The Best African Safari Campsites for Families with Kids
A family safari is one of the most exciting and educational adventures you can embark on with your children. It offers a chance to introduce young explorers to the wonders of the wild, from towering elephants to playful lion cubs, all within breathtaking landscapes. However, not all safari camps are designed with families in mind. The best ones offer kid-friendly activities, guided wildlife experiences, and accommodations that ensure both safety and comfort.
If you’re planning a safari with kids, choosing the right campsite is crucial. These top African safari campsites provide a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and family-friendly experiences.
1. Somalisa Acacia – Zimbabwe
A Luxury Family Safari in the Heart of Hwange
Why It’s Perfect for Families
Somalisa Acacia, located in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, is tailor-made for families. This intimate camp offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, along with special activities designed for children. With a dedicated team of guides and staff who cater specifically to young guests, kids can enjoy an interactive and educational safari experience.
Experiences and Activities
Ngwana Club – A unique program that teaches children about wildlife tracking, bush survival skills, and conservation
Kid-Friendly Game Drives – Shorter, more engaging safaris designed with young explorers in mind
Close-Up Wildlife Encounters – Watch elephants gather at the waterhole just a few meters from the camp.
Best Time to Visit
June to October is the dry season when wildlife sightings are at their best.
2. Mara Bush Houses – Kenya
A Private Safari Escape in the Maasai Mara
Why It’s Perfect for Families
Mara Bush Houses offer a fully private safari experience, making them an excellent choice for families who prefer exclusivity and flexibility. Each house comes with a private guide, vehicle, and chef, allowing you to tailor your safari schedule to fit your family’s needs.
Experiences and Activities
Guided Nature Walks – Learn about Maasai culture and the smaller creatures of the bush
Private Game Drives – Spot the Big Five at your own pace without large groups
Hands-On Wildlife Education – Kids can try tracking animal footprints and identifying bird calls
Best Time to Visit
July to October is the best time to witness the Great Migration.
3. Madikwe Safari Lodge – South Africa
A Malaria-Free Family Adventure
Why It’s Perfect for Families
Located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, this lodge is an excellent choice for families with young children. The lodge offers spacious accommodations, a kid-friendly pool, and engaging safari activities designed to keep little ones entertained while adults enjoy game viewing.
Experiences and Activities
Eco-Ranger Program – Hands-on conservation activities designed specifically for kids
Junior Tracking Lessons – Learn how to identify animal tracks and signs in the bush
Outdoor Movie Nights – Relax under the stars with a family-friendly film after a day of adventure
Best Time to Visit
May to September offers excellent wildlife viewing, with dry conditions making it easier to spot animals.
4. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp – Kenya
A Conservation-Focused Safari Experience
Why It’s Perfect for Families
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, located in Kenya’s Laikipia region, is ideal for families who want a more immersive and educational experience. The camp is situated in a conservancy known for its efforts in protecting rhinos and other endangered species.
Experiences and Activities
Visit the Endangered Species Enclosure – See some of the last remaining northern white rhinos in the world.
Junior Ranger Program – Kids can learn how conservationists track and protect wildlife
Night Game Drives – Experience the thrill of spotting nocturnal animals like hyenas and leopards.
Best Time to Visit
June to October and December to March offer ideal weather conditions and excellent wildlife viewing.
5. Chobe Game Lodge – Botswana
A Riverside Safari Perfect for All Ages
Why It’s Perfect for Families
Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent lodge inside Chobe National Park, making it an excellent base for families wanting to explore the famous Chobe River. The lodge offers large family suites, a dedicated children’s program, and game drives that cater to families with young kids.
Experiences and Activities
River Safaris – Spot elephants, hippos, and crocodiles from the comfort of a boat
Eco-Kids Activities – Learn about Botswana’s ecosystems and how they are protected
Boardwalk Wildlife Viewing – Watch animals drink from the river without leaving the lodge.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is the dry season when elephants gather in large numbers along the riverbanks.
6. Makgadikgadi Salt Pans – Botswana
A Unique Desert Safari with Family-Friendly Experiences
Why It’s Perfect for Families
For families looking for something different, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer an unforgettable adventure in a surreal desert landscape. This region provides an opportunity to explore one of Africa’s most remote and extraordinary environments.
Experiences and Activities
Meet the Meerkats – Kids can get up close with habituated meerkats in the wild.
Quad Biking Adventures – Explore the endless white salt flats on thrilling quad bike excursions.
Walk with the San Bushmen – Learn ancient survival skills from one of Africa’s oldest indigenous tribes.
Best Time to Visit
April to October is the dry season when the pans are accessible. November to March offers the chance to see a dramatic transformation as the rains turn the area into a lush, wildlife-rich wetland.
Tips for a Successful Family Safari
A safari with children requires a little extra planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some key tips:
Choose a Malaria-Free Destination – If traveling with young children, consider reserves like Madikwe in South Africa that do not require malaria precautions.
Opt for Family-Friendly Lodges – Some camps have age restrictions, so ensure your chosen lodge welcomes kids.
Keep Safari Activities Engaging – Kids may not have the patience for long game drives, so mix in fun activities like nature walks and cultural experiences.
Pack the Essentials – Bring binoculars, a camera, sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable clothing suitable for all weather conditions.
Encourage Wildlife Journaling – Giving kids a notebook to sketch animals and jot down observations can make the experience even more interactive.
Make Your Family Safari a Reality
A family safari in Africa is more than just a vacation—it’s an adventure that fosters curiosity, appreciation for nature, and unforgettable memories.
Now is the time to start planning. Research your options, book your stay, and get ready for an extraordinary journey into Africa’s wild heart. Your next great adventure is just around the corner!
Questions, thoughts, or travel stories? I’d love to hear them!
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Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
