Family-friendly safaris across Africa - A Luxury Travel Blog

Travelling on safari with your family in tow can seem daunting, but it certainly doesn’t mean you have to compromise of where you go, or on your comfort, space or style. Across Africa, a growing number of lodges and camps are designing accommodation that works beautifully for parents travelling with children, as well as for multi-generational groups who want privacy, flexibility and the perfect location where they can make and share memorable experiences.

From exclusive-use safari homes in Botswana to interlinked family suites in the Serengeti and spacious safari villas in Zambia’s South Luangwa, these properties combine thoughtful design with practical family-friendly features and activities to tick all boxes for all ages. Here are a few of Umlingo‘s personal favourites…

Mara Bushtops, Masai Mara, Kenya

Mara Bushtops is one of the best family friendly lodges in the Masai Mara thanks to its dedicated two-bedroom family suites. Their Leopard and Rhino suites are connected by a central lounge, giving families both ample space to be together but with a lot of privacy too, while separate bathrooms and the option for extra beds make them especially practical for larger families, with a set rate per night per tent rather than per person, accommodating up to five guests.

Each suite comes with a 100m2 private deck with hot tub and views over the salt lick which ensures a steady flow of wildlife before you even set foot in a vehicle. One of the best reasons to book Bushtops for families is that every booking gets its own sole-use game vehicle, guide and spotter for exclusive use during your stay at no additional charge (worth USD 400 per day), meaning your game drives can be tailored to your specific times, durations and needs and you don’t have any other guests to worry about on your safaris.

Another real win is that children aged seven and up staying in the normal tents qualify for reduced child rates right up until the age of 18 rather than the usual 12+ cut off.

There is also a pool with a view at the main lodge to enjoy between game drives – and an award-winning Amani Spa where parents can unwind whilst their children are cared for by the staff. Children do need to be aged 7 and up.

Bushtops’ Bushcraft Challenge introduces guests, both young and old, to local Maasai traditions and culture including bead-making, Swahili donut baking, teaches basic survival skills (tracking spoor, making a fire with sticks, archery and spear throwing etc) as well as the importance of conservation and local flora & fauna … hopefully inspiring the next generation of conservationists and safari fans.

With luxury dining, in-suite comfort, and a highly personalised service style, Mara Bushtops is ideal for families wanting a refined safari experience.

Warangi Ridge, Serengeti, Tanzania

Warangi Ridge is a fairly new luxury safari camp which launched in September 2025, beautifully designed by Les Harbottle, with pangolin-inspired safari tents spread out around a beautiful rocky outcrop in the central Serengeti where the main lodge enjoys a bird’s eye view over the savanna grasslands.

Warangi Ridge offers a wonderful, intimate experience for a family safari in Tanzania with a special standout two-bedroom family suite which has been created by linking two tents with a central lounge area. This works really well for families of up to 5 who want the authenticity of tented safari accommodation without sacrificing space, style or comfort. Each tent has its own private plunge pool on its deck, with sweeping Serengeti views. A golf cart transfers families safely to their suite.

The main lodge has wonderful facilities with the views being the key highlight, and one of the largest, most fabulous infinity rock pools I have ever seen. There is also a gym, yoga and meditation deck, gift shop, library and bar – with a new “spa and wellness” concept due to launch soon. Because of its location in a restricted-access section of the Serengeti, Warangi Ridge is a great base for families to really reconnect away from the crowds.

Rates for the family suite (up to 5 pax) start from $2.200,00 Full Board per night in low season.
Children aged 5 – 15 pay 25% if sharing with at least one adult in one of the normal suites.

Kolokolo Safari House and Mashatu Lodge, Botswana

Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana is an ideal destination for families looking for an upmarket, private safari in a large wilderness area with plenty of flexibility.

The range of activities on offer here is really appealing for families, including guided day and night game drives, walking safaris, cycling, cultural visits and you can even combine a stay with horse-riding safaris. A family-friendly session can also be booked at the famous Matebole Hide, which now has improved access.

Kolokolo Safari House is a fabulous exclusive-use option for larger or multi-generational families as it runs as your “private home from home” in the wild, with four en-suite bedrooms and generous shared living spaces – giving you absolute privacy and flexibility. It comes with a private chef, outdoor braai and boma area, dedicated game viewing vehicle and guide and reservoir swimming pool overlooking the Limpopo River.

Mashatu also has two other 4-star safari lodges that are well equipped for families including Mashatu Lodge and Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu. Mashatu Lodge comprises 14 luxury suites (sleep 4 in a double, single and day bed), a discovery room and two large swimming pools, whilst Tuli offers 8 luxury tented suites, extensive gardens, stargazing deck, waterhole, hide and fabulous rock pool.

They have some fabulous family Green Season offers including
– One child under 12 stays free when sharing a room with their parents at Mashatu Lodge and Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu.
– Children stay half price: Two children staying in a separate room (children under the age of 12 pay half the children’s rate. Children over the age of 12 pay half the adult rate).
– Safari Homes Pay for 2, Stay for 3: Book an exclusive-use safari homes (up to 8 people), and enjoy your third night for free.

The Green season runs from 1 October to 31 January 2027 and is a great time to travel for families, after the first summer rains, with fantastic sightings of baby animals in birthing season and lush green landscapes with golden carpets of yellow devil thorn flowers.

Mashatu is an easy 6-hour self-drive or private road transfer from Johannesburg via Pont Drift Border Post, or a 90-minute flight from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg to Limpopo Valley Airfield which is a private international airport located right within the reserve.

Everything you need to plan your trip in 2026

Carmine’s River Lodge, South Luangwa, Zambia

Zambia is a great destination for families as it offers a very personal, authentic and unhurried experience. South Luangwa offers a fabulous mix of wildlife viewing, scenery, and down time – and, for families with older children, its acclaimed walking safaris.

Carmine’s River Lodge, when it launches in July 2026, will be especially family-friendly in both its layout and facilities. Its three expansive, two-bedroom lagoon facing Villas will be well suited to families, with each boasting its own deck and private plunge pool. The air-conditioned bedrooms include freestanding baths and infinity showers, with one villa thoughtfully designed for guests with mobility challenges, making it ideal for multigenerational families. Fully solar-powered, the lodge offers a calm, private stay in close harmony with its natural surroundings.

The central guest areas offer a choice of indoor and outdoor dining, a bar, a wine room, a boutique, a gym, a media room/photographic studio and spa treatments. The lodges will offer a Little Rangers programme including traditional African games, plant identification walks led by a guide within camp, big chef little chef experience classes, lawn games including mini golf, puzzles and board games, story time beside the fireplace with s’mors and babysitting is also available.

With a dedicated vehicle for each Villa, the option to personally tailor your safaris around your own family’s individual needs is priceless.

Mozhi Bush Camp, Kafue, Zambia

Mozhi Bush Camp in Zambia’s famous Kafue National Park offers an authentic bush-camp style family stay, while still providing the space and structure families need. Its two-bedroom Mozhi Family Unit is a haven of comfort and connection within the heart of nature, including a shared lounge and living space, two ensuite bathrooms and a private deck, making it a practical choice for smaller families.

A private deck or veranda offers an ideal spot to sip your morning coffee or wind down with a sundowner, while the surrounding vistas invite you to bask in the beauty of Kafue National Park.

The appeal at Mozhi lies in the balance between rustic charm and comfort. Families can enjoy a true safari atmosphere while still having enough room to relax together. Activities include guided game drives and boat cruises along the Lufupa River. Shearzone Safaris also has its own privately operated fleet of Cessna aircraft so families can be assured of speedy, seamless connections for their safaris.

Nsele Game Reserve, South Africa

Nsele Private Game Reserve is an 8,000-acre estate within South Africa‘s breathtaking Waterberg biosphere, just 2.5 hours’ drive north of Johannesburg. It is in a malaria free area so is ideal for families with young children.

Nsele is a family-owned lodge and is booked on an exclusive use basis as your very own “home-from-home” in the bush, which sleeps up to 12 adults in 6 double rooms plus up to 6 children in two children’s bunk rooms. Expect beautiful interiors, beautiful bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (two rooms have a choice of both indoor and outdoor bathrooms) and far-reaching views over the plains below that will literally take your breath away.

There is a rich tapestry of wildlife on the reserve, from exotic antelope, wildebeest, hippo, giraffe, warthog, zebra, ostrich, jackals, vervet monkeys and baboons. During a moonlit game drive, you may even spot wild dogs, hyenas, porcupines and honey badgers. Bird life is also exceptional.

Because there are no major predators at the reserve, it is relatively safe to explore on foot with Nsele’s experienced guides Mei and Neil. Your activities are completely at your own leisure and pace – be it exploring on horseback (there is a stable of 10 horses offering riding for all levels of experience), mountain bikes and quad bikes (50km of sandy tracks) – or you can opt to enjoy some bass, barbel and tilapia fishing. Guided game drives and bush walks are of course available at your leisure. Helicopter tours can also be booked.

The lodge itself feels like a proper high-end family home, with a large living room, dining area, fully stocked bar, cosy fireplace, TV room, library, heated infinity pool and outdoor deck. There’s even a grand piano for more musical guests!

Every element of this exclusive lodge is tailored specifically to your family’s individual needs, with the dedicated staff on hand to ensure your stay is unforgettable – including a private chef who designs the menus each day to your particular tastes. Their all-inclusive rates are from £650 per adult per night and £450 per child (5-11 years) per night. Under 5s stay free.

Onguma Nature Reserve, Namibia

Onguma Nature Reserve is a family-owned private wilderness area on the eastern fringe of Namibia’s iconic Etosha National Park. It is the perfect base for families wanting to explore Etosha’s famous salt pans, but also still have the facilities and flexibility of a private reserve.

Expect excellent game viewing, including plains game, more than 300 bird species, and four of the Big Five (no buffalo) including lion, leopard, elephant and both black and white rhino.

Onguma has two family-friendly camps, Bush Camp and Forest Camp, which are both mostly fenced for added peace of mind, but which still allow wildlife to come right up close to the central dining area and lounge at the watering holes so that the wildlife comes to you.

Onguma Bush Camp has 3 lovely loft rooms and 3 family rooms where children enjoy their own sleeping area – giving families space to be together but also that welcome bit of privacy. The camp’s wider facilities include a pool, waterhole views, Wi-Fi, and a children’s activity/ games area.

Onguma Forest Camp offer just 11 thatched bungalows and is also beautifully laid out with the boma, dining area, lounge and pool overlooking a watering hole that ensures a constant flow of wildlife.

Children 3 – 11 pay child rates of 50% and under 3’s stay free.

Both camps also offer a Young Explorers Walk interpretive walk around Onguma Bush Camp – empowering youngsters with bird, tree and insect identification skills. Some activities do have age limits, for example children under 7 are not permitted on game drives unless you hire a vehicle for exclusive use, and children under 16 are not allowed on bush walks.

Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa

Tembe Elephant Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal is home to a fabulous community-owned and run game lodge within a proclaimed Big 5 game reserve, known for its indigenous elephants with huge tusks.

Nestled in a rare and beautiful sand forest ecosystem, Tembe Lodge lies at the heart of unspoiled wilderness, offering an authentic and deeply meaningful safari experience. Accommodation comprises 20 luxury safari tents, thoughtfully designed for privacy and comfort, including air-conditioning, fans, ensuite bathrooms with outdoor showers and private decks with camping chairs for those early morning coffees.

There are seven Tusker Suites furnished with two ¾ beds (which can be joined), with space for 1 additional single bed so they sleep 3 in total. There are also six Family Units which are larger and sleep up to five people per night, with two queen-size beds and space for two extra single beds. The inside bathroom has a basin, toilet and dressing area, plus ach suite has a private outdoor shower.

Families can enjoy two guided game drives on open vehicles with expert local guides. The Mahlasela Hide is a great place for a comfort break mid game drive, with good ablution facilities and a raised hide overlooking a busy watering hole where elephants come to swim and mud bath – and a steady stream of wildlife that comes down to drink. My boys loved it!

Rates at Tembe are very reasonable and family friendly, starting from just 160 USD / pp sharing per night in low season including all meals, two daily guided game drives and transfers to and from the hide during the day. Children 12 and under pay 50%.

The Northern Drakensberg, South Africa

The Northern Drakensberg is a great “free range” destination for multigenerational families looking to reconnect with Nature and each other. The dramatic mountain scenery of the Maloti-Drakensberg World Heritage Site, the Royal Natal National Park and the Amphitheatre, combined with a plethora of outdoor activities and family-friendly accommodation makes for a winning combination that keeps families coming back year after year – hence its motto of “Many Happy Returns”.

The Berg is especially good for families who enjoy nature, short walks, wild swimming in waterfalls, spotting wildlife, fishing, mountain biking, horse riding and wide-open spaces. There’s also nearby All Out Adventures for tweens and teens looking for an adrenaline rush!

The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa, Sungubala Eco Camp and Montusi Mountain Lodge offer a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets under the family banner of The Carte Collection.

The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa offers a real buzz with plenty of fun activities and facilities for families all set in vibrant gardens with breathtaking views over the valley. It is fully catered with buffets and a set menu with choices as well as a children’s menu and dining times for under 7s. There’s a playroom staffed with nannies, safe and exciting playgrounds and a range of educational games and fun activities. There are various options for families from rooms that sleep 3 to interleading rooms, as well as a two bedroomed Superior Family Rooms and Superior Family Suites with shared lounges.

Sungubala Eco Camp provides an authentic, rugged and eco-friendly, self-catering option for families on a tighter budget – geared for enchanting evenings around campfires under starlit skies overlooking the Sungubala Valley.

Montusi Mountain Lodge rounds out the list with its individual two-bedroom family cottages surrounded by private gardens, which sleep up to four adults and includes two en-suite bathrooms, a lounge, a fireplace, and a private patio. The layout of Montusi is especially appealing for families who want that extra bit of privacy and space to spread out without losing the cosy feel of a mountain retreat. Its also has a pool, spa, tennis court, laundry service and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Family fun for everyone

For families planning an African adventure, getting the right mix of luxury, flexibility, activity and down time, whilst also ensuring that authentic sense of place can be challenging – but whatever your style or budget, Africa promises to be a memorable holiday that will leave you wanting more! These above are just a few of my favourites. What are yours? Please share in the comments.

Claire Roadley

Claire Roadley is Founder of Umlingo. Umlingo promotes authentic, sustainable hotels and safari eco lodges across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.