Traveling in Africa offers many family-friendly experiences, where kids can immerse themselves in new cultures and learn hands-on activities like arts and crafts, traditional cooking, and adventure activities Best of all, children will be able to create lasting memories of the time they saw their favorite animal out in the wild on safari.
Go2Africa has been making unforgettable African safari holidays for the past 25 years and uses their first-hand knowledge and relationships with over 1,000 carefully selected partners across Southern and Eastern Africa to make their journeys accessible and fun for all ages. Driven by a passion for positive change, the B Corp-certified travel specialist based in Cape Town and Nairobi recently announced their top five family-friendly African destinations to visit in 2025. From the bush to the desert to the coast, this year’s list includes wildlife immersions, adrenaline activities, and conservation programs in locations perfect for the whole family.
Tanzania’s Rubondo Island
Nestled within a national park, this private island paradise is affectionately known as ‘Noah’s Ark’ due to its astounding natural beauty and diversity. Children can enjoy the freedom of guided exploration at the only place to stay on the island, while families are presented with an exclusive and intimate setting. While younger children will delight in game drives, catch-and-release fishing, sunset cruises, and guided nature walks, older teens and adults can partake in guided chimpanzee trekking. On thrilling game drives in private Land Rovers, families can view the island’s unique ecosystem, which includes giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and hippos. Best of all, the Robinson Crusoe-style comfort expands children’s horizons, providing them a base to explore.
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast
Shipwreck Lodge, the only lodge in the soul-stirring Skeleton Coast National Park, is one of Africa’s most unusual lodges and the ideal place to explore one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas. The awe-inspiring destination provides educational opportunities for kids to learn about the area’s desert elephants, giraffes, lions, and baboons and search for brown-hyena spoors. Children and their families can enjoy leisurely walks to the ocean with stunning beaches and dunes on their doorstep, or the more adventurous can tackle quad biking on the untouched dunes. A must while there is a boat trip to Mowe Bay Seal Colony where children will watch seals in their natural habitat and stop at the historic Karimona and Suiderkus shipwrecks along the way. Sparking the imagination of these young travelers, this experience adds an extra layer of adventure and discovery to your family safari.
Marataba Safari Lodge in South Africa
Nestled in the stunning Waterberg Mountain, Marataba Safari Lodge is a malaria-free environment in South Africa. Providing a safe and serene environment for all ages, this lodge is great for families with young children or multi-generational groups. A perfect alternative to other popular safari destinations like Kruger National Park, the family-tented suite makes for an ideal accommodation for families with younger children. With a spacious main suite and a bunk room for kids and the lodge’s comfort and great views, families are presented with a safe home-away-from-home experience. Children ages five to 11 can enjoy activities like exploring the Eco Garden, animal tracking, bush camping, and movie nights under the stars with the Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Safari Club. Together, families can board the boat, Miss Mara, for a water safari on Marataba’s Matlabas River and partake in a gentle cruise, watching for wildlife and birds, especially magical during an African sunset.
Ol Pejeta, Kenya
Asilia Africa’s Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is located on the banks of Kenya’s Ewaso Nyiro River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Kenya. This safari experience combines luxury, education, and adventure for the entire family in the Laikipia region, surrounded by a thriving local wildlife population. Families with children over five years old are welcome to the camp, which offers a variety of child-friendly activities that are both accessible and engaging. From early morning game drives to night drives to spot elusive creatures like aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, and leopards, families will be able to create lasting memories. Families can also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these endangered chimps and see the last remaining northern white rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, offering a rare and educational experience for children and adults alike.
The Wild Coast, South Africa
An untamed wilderness, the Wild Coast reaches from the Umtamvuna River in the north to the Great Kei River in the south. GweGwe Beach Lodge is a luxury bush and beach lodge presenting a fantastic option for families in the Mkambati Nature Reserve. Attracting those seeking a more remote environment, the Lodge presents guests with the opportunity to watch zebra grazing and dolphin surfing at the same time. With its accessible child-friendly area with games, entertainment, and supervision, its spacious and comfortable family suites present a great opportunity to bond together. Picnics and guided marine tours (there is an abundance of rock pools to keep children’s minds busy) or botany walks keep families busy, while guests can also explore the coastline and go swimming, hiking, or building sandcastles on the beautiful beach.
Learn more by visiting Go2Africa.com.