Safari makes for a fantastic family holiday; there’s something incredible about seeing your children’s faces light up in wonder as they catch their first glimpse of a lion or elephant, and sharing new experiences together is a true bonding experience. Your only problem now, then is where to go, which is, of course, where we come in! Read on for our guide to The Most Family-Friendly Safaris.
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1. Rhino River Lodge, South Africa
Rhino River Lodge is set along the shore of the Msunduze River on a private 23,000-hectare reserve in the heart of Zululand, 30 km North of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. The lodge itself is beautiful, with relaxing shades of beiges and greens. This is definitely a luxury safari lodge, albeit the kind of unpretentious luxury that is perfect when you are traveling with youngsters in tow! It offers a wonderful blend of privacy mixed with the pulse of the African wild and a welcome that is perfect for adventurous families.
The grounds of the lodge sprawl through an area of thick riverine vegetation, rich with bird and animal life and filled with glorious fig and fever trees. The grounds also include a reception with curio shop, a dining room with a bar, Wi-Fi, a communal lounge, and a swimming pool. The friendly camp accommodates a maximum of 24 people at any time. For accommodation, choose from Double Ensuite Luxury rooms, Family Chalets, or Two-Bedroom Private Safari Homes, which boast private pools. All the rooms are stunning and have everything that you need for a comfortable safari stay for everyone, including an ensuite bathroom, sitting area, private veranda, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, private verandas, mosquito nets, coffee and tea-making facilities and a fully-stocked minibar. Families are best suited to either the Family Chalets or Two-Bedroom Private Safari Home, both of which give you the space to spread out and feel right at home.
There are two daily game drives hosted by the knowledgeable game rangers of the Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve, where you have the opportunity to see lions, rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, wild dogs, and even the infamous black rhino, a very ‘wow’ moment that none of you will ever forget.
2. Ku Sungula Safari Lodge, South Africa
The beautiful Ku Sungula Safari Lodge is located in the 40,000-hectare Balule Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger Park in South Africa. The lodge has a romantic feel with echoes of the bygone era of safari, as well as excellent facilities, including a pool and air conditioning – perfect for the young ones. The lodge includes a stunning, shady terrace that overlooks a waterhole, ideal for attracting local wildlife. Accommodation is in a “Rondawel” – a Westernised version of a traditional African hut. The Rondawels are well-spaced to create privacy and a stunning secluded view and include ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, and a private terrace. Breakfast and dinner are cooked and served around the campfire, the epitome of safari dining and just what the children expect!
3. Makakatana Bay Lodge, South Africa
Makakatana Bay Lodge is situated on Lake St Lucia, within the gorgeous iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site on the east coast of South Africa. It’s homely and welcoming and offers family rooms which sleep 4 across two interconnecting rooms, so it is perfect for families. The main lodge has a bar, a raised deck that wraps around it, a nearby wine cellar, and a nearby private bush pool on the edge of Lake St Lucia. Makakatana offers morning, afternoon, and night game drives as well as all-inclusive full-day drives. Come early evening, an exquisite dinner is created in a boma and served around a fire, a totally memorable experience for young and old alike.
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