Family-friendly lodges are properties that cater specifically to travellers with children, offering suitable accommodation, flexible dining, and in some cases dedicated activities or guides for younger guests.
Not all safari lodges accept children, and age restrictions may apply in certain areas. These properties are selected for their practicality, safety, and ability to accommodate families comfortably.
Opened in 2018, Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel is the first of its kind in Victoria Falls, one of Africa's major attractions. Serene and luxurious, it provides a lovely base from which to explore the many sights, scenes and attractions the area has to offer. Or you can simply relax and take a break between safaris, watching as the wildlife comes to visit at the waterhole.
Overlooking the Tarangire River which never dries up Tarangire Safari Lodge offers visitors breathtaking views of beautiful landscapes and a wide array of animals from its deck, thatched tents and bungalows. Sit on the veranda at sunset and watch elephants come down to drink, their babies splashing and playing. Pure, African bliss.
Located in a secluded valley in the foothills of Korannaberg Mountain Range in Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, Tarkuni is a luxurious exclusive-use, private homestead that was once the Oppenheimer family's private Tswalu residence. Tarkuni Homestead is ideal for families with children and small groups of friends who want to reconnect and soak up the tranquillity of the green Kalahari.
Tau Game Lodge (Tau meaning 'lion' in Tswana) is in the far north-western corner of the malaria-free, Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve. The vegetation here is less dense Kalahari-thornveld, easier for game spotting. The main lodge and luxury safari chalets all look out over the vast waterhole where a pageant of wildlife comes to drink at all hours of the day and night.
Thakadu River Camp has 12 luxurious safari tents on the banks of the Marico River in the malaria-free, Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve. Thakadu is a wholly-owned, community-based project and an ecotourism success story. This exclusive, tented safari bushcamp is situated in the far eastern part of Madikwe, in a good area for game viewing.
Very iconic and somewhat quirky, The Ark in Aberdare National Park was built to resemble Noah's creation. It overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts a wealth of wildlife, especially herds of elephant. There are viewing areas on four different levels as well as a bunker right next to the waterhole where you can watch and photograph the animals so close you can almost touch them, yet remain unseen.
The Cape Milner Hotel is a convenient and affordable hotel in Cape Town's City Bowl at the foot of Table Mountain, only three minutes from the V&A Waterfront. The hotel offers 57 air-conditioned, en-suite bedrooms, some with a view of Table Mountain.
The Commodore Hotel offers affordable four-star accommodation in a prime location right next to one of the most popular tourism developments in the world - the V&A Waterfront. The hotel is well-known for its exceptional service and offers excellent facilities.
With beautiful panoramic views of the towering column of spray rising from the Victoria Falls, The Elephant Camp is the ideal intimate, peaceful retreat. Situated 10 km from the Falls on its Zimbabwean side, The Elephant Camp offers 12 exclusive, luxury tented suites and plenty of opportunities to get up close with the Wild Horizons elephants.
The Elephant Hills Resort offers four star accommodation that overlooks the distant Zambezi River, as well as the majestic Victoria Falls. On the Zimbabwean side, just 4 km from the famous Falls, it offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy including an 18-hole golf course, guests can experience Africa in comfort and style.
A 45-minute drive from Nairobi's main city airports, The Emakoko is a lodge built into the steep slopes of the Mbagathi River valley. All 10 rooms face the river and the Nairobi National Park which is home to the Big 5 and a great variety of wildlife and birds.
Situated along the eastern side of Hwange National Park, The Hide is about two hours' drive south from Hwange's main camp. It's one of the oldest, most established camps in Hwange. All tented suites and the main camp with its upper-level hide overlook an active vlei and waterhole. One of the best features of this camp is the eye-level game viewing hide right at the waterhole.
The 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town is an award-winning, 5-star, luxury boutique hotel located against the dramatic backdrop of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range which forms the back of Table Mountain and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel offers a tranquil respite located an easy 20-minute drive away from Cape Town's vibrant and colourful city centre.
Thonga Beach Lodge is a luxurious lodge set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast in northern KwaZulu-Natal, on South Africa's east coast. Private, exclusive and remote, with only 12 spacious thatched suites, the lodge is metres from the unspoilt wilderness beaches of Mabibi, with easy access to some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in southern Africa.
Thorntree River Lodge, situated in the Mosi Oa Tunya (Smoke That Thunders) National Park in Zambia, provides luxury accommodation in an area known for its abundant wildlife. Each modern tented suite sits right on the river bank with uninterrupted views over the Zambezi. The lodge is about 15 kilometres upstream from the breathtaking Victoria Falls and offers an extensive range of African experiences and activities.
About 140 km south of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is second only to the Maasai Mara as the most popular safari area in Kenya. Tortilis Camp is recognised as the only boutique safari camp in the area, famous for its huge elephant population and scenic beauty with the iconic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro acting as a backdrop.
Child-friendly Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu has eight spacious luxury tented suites with wraparound decks, a large swimming pool, a waterhole, a photographic hide and a walking trail. It's the perfect tented safari lodge for families wanting to combine game-viewing activities and cultural experiences in a private game reserve in Botswana.
Well-located in Madikwe's western sector, Tuningi Safari Lodge overlooks a small waterhole which attracts a large variety of wildlife – by day and by night. Exclusive luxury, excellent cuisine and superb hospitality will make your safari an experience to remember.
Umlani Bushcamp provides a rustic bush experience that will give you a unique safari in the Timbavati Private Reserve. It offers simplistic luxury and 'getting away from it all’. The camp operates without electricity, wifi and air conditioning: allowing you to simply soak up the sounds, scents and sights of the surrounding bush.
The Victoria and Alfred Hotel is a luxury 4-star hotel, occupying a prime spot in the heart of Cape Town's vibrant V&A Waterfront, with safe access to excellent retail facilities, restaurants and entertainment. The hotel offers breathtaking views of Table Mountain and Cape Town's historic working harbour.
The Victoria Falls Hotel is the 'grande dame' of the Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe. Established in 1904, royalty, celebrities and statesmen have visited the hotel to enjoy its tranquillity, elegance and privacy. More than a century old, the hotel combines its historical, Edwardian charm with modern comfort and convenience. It has its own private path leading to the beautiful Victoria Falls (15-minute walk) and offers a variety of activities to provide its guests with an unforgettable African experience.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, adjacent to the Zambezi National Park, forms a large open-plan treehouse among the indigenous trees. From here, guests can enjoy luxury accommodation, as well as a spectacular view of the African bushveld and wildlife. In addition to this wonderful African experience, the lodge is only 4 km away from the Victoria Falls rainforest.
With eight spacious suites and a private villa, WaterLovers Beach Resort on Diani Beach along Kenya's tropical south coast offers a perfect setting for a relaxing beach holiday. Lazy and leisurely or adventure-packed with activities, WaterLovers has something for everyone.
Why not chat to one of our safari experts who can answer all your questions and help you design your dream trip to Africa.
