Malaria-Free South Africa, for Families

A malaria-free safari and time in Cape Town on the best South Africa safari

You can have an amazing safari with young children in tow, as this best South Africa safari itinerary shows. In fact, there are few things as rewarding as watching your kids encounter Africa’s spectacular wildlife for the first time.

This itinerary is designed for all generations, from grandparents right down to babies. Begin your trip with stays at two safari lodges in malaria-free zones and end in spectacular Cape Town, which abounds in family-friendly activities. Best of all, this itinerary is designed to offer value for money, so your trip of a lifetime won’t break the bank.

Best South Africa safari: 11 days/10 nights

Highlights

This 11-day best South Africa safari itinerary starts at Ant’s Nest in the Limpopo, where a wide variety of game frequents a waterhole and a lack of big predators means children can join their parents on game drives. The lodge is surrounded by open plains where game regularly graze – don’t be surprised to see a rhino meters from your pool lounger – and offers fabulous activities for kids include horse riding and swimming with horses, fishing, snake and reptile handling, night sky safaris, and bug and spoor walks
Drive to Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West province. At Jaci's Safari Lodge, enjoy twice-daily game drives in search of the “Top 10” – as well as the Big 5, you may spot hippo, giraffe, wild dog, hyena, and cheetah. Kids can track spoor with the rangers and make cookies or pizza with the chef; depending on the size of your group, you may want to upgrade to the exclusive-use Jaci's Nare Suite 
Return to Johannesburg and fly to Cape Town, where you’ll stay at More Quarters Hotel. Your action-packed stay in the city includes a cableway ride or a hike up to the top of Table Mountain and a visit to the District 6 Museum. Learn to cook African specialties at a cookery school in Langa Township before settling down to enjoy your creations, or enjoy a day along the coast on a marine safari, especially magnificent from June to October when it’s whale calving season
Spend a family day around the Cape Peninsula. Begin with a treasure hunt in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, then visit the seals at Kalk Bay and their cute neighbors, the penguins, in Simon’s Town. Wander along hiking trails past hidden coves and rocky beaches at Cape Point before heading up the funicular for panoramic ocean views

Price for South Africa family safari

$4,700-$5,600 averaged per person based on 2 adults sharing with 2 kids under 12 in 2023

Itinerary map