6 Safari Lodges That Have Children’s Programmes in South Africa

Planning a family safari holiday in South Africa can feel like a balancing act. You want the awe-inspiring majesty of the African bush, but you also need to know that your little ones will be safe, entertained, and – dare we say it – actually learning something!

Finding safari lodges that have children’s programmes in South Africa is the secret to a great family safari with kids.

In South Africa, the word “family-friendly” goes far beyond just providing a couple of high chairs. It’s all about the experience. An educational safari for children includes dedicated child-friendly safari lodges, family-friendly game drives, and specialised children’s programmes.

So, in your search for the best kid-friendly safaris in South Africa, we’ve rounded up six of the top lodges that have children’s programmes to keep little ones entertained.

1. Londolozi Varty Camp and Londolozi Founders Camp

Located on the majestic Sand River in the middle of the iconic Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Londolozi is a world leader in luxury safaris. They are renowned for their conservation work with leopards as well as their expert rangers and trackers.

In addition to their incredible conservation work, Londolozi also offers an exceptional educational safari for children with the Londolozi Cubs Programme.

The specially curated Londolozi Cubs Programme was created to ensure that every day spent in the bush is fun for the whole family. At the end of each day, the kids can spend some time in the Cubs Den, where they can become “young rangers” and are taught about the vital role they play in conservation.

There are fish ponds, campout tents, and even an educational centre. So there’s plenty of opportunity for both education and entertainment.

Children over the age of six are welcome, and with the exceptional family suites – complete with interleading rooms – it’s the perfect place for families. If you’re travelling with children under six, you can still bring them along; the camp accommodates this if you book for exclusive use.

2. Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge (Malaria-Free)

Located just three hours from Cape Town, Sanbona is the ideal malaria-free safari stop on an extended Garden Route itinerary. The spacious family lodge offers a sense of comfort, with interconnected rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, and a child-friendly pool (perfect for downtime after a game drive). So there’s plenty of entertainment and space for the whole family.

Gondwana takes this a step further, though; beyond the comfort of your lodge, your little ones will be well taken care of. Since children under four aren’t permitted on game drives, Sanbona Gondwana Family Lodge offers a host of exciting adventures for little ones, such as:

• Interpretive trail:  A trek through the garden to learn about animals on the reserve, important plants, and more.

• Sanbona Activity Book: An educational interactive book that teaches children about wildlife and conservation.

Beyond this, children are encouraged to participate in arts and crafts, puzzles, and a selection of board games.

3. Shamwari Riverdene (Malaria-Free)

Riverdene might be one of the most family-focused lodges in South Africa, welcoming children of all ages. This fully-fenced lodge features spacious family rooms, safe play areas, and plenty of activities to keep young minds engaged. Each day on safari is a chance to discover the magic of the wild.

The star of the show is undoubtedly their Kids on Safari programme, the heart of which is the Kids on Safari Adventure Centre, offering an exciting host of incredible activities for children. This includes a zipline, rock climbing walls, a treehouse network, a playground, and a maze. Inside, the Kids on Safari Adventure Centre offers a library, arts and crafts activities, a pizza-making class, and even a cookie-decorating activity.

Additionally, a children’s coordinator is available to guide activities, while a babysitting service is offered at an additional cost for children under three years old (who aren’t permitted on game drives). You’ll be able to have your own adventure while the kids are kept safe and entertained.

4. Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is a legend when it comes to child-friendly safari lodges in South Africa. It’s a relaxed space for families wanting to soak up an authentic African safari experience. The Elefun Centre is a dedicated activity centre for children between the ages of four and 12.

Kids can enjoy bush-themed “edutainment”, including map reading, animal tracking, bird identification, and even kid-friendly game drives. The outdoor area even features a maze, obstacle course, and jungle gyms.

The lodge itself offers 21 luxurious suites where daybeds convert into comfortable single beds with mosquito curtains and two-bedroom luxury villas that come with a private vehicle and guide.

5. Kambaku Safari Lodge

Located in the Timbavati Private Reserve, Kambaku is a family-owned lodge that treats everyone like royalty. The lodge is famous for its warm, welcoming atmosphere. They offer interleading rooms and beautiful suites. Timbavati is famous for its rare white lions, as well as being a host to the Magnificent Seven: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, and wild dogs.

Expert Insight

“One of my ultimate favourite child-friendly lodges is Kambaku Safari Lodge in the TImbavati reserve. Besides its excellent location in the Kruger, they have different room configurations to suit families. They have a kids' cubs programme and a junior rangers programme. The guides are also excellent with children!”

Chrizaan Troch, Africa Safari Expert

The Kambaku Kubs Programme is incredibly hands-on, tapping into the innate curiosity of children. It can loosely be compared to an African bush version of scouts. It focuses on creativity and nurturing a love of the outdoors.

Activities are broken up over the length of your stay and include crafts and even track identification. At the end of your stay, your kids will even be awarded a junior ranger certificate and merit badges!

6. Madikwe Lelapa (Malaria-Free)

True to its name, which means “family” in Setswana, this lodge is specifically designed to provide a home away from home for travellers of all generations. Located within the 75,000-hectare Madikwe Game Reserve, Lelapa offers a premier malaria-free safari experience where children aren’t just accommodated but are the guests of honour.

At the heart of the child-friendly experience is Lelapa’s Eco House and Kids Safari Club activity programmes. They both offer a range of activities for children, including dung tracking and spoor casting, bush orientation, and baking. Experienced childminders will help the kids enjoy themselves, giving parents time to relax on safari.

Madikwe Lelapa is also one of the few lodges that welcomes children of all ages. Their approach to game drives is flexible to ensure safety and engagement. Family game drives are shorter and tailored for children as young as two years old. Their specialised “Bumble Drives” are short excursions with children, specifically targeting the youngest children, to track wildlife close to the lodge.

The lodge itself features 12 spacious suites, including dedicated family suites that come with a second bedroom featuring bunk beds. Each suite boasts its own private plunge pool, allowing children to splash around while overlooking the reserve. To make things even easier for parents, the lodge provides flexible mealtimes with kid-friendly menus and professional babysitting services.

A Note on Malaria: Staying Safe in the Bush

One of the biggest concerns of parents is the risk of malaria. While South Africa is home to world-class safari options in malaria-risk areas, it’s also one of the only countries in Africa that offers completely malaria-free safaris.

Regions like the North West Province (home of Madikwe), Eastern Cape, and Western Cape are naturally free from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and these are the top choices for travellers wishing to avoid malaria medications.

Expert Insight

“For malaria-free, I recommend Madikwe Lelapa. They welcome all children, from babies to teens. They also offer family game drives as well as babysitters!”

Chrizaan Troch, Africa Safari Expert

Regions like the Sabi Sands and Timbavati are considered low-risk, especially during the dry winter months (May to September). While still doable with children, especially as many lodges have dedicated kids’ programmes, it’s still best to consult with a medical professional about antimalarial medication for these areas.

Most luxury lodges in malarial areas provide mosquito nets, screened windows, and repellents. Lodges like Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge and Kambaku Safari Lodge also have excellent safety protocols and access to medical assistance if needed.

Tips for Finding Family-First Accommodations

When researching child-friendly lodges in South Africa, there are many things to consider, such as malaria risk, room configuration, and even the activities. Here are some key things to consider when chatting with your African safari expert.

• Are the rooms interleading? These are perfect for giving older kids some space while still staying connected.
• Should we consider a private villa? Properties like these offer exclusive-use spaces. Such an arrangement often includes your own private chef, butler, and vehicle, allowing for a 100% flexible schedule.
• What amenities are available? Many family lodges offer cots, high chairs, and even babysitting services – perfect for when you need a quiet dinner.

Plan Your Unforgettable Family Safari in South Africa

Choosing the right lodge is about matching the programme to your family’s needs. Whether they want to be a junior tracker at Kambaku or explore the Cubs Den at Londolozi, South Africa has a world of adventure waiting.

Ready to start planning? Speak to one of our Discover Africa experts today to find the perfect lodge for your next family adventure.