Family Travel

Family Travel Experiences Through Magical Africa

When you embark on an awe-inspiring journey to Africa with your loved ones, you’re not just visiting a destination; you’re forging stronger bonds and creating unforgettable memories together. The magic of Africa unfolds before your eyes, infusing your adventure with an irresistible sense of excitement and wonder that captivates your entire group.

Amidst the breath-taking landscapes and incredible wildlife, you’ll collect more than just astonishing photographs. You’ll gather cherished moments, etching them into the tapestry of your family’s story, to be fondly recounted and celebrated for many years to come.

Let’s Start Planning

Why your family should visit Africa

A family holiday is an opportunity to relax, have fun and spend time together. But what makes a family holiday in Africa so special?

Through personal encounters with Africa’s rich cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and extraordinary wildlife, you are laying a foundation for empathy, a sensitivity towards those different from your family and a mindfulness that will last a lifetime. By cultivating an appreciation for our planet, exposing them to diverse cultures, and connecting them with extraordinary life experiences, you can shape their values and elevate their understanding of the world from an early age.

Africa is a place of great beauty and diversity, but it is also a place of great need. There are many communities in Africa that lack basic necessities such as clean water and healthcare. And the need for greater conservation efforts has not waned. By traveling to Africa, you can help your kids learn about the importance of giving back and making a difference in the world. By helping them fall in love with Africa, you can ensure its place in their hearts and that the conservation of its wildlife, land, and communities will become a deep-seated priority for your children in the years to come.

When you embark on this transformative journey and fall in love with Africa, you will create cherished memories that will endure for generations.

FAMILY TRAVEL WITH KIDS Q&A

Listen to our marketing and business development manager and eager multi-generation family safari enthusiast, Casey, share advice and insights about how to make the most of a family trip to Africa.

LISTEN NOW »

FAMILY TRAVEL STYLES

Multi-generational family travel

A multi-generational trip to Africa doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful.On the contrary, an African bush and beach holiday can be perfectly tailored to entertain and engage every generation in your family. For young explorers,exciting and educational wildlife encounters will bring them face-to-face with Africa’s breathtaking nature.

Family travel with young children

Well-planned getaways for families with children between 3 and 10 years old, mean relaxing in family-friendly accommodation that has the safety of the little ones and the comfort of parents in mind. Think family suites with children’s amenities, focused activities and learning, as well as menu options for picky eaters. Local babysitting and nanny services can also be arranged to give parents significant blocks of rest and relaxation, too. Families may even opt for a private lodge and safari vehicle, which allows for full control over the timing of game drives to suit your family. They often feature dedicated chefs and rangers, too.

Family travel with tweens and teens

Family travel with children of all ages

Travelling with children of a very young age and kids who are older is an easy solve when you’re visiting Africa with help from our team. While babies,toddlers and little ones may need fenced-in campsites and lodges, as well as family-friendly accommodation (think family suites), older children and young adults thrive with more adventurous activities on offer and slightly more independent accommodation arrangements.

Family celebration travel

Celebrate milestone events with your family in Africa. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, college graduation, Bar Mitzvah, or an African wedding, the beautiful backdrop of Africa creates everlasting memories. With plenty of landscapes to choose from, you may even want to bookend the celebrations with a bush or beach experience, or perhaps a jaunt in the Telegraph Travel Awards’ favourite city to visit, Cape Town.

Family sabbatical and learning experiences

Take your time and explore the magic of Africa. There is a myriad of options that can bring real depth to your African experience. Learn to be a ranger, indulge in an African cooking adventure, participate in conservation projects, go on a walking safari, do volunteer work, or just work while you travel.

TOP TIPS

REASONS TO FEEL SAFE WHEN TRAVELLING TO AFRICA

The luxury safari circuit in Eastern and Southern Africa is extremely safe for foreigners to visit. We have safely and successfully sent hundreds of guests from many nations around the world to visit these regions since 2001, with zero incidents to date.
Our highly experienced travel managers have personally visited and vetted lodges where we send our guests. We won’t send you to any accommodation that hasn’t personally been approved by us.
Visiting Africa doesn’t mean compromising on comfort. From luxury lodges to glamping, your accommodation can be as comfortable as required.
Many lodges are fenced-in from the reserves and parks they are located in for additional safety.
Long-haul trips can be broken up strategically to give small children (and parents) a break from travelling.
VIP meet-and-greet services may be arranged at every point of transit to make your journey smoother and for your peace of mind.
Safari circuit chefs are very familiar with cooking for Western visitors. You will have well-known menu items to order and enjoy. You will also have opportunities to try more adventurous local flavours.

TOP TIPS

WHY AFRICA IS PERFECT FOR KIDS 

Kids love animals and they’ll see plenty on safari.
They will meet wonderful people from different cultures who speak different languages – and they’ll hear new, amazing stories from truly amazing humans.
They will get to spend plenty of time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, away from their devices and screens.
Children love the hands-on learning experiences that only Africa can provide, like being introduced to the toothbrush tree or learning how to track wild animals by examining their dung.
Special game drives called Bumble Drives are curated for young children, while private safari vehicles allow families to determine their own daily schedules to fit in with kids’ daily rhythms.
Babysitting and nanny services are available at many lodges, with fun ranger-led and staff-led children’s activities also on offer.
Chefs can cater for picky eaters and food allergies.
Multi-country bush-to-beach trips ensure the kids experience Africa’s exceptional variety of landscapes, animals, birds, fish, food, leisure activities and cultures.

TOP TIPS

REASONS TO BOND WITH YOUR FAMILY IN AFRICA

The science confirms you cannot separate healthy families and quality time.
If you plan it, they will come.
Holidays create space for connecting.
Bonding through first-time experiences adds a deeper level of connection.
Making memories for your family will contribute to a more sustainable earth.

TIMELESS AFRICA SAFARIS’ KID EARTH AMBASSADORS

An Earth Ambassador is a young person who is passionate about taking care of our planet and its inhabitants. They are respectful of life, including animals, plants, and people. They understand the importance of conserving our resources, and they are committed to making a difference in the world.

As an Earth Ambassador on safari with Timeless Africa Safaris, your children or grandchildren will learn about the interconnectedness of all life on our planet. They will develop a deep respect for nature and the natural world. And they will be inspired to take action to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

AFRICAN EXPERIENCES CHILDREN ENJOY ON SAFARI

• Learning about different animal tracks
• Seeing and remembering the big 5 five, the little 5 five, the ugly 5 and the shy five
• Cleaning their teeth using twigs from the toothbrush tree
• Connecting with their safari guides and hearing stories about wild animals
• Spending afternoons sourcing their next meal from the lodge’s organic gardens.

But these are not the only experiences your children or grandchildren can enjoy. When they’re a bit older, they can go behind the scenes to learn what it is to be a game ranger and look after conservancies and find out why animals are tagged; even ‘tagging along’ with the rangers to view real animal tagging situations.

Our Timeless Africa Safaris team have curated magical kids’, tweens’ and teens’ activities to help beautifully ingrain the Earth Ambassador values into their hearts and minds. By raising your children and grandchildren to be Earth Ambassadors, you are leaving them a legacy that will make a difference in the world. And that is something you can be proud of.

Discover our stories

Read our travel stories, tips and guides straight out of Africa.

Why You Need A Family Retreat In Africa

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” is a proverb that I believe has an important application to families.

Amplify your family bonding moments in Africa

Africa offers spectacular opportunities to amplify holiday bonding moments. Magnificent wildlife and awe-inspiring vistas.

Our expert insights into taking kids on safari

We answer the top questions about travelling to Africa for a safari holiday with young kids.

From what age can you take your child on safari

Taking kids on safari is a bucket-list dream holiday for most families, but often parents and grandparents are not sure when is a suitable age for kids to experience their first safari.

The Great Migration: Ensuring a Safe and Exciting Experience for Kids

A safari offers an exceptional educational experience for children, providing an opportunity to uncover the wonders of the natural world.

Family villas in Africa

As we head towards the end of the year, it is time to think of Festive Family & Friends Getaways. Africa gives you the space you crave, the connection with nature you seek, and the wildlife encounters you’ve dreamed of.

Earth Ambassadors

“Some of my most memorable safari experiences have been with my grandkids, the first time with our 4-year-old, seeing the bush and Wildlife through her eyes and witnessing her sheer excitement watching the elephants at the waterhole from up close. Experiencing her unbridled connection to the game ranger and tracker was joy to behold.”

A Day on Safari

We are often asked what a typical day on safari will be like. Your day is filled with many pinch-me-moments and below we give you just a glimpse of what awaits you on ‘another tough day in Africa’.