What a Day on Safari with Kids Really Looks Like

From early meal times and flexible game drives to family activities and daily schedules, here’s what a day on safari looks like with kids.

From toddlers to teens, we’ve been sending happy families with children on safari for over a decade. It is a fantastic way to bring the family together and a great opportunity for children to learn about the natural world around them. That and curious kids love seeing their favorite Lion King and Madagascar characters in real life.

Of course, planning a safari with kids has a logistical side—meals, naps, playtime, and bedtime must all be factored in—which can make some parents apprehensive. We understand that. We’re also parents and have been on countless safaris with our kids, so we appreciate the need to balance family life and the adventure of a lifetime.

It’s true that a family safari is not your average trip. Days are designed and structured to allow you to get the absolute most out of your time—but fitting children into that is easy if you know what to expect.  Here’s what a safari with kids really looks like.

A FAMILY DAY ON SAFARI: SCHEDULE

The following schedule is what an average day on safari looks like. Bear in mind that with lodges and camps we work with, there is always flexibility, especially where children are involved.

6 AM: Morning game drive

The first game drive of the day is often early in the morning when the weather is cooler and the wildlife is more active. If you have a private vehicle, game drives can be changed to suit your family.

9 AM: Breakfast

Breakfast is served on your return, or, on some mornings, it may be at a secluded location in the bush, often a little earlier. It’s always a good idea to take a snack for the kids in the vehicle with you, which the lodge will provide on request.

10 AM: Downtime

Between breakfast and lunch, there’s plenty of time to relax. The kids are free to do what they want, so it’s important to pick camps and lodges with plenty to do (more on that later).

12.30 PM: Lunch

Lodges will always try to accommodate children with kid’s menus or meals for specific dietary requirements. Many are flexible with mealtimes, too.

1.30/2 PM: Siesta time

If the kids are getting tired, almost all safari camps make room for an afternoon nap in their schedule. Of course, children’s sleep patterns don’t always fit neatly into a schedule, so there’s always wiggle room.

3.30 PM: Afternoon tea

A chance for afternoon refreshments before the last game drive of the day. More likely, extended nap time or play time for the kids. Refreshments for kids are usually juices, and snacks, such as cakes.

4 PM: Evening game drive

Evening game drives can be flexible. If you’re in your own vehicle, you can shorten them to suit your family. Depending on where you are, they can also be cooler, so pack a sweater and insect repellent.

7: PM: Dinner

If dinner is too late, it can often be brought forward for hungry children. Lodges can also provide snacks for your evening game drive, if the kids don’t want to miss the action.

HOW TO PLAN A SAFARI AROUND YOUR FAMILY

Book a family unit with a private vehicle

Family accommodation often comes with a private vehicle, giving you complete freedom to choose your schedule. So if, for example, a 7 PM dinner is too late for your little ones, you can move your game drive earlier and arrange to have dinner at a time that suits you. Likewise, you can cut a drive short if the kids are flagging, and return to camp.

Sticking with dinner, early meal times, and kids’ menus are common (and we can make sure we only send you to lodges that have both). You can also have dinner in your room in some places, so a spacious family unit helps.

Ask for guides who are great with kids

Safari guides who have kids themselves, or guides who are just great with kids, can make all the difference during a game drive. Guides who know how to communicate with kids enhance their experience, helping them learn while having fun.

We know which camps have the best safari guides for families, and we’ll help you book them where possible. Some camps even offer a childminding service if you’d like to go on a game drive without the kids.

Choose lodges with plenty of activities for kids

Outside of game drives, there’s plenty of downtime on a family safari. Swimming pools and games are always winners with kids, but if you’re staying in one place for a number of days, you’ll also want some extra activities for the kids to get involved in.

In Kenya, there are educational training camps with the Maasai or Samburu people that involve spear-throwing, fire building, and ceremonial jumping. Other camps, such as Saruni, offer junior ranger programs, which introduce children to conservation in fun and interesting ways. Many camps and lodges also have kid’s clubs that provide fun activities, such as making casts of paw prints, kid-friendly walks, scavenger hunts, and more.

Stay in one place for longer

Moving around every few days is a surefire way to create grumpy kids. Instead, stay for longer in one place. You’ll feel more connected to the place and have more time to unwind together as a family. We also recommend choosing a private conservancy, which gives you complete flexibility over your schedule. We can advise the best private conservancies for families.

THE BEST PLACES FOR A FAMILY SAFARI

Kenya

With epic national parks, such as the iconic Maasai Mara, a long coastline of white-sand beaches, and a fascinating kaleidoscope of cultures and peoples, there’s a reason families love Kenya. We love the East African country for its enormous range of private conservancies, which, unlike national parks, offer a much more personalized, flexible experience. Check out some of our favorite places to stay for families.

Madikwe Safari Lodge: A family-run lodge in a malaria-free part of Kenya, Madikwe puts family at the heart of its safaris. There’s a kid’s safari club that transforms children into miniguides, a screen-free activity center, The Eco House, a pool, and comfortable family suites with adorable bunk beds.

Saruni Lodge: Saruni accepts children of all ages and runs a fun, educational junior ranger program. The lodge also offers safari packages just for families, a kid’s club, and a pool to splash around in during the day.

Richard’s River Camp: This camp is in a private conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara, and children of all ages are welcome. It’s malaria-free, so there is no need to worry about mosquitos, and the camp can arrange educational visits to a nearby Maasai community.

South Africa

South Africa is always popular with families due to its wealth of malaria-free parks (most are malaria-free) and the ability to tag on a stay in Cape Town. Regarding wildlife, big game can be seen across the country, from the Kalahari Desert in the north to southern coastal areas. Here are some of our favorite properties for families with kids.

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge: We love this lodge for its activities-packed kids’ area. The EleFun Children’s Centre is for children from 4 to 12, and it has an outdoor play area for kids to blow off some steam. The rooms here are huge, and their two-bedroom villas come with a private guide and vehicle. 

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge: Kwandwe has three wonderful family suites, each with a private guide and vehicle. The lodge also has a dedicated kids’ area, the Den, a communal swimming pool, and extra activities, such as board games and scavenger hunts.

Singita: With an extensive list of child-friendly activities, Singita is a popular choice for families. Depending on where you stay (there are four lodges in South Africa: Singita Lembobo, Singita Sweni, Singita Sabi Sands, and Singita Ebony), activities can include junior ranger courses, swimming, art and crafts, cooking and food interactions, board games and more.