Safari with kids: when to go, where to stay and what to take on the road
A family safari is actually doable even with kids. The key is to get the season, health requirements, and camp choice right.
Below we'll cover when to go, where to stay, and how to prepare your kids for game drives.
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Where to start when planning a family safari?
💡 In short:
- Best season for a first safari with kids: dry winter, see the seasons section for specific months.
- Age policies vary by camp: some take kids on game drives from age six, others only from twelve (as of 09/2026, Sabi Sand guide).
The easiest place to start is the camps' own websites. On Uyaphi.com and Go2Africa.com you'll find photos, room descriptions, and access details for the camps.
Almost all safari camps accept children. Many have added two-bedroom suites and separate houses for six to ten guests. Groups usually get a discount for booking an entire house.
Next, you choose your budget and number of nights. Ask the camp about their child policies in advance: whether kids are allowed on game drives, whether family rooms are available, and whether they offer a children's menu.
A specialized tour operator can help with the selection. They'll pick a camp, meet you at the airport, and assist with luggage and visas.
Little bush camp in the Sabi Sand Reserve
In the Sabi Sand Reserve, on the western border of Kruger, sits Little Bush Camp. It's part of the Sabi Sabi group and suits families who want to meet other travelers. Camp details verified on 13.09.2026 on the official Sabi Sabi website.
A waterhole sits right next to the dining area. During lunch you can watch elephants come down to the water. The property has pools, a spa, a gym, a play center, and a gift shop.
Available dates in Sabi Sand go fast. Check Little Bush Camp prices on Trip.com.
Bushcamp Company Group in South Luangwa
In Zambia, in South Luangwa National Park, the Bushcamp Company Group operates. The main lodge with an open-air lounge, restaurant, and twelve individual rooms is a thirty-minute drive from the town of Mfuwe.
You fly to Mfuwe from Lusaka, and then the camp meets you and drives you to the lodge. The road is unpaved. Check in advance whether your child is allowed on walking safaris.
It's worth comparing options near the park ahead of time. See hotels in South Luangwa on Trip.com.
Shinde, Chief's camp, and Stanley's camp in the Okavango Delta
Want water, boats and mokoro? Then your destination is the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Shinde camp run by Ker & Downey sits by a lagoon amid open plains.
Sanctuary Retreats offers two more family-friendly options: Chief's Camp and Stanley's Camp. Both camps lie on wooded islands surrounded by lagoons.
The delta flood arrives in the dry season and lasts from June through August (as of 09/2026, Okavango.com). During this time you ride in a mokoro and see hippos and elephants from the water.
Delta tours should be booked in advance. See Okavango Delta tours on GetYourGuide.
Health on safari: malaria, vaccinations, insurance
Kruger is one of two parks in South Africa with a malaria risk, and the Sabi Sand reserve lies in the same zone (as of 09/2026, Kruger park page). The peak falls in the wet season from November through April. In the dry winter there are noticeably fewer mosquitoes.
Malaria is not a vaccination but prevention. A doctor prescribes the tablets, taking into account the child's age, season and route. Some medications are not suitable for children.
For the trip, pack light-colored long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and repellent. Ask your doctor about vaccinations well in advance. A yellow fever certificate is only required when arriving from a risk country.
© Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsTake out family medical insurance before the trip. Compare child insurance terms on EKTA.
When to go: safari seasons with children
The Southern Hemisphere flips the usual calendar. In South Africa, winter arrives in the middle of the year. The table below is organized by season (as of 09/2026, Kruger seasons guide).
Season | Months | Weather | Wildlife | Malaria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dry winter | May-August | cool nights, sunny days | animals at waterholes | low |
Warm dry | September-October | warm and dry | sparse bush, best visibility | low |
Green season | November-April | rain, muddy roads | lots of greenery and birds | high |
From June through August, nights are cold, so bring a warm jacket for morning game drives. September and October give you the best visibility through the bush. December, January, and February bring rain and muddy roads.
If you are traveling in the green season, build extra time into your plans. Roads get waterlogged during this period, and game drives are sometimes rescheduled.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child go on safari?
In Sabi Sand, some lodges take children on regular game drives from age six, and younger children are allowed at the ranger's discretion (as of 09/2026, Sabi Sand family lodges). Other lodges only accept children from age twelve. Check the policy before booking: it affects the price and the range of game drives.
Do I need malaria tablets?
Only a doctor can decide about malaria tablets. Risk seasons and prevention guidelines are covered in the health section.
When is the best time for a first safari with a child?
For a first trip, dry winter works well, when animals stay near waterholes. See the table above for months and weather by season.
What should I bring on safari?
Basic clothing and repellent are listed in the health section. Add a hat, sunscreen, and binoculars for each child. Bring your own water and snacks.
How do children handle transfers between lodges?
Between lodges in Africa, you travel by car or fly on a small plane. With children, these transfers are tiring, so it is better to choose one lodge for the whole trip. If you want to see two regions, leave a rest day between them. That way you can head out on the morning game drive without stress.
In short: what to book
If you are traveling with children for the first time, choose South Africa and Sabi Sand. Logistics are easier there and there are more family lodges.
If you want water and boats, choose the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Mokoros, hippos, and elephants await you from June through August.
If your budget is limited, look at South Luangwa in Zambia. Lodges there are smaller.
Compare your options: see safari hotels on Trip.com.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.