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Families

A family safari holiday in Africa is one of the most rewarding trips you can take together – combining extraordinary wildlife, time outdoors, and space to slow down as a family.

At Safari & Beach, we design family safaris that are carefully tailored around your children’s ages, your pace of travel, and the right balance of safari and beach time. From your first enquiry, we guide you through what works best – where to go, when to travel, and how to make the experience seamless and enjoyable for everyone.

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Additional Information

Why choose a family safari holiday?

A safari offers something few other holidays can.

Days are shaped by the rhythm of nature, with time spent exploring together, learning, and experiencing wildlife up close.

For families, it works particularly well because:

  • days are active, engaging and varied
  • experiences are shared, creating lasting memories
  • lodges are welcoming, relaxed and often set up for children
  • itineraries can be tailored to suit different ages and energy levels
When combined with a beach stay, it also offers the perfect balance of adventure and downtime.

Are safari holidays suitable for families?

Yes – when designed properly.

The key to a successful family safari is choosing the right destinations, lodges and pace of travel. Some areas are better suited to younger children, while others work best for older families looking for a more adventurous experience.

We help you plan:

  • suitable travel times and flight routes
  • the right length of stay in each location
  • lodges that welcome children and offer flexible activities
  • private vehicles or guides where needed
  • a pace that feels comfortable, not rushed

Best family safari

Destinations in Africa

Tanzania
Best for: classic safari + Zanzibar beach Tanzania offers iconic wildlife experiences in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, making it a strong choice for first-time safari families. It combines particularly well with Zanzibar for a relaxed beach ending.
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Kenya
Best for: variety and excellent guiding Kenya is well suited to families, with diverse landscapes and some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. The Maasai Mara is a highlight, and coastal extensions are easily added.
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South Africa
Best for: younger children and ease of travel South Africa is often an easy option for families, with shorter travel distances, malaria-free reserves, and a wide range of family-friendly lodges.
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Zambia
Best for: older children and quieter experiences Zambia offers a more immersive safari, often with fewer crowds. It works best for families with older children who enjoy a slightly more adventurous pace.
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Botswana
Best for: exclusivity and unique landscapes Botswana is exceptional but typically better suited to older families due to travel logistics and lodge style.
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Namibia
Best for: scenery and self-drive adventures Namibia offers something different, with dramatic landscapes and a more independent style of travel that suits confident, active families.
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What is the best age for a family safari?

There is no single “right” age, but most safaris work best from around age 6–8 upwards.

Younger children:

best suited to South Africa or lodges with flexible programmes

Ages 8–12:

ideal for most classic safari routes

Teenagers:

well suited to more adventurous itineraries such as Tanzania and Kenya
We always match the itinerary to your children’s ages, interests and travel experience.

Family safari and beach holidays

Combining safari with the beach works exceptionally well for families.

After early mornings and active days on safari, a few days by the coast offers time to relax and unwind. Popular combinations include:

Tanzania + Zanzibar

Kenya + Diani Beach

South Africa + Mauritius or Mozambique

We help you balance the trip so it feels seamless, not rushed, with enough time in each location.

When to travel

Family safaris are often planned around school holidays, so early booking is important – particularly for peak periods.

  • Summer holidays (July–August): excellent for East Africa and the Great Migration
  • October half term: a strong time for many destinations
  • Christmas holidays: popular, with good weather in many regions
  • Easter: a good shoulder-season option depending on destination
We will guide you on the best options based on your dates and priorities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Are family safaris safe?
Yes. With the right planning, family safaris are very safe. We recommend destinations, lodges and activities that are well suited to travelling with children, and guide you on what to expect at each stage of the journey.
Q: How long should a family safari holiday be?
Most family trips are between 8 and 12 nights. This usually allows for:
  • a well-paced safari experience
  • time to settle into each location
  • an optional beach extension
We design itineraries that feel comfortable rather than rushed.
Q: Do we need a private vehicle or guide?
Not always, but for families it can be a great option. A private vehicle offers:
  • flexibility around timings
  • the ability to tailor game drives
  • a more relaxed experience with children
We’ll advise whether it’s worthwhile for your itinerary.
Q: Can the trip be tailored to our family?
Always. Every Safari & Beach trip is designed around:
  • your children’s ages
  • your travel dates
  • your preferred pace
  • the balance of safari and beach
No two family trips are the same.

Why Choose Us?

Plan an unforgettable trip with our support, knowledge and holiday protection throughout the journey.

KNOWLEDGE&EXPERTISE

We believe our knowledge of Africa is unrivalled and our expertise in creating bespoke itineraries makes our holidays one of a lifetime.

LUXURY&VALUE

We seek to optimise luxury and enjoyment by keeping our costs low and your value high. We offer a price guarantee on all our holidays.

CARE&PROTECTION

Safari & Beach is a fully bonded UK tour operator, ATOL 10103. Your safety and security is vital and we are always at the end of a phone if needs be.

All Accommodations

Take a look through all the accommodations to find the perfect place for you.

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Read our testimonials

When you book a holiday like this you know it’s going to be early starts and early nights, and on the go Inbetween. It is the most rewarding experience, and the mix of luxury and tented accommodation makes you appreciate both, the consistent is the level of service from all staff, and their inherent friendliness was an added bonus.

Morag Bennett

We’ve had an unforgettable holiday experience. James put together a really well thought out itinerary, customised to our particular family and based on in-depth knowledge and understanding of the country, the people and the accommodation. The travel tips were detailed and invaluable.

Wendy

Serengeti was extraordinary, in particular the south but also the central part, and we’re glad to have visited Ngorongoro as well. Good service and excellent food. All flights and pickups worked perfectly. Thank you so much for preparing our trip.

Hallvard, Kristin, Derek, Tanguy, Sigrun, Leon, Lucas and Eskil

Sand Rivers was amazing – such a beautiful spot. Accommodation was great! Hillside villas just wonderful – all open air and you feel so close to nature. There was a relief manager (Sasha) whilst we were there – he was great, really made us feel at home and was always around to check we were OK and offer a drink!!

Jo Holmes

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