged 5 to 10, with Kenya and South Africa’s safari industry well established, providing safe, fun and purposeful environments for little ones to explore.
Once children enter the preteen and teenage stages, lesser-known safari areas become available to families. One of our favourite places is Zimbabwe, paired with some time at the majestic Victoria Falls. Alternatively, head to Botswana, which also offers views of rarer species like the brown hyena and meerkats.
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 or even go on a gorilla-spotting trek in Rwanda.
Kenya
One of the best destinations for family safaris, Kenya’s established safari industry and renowned conservation mean once-in-a-lifetime sightings for your family adventure.
South Africa
Choose from incredible private game reserves in South Africa, with the Marakele National Park offering unparalleled White Rhino sightings and the Kalahari’s majestic lions.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a place of magic, where guides sit and tell stories around the campfire with children in the evenings, and family safaris are paired with activities your kids will love.
Botswana
Along with rare wildlife, Botswana offers a range of thrilling experiences, like quad-biking through the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
Zambia
Wild walking safaris are an absolute highlight of Zambia, along with canoe trail experiences in the Linyanti, where you can get up close to the animals.
Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the most exclusive and intrepid safari destinations in Africa, with limited safari permits granted each year, but with us handling the logistics, it’s well worth the time for the chance to stay at the One&Only's Gorilla’s nest.
Whether it's your first time going on safari and you want to prioritise seeing the impressive ‘big five’, or you’re looking to unwind at the end of your high-octane stay with a sandy beach escape on Africa's lush coast, there’s a range of safari holidays to take. Explore the different ways your family safari holiday could look.
Browse our curated collection of lodges and example safari tours in Africa. As our holidays are tailor-made, these itineraries are just the first step in crafting your dream escape. They’ll help show you what to expect on your safari, and when you’re ready to enquire, we’ll start the work of shaping the itinerary to your family's needs and wants for the perfect holiday.
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park, Madikwe and the northwest, South Africa
Kenya with Kids
Masai Mara & Diani Beach
SGD $13,300 pp
South Africa with Kids
Madikwe and Mauritius
SGD $8,400 pp
Family Fun in Uganda and Kenya
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest & Maasai Mara
SGD $22,400 pp
Family Fun in Namibia
Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha, Okonjima
SGD $10,200 pp
Family Fun in Tanzania
Selous, Stone Town & Zanzibar Beach
SGD $13,500 pp
Family Fun in Botswana
Makgadikgadi Pans, Linyanti & Victoria Falls
SGD $19,200 pp
Family Fun in Kenya
Lewa Conservancy, Masai Mara and Diani Beach
SGD $16,200 pp
Family Fun in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, Mana Pools & Hwange
SGD $9,600 pp
Family Fun in Malawi
Liwonde, Nyika & Lake Malawi
SGD $17,800 pp
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
South Africa is the most popular malaria-free safari destination, and we recommend for families looking for a malaria-free safaris. Many of its reserves, like the Madikwe Game Reserve and those in the Eastern Cape, are malaria-free, giving families plenty of options to choose from.
Yes, many of our suggested lodges offer junior ranger programmes that are perfect for keeping little ones entertained and educated, while adults can go on early morning or late-night game drives without worry.
Get in touch, and we’ll help find the best lodge and childcare for you.
To start planning your trip, fill out our online enquiry form or call us on the number below. From there, we’ll set up a discovery call where we get to learn about you and your family and start building your perfect family safari in Africa.
Contact our travel specialists to book your tour or to discover more about our range of luxury African safaris.
Call us on +65 6028 0820 to start planning
